At £ 37,345 the Audi A4 is good value but if you want the extras as fitted to the review car- and you do, you really do – the final bill is a buttock-clenching £ 10k more. I guess it is the same old story; if you want quality and a prestige badge then you have to pay for it. Just when you think the A4 cannot get any better, it does.

PERFORMANCE The Audi A4 makes for a great executive motor. Stick a decent diesel in it and it will be all set as a superb motorway cruiser, delivering many miles for every hard-earned gallon.

For preference though I requested a petrol engine this time and wasn’ t disappointed with the outcome. Boy, can this car motor on. There’ s no hardcore RS trickery going on here; it’ s just an efficient two litre four-cylinder motor with adaptive suspension that delivered a fuel consumption average just over 34mpg on some seriously mixed driving. I’ m happy with that. Business users may prefer the diesel because VED and first registration on

this petrol car is £ 255 and BIK is 37 %.

This engine is responsive and flexible and works well in conjunction with the sevenspeed automatic gearbox. As usual you can shuffle through the settings – Normal, Comfort, Individual – but I felt the car was at its best left in Sport mode throughout where it seemed to shift more decisively meaning I rarely bothered to move to the paddles for extra control. With 273 lb-ft( 370Nm) of torque available acceleration from even low speed meant that overtaking was swift and safe.

HOW IT HANDLES Excluding the high-performance versions, with a car like the Audi A4, which is designed essentially to appeal to just about everybody all of the time, there must perforce have to be some compromises and there is here, but they are well judged.

Even on this model with quattro fourwheel drive and sports suspension, the car still feels like what it really wants to do is travel at very high speeds on the autoroutes of the world. Certainly grip is exceptional

and handling is predictable but for me the steering is too light even when the rack weights up at speed. Overall though, it’ s a solid and dependable package.

PRESTIGE RIDE I love the Audi A4 interior. It’ s the best. Others are getting a bit dated or are too fussy but this car’ s ergonomic dashboard is outstanding as is all the usual sophisticated technology on board. Seven inch infotainment, climate, Bluetooth; you know what to expect by now. If you shun the options list come ordering time then at least go for the Nappa leather sports seats with lumbar support. Superb on adjustment, comfort and body grip.

It is an impressive interior all right, if a touch Teutonic. The whole inside of the Audi A4 shrieks quality. I cannot and will

not fault it. Occupant space is great upfront and perfectly fine for two in the back; three at a pinch. I tried the back seat and at 6ft had ample headroom. Truly lanky folk might feel the roof lining though. The boot is deep and spacious although as ever with a saloon, not quite as convenient as a hatch. Then again, the design necessary for a tailgate would mean that subtle, sleek shape would of necessity be compromised.

WOULD I BUY THIS CAR? In a heartbeat. When you can have just one car then you have to give and take a little. It is my firm conviction that pound for pound the Audi A4 is the best all-rounder on the road today.

Written by Geoff Maxted www. drivewrite. co. uk