2010 Audi A4 Avant Review

For the empty-nester with an active lifestyle.

2010 Audi A4 2.0T Avant quattro Tiptronic Review
by Larry Nutson
Senior Editor
Chicago Bureau
The Auto Channel

To say I’m a big fan of station wagons would be an understatement. While providing the comfort of a sedan, station wagons also have space and versatility readily at hand. I’ve spent the last 12 months or so living with an Audi A4 Avant, Audi’s mid-line wagon. 2009 was the first year of a complete redesign for the A4, the Avant being roomier than earlier versions and the 2010 model is virtually identical.

Prior to the Audi, I drove a Ford Edge, Ford’s crossover, and before that a number of Explorers, one Expedition and a Chevy Blazer thrown in for good measure. Each of these SUV’s served their purpose in life and did their job quite well. But with both daughters out of the house, a continuing need to transport our chocolate lab and the occasional need to move 4 or 5 people, a station wagon fits the bill very well for an active lifestyle empty-nester. Fold the back seat flat and the expanses appear to load in a bicycle.

The station wagon offerings on the market today are mostly from European brands. Subaru has a couple offerings and Cadillac just introduced the CTS sport wagon. All-wheel drive was important to me living with New England winters and the Quattro system from Audi might just be the best on the market. The A4 Avant is offered exclusively with Quattro, while other brands often offer a choice. If you live in a moderate climate area where you may not need A-W-D they may be worthy of a look.

A fuel-efficient 2.0 liter turbo 4-cylinder really gets the job done very well to power the Avant down the road while also helping to conserve on gasoline expenses. Overall mixed use driving for my long-term experience provided 24.5mpg while a long trip or even just an hour run on the highway on the weekend would see fuel economy at 30 to 31 mpg. Put the throttle to the floor and the turbo does its job. By the way, Audi’s are all equipped with “smart throttle” systems, where brake application will override throttle application.

The 2010 A4 Avant, with a base price of $36,175, has carefully crafted interior, a very pleasing and uncluttered exterior, the sporty and confident feel of the sedan in a very practical package for active lifestyle folks who don’t need the expanse of room in an SUV or CUV.

Final note: The ladies will really appreciate not having to climb up to get in.