Audi A4 TDi SE 130 Review

Overall Rating

Agile, sporty even in base models, sure footed, fuel efficient, smooth, great looking, big boot for a saloon, clear controls, a drivers car, climate control as standard, accelerates like no other diesel I've driven.

Limited extras on base models compared to lesser manufacturers, hard ride for passengers.

What ever I say, the Audi A4 TDi is an excellent car to drive. It feels agile, accelerates well even at speed in 6th gear, it holds the road beyond my nerve, and controls the grip and braking through systems I trust even if I don't understand how they do it.

I drive the 2 litre TDI Euro IV, and with a lot of hard driving both motorway at speed and round town stop start I get 50 miles to the gallon. It does 600 miles to a tank and with cruise control and carefull driving would do much better. Having said that I enjoy driving it so much I don't like to just idle along. FOrgive me one and all.

It looks great, even without the S-Line low suspension the SE model has the right curves to tell you this is a well designed car. It sits well on the road and wind noise is not evident until well above the limit! The ride is sporty though and my kids having no trouble in family Citroens and Vauxhalls get travel sick in the back of the Audi! But there has to be some sacrifice for good handling doesn't there.

Inside the equipment is well laid out and the fit and materials are the best I've seen in a car of this class. Easily beats the BMW3 series on the same matter. But there are a few niggles. Sure you get proper climate control and it works well, but compared to lesser cars, wheres the CD multichanger and folding rear seat as standard? Options thats where. Every thing is an add on option, but having said that you need to look deeper. The electronic that keep teh car on the road are good. The handling is excellent. The stereo is 150W and excelent even at high volume. The driver compurter offers useful features and differentiates between urgent and not so urgent warnings. The lights turn them selves off when you turn off the engine and so the quality is there and this more than makes up for the minor missives.

As for Audi, well, I can't comment on all dealers but my local dealer, took in my car with no warning, over a minor (non urgent) fault, solved it within an hour, were polite and curtious, made me feel weclome and sent me on my way reassure and fixed. SO far the service matches the quality of the car.

Members' Comments onIain Macrae's Review

• Iain Macrae on 13th Aug 2008

  Two and a half years on. 55000miles
  It's still a good car. The only wear and tear is the cigarette lighter on which the logo has started to wear. I've had only one fault fixed by an Audi technician who came to me. Servicing I have had by one independant and once by Audi. I have to say Audi's customer service was excellent.
  Leg room on the back is a little short, but for my kids (5 & 7) its fine. For adults it would be limited. The boot is big, and takes all my considerable work stuff, too deep in some cases for me to reach the back.
  I do a lot of long distance travel and its a pleasure to drive, the seats are firm and you do need to take a break to give your legs a stretch.
  Oh and watch the cup holder... terribly placed if you spill some coke from it, it'll spill down the console and stick up most of the buttons...my fault, but I understand Audi have moved it on the new A4.
  I'd still have another.