There are only a few luxury wagons in the market and the 2012 Audi A4 Avant is one of them. The new Audi A4, also called Avant, boasts its balanced performance and, what Audi is known for, its classy interior.
It may not excel in some areas but if you look closely to what the A4 brings, you will see an excellent package that brings great value for your money.
Specifications
| Vehicle Type: Wagon | Base Price: $36,400.00 |
| Fuel Tank Capacity: 16.9 gallons (64L) | MPG: 21 city / 29 hwy |
| Length: 185.2 in. (470.3 cm) | Wheel Base: 110.6 in. (280.8 cm) |
| Height: 56.5 in. (143.6 cm) | Width: 80.3 in. (204 cm) |
| Curb Weight: 3814 lbs (1730 kg) | Ground Clearance: NA |
| Luggage Capacity: 17.3 cu ft | Maximum Seating: 5 people |
| Engine: 2.0L Turbo DOHC Inline 4 | Compression Ratio: 9.6: 1 |
| Horsepower: 211 HP | Max RPM: 4300 RPM |
| Torque: 258 lb-ft @ 1500 rpm | Transmission: 8-Speed Tiptronic® |
| 0-60 mph: 6.5 seconds | Maximum Speed: 130 mph (1609 km/h) |
| Option:Premium Plus 2.0T | MSRP: $41,000; MPG: 21 city / 29 hwy |
| Option:Prestige 2.0T | MSRP: $46,300; MPG: 21 city / 29 hwy |
Engine
There is only one engine for the Avant, the turbocharged 2.0 liter 4-cylinder engine that delivers 211 horsepower and 258 lbs/ft of torque. As a standard, this engine is paired to a Tiptronic 8-speed automatic transmission.
With a fuel economy rating of 29 mpg for highway and 21 mpg for city driving, the A4 Avant can be considered as a frugal wagon.
Performance
It is clear that the Avant provides adequate power for city and highway driving. What interests most shoppers is its excellent handling. The wagon is indeed long, but the center of gravity is low. These factors contribute to the wagon’s nimbleness. In fact, many test drivers describe the handling for the wagon as sporty. Another reason why the wagon handles this well is the all-wheel drive system that comes standard in all models.
Exterior
The A4 Avant bears all the traits that Audi cars have. The large front grille, the angular headlights, and the slight aggressiveness of the lines on the hood are all present. The sides have minimal lines and are slightly curved, giving the A4 a sharp and polished look. It seems that the A4 wants to reveal its sportiness only to its drivers.
Interior
The cabin of the 2012 A4 is spacious and comfortable. It can accommodate adults well in the front and second rows. However, if you are very tall and you want more space, do not sit on the back seat. Children will find plenty of space in the backseat though. Of course, the interiors are made of high quality materials, meaning Audi continues to live up to our expectations. There are, however, complaints about the cumbersome multimedia interface of the Avant.
Safety
The 2012 A4 Wagon is yet to be tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Nevertheless, we can use details for the A4 Sedan which is a Top Safety Pick for IIHS for scoring “good” in all the crash tests that they performed. The federal government gave the A4 Wagon a score of 4 out of 5 stars.
Reliability
The 2012 A4 Avant comes with a standard 4-year warranty and a 24 hour roadside assistance that last for four years. The reliability for the 2012 A4 wagon is just average in its class.
Pros
The A4 Avant has a capable engine that can deliver what your family needs. It has sporty handling that makes it easy to drive both in the city and on the highways. It has good looks in and out. The interior are made of quality materials. The cabin is comfortable, spacious and luxurious. The 2012 A4 Avant has good fuel economy rating. The A4 simply gives one of the best packages in the market today.
Cons
Very tall passengers should not take the back seat. The interface seems too advanced for consumers.
If you are looking for a luxury wagon that brings great value for your money, the 2012 Audi A4 Wagon is definitely for you.
Other vehicles you can look at that are comparable to the Audi A4 Wagon include the BMW 3 Series Wagon (MSRP $37,500; 17 city / 26 hwy) and the Cadillac CTS Wagon (MSRP $39,015; 18 city / 27 hwy).
Overall Rating
80 out of 100
What others say:
“The 2012 Audi A4 delivers refinement in both appearance and road manners. So, too, does the A4 Avant wagon, along with a healthy dose of utility.”Edmunds
