For more than a decade I owned a series of S model Audi cars, and I loved each of them, with their mix of model generations and engine configurations from B5 generation twin turbo S4 through naturally aspirated 4.2 litre V8 to the thunderous V10 of the S6 and a supercharged 3.0 V6 in a B8 generation S5 Sportback. I got to drive an awful lot of other Audi models over the years, a mix of dealer supplied courtesy cars which ranged from the diminutive A1 to executive A6 models, and I also found that Hertz had quite a few models in their fleet around Europe, so there was a point when I had driven almost everything in the range apart from the very top spec cars. But since moving from Audi to Maserati, I’ve also found far fewer of their models in the rental fleets so I’ve not driven that many of the current range. Most of the ones I have sampled have been in Italy, where Hertz favour them as part of their prestige collection, and it seems that no matter what I book, in recent times they have generally given me the keys to something from the Audi range. On this occasion, they were actually planning to provide a C Class Estate but there was something wrong with it which meant a late substitution to an A4 Avant instead. Although the B9 generation A4 and A5 models have been around since late 2015, and I have driven a couple of examples, one in the UK and one in the US, they were both saloons and they were also both before the mid-cycle update that came in late 2020, so whilst being pleased to get a nice car out of a rather cheaper rental, I also looked forward to experiencing the latest version of what until recently had been Audi’s best-seller (a position now claimed by the Q5).

The B9 generation of the A4 and A5 family was formally launched at the Frankfurt Show in 2015, with sales starting soon thereafter across Europe. Saloon and Avant models were announced the same time. These cars showed a cautious styling evolution from their predecessors, as has been the Audi way for the last couple of decades. Slightly larger, they were an average of 265 lb lighter than the outgoing cars thanks to greater use of aluminium. The latest tech featured, of course, and the equipment levels were improved across the entire range. The mid-cycle facelift, as is so often the case, changed almost all of the body panels, and yet it will take a very trained eye to spot the differences, and the latest tech was incorporated though the rest of the interior was left largely untouched.

Audi have offered a number of different petrol and diesel engines in the B9 generation A4. Initially described by engine size, they adopted Audi’s still somewhat unfathomable nomenclature when this was applied across the range in Europe. Ignoring the S and RS models, in European markets there are currently four choices, two petrol and two diesel, both of which take the 35 and 40 names, with Quattro all-wheel drive only available on the 40 TDi model, the smaller capacity 1.4 litre petrol and more powerful 45 and 50 units having fallen by the wayside. These numbers are selected to denote power from within a range, regardless of engine size. The test car was the entry level 35 diesel, coupled with a 7 speed S-tronic dual clutch automatic gearbox, as indeed are all A4 models these days. This engine, a 2.0 litre four cylinder unit, is exceedingly refined and from an aural point of view, there is no real evidence that this is a diesel as opposed to a petrol. It develops 163PS and has a lusty 370Nm of torque which is more than enough to make this car feel quite lively. Whether you would really need the extra punch of the 40 model, which puts out 203 PS, is perhaps a matter for some debate. It is the torque that really helps out here, as there is strong acceleration once underway, and even some of the steeper hills in the roads south of Modena where I took the car presented no problem at all. That 7 speed gearbox makes very smooth gearchanges and there is no real need to override things and change the gears yourself. The benefit of the diesel over the petrol, of course, is better fuel economy. Having driven 750km, I put in 31.5 litres and then at the end of the test, by which time the total had come to 960 km, a further 10 litres were required to return the car full. That works out at a very impressive 65.3 mpg, a truly great result for a large family car like this. This all means that you could easily achieve a range of over 1000km on a single tank.

Whilst there is no doubting the refinement of this A4 Avant, it is, truth be told, a bit soul-less to drive. There’s definitely nothing wrong with it, as steering handling and grip are all just fine, but for ultimate driving enjoyment, you would probably prefer a 3 Series Touring, at least until the roads are wet and slippery. The steering does not have a huge amount of feel, though you can increase it a bit by moving through the various drive settings, but it is precise and the car is easy to position on the road as a consequence. The test car was a front wheel drive model, but Audi have worked hard to eradicate some of the characteristics that used to occasion complaint from the tail-happy-loving British press, so the A4 corners securely, with little in the way of body roll. This version of the A4 comes on the smallest wheels, 225/50 R17s, and lacks the lowered and stiffened suspension of S Line models, and the result is a ride which is smooth and comfortable. The brakes were well up to par, and they got a fair testing up in the mountains. All round visibility was pretty good and as the test was in late October when dark arrives early, I got the chance to experience the headlights, which on main beam are particularly good. When first launched back in 2015, the A4 Avant was awarded the maximum five-star rating, including an 89% score for adult occupant protection by Euro NCAP. The testing regime has now been updated, of course, so it no longer scores so highly. Standard safety equipment on all Audi A4 Avants includes a total of six airbags, cruise control with a speed limiter, traffic-sign recognition, lane-departure warning and autonomous front emergency braking.

Audi have long been renowned for the quality of their interiors, the fit and finish and materials used being a significant cut above everything else in the class. I think that the B9 generation has a few signs of trying to cut costs a bit, so this there is not quite such a quality feel as there used to be, but all the rivals have done the same, so I would say that Audi still wins hand down. The design is somewhat fussier, too, with more buttons more complications and some slightly over=styled graphics, partly a consequence of the extra kit that is now included. The leather-wrapped wheel is as nice to hold as ever. The instrument cluster has gone all electronic in this generation with a 12.3” Virtual Cockpit which is fully configurable with all manner of options as to how you want speed and revs displayed and the option to include the core elements of the navigation display. The graphics are crisp regardless of what you have showing. This A4 uses column stalks that will be familiar from other current VW-Audi products and there is an additional stalk on the lower left of the wheel for the cruise control. That still means there are more than plenty of buttons on the steering wheel boss, though, for audio repeater and menu selections, and none of it is quite as intuitive as it used to be in my Audi owning days. Lights operate from a rotary dial on the dash to the left of the wheel. A 10.1-inch central touchscreen using Audi’s latest MMI system, is fitted to all models, which responds rapidly and intuitively to inputs. It does look slightly incongruous just plonked atop the dashboard, but it’s easy to read and operate which is just as well as one of the changes with the B9.5 facelift was to remove the buttons and control knob from the centre console. Satellite navigation is included on all trim levels, along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity and of course there is DAB radio. There are also multiple USB connections and voice activation for certain functions. Sitting below this are knobs and buttons for the tri-zone automated climate control.

In the spec of the test car, the seats were upholstered in cloth and the wide range of adjustment is all manual. There is even four-way adjustable lumbar support which is a nice touch Whilst it was not hard to get the driving position I wanted, and there was a good feeling of space, with ample headroom and a seat that is wide enough even for those who are larger of build, there seemed to be a bit of a hard edge to the seat, though it was otherwise very comfortable. The steering column has manual telescoping adjustment. Combine the levels of comfort with low noise levels and this is a relaxing long distance cruiser.

Successive generations of the A4 have got a little bit bigger every time, and the result is that there is now plenty of space in the rear seats. Well, there is for two passengers. Because there is quite a sizeable central tunnel and the console comes well back, a middle seat occupant may find that there is not as much knee room as they would like. There is more headroom here than in the rival 3 Series and C Class and the car is also that bit wider. The doors open wide, too, so getting in and out is easy and it would not be hard to install the child seats if you needed to do so. There is a hard back to the seats and this means that there are no seat back map pockets, and nor are there any cupholders but there is a drop-down central armrest, and there are air vents and pockets on the doors.

Whilst nothing like as commodious as a Skoda Superb, but then nothing else is, the boot is a good size, at 495 litres which is slightly more than a C Class and slightly less than a 3 Series, but we are only talking a few litres in each case. It is easy to load with a nice flat floor, flush with the base of the tailgate. There is a space saver under the floor and there is room to tuck odds and ends around it. More space can readily be created by dropping the 40:20:40 asymmetrically split rear seat backrest using the levers just inside the tailgate. This boosts boot capacity to 1495 litres and the space is flat from end to end. A power-operated tailgate is standard across the range. Inside the front passenger compartment, there is a decently sized glovebox, large door pockets, a central armrest cubby and there are stowage recesses in the centre console which should amount to sufficient to meet the needs of most people.

In the UK, for the final years of production of the B9 generation A4 Avant, the model range has been reduced to just three trim levels, all of which are generous in their level of standard equipment. Audi tweak the specs slightly across Europe, but the Italian market Business Edition car that I received would seem to correspond more closely to the SE trim that used to be offered in the UK, but which has now been dropped. Closest option in the UK is the A4 Avant Sport, but there are a few differences of which the lack of leather upholstery would seem to be the most notable and there is more in the way of external bright trim. The UK market Sport comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, LED tail lights, aluminium roof rails and exterior trim in high-gloss black. There are bumpers bespoke to the Sport model, too. On the inside, Audi A4 Sport spec brings sports seats finished in twin leather, with the front pair heated and manually adjustable. Aluminium interior trim, LED ambient lighting, three-zone climate control and a multifunction steering wheel are all included. Cruise control with a speed limiter, front and rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera are other highlights. Like all Audi A4 Avants, the Sport model comes with a 10.1-inch MMI multimedia touchscreen, incorporating DAB radio, satellite navigation, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone connectivity. A 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit digital instrument display is included as well. Choosing the Audi A4 Avant in S line trim brings 19-inch alloy wheels, sports suspension lowered by 23mm and bespoke S line exterior styling. The latter includes S line bumpers and a special radiator grille, rear privacy glass and plenty of S line badges. There are S line-branded sports seats on the inside, finished in microfibre Dinamica upholstery, with matt aluminium used for the trim detailing. Perforated leather can be found on the three-spoke sports steering wheel and gear shifter, with the headlining in black cloth. Stainless steel pedals and illuminated S line door sill trims complete the package. At the top of the range is the Audi A4 Avant Black Edition, which brings a stealthy appearance to the standard S line model. This begins with 19-inch alloy wheels in a five-spoke design, and with a gloss anthracite finish. At the heart of the Black Edition is a black styling package, covering the front grille, window trims, side mirrors and roof rails. The Audi rings and model badging also get the black finish treatment, with dark chrome used for the exhaust tailpipes. The interior has piano black trim inlays, plus there is a flat-bottomed three-spoke steering wheel with perforated leather. Metallic paint is standard, while an ‘Audi Beam’ projects the Audi logo onto the ground when you exit the car.

As a former Audi owner, it will come as no surprise to learn that I liked this one. It preserves the Audi virtues of relatively understated elegance, and exudes a quiet competence that will impress all except those who want something more brash and showy. Diesel may have fallen out of fashion, but this car provided a reminder why until diesel-gate it was the fuel of choice for so many of us. With an engine that is as refined as petrol one, but with far more mid-range torque and staggeringly good economy and a long fuel range, it suits this car particularly well, which has been optimised for comfort rather than being an out and out sports machine. Audi have S and RS models for that, after all. There’s plenty of space, a good level of equipment and a feeling of quality which would make this an object of enduring appeal and the sales figures suggest that is exactly what a lot of people want. There are worrying signs that the latest generation of Audi models have started to move away from these core elements with brasher styling, lower quality interiors and gratuitous over-burdening with tech. With the next generation model allegedly only a few months away, let’s hope that Audi do not stray too far from all the things that are so right with the B9 generation. If they do, then we will have to conclude that this may well prove to be “peak A4”. It is, after all, a very good car, plain and simple.