Compared with last year’s model, the 2007 is roomier, more stylish, and higher spirited. For example, the 2.0 liter 4-cylinder engine develops 200 horsepower (149kW), while the 3.2 liter V-6 powers up to 255 hp (190kW) @ 6500 rpm with 243 lb-ft (328 Nm) @ 3250 rpm. To make a good thing even better, the A4 Avant Wagon also offers a performance-oriented “S Line” option that not only looks good but better equips it for road calisthenics, including 18-inch wheels and beefier 235/40 boots. Depending on whether you are carrying extra passengers or not, the cavernous A4 opens up to hold 28 or 60 cubic feet of cargo space.

Plenty of standard equipment adds value to an already solid automobile, including dual zone environmental controls and air, power locks, standard moonroof on the V6, and CD with 6-disc changer. Option packages help outfit each model with a ton of technological wonders and comfort touches. The Premium Package offered for the 2.0T includes a moonroof, cowhide upholstery and 17-inch wheels. Catering more to your needs on the road, the A4 Wagon offers an optional Convenience Package with a garage door activator, intelligent wipers, a power passenger seat, self-dimming bi-xenon headlights, an event odometer and self-darkening mirrors. Not included in a particular package, are individual options like Sirius satellite radio, satellite navigation, parking proximity alert, plus attractive natural and alloy trim.

If you are hauling cargo, passengers, or both, the well-balanced Avant Wagon is as agile as a bobcat and sturdy as a grizzly bear. The interior of the A4 will impress the most jaded car critic with its numerous standard features, including: tilt and telescoping steering wheel, air conditioning, sunroof, and power windows. The luxurious upholstery and stylish wood and alloy accents add a level of richness not seen in any other wagon. Add an FM/AM radio and CD changer for an outstanding compliment to the car’s ambiance.

To carry precious human cargo, Audi backs up its luxurious packaging with concomitant safety features including: front driver and passenger airbags, and side curtain torso protective airbags. The 2008 Audi A4 Avant Wagon has passed the NHTSA criteria for frontal crashes with a 4-star rating. For side crashes, the Avant Wagon front seat tests earned 5 stars and for rear seat tests, 4 stars. When it comes to defensive driving, the Avant Wagon puts an amazing amount of control in the driver’s hands with the almost supernatural capability of electronic stability control.

One of the sharpest looking station wagons on the road, the Avant has been refreshed for 2009. It is longer, wider and lower than the first generation. Headlights are similar to those on the A8, and LED running lights are also part of the combination. All in all, the first glance might make you think you’re looking at a sports car instead of a station wagon.

The A4 Avant is propelled by a 2.0 liter, 211 horsepower I4 engine (no options) generating 258 pound feet of torque - which is excellent torque for a small station wagon. Like the engine, there is only one transmission, a six-speed automatic with overdrive. This combination generates 21 miles per gallon in the city and 27 miles per gallon on the highway. This is well above the average fuel efficiency of either upscale midsize cars or station wagons in general.

The A4 Avant, like all Audi vehicles, has quattro all-wheel drive. Quattro is a permanent all-wheel drive system with its genesis in the Volkswagen World War II German Army command vehicles.

In the quattro systems, torque is split between the front and rear axles. In adverse conditions the amount of torque applied to each axle can be changed instantly and unnoticeably with up to 80% of the torque going to a specific axle. The small amount of torque for the troubled axle helps maintain control of it. Unlike many modern automotive systems, this is done without computers, which actually makes it more reliable.

German engineering at its best, the A4 Avant rates five stars in every category of NHTSA crash tests. Standard safety features include antilock brakes with electronic braking assist and traction and stability controls, with a full set of airbags, anti-theft system and tire pressure monitor. An electronic parking aid is available.

The A4 Avant has only one trim, but being an Audi you can bet it’s a nice one. The Avant gets good marks for its overall warranty, but the power train warranty is below average for class. The other knocks on the vehicle are that it is underpowered for a high dollar vehicle and somewhat short on headroom for a station wagon.

Whether you choose a sedate sedan, or the flashier S4 Cabriolet, the standard exterior and safety features are the same: halogen headlights that are aerodynamically designed, a charcoal air filter, and front airbags that not only provide dual-stage protection, but come with a sensor that detects the presence of a front-seat passenger. Both the front and rear seats are have head-protection airbags, in case of side-impact crashes, and the back seat also has the LATCH child seat system.

Interior features standard across the line include a remote locking system, power windows and door locks, a center display that shows the temperature and estimates how far you can drive before you have an empty gas tank, as well as back-lighting for easier reading, and an air conditioning system that has separate controls for the driver and front passenger. The AM/FM radio and in-dash CD are standard, but there are options for a satellite radio system, (the line is satellite capable) and Bose speaker systems are available as well.

The 3.2 trim level adds quality touches to its interior, including fine leather upholstery and wood accents. Even if you choose the base 2.0T, expect an array of power features such as door locks, windows, and climate control. Add a moonroof and cruise control and you have the makings of a true entry level luxury car. Even id power door locks, tilt, telescoping steering column, and cruise control seem ordinary, the Audi A4 sedan has a few aces up its sleeve.

When compared with two or three of its closest competitors, things look pretty similar, except for the 2008 Audi A4 sedan’s Quattro 4-wheel drive. With years of experience perfecting its drive train, Audi can just sit and let the Quattro do its thing. Nothing else comes close, is so seamless, so trouble-free. Combined with the A4’s anti-lock brakes, multilink suspension, and stability control system, critics are hard-pressed to find anything better.

MSRPs for the Audi A4 range from $30,700 up to $48,800 and it comes with an impressive 48-month, 50,000-mile standard warranty. Fuel economy ratings make you feel good delivering 30 mpg on the highways and 23 mpg in the cities. It shares its underpinnings with the soon-to-come A5 and S5. Its lines are expertly-sculpted and it features a new front end that is noticeably aggressive. There are also catchy rows of running lights under each headlight. The longer wheelbase is accentuated with a shorter front overhand to make the car appear less long than it actually is. There has also been a 10 percent decrease in body weight over last year’s model due mainly to the use of “ultra-high-strength steel”.

On the inside, the 2009 A4 by Audi is all class. It features almost Lexus-grade materials and design standards. The seats are crafted from black leather and make a bold statement of elegance when matched with the black door panels. Aluminum accents are placed throughout to complete the pricey look and feel. As for cabin dimensions, they have grown in every respect as well. The seats offer considerably more comfort than did the 2008 ones and the trunk volume has increased by 3.6 cubic feet to 17 cf. The 14-speaker Bang and Olufsen 6-CD, iPod-enabled stereo system also has no problem getting your attention.

Enhanced safety features, both standard and optional continue to keep Audi in the forefront of the industry as a company that cares a lot about you and your family. There are 6 airbags standard and an option to purchase rear-side airbags as well. Engine-wise, the Audi A4 does not fool around; the stock engine pumps out 265 horses from its 3.2L V6/ZF 6-speed transmission combo. It will take you from 0 to 60 mph in only 6.2 seconds. Direct fuel injection and a 2-staged valve lifting system have created a 6 percent increase in fuel efficiency over last year’s model. Reduced bodily weight has also lowered the drag coefficient from 0.31 to 0.29 Cod. Even the new air conditioner offers a ten percent power increase while simultaneously requiring roughly 20 percent less fuel to operate it.

With all the convenience and comfort features of the Audi A4, the Avant wagon provided more passenger space and more room for the cargo frequently transported by business travelers and younger families. The vehicle was available in either front wheel drive or four wheel drive with a variety of engine sizes. The engineering and mechanical aspects of the Avant Wagon rivaled the engineering and luxury options of more expensive and more popular German models such as the BMW and Mercedes Benz without the heartier price tag. All of the profound and more popular features of the Audi A4 sedan were also featured in the Audi A4 Avant.

Throughout the years between the introduction of the vehicle in 1995 and the 2007 model year, proficient German engineering has been the driving force of the A4, whether in sedan, wagon or convertible form. Though the sedan version appealed to those who did not need nor want additional cargo space, the Avant appealed to the growing population of young families and business people who needed the additional room but did not want to pay a high price or sacrifice comfort and luxury. Updates throughout the years for the Avant have included primarily intuitive engine and transmission upgrades and enhancements and more minor cosmetic upgrades including more user friendly interior controls and streamlining the body style and adding some well positioned chrome accents to give the Avant wagon more of the appearance of a sports vehicle than the typical functionality based family station wagon.