Auto123.com - Helping you drive happy

2003 Audi A4 1.8T Avant quattro Road Test

|
Obtain the best financial rate for your car loan at Automobile En DirectTecnic
Khatir Soltani

All this fun and there's room enough in the back for the corgis, that's if the rear seatbacks are folded flat. A total of 787 L (27.8 cu ft) was at my disposal. It's easily accessible too, due to a large rear hatch that swings up high out of the way during loading and when closing, latches automatically. Under the cargo floor a covered bin is useful for storing valuables or soiled items that might mess up the nice carpeting. When in their upright positions the rear seats are fairly accommodating for two adults, but any more than that and the car's narrow width makes for cramped quarters.

Do I have any disappointments? Only one comes to mind. It's the Tiptronic automatic. While allowing driver input for shifting through the gears it automatically shifts up at redline, without holding the gear in place like some competitive brand transmissions do. I'd like to see Audi change this bit of software, and while they're at it, add a soft engine cutoff at redline similar to Porsche's. This would suit Audi's sporting image better than a transmission that doesn't allow full driver input.

Khatir Soltani
Khatir Soltani
Automotive expert
  • Over 8 years experience as a car reviewer
  • Over 50 test drives in the last year
  • Involved in discussions with virtually every auto manufacturer in Canada