Audi A4 Avant 2.0 vs BMW 320i Touring

Features list includes xenons, auto-dimming centre mirror, power-adjustable front seats and leather trim to match the Beemer. But for the extra ask there's also satnav, tri-zone climate-control, all-wheel-drive and a spare wheel, albeit a temporary one.  

Standard kit includes 8-speed auto, automatic tailgate, dual-zone climate-control, cruise control with braking, Bluetooth, power-adjustable front seats, auto-dimming centre mirror, runflats on 17in alloys, a sports leather-wrapped steering wheel and upgraded interior lighting package.

Another handsome bus from the folks at Ingolstadt, the Avant makes good use of the daytime running lights. Cabin is functional but not cavernous in either vehicle yet it's enough to cart kids and gear. Both get good load restraint systems.

Wagon is unmistakably BMW in styling with more cargo space than the model it replaces. You have 495 litres of cargo space or three times that when only two are on board and it's easily accessible via the opening-glass pane or the electric hands-free tailgate.

Also propelled by a direct-injection 2.0-litre turbo, the Audi offers 155kW/350Nm but there's extra weight to haul that takes the fuel use to 7.1 despite a stop-start fuel-saver. The outputs hit the road via a seven-speed twin-clutch auto and all-wheel-drive.

A 2.0-litre direct-injection twin-scroll turbo four provides 135kW and 270Nm getting you to 100km/h in 7.5 seconds. It's also got stop-start, which helps keep fuel use to a claimed 6.2l/100km. Plus brake energy recovery and a green-driving mode to help the driver keep fuel use down.

The sedan has five stars, so expect good grades for the wagon. Doesn't get a standard reversing camera, but has sensors front and rear, six airbags, stability and traction control (rarely awoken thanks to AWD) among a similarly-long active electronic driver aids.

Five NCAP stars adorn the sedan, so expect good grades for the wagon. A reversing camera, sensors front and rear, airbags numbering six, as well as stability and traction control heading a list of active electronic driver aids. No spare.

Much to like, including security of AWD and the quiet-riot beneath the bonnet. Ride quality on the firm side but not enough to prompt complaints. Dynamically decent as well, you'd have to miss the higher driving position a lot to go for an SUV.

The direct-injection turbo four has some charm and enthusiasm, working well with the auto, hesitating only a little on corner-exit. It's a well-balanced and composed load-lugger. The cargo space is useful and there's just enough room for a nuclear family.