Audi S4 Avant

FOR: Fastest here, best cabin quality AGAINST: Looks like any A4, costly to run

WHILE the standard A4 isn’t particularly exciting, the S4 Avant is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. There are only a few badges and bigger exhausts to distinguish it, but the supercharged V6 pumps out 328bhp.

It’s the only car here with a 0-62mph time that dips below the five-second mark, while the fourwheel-drive grip ensures pace in all conditions. It’s not as fun to drive as the BMW, however. We saw a 2013 S4 Avant with 37,000 miles for £23,995. IN this company, the Audi’s infotainment tech is a bit dated, but the quality is first rate and it’s easy to use. Rear passenger space is comparable to the BMW’S, as is the well shaped 490-litre boot. THE standard A4 finished in 53rd in our Driver Power 2017 satisfaction survey, with 15.7 per cent of owners reporting faults. The S4 isn’t fragile, but it’s a complex car, so ensure that any purchase has a spotless service record.