New Audi A4 Avant takes on Mercedes

Why the comparison?

Both Mercedes-Benz and Audi have recently introduced estate models of their D-segment contenders. That's the C-Class from Mercedes and the A4 from Audi. They will each sell in big numbers, particularly in diesel guise compared here - Audi suggesting that turbodiesels make up around 75% of its A4 estate car sales. The A4 is badged Avant, which is simply Audi's posh name for an estate car. Mercedes isn't so prosaic, simply calling its more practical machine the C-Class Estate. Both obviously offer significant carrying capacity advantages over their saloon relatives, while to many, the lines of an estate are more appealing and the additional practicality merely a bonus.

How are they similar?

Diesel engines power each, and although there are other options in their respective line-ups, the majority of buyers will opt for either the C-Class's 2.2-litre turbodiesel with 134bhp or the Audi's 2.0-litre turbodiesel with 141bhp. Economy is likely to be the motivating factor behind a diesel choice, the Mercedes returning 47.1mpg on the official combined cycle and the Audi 2.0-litre TDI bettering that with 49.6mpg. The abundant torque on offer from either makes them easy engines to drive, with ample pulling power from low revs. They're both excellent long-distance machines as a result.

Obviously being estate cars ultimate load lugging capacity matters. Here the Mercedes wins, its 1,500 litre seats-down loaded to the roof capacity bettering the Audi by 70 litres. But that difference is only about the size of a medium rucksack and Audi counters by offering the better rear legroom when those rear seats are actually in use. Novel luggage holding solutions are offered as an option in both, each using a combination of adjustable straps and bars to stop whatever you're carrying in the boot moving around.

How do they differ?

With the Mercedes you get a powered tailgate as standard, it being an option on the Audi. The two cars also offer completely different drivetrains, the C-Class coming with rear-wheel drive and the Audi front-wheel drive. The Audi can be had in quattro four-wheel drive form if you're after the extra traction it offers, the C-Class only available with front driveshafts on the continent in left-hand drive. The Audi feels like the bigger car inside, so large that you could be forgiven for thinking you'd got into its larger A6 relative.

Of the pair it's the Audi that feels the classier inside. There's not a lot to complain about in the Mercedes' high quality cabin, except perhaps the strange radio flap in the centre of the dashboard, but the Audi feels a class up. The attention to detail in the Audi is superb, making the Mercedes feel a bit ordinary. The seats, though firm in the Mercedes, offer better long-distance comfort, so if big miles are on your agenda you might find the Mercedes more suitable. The Mercedes also rides a little better than the Audi, and the steering is crisper and delivers more feel. The foot-operated parking brake is a bit of a pain in the Mercedes though - unless you've opted for an automatic - the Audi's more conventional handbrake - or electronic parking brake - being far easier to use.

So which one would we have?

This duo is so evenly matched that is a tough decision. We prefer the rear-wheel drive layout of the Mercedes for its crisper, uncorrupted steering, and its seats are among the best you can sit on. The Audi counters with a beautiful interior and a more powerful and more economical engine. The Audi engine also feels smoother and punchier, and although this is a two-car test there's a third, and strong, contender that also must be mentioned - BMW's 320d Touring. All three are great cars, making a decision an even trickier call. It's probably down to your preference of badge, and although we like the way the Mercedes and BMW drive, as a day-to-day ownership proposition we'd probably go for the Audi.

Kyle Fortune