Wagon Week: 2010 Audi A4 2.0T quattro Avant

When Audi launched the A4 Avant with the B5 series, it was a bit of a trump card for the small wagon enthusiast. True, the Volkswagen Passat had been available in 5-door form for a few generations, and it VR6 form it was quite entertaining. However, quality of the pre-B5 chassis Passats wasn’t the best, and all-wheel drive had only been available with the Quantum for a few short years in the late 1980s. Audi had offered its unique large Avant platform in both 5000/200 and S6 form, but they were pretty expensive relative to the small cars the company offered. The A4 Avant continued on for through the B7 chassis we saw yesterday; a serious improvement in looks over the rather plain looking B6. When the B8 launched, initially I thought “There goes Audi again, following the formula of making everything bigger”. The B8 was a LOT bigger than the original A4 had been; in fact, park one next to an original A6, and the B8 A4 is dimensionally it was only slightly smaller. There was one key difference, though. Sure, the A4 had been stretched in every direction – but most importantly, you’d find that the wheel base was now the best part of a foot longer than the early Audi platforms. Visually that shortened the notoriously long overhangs of the Audis and offered more legroom to the occupants. Anyone who has ever been in the back of a B5 A4 would certainly appreciate that. Amazingly, too, the new A4 was lighter, and thanks to revised suspension geometry, new and more advanced computers and a torque-laden 2.0 turbo motor, it felt and drove considerably better than any of the previous generations had, too. It even looked really good in my mind. It was an instant success as previous generations had been, making one wonder even more why it went away:

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2010 Audi A4 2.0T quattro Avant on eBay

Year: 2010
Model: A4 2.0T quattro Avant
Engine: 2.0 liter turbocharged inline-4
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Mileage: 36,007 mi
Price: $25,600 Buy It Now

This super-rare, 2-local owner, low mileage Avant has a clean, accident-free Carfax report. Equipped with the desirable Sport package and many other great features that come with Premium Plus trim, including a panoramic sliding moonroof, heated, leather power sports seats, navigation, backup camera, parking sensors, Xenon lights with LED accents, power fold mirrors and more. As a Sport it sits slightly lower on gorgeous 18 inch multispoke wheels. Extras include a clear mask for the front and tinted windows. Also available is a transferable, comprehensive 100,000-mile extended warranty, for its pro-rated amount. This Avant has undergone a complete independent mechanical and safety inspection, has new front brakes pads and rotors and has had a full detail. Please note that we have no dealer handling or other hidden fees. For more information or to arrange a test drive, contact Internet manager Isaac Bouchard at Preferred Auto Brokers.

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Isaac@PABauto.com

The Premium Plus did add some technical features which are appreciated, but the Sport Package with the larger 18″ wheels is was impressively makes this car stand out. While Ibis White isn’t the most adventurous color, I think it’s the color that looks best on this generation. Inside the interior is as beautiful as you’d expect from Audi products, and this one is in great condition overall despite being 5 years old overall it really still looks remarkably fresh and new. The tiptronic transmission is really the only thing that’s a bit of a drawback, but finding 6-speed manual versions of this car is exceedingly difficult. And though the S4 Avant didn’t come here after the B7 generation, amazingly the B8’s 2.0T setup put out numbers that nearly match the B5 S4’s stock numbers in terms of performance and it’s equally tunable. This was, for all intents, as close to an S wagon as one could get in the U.S. in 2010. Yet only a few short years later, even this would be gone from the lineup, a sad reminder that Audi has moved towards more “Sport Utilities” than wagons. Perhaps it’s where the market will continue to go, but personally I wish we had a revised version of the B8 Avant here. The even more improved looks of the refreshed styling would be a knockout.

Are you listening Audi? We still want this car!

-Carter