2009 Audi A4 Avant

Front-wheel drive and a six-speed automatic transmission come standard on the lowest Audi A4 Avant Premium trim (*est. $34,850) and step-up Premium Plus (*est. $38,850), which includes more extras like Bluetooth and heated front seats. The top-level Prestige trim (*est. $42,700) adds all-wheel drive, as well as available options you can't get on the lower trims, such as cruise control that automatically instructs the Audi wagon to apply the brakes when traffic in front slows down. However, even the lowest Audi A4 trim level is luxurious, reviewers say, with a beautiful design and standard amenities like leather upholstery and automatic climate control.

The Audi A4 Avant seats five adults in adequate comfort, say testers, although legroom is a little tight in the backseat. The new A4 Avant has less cargo room than the old one did, which reviewers blame partly on its new, sloped roofline. Its 17 cubic feet of cargo space behind the backseat is less than you'll get with the compact, budget-priced 2009 Pontiac Vibe (*est. $16,735 to $21,510). With the backseat folded, reviewers say the Audi A4 Avant's 51 cubic feet of cargo space is a bit skimpy for a wagon, although it's still plenty of room for a young family.

The Audi A4 lineup -- which also includes a sedan and a convertible -- was not reliable before its last redesign in 2006, according to one major consumer survey. The 2006 model did better, but experts are waiting to see how the redesigned 2009 Audi A4 holds up. The A4 Avant is covered by Audi's four-year, 50,000-mile warranty.

Several top review sources -- including ConsumerReports.org -- had not yet tested the redesigned Audi A4 Avant when we checked, but Edmunds.com does provide a comprehensive, test-based overview. ConsumerReports.org' review of previous-generation A4s provides good information about general owner satisfaction and more. We found essential safety and fuel-economy data at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. A review at MotorWeek is based on testing, but it is not quite as balanced as the review at Edmunds.com. Reviewers at Motor Trend and Car and Driver test the Audi A4 Avant at an Audi press event on a Spanish island; they gush about the wagon.