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"       FINAL REPORT - August 2010    (Photograph by Brad Dececco) Our Audi wagon departs for an unnamed Audi exec who personally asked for this car. It&amp;#039;s easy to see why. The A4 Avant was the hottest vehicle around here and was typically booked two months in advance. It traveled more than 25,000 miles in a year. Logbook entries from appreciative drivers mentioned the car&amp;#039;s long legs on extended freeway trips (it ventured as far as Miami and Boston), as well as its capacious interior storage and oh-so-comfortable seats. Another bonus: This wagon is every bit as stylish as the sedan. Several staffers also remarked on Audi&amp;#039;s audio/nav menu interface. The rotating dial on the center console falls readily to hand and, unlike the systems on other high-end German cars, this one can be discerned without reading the owner&amp;#039;s manual. With cars like the Avant, wagons may one day again be a family&amp;#039;s first choice. \u2014Mike Allen      DRIVERS&amp;#039; NOTEBOOK   \u2022 We wish the liftgate opened just a few inches farther, but the bruises on our forehead went away in a week or so.  \u2022 We wound up using the rear-seat area for dunnage a lot more often than for passengers, and found the transition simple and easy to perform.        END DATA    THIRD REPORT - June 2010   (Photograph by Brad Dececco) The Audi A4 Avant&amp;#039;s combination of good looks, strong performance and ample interior space makes it a perfect getaway companion. On an impromptu weekend drive from New York City to Annapolis, Md., the vehicle&amp;#039;s smooth ride and quiet interior initially had us second-\u00ADguessing its power. But, with the slightest press to the pedal, the responsive 211-hp turbo engine commanded lanes effortlessly, tackling both city stop-and-go traffic and interstates. Back home, this ride leads a double life. After working the daily grind as our go-to commuter car most of the week, the Avant&amp;#039;s rear seats flip down flat with one instinctively easy motion, instantly increasing the cargo space of the vehicle to 50.5 cubic feet. This feature is why we love wagons, and the extra space comes in handy when hauling tools and equipment for Saturday Mechanic shoots. We look forward to keeping this wagon in our fleet for a few more months to come. \u2014 Allie Haake      DRIVERS&amp;#039; NOTEBOOK   \u2022 The Multi Media Interface (MMI) makes for easy toggling between entertainment, HVAC and navigational controls. \u2022 The fluky tire-pressure warnings have not reoccurred, and the A4 has performed spotlessly.        DATA SO FAR    SECOND REPORT - March 2010   (Photograph by Brad Dececco) Some cars just make you feel smart. And this is one of those cars. The 2.0-liter turbo delivers nearly lag-free torque that belies the engine&amp;#039;s size, and the six-speed automatic practically predicts your moves. It adds up to performance that&amp;#039;s more precise than exhilarating\u2014almost cerebral, but in a good way. Inside the cabin, Audi has assembled one of the sharpest user interfaces. Audio, nav and climate controls are handled through the Multi Media Interface (MMI), a scroll-wheel/button combination that operates somewhat akin to a computer mouse. Once you get the hang of it, you can dial in radio stations or climate settings almost entirely by touch.  We&amp;#039;ve put over 10,000 miles on the Avant so far. Our first service was hassle-free, and, aside from a couple of fluky TPMS warnings, the vehicle has offered zero headaches. Driven with restraint, the Avant delivers good mileage. (But, like all turbos, it sucks fuel with abandon if you have too much fun.) And the wagon configuration handles all the cargo you can throw at it, but still feels sporty and looks sophisticated. \u2014 Jim Meigs      DRIVERS&amp;#039; NOTEBOOK   \u2022 Wipers could use a faster top speed for monsoon conditions. \u2022 We&amp;#039;ve gotten a couple of false TPMS warnings even when the tires are inflated to spec. \u2022 How did we park in the days before reverse cameras and proximity warnings?       DATA SO FAR    FIRST REPORT - November 2009   (Photograph by Brad Dececco) The meteoric rise and precipitous fall of the SUV in mainstream popularity could mean that Americans will return to their vehicular roots: the station wagon. For decades, it was the station wagon that was charged with the humble task of hauling the family. The trend may be back, with an edge. Sport wagons offer brisk performance, smooth looks and, yes, plenty of room for stuff too. Even Cadillac is preparing an entry. Yet no car typifies this breed better than Audi&amp;#039;s A4 Avant. The latest A4, all new for 2009, shares much of its chassis with the sporting A5 coupe, so deft handling comes naturally. But under the hood is the real news: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with more torque than many V6s--including Audi&amp;#039;s own 3.2-liter V6. So, we decided to add one very hip, very black and very cool A4 Avant to our long-term fleet. Fully loaded, an A4 can creep well north of $50,000.  So, as much as we may have wanted the Drive Select system ($2950) and Adaptive Cruise Control ($2100), we left these options off the list. We did choose the navigation system ($2500) with rearview camera because this wagon will soon become our de facto hockey road-trip rig. And speaking of hauling capability, it offers 17.5 cubic feet with all the seats in place, or 50.5 cubic feet when the second-row seats are folded flat. As an SUV alternative, does the Avant make the cut? Over the course of the next year, we&amp;#039;ll load ours up and let you know. --Ben Stewart      VITAL STATISTICS   EPA fuel economy: 21 city/27 highway  "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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