Audi S4 Avant: Faceoff with the Volvo V70R

"The Car Connection" has a faceoff comparison between the Audi S4 Avant and the Volvo V70R. Any doubts about the winner? Not after reading it.

The Volvo V70R and the Audi S4 Avant are perfect examples of these dual-purpose machines. At first glance they look like ordinary wagons but closer inspection reveals subtle spoilers, sexy wheels, chunky rocker panels and a splattering of little badges here and there. The Audi has two little red-and-gray S4 tags at either end (and two rather tasteless V-8 patches glued to the fenders) while the V70 just has a pair of chrome Rs and some R indentations on its 17-inch wheels. In isolation, I like the look of the boxy and stealthy V70R, but the Audi is the matinee idol of this pair even if it can't disguise its sporting intent as successfully as the Volvo. The 18-inch wheels pour out of the wheelwells while the quad tailpipes let everyone in your wake know they've been passed by something very serious indeed.

Indeed, the Audi's interior is, by and large, a better place to be than the Volvo's because of its higher-quality materials, more natural ergonomics, and better driving position. The Volvo's interior is bigger, though, particularly in the back where the Audi lacks legroom and the seats are a little too snug for family use.

That said, on-limit driving isn't something you do a lot of in wagons, even if they do have performance pretensions and for most driving situations the Audi's more intimate steering, nicer transmission, and distinctive V-8 growl make it a more enjoyable machine to pilot, while its better quality, higher residual value, sportier seats, and vastly superior ride quality place it firmly ahead of the Volvo in this comparison.

The Volvo's bigger cabin, better on-limit balance, surprising pace, and stealthier appearance just aren't compelling enough reasons to choose it over the Audi, even if it is more than eight grand cheaper. The S4 Avant wins this bout, so now you know where to trade in your minivan.

GermanCarBlog, Audi S4

Source: The Car Connection via AudiWorld

Audi S4 Avant: Faceoff with the Volvo V70R

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