Verdict
The Audi A6 Avant is a stylish, practical and economical estate car which rivals the BMW 5 Series Touring and Mercedes E-Class Estate.

Expert rating: 4.3

Pros
• Strong performance
• Spacious
• Low emissions

Cons
• Expensive
• Firm ride on larger wheels
• Load floor not quite flat

1. Exterior: 4/5
With its steeply sloping rear windscreen, strong shoulder line and taut surfaces the A6 is muscular and sporty. That's especially true of the S line model, which sits lower to the ground on larger alloys, and has LED running lamps.

2. Interior: 5/5
Few manufacturers do interior design as well as Audi. There's a solidity and quality to everything you see and feel. The cabin has some neat touches, too, like the 6.5-inch colour sat-nav screen that glides out of the dash when you start the car. The dials are clear and the controls mostly intuitive, although the MMI (Multi Media Interface) takes a little getting used to.

3.Practicality: 4/5
Some estates sacrifice space for the sake of style, but the A6 Avant juggles these competing demands better than most. There's 565 litres of space with rear seats upright; fold the seats down and there's 1,680 litres. However, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate offers 1,950 litres. Passengers have plenty of room, too.

4.Ride and handling: 3/5
Standard cars have conventional springs and dampers, but air suspension is optional. The air-sprung cars ride better but with either form of suspension, Audi Drive Select gives a choice of softer of firmer settings. Think twice before choosing one of the lower slung S line models, as the ride is very firm, especially on the optional 20-inch alloy wheels. Quattro four-wheel drive models give useful extra traction on slippery roads.

5.Performance: 4/5
There's a choice of three diesel engines and one petrol, with a powerful bi-turbo diesel coming before the end of 2011. The top seller is expected to be the 175bhp 2-litre diesel. It may be the least powerful engine, but there's still plenty of muscle for overtaking. The less powerful of the two 3-litre diesels has 26bhp more than the 2-litre, but it's the six-cylinder engine's smoothness and refinement which make it worth considering over the smaller engine. There's also a 242bhp 3-litre diesel and a swift 3-litre TFSI supercharged petrol. For heavyweight punch combined with impressive economy, the new 3-litre twin-turbo TDI hits 62mph in just 5.4 seconds. It sounds good, too.

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6.Running costs: 5/5
Thanks to its light weight (aluminium is used extensively) highly efficient engines and some clever technology, the A6 Avant is one of the cleanest and most efficient large estates. The 2.0-litre diesel leads the way, returning 57.6mpg and emitting just 129g/km of CO2. Even the thirstiest model, the 3.0 TFSI, manages a respectable 34.5mpg and 190g/km of CO2. Resale values should be among the best in class, too.

7.Reliability: 4/5
The standard of build and finish is first rate, and if the same attention to detail has been applied to the parts you can't see, the Avant should prove durable. The old A6 was a solid performer in customer satisfaction and reliability surveys, which bodes well for the new model.

8.Safety: 5/5
The latest A6 has yet to be crash tested by Euro NCAP, but no corners have been cut in the specification. As well as the usual airbags and stability control buyers can choose optional kit like a lane departure system which warns if the car is drifting and gently steers the car back in line, and automatic braking which slows the A6 if the driver fails to spot a slower vehicle ahead.

9.Equipment: 4/5
There's a straight choice between SE and S line models. The SE has 17-inch alloys, tyre pressure monitoring, leather seats, cruise control, climate control and a luggage rail fixing system. S line models add 18-inch alloy wheels, body styling, xenon headlights, sports suspension, sports seats with electric adjustment, brushed aluminium interior trim and a three-spoke multi-function steering wheel.

10.Why buy? 4/5
If you want an estate car which looks great yet is still practical, the A6 Avant should be on your shortlist.