Audi A4

The Audi A4 is the German brand's entry into the executive sedan space in India, sitting below the A6 and rivalling the usual Bavarian and Stuttgart suspects. It pairs a single 2.0-litre turbo-petrol with a slick seven-speed gearbox, front-wheel drive and Audi's typically restrained cabin. It is not the flashiest choice in its class, but it remains one of the most rounded: comfortable, well-built and quietly quick when you ask it to be.

On the road the A4 leans towards refinement rather than drama. The 2.0 TFSI engine, helped by a 12-volt mild-hybrid system, is smooth and responsive once past a slight initial hesitation, and the dual-clutch gearbox shifts cleanly in everyday driving. There is enough performance for confident overtakes, and the sedan settles into a relaxed, quiet cruise on the highway. Enthusiasts may miss the quattro all-wheel drive offered in some past versions, as India now gets the front-wheel-drive layout only.

Ride quality is a strong suit. The suspension absorbs broken city roads and expansion joints with composure, and the cabin stays hushed at speed. The trade-off is steering that feels accurate but a little light and short on feedback, so the A4 is better described as a comfortable companion than a sharp tool. Body control on twisty roads is tidy, though, and it never feels unwieldy.

Inside, the A4 shows its age in one respect: the dashboard design is cleaner and more conventional than the screen-heavy layouts of newer rivals. That is no bad thing day to day, with crisp physical climate controls, the excellent Virtual Cockpit digital dial display and a logical infotainment system. Material quality is first-rate, front seats are supportive, and fit and finish are typically Audi-solid. The cabin is best for four; the rear seat is comfortable but knee room is merely adequate for the segment, and the transmission tunnel eats into middle-seat space.

Practicality is reasonable. The 460-litre boot is a useful shape, equipment levels are generous on the higher trim, and running an A4 is relatively painless by luxury standards. The main caveats are the petrol-only line-up, the lack of a diesel or larger boot some buyers still want, and a features list that, while complete, no longer feels cutting-edge against the latest competition.