Overview

Looking for an affordable luxury car that has shocking performance? The A4 3.0TDI seems like the perfect recipe. Or is it? To settle the debate we have the twin turbo diesel S80 for company. Let the drag begin...

Fast diesels today are becoming the norm rather than the exception, and it’s particularly true in the luxury segment. Take the Audi A4 powered by a 3-litre diesel or the new Volvo S80Volvo S80 with a twin turbo diesel engine; these are quick, pack in the luxury their petrol siblings offer and are a lot more effi cient to run in pure monetary terms.

There’s another connect between this particular A4 and the S80. Of course, we reviewed both recently, but more than that these cars cost almost the same. Naturally then, you’d be wondering which of the two should you buy? And as always, we have the answer.

Exterior & Interior

Interiors are more appealing and modern, and there's more equipment too. Instrumentation is comprehensive

Better ride and handling combo make the A4 more likeable

Look at the two parked side by side and it’s clear the Volvo still speaks a more traditional stylish language. This one is a face-lifted model and it has the creases and lines, and good proportions too, but overall the idea here seems to be to please the majority than to break the mould and create a fresh fan following.

The A4 though, does just that. It’s so far ahead in design terms, not just compared to the Volvo but its own elder sister, the A6 as well, that it’s worth buying for its styling alone. Inside too, it’s a lot more contemporary than the S80. To boot, it comes across as better built and fi nished. The choice of display, the lighting and even the small knobs and buttons and the garnishing all round exudes a richness that’s missing on the Volvo.

However, if it’s a comfortable and spacious car you want, mainly to be chauffeured around in, the S80 makes a better case for itself. It has more space at the rear compared to the A4, be it for the knees, shoulder or even the head. It also has cushier seats which are more like a couch wherein you sink into them and get comfortable. These also allow more movement than the harder and more contoured seats of the A4.

S80 interiors are well put together, but look jaded in the Audi's company. The clocks too, though readable, look dated

S80 feels planted in a straight line and its steering returns good feedback too

The S80 also boasts of better ride, especially at slower speeds. It absorbs the smaller nuisances well and lets very little into the cabin. Even at speed, it does well till the potholes get deeper. Bumps are still dispatched with authority, but the S80 tends to crash into deeper potholes with more verve than the A4, leaving its occupants uncomfortable.

The A4 is actually built for the driver. It has a better driving position and even the front seats hold you better in place. These are again harder than the Volvo’s, but give you a sense of sportiness missing on the Volvo.

And sporty the A4 definitely is. It handles better and, with four wheel drive, has tremendous grip around bends. No matter how hard you try, it’s nearly impossible to get the Audi to behave improperly. Its steering feels better when driving hard and the car responds better to driver inputs as well. The S80 in comparison feels a lot softer. It’s still a good handling car, but the A4 is just leagues ahead.

Engine & Gearbox

Audi A4

It’s also leagues ahead when it comes to performance. The A4 uses a larger engine that puts out more power and torque. Naturally it out accelerates the Volvo handsomely. It’s two seconds ahead in the run up to 100kmph and the gap only increases as speeds rise. It also has a higher top speed.

Volvo S80

The Audi’s engine is also more refi ned and the 6-speed auto it’s coupled to works much etter than the S80’s in manual mode. In fully automatic mode however, the Volvo goes about its business with the least amount of fuss. As for the engine, it’s a twin turbo fi ve cylinder engine. And till one doesn’t rev it really hard, it goes about its business with potency. In fact, in everyday driving it can surprise you with its pull lower down the rev range. Rev it hard though, and it begins to sound rough.

Dimensions

Audi A4 (mm)
The XF offers more room upfront for the head and shoulders. Not so at the rear	Boot space is identical to the S80's
Volvo S80 (mm)
E's not only more spacious at the rear but offers better ingress and egress too	Boot is large

Scorecard & Verdict

Audi A4- Better looking, better performing and more modern, the A4 makes a very good case for itself.

Volvo S80- S80's facelift and the new engine has given it more appeal. But, interiors and dynamics need to be better.

Scorecard

Body: The S80 might be a bigger car and might compete against the likes of the A6 in their traditional forms, but here, the A4 isn't dramatically less on room at the front. It's a different story at the rear though; with more knee and shoulder room and better seats, the S80 is a better bet to be driven around in. Otherwise, both cars are nearly at par.

Drive: With a more powerful engine and a more eager gearbox, the A4 runs away with acceleration and top speed honours. It also sounds good while doing it. The A4 also posts quicker roll-on times, but the S80 meets our benchmark times too and therefore both cars score equally. The S80 naturally is the more effi cient of the two and more environmentally friendly too.

Comfort: For a car that's more about being driven in than driving, the ride of the S80 isn't as good. The A4 on the other hand both handles and rides better than the Volvo. It's also quieter on the inside and has better operability too. The S80 nonetheless has more comfortable seats; these are like the plush couch at your home.

Dynamics: As was the case in performance, the Audi leads the way in dynamic terms as well. The A4 is more stable in a straight line when driven fast. It also brakes with more ferocity. It has the quicker steering too, but the Volvo S80's steering returns more feedback, putting both at par, overall.

Cost: There's only a Rs 1 lakh price difference between the Audi A4 and the Volvo S80. So, you can either consider the Audi as expensive or the S80 as more affordable. But, given Audi's better brand recall and demand, it will hold better value in the secondhand market as well.

Verdict

The A4 in the 3.0TDI guise wins by a handsome margin. The S80 is the bigger car here and is roomier on the inside, especially at the rear. It also has better rear seats.

But, in the A4’s company it has now begun to show its age. The interiors don’t feel as plush and even the way the various knobs and buttons function feel less crisp than the Audi.

Then of course, the Audi has way better straight line performance on its side, be it acceleration or braking, the A4 comfortably outdoes the S80. To boot, the A4 also sports better dynamics along with a more comfortable ride. It also undercuts the Volvo S80 D5's pricing by a lakh rupees. The A4 then is our pick among the more ‘affordable’, fast, diesel luxury saloons.