Long-Term Road Tests

Below are the fuel economy numbers for October 2009. We've listed the best, worst and overall average tanks.

As usual, a couple of cars are out on the road or unavailable at the time of this writing. I'll continue to add them as they come in and let you know in the comments.

After the jump you can see the list sorted by best average MPG.

Continue reading Big List of Fuel Economy: October 2009 .

Categories: 2007 Honda Civic GX,2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution GSR,2008 Pontiac G8 GT,2009 Audi A4 Avant,2009 Audi S5,2009 BMW 750i,2009 BMW M3,2009 Dodge Challenger R/T,2009 Dodge Ram 1500,2009 Ford Flex Limited,2009 Honda Fit Sport,2009 Hyundai Genesis V6,2009 Infiniti FX50 AWD,2009 Mazda 6 i Grand Touring,2009 Nissan 370Z Touring,2009 Nissan GT-R,2009 Suzuki SX4,2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS,2010 Honda Insight EX,2010 Mazdaspeed 3,2010 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD

I was rummaging through our box of long-term car spares and found the set to our 2009 Audi A4 Avant. Not only is there a spare key fob (left) but also a plastic emergency key fob (right). Both plug into the dash and operate like the standard fob.

The emergency key separates into two pieces, a holster and key. Both must be fit together for it to work. There is a specialized sleeve in the glovebox to store the holster, and ideally, the key portion is stored elsewhere. It's fancy. But is this a good idea? Is it spare key overkill?

Mike Schmidt, Vehicle Testing Manager @ 18,700 miles

Categories: 2009 Audi A4 Avant

Below are the fuel economy numbers for September 2009. We've listed the best, worst and overall average tanks.

As always, a couple of cars are out on the road or unavailable at the time of this writing. I'll continue to add them as they come in and let you know in the comments.

After the jump you can see the list sorted by best average MPG.

Continue reading Big List of Fuel Economy: September 2009.

Categories: 2007 Honda Civic GX,2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution GSR,2008 Pontiac G8 GT,2009 Audi A4 Avant,2009 Audi S5,2009 BMW 750i,2009 BMW M3,2009 Dodge Challenger R/T,2009 Dodge Ram 1500,2009 Ford Flex Limited,2009 Honda Fit Sport,2009 Hyundai Genesis V6,2009 Infiniti FX50 AWD,2009 Mazda 6 i Grand Touring,2009 Nissan 370Z Touring,2009 Nissan GT-R,2009 Suzuki SX4,2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS,2010 Honda Insight EX

OK, maybe I'm missing something but does Audi really expect you to be able to drive and scroll around the map on the nav screen at the same time? See the above picture of our 2009 Audi A4 Avant's nav screen? Well the function to scroll around the map requires that you click on that arrow icon on the lower right. Horizontal arrows mean you want to scroll on the map sideways and vertical means scrolling up or down. But you have to first move the line to where you want to look and then click the button again to move that box where you want to go on the map. Huh? Try keeping your eyes on the road at the same time you're trying to see where the next major street is on the map.

Of course, the nav guidance itself is nice, as editor Chris Walton has already said. The nav lady gives clear instructions, sometimes multiple times and you get plenty of heads-up before your next turn. But if you just want to see where the freeway is or something, better pull over first.

Also, it took some figuring out how to exit the above function since there's no "back" or "return" option on the screen. I just resigned myself to not using the map function. But when I eventually looked down at the button I was using to click the screen, I saw the return button. Heh, oops. It's not a very intuitive place for it. Naturally this is a nonissue to Audi owners.

Caroline Pardilla, Deputy Managing Editor @ 18,532 miles

Categories: 2009 Audi A4 Avant

Since so many of you participated in the caption contest yesterday I thought you might be interested where I took that photo of our long-term 2009 Audi A4 Avant sitting between two giant TeePees.  

The Wigwam Motel is a landmark on old Route 66 in Rialto, California. It's been there since 1949 and was originally part of a chain of seven such establishments. Three survive today and remain open for business; this Riato location along with facilities in Cave City, Kentucky and Holbrook, Arizona.

I didn't actually go inside one of the TeePees, but I did peak inside one (the door was open for the maid) and was amazed at how large it was. It was also very clean, as was the motel's pool.

What a great piece of Americana. I hope it's there in another 50 years.

Scott Oldham, Inside Line Editor in Chief  

Categories: 2009 Audi A4 Avant

Back by popular demand, here are this week's favorite reader comments from the past week.

2009 BMW M3 Sedan: Too Easy?

I Wish I Could
By someguyposting on September 7, 2009 8:45 AM
"Has BMW made made driving too easy?"
How about you loan me the car for a while so I can formulate an informed opinion? I promise to report in full detail in a blog like the folks testing the Mini-E and Fiesta. ;-)

2009 Dodge Challenger R/T: Doesn't Skimp on Storage

What a Concept
By roadburner on September 7, 2009 3:52 PM
"When I drive I actually drive, so no need for a place for drinks, food, or any other distraction."
You sound downright un-American; I bet you even make people nervous by holding the steering wheel with both hands...

2009 BMW 750i: So Long Northern Calif.

Is DTS a Dirty Word?
By altimadude00 on September 7, 2009 10:48 AM
Uh oh, you're going to get roasted just mentioning the Cadillac DTS!
Seriously, there's nothing wrong with it, besides the image problem. For 8/10ths the luxury for half the price of a 7 series, I'd probably get one.

Continue reading What You Said (9/6-9/12).

Categories: 2002 BMW M3,2009 Audi A4 Avant,2009 BMW 750i,2009 BMW M3,2009 Dodge Challenger R/T,2009 Ford Flex Limited,2009 Infiniti FX50 AWD,2009 Mazda 6 i Grand Touring,2009 Mini E,2009 Nissan 370Z Touring,2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS

Thanks to ergsum for this week's favorite caption. I scalped it a little for length.

This was not the most PC of weeks. But it's all in good fun.

Here are the honorables:

As we drive through Madonna Pass...(ergsum)
No, I said to park it between the *TT's*... (ahightower)
Tee-pee or not tee-pee, that is the question (creeper)
How a Native American kid Tee-Pees a car (gooney911)
Keeping up with the Sitting Bulls. (lowmilelude)
Save A Horse, Ride An Audi (ergsum)
Circle the Avants, there's engine trouble! (ergsum)
Dances with Quattro. (thejohnp)
The latest in A4-dable housing. (rick8365)
Retro Avant-garde! (ergsum)
Through the cones, you'll swear it was a much smaller car. (zc1)
Relax man, you're two tents! (sherief)
Chief Aging Bull failed to notice driving the last five miles home with his left Smoke Signal on.(ergsum)
You bought this because they killed Pontiac? (mnorm1)

What was your favorite?

Donna DeRosa, Managing Editor

Categories: 2009 Audi A4 Avant

Chief Scott took this photo of our 2009 Audi A4 Avant at his new home.

We suggest: Audi Partner

Or how about this joke from when I was a kid: What do Indians make for dinner? Reservations.

Heh.

What's your caption?

We'll post our favorite at 4:00 PM our time.

Donna DeRosa, Managing Editor

Categories: 2009 Audi A4 Avant

"So what are you in for?"

"Full Test. You?"

"Long-term. They bought me."

"Really, I'm only here for a week. But two of those guys, Ed and Dan I think, just drove me all over the place. We ran over a rabbit. They even took me to a dragstrip on grudge night. The Ed guy can sure throw gears."

"Sounds fun. I don't get to have much fun. I'm a wagon. I drop the kids off at school. And that Scott guy keeps putting his messy kids and shedding dog in me."

"That sucks. They just track tested me. I'm not as quick as that white GT-R over there but I'm close. You ever been track tested?"

Continue reading 2009 Audi A4 Avant Meets the 2010 Audi R8 V10.

Categories: 2009 Audi A4 Avant

You can get V6 versions of the 2009 Audi A4 sedan and convertible but the wagon only comes with the 4-cylinder.

Audi's turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 is an excellent engine. When driving the A4 Avant I've never felt the need for more.

And, actually, the V6, which has about 50 more horsepower than the 4-cylinder 2.0T, is somewhat disappointing. The 2.0T actually outrun the V6 in our zero-to-60-mph testing -- a likely reason why the V6 will not be available for 2010.

With the 2.0T as its sole engine for 2010, do you think the Audi A4 can keep up with the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C-Class?

Donna DeRosa, Managing Editor

Categories: 2009 Audi A4 Avant

Spent Sunday at the in-laws out in San Bernardino. How do you get there? Well, you head due east from our Santa Monica office. Travel about 70 miles. When you reach the surface of the sun hang a left and you're there.

Yeah, it's hot in Berdo. But we lucked out. Caught it on a cool day. It was just 100 degrees F when we got there at 1 pm.

But the good news is that the air conditioning in our long-term 2009 Audi A4 Avant was up to the challenge. Even if we heat soaked the wagon for hours and got its black interior really smokin', the a/c cooled it down quickly. My 60 lbs. canine riding back in the cargo area really appreciated it since he can't take off his fur coat.    

Scott Oldham, Inside Line Editor in Chief @ 18,188 miles

Categories: 2009 Audi A4 Avant

Last Thursday I complained that the DSG transmission in our long-term Jetta TDI upshifts itself even in Manual Mode.

On that post "haub" commented that his Audi does the same thing. Which got me thinking: Does our Audi do the same thing? 

Continue reading 2009 Audi A4 Avant: 6-Speed Won't Hold A Gear.

Categories: 2009 Audi A4 Avant

Yesterday I was tooling along in and quite enjoying our long-term 2009 Audi A4 Avant. Then I stopped at this redlight behind the black E46 M3 pictured above. Look closely and you'll notice it's an M3 with the Competition Package, which means its rides on a set of supercool 19-inch BBS wheels and packs other goodness from the Europe-only CSL model. It's the one the have. 

When the light went green I tried to stay with the guy, but he was on it and the A4 just didn't have enough guts. He knew I was trying, so he really pushed it, eliminating any chance I would have of getting another look at the car.

About a half-mile down the road he caught a green, but I was lagging so far behind I got stuck at the light. All I could do was sit there and watch him disappear over a rise. By the time I got moving again he was long gone.

Now all I can think about his how much I miss our beloved black E46 M3. Am I the only one? Some cars just stay with you...ya know?

Scott Oldham, Inside Line Editor in Chief   

Categories: 2002 BMW M3,2009 Audi A4 Avant

The Scream, Edvard Munch 1893

Steering Wheel, Audi A4 2009

On Tuesday I posted praise upon the steering wheel in our long-term Jetta TDI. Those of you that disagreed with that praise called the Jetta's wheel boring. Well, check out the wheel in our long-term Audi A4 Avant. It's just as perfectly shaped and sized as the Jetta's, but Audi's designers were able to add a touch of flair without screwing up its comfort or function. It feels right and it looks right.

Sure it makes me think of Munch's The Scream (Anybody else see it?), but you can't call it boring.

Scott Oldham, Inside Line Editor in Chief @ 17,777 miles 

Categories: 2009 Audi A4 Avant

Below are the fuel economy numbers for August 2009. We've listed the best, worst and overall average tanks.

As always, a couple of cars are out on the road or unavailable at the time of this writing. I'll continue to add them as they come in and let you know in the comments.

After the jump you can see the list sorted by best average MPG.

Continue reading Big List of Fuel Economy: August 2009.

Categories: 2007 Honda Civic GX,2008 BMW 135i,2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution GSR,2008 Pontiac G8 GT,2009 Audi A4 Avant,2009 Audi S5,2009 BMW M3,2009 Dodge Challenger R/T,2009 Dodge Ram 1500,2009 Ford Flex Limited,2009 Honda Fit Sport,2009 Hyundai Genesis V6,2009 Infiniti FX50 AWD,2009 Mazda 6 i Grand Touring,2009 Nissan 370Z Touring,2009 Nissan GT-R,2009 Suzuki SX4,2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI,2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS,2010 Honda Insight EX