A bit of style comes to the station wagon with Audi's entry into the compact market, its 2.8 Avant. New in 1998, the 2.8 Avant station wagon appropriately bears the 2.8-liter, 190-hp V6 engine. Like the sedan, it comes in front-wheel or all-wheel drive quattro, standard with a 5-speed manual transmission, with the option of Audi's Tiptronic 5-speed auto tran. Designed by Porsche, it allows for a manual shifting experience.

The 1998 A4 Avant, though actually an inch smaller than the sedan, offers all the same standard comfort features Audi has perfected and which you won't find in comparable cars, but adds a ski bag and roof rack, figuring the main reason you're buying a wagon is because you have extra cargo that won't fit in the sedan. If a station wagon seems too boring suburban family car, the classy sedan is still a roomy alternative. It seats five as well, though with less trunk space than the wagon. The sedan is available with either the 2.8 V6 or the more budget-minded, but still speedy and upscale, 1.8 turbocharged, 150-hp engine. A Sports Package with stiffer suspension and shocks and bigger anti-sway bar can be added inexpensively.

AWD might as well stand for all-weather drive, when it comes to the 1998 Audi A4. Drivers love the quattro all-wheel drive, which makes driving in the snow something to look forward to rather than dread. Drivers also praise the large trunk and stylish dash with its red-lit gauges. They all agree the handling is superb. Complaints center around the lack of legroom in the back, not enough horsepower for quick acceleration, problems with the suspension, and worthless cupholders. A lot of owners also complain about unhelpful Audi dealers when it comes to repairs.