Define build quality with a country and Germany would probably be your answer. Narrow things down even further, to a specific car manufacturer and Audi would be up there with the best, if not in the top spot. The latest A4 has no immunity from their years of experience either: elegant in its precision build and the use of quality materials.

Competition is close though, from the home of BMW and Mercedes, principally from the 3-Series and the C-Class – but Audi’s A4 is a clear leap over its predecessor. This is achieved with improved steering feel (the Audi Drive Select adjusted at a touch of a button to quicken the steering for greater agility at low speeds and more stability at high speed) and an impressive level of grip. Enter a bend with enthusiasm though and the front-end will still push wide in a manner that no level of throttle control will remedy – pretty much the same behaviour we have come to expect of the A5.

Despite this, you can still cover a lot of ground very quickly in the A4 we tested – especially the 261bhp 3.2-litre V6 – in both comfort and style. The measure of interior quality is also second to none, with generous practicality. Overall the A4 is a fantastic car that meets every expectation you demand of a compact executive car. But, if it boils down to brass tacks you could be better off with either the 3-Series or the C-Class; not only do they meet every expectation, unlike the A4 they comfortably exceed them.