Whilst my Superb is off the road for a couple of days, I've been given a Daewoo Lacetti to drive. It's rubbish, I daren't take it over 65mph for fear of it collapsing or not stopping in time.

By chance I was forunate to learn of spare car at our Head Office, and seeing as I only live a few miles away it seemed a shame to leave it without a drive. Hence, I've got an Audi A5 TDi S-Line Quattro 4 door for a bit.

From what I can gather, it's very well spec'd and has the 2.0 170 CR engine in it (presumably the same lump found the Yeti and Superb??) mated to a manual 6 speed box. Would have preferred an auto or DSG but hey I didn't spec it.

The spec list goes something like this: metallic paint (it's red); Valcona leather in brown; comfort pack; convenience pack; heated front and outer rear seats; high beam assist; interior light pack; rear side airbags; sound pack; tech pack and tyre pressure monitor. As a result this takes the retail/P11D price upto a staggering £41,000 , quite a hike from the £26k basic price.

First impressions are that it is a very attractive and sleek looking car, nice meaty 18" alloys on it. That impression is further enhanced when you enter the car as you are greeted by sumptuous looking S-Line leather seats. These are 8 way electric seats and seem to move in every imaginable direction you can choose aswell as increasing/decreasing the lumbar support electronically. The rest of dash is pretty much standard Audi - with the screen in the middle of the central dash and MMI controller in middle of the seats surrounded by the remaining controls.

Engine is quiet on tickover and does have a start/stop system although it hasn't switched itself off yet whilst I've been stopped at traffic lights?? Considering it weighs xxxxkg, it pulls very well and ingear performance is also good. First is geared fairly long so it doesn't need the quick snap change into second which you sometimes need. Cruise control is there as you'd expect and the Audi system is one I prefer, having a separate stalk to control the speed etc. Road noise is very quiet even at high speed, had a quick blast to a high speed (whilst it was safe to do so) and it feels controlled and well planted as you'd expect from something with a Quattro badge on. Similarily the handling is excellent, very little body roll from the S-Line suspension but it still maintains it composure over speed bumps etc.

The equipment levels are very good - it has the Tech Pack and Sound Pack which collectively cost about £2,220 - this includes a fantastic Bang & Olufsen system comprising 14 speakers, 2 amps and 505 watts , although unlike the Superb you can only change the volume from the MFSW, well at least from what I can tell! Tracks must be changed from the MMI controller which means fumbling around with one hand on the flat bottomed steering wheel.

Being quite tall, the rear leg room is very much compromised. In the Superb I can quite easily put my large laptop bag on the floor behind the seat, not so here, it has to sit on the rear seat and I think you would struggle as an adult to sit in the back for any length of time. Speaking of which, there are clearly only 2 rear seats, although not as sculptured as, say, a VW Passat CC, there is still 2 definitive seats to sit in. Again they mirror the front seats for comfort. Not tried it, but I suspect getting in and out of the back would be a struggle also, the rear roof line sweeps very low in a similar fashion to a Merc CLS or Passat CC.

Rest of the interior is OK, although I can't really fathom out the optional interior light pack - this gives you, according to Audi: rear reading lights, illuminated vents, door controls and vanity mirrors, entrance lighting, footwell lighting, and illuminated glovebox. All of this for £150 - tis standard in my Superb. Hey ho.

Believe it or not, the Superb is longer @ 4838mm compared to 4712mm for the A5, although not as wide - 1817mm vs 1854mm for the Audi.

So what do I like and dislike then:

Likes:

1. The seats are very nice and comfortable (subject to dislike number 1)
   
2. B&O sound system is awesome
   
3. Sure footed nature of the car, excellent grip and handling
   
4. Nice feel to the cabin
   
5. Huge road presence
   

Dislikes:

1. They take an age to get in the right position
   
2. Washer jets - not even heated and they merely spray 3 single jets of water per side, not even a fan like on the Superb.
   
3. Rear legroom
   
4. Boot - it's about 480 litres but compromised by the rear roof line
   
5. Interior light pack @ £150 is a rip off
   
6. Side mirrors - very small in comparison to the Superb
   

As much as I like it I couldn't afford the tax on it, although at 134g/km the emissions are still lower than my less powered 140PS Superb.

Thanks

Simon

Nice to see what people think of other cars.

, I've been given a Daewoo Lacetti to drive. It's rubbish, I daren't take it over 65mph for fear of it collapsing or not stopping in time.

I had one of these when a Mini I had went in for servicing. I didn't get to drive it (thankfully) but the wife thought pretty much what you did.