I would take the Audi A4 over any of these rivals.
As far looks is concern, the Alfa 159 really is a nice looking car.
But I prefer the more elegant and classy shape of the Audi A4. The Audi handles better than the Alfa. It also has a much better looking interior than the Alfa.
The new BMW 3-Series looks boring. Even though the BMW 3-Series is highly reguarded as the best car in its class, and that's a fact!
The current Mercedes C-Class looks too generic and it is unbelievably overpriced. And I never was fond of the C-Class. I always was fond of the good old 190E W201.
The Saab 9-3 looks really good. But it's outclassed by nearly every other rival.
The Jaguar X-Type is nothing more than a bloody overpriced Ford Mondeo!