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THE AUDI man was talking about “personal-size luxury,” using a term that invited derision. I mean, “personal-size luxury” as opposed to what — “public-size luxury”?

I was tempted to laugh out loud, but couldn’t. I had driven the 1993 Audi 90 CS; though I found the notion of “personal-size luxury” somewhat silly, I knew that it applied in this case.

That is the bane and beauty of the Audi 90 CS. It is a car built for four that is simply splendid for one. The instrument panel and center console illustrate the point. They are purposefully angled toward the driver, with every gauge and button in easy reach and sight of the person behind the wheel. The panel and console practically ignore the front-seat passenger, forcing that lonely soul to rubber-neck to glean even general information, such as the time of day from the panel’s clock.

If riding up front isn’t much of a shared experience for the passenger, consider the fate of back-seaters. Rear leg room is a passable 32.5 inches; there are 52.6 inches of shoulder room and 37.2 inches for heads. It is what I call “cocktail-party pleasant”: You are invited to sit, but not to settle in. Make it a short trip.

On the other hand, consider the sumptuousness of the eight-way power driver’s seat. The thing is a masseuse. To give your back a rub-down, you simply sit in the chair and work the buttons. Personal-size luxury? You betcha!

Background: Audi still is struggling to get over the sudden-acceleration controversy of the mid-1980s, but it’s making progress. The 1993 Audi 90 series offers ample proof. The Audi 90 cars run well against their rivals — the Lexus ES 300, Acura Vigor, BMW 325i and the Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.6, all of which are regarded as “personal-size luxury” mobiles. Of the bunch, I’d buy the tested Audi 90 CS. My reasons: The 90 CS has more soul and feel than the Lexus ES 300; ditto the Vigor, which I now liken to the automotive equivalent of a fantastic one-night stand. As for its German brethren, the 90 CS is comparably equipped and engineered, but it is less harsh than the BMW 325i and less expensive than the 190E 2.6.

Complaint: Independent, international study groups exonerated Audi in the sudden-acceleration case, in which the company was accused of producing cars — the ill-starred 5000-series — that sped up without warning. Audi, however, was traumatized by the experience. How else to explain the exceptionally complicated four-speed automatic gearboxes it now installs in its cars. You practically have to file an application to get the 90 CS into “drive.” Several Audi executives said the company is working on a simpler, alternative gearbox. I wish them luck.

Praise: With the exception of its over-cautious gearbox, the Audi 90 CS is a joy to drive. The feel is solid. Overall construction is tight. Improvements in the 1993 model include a larger trunk and split fold-down rear seats to provide better cargo roo m (25 cubic feet with seats up and 14 cubic feet with seats down). Driver’s-side air bag and anti-lock brakes are standard.

Head-turning quotient: The test car had a mica green body with a tan interior that spun heads everywhere.

Ride, acceleration and handling: Excellent in all three categories. Keep in mind that this is a good, front-wheel-drive road car for normal use. The Audi 90 CS, which is both passionate and competent on the highway, is designed for race-track abuse.

The car is equipped with a 2.8-liter, electronically fuel-injected, six-cylinder engine rated 172 horsepower at 5,500 rpm.

Sound system: Six-speaker AM/FM stereo radio and cassette, installed by Audi. Excellent.

Mileage: About 24 to the gallon (18-gallon tank, estimated 432-mile range on recommended premium unleaded).

Price: Base price is $28,700. Estimated dealer’s invoice price is $23,700, according to industry figures. Price as tested is $29,905, including $800 fort e four-speed automatic transmission and a $405 destination charge.

Purse-strings note: It’s a buy, especially considering the Audi warranty. Among other things, the warranty provides free maintenance and routine repair for select wear and tear items (check your dealer) for three years or 50,000 miles.