I didn't read it like that. They are indeed both great cars and it seems like those with the '18's sometimes respond like the '18 is leaps and bounds ahead of the outgoing model. I agree, if you want an automatic the A10 is a leap. Magride, active exhaust and the digital cluster are also a leap, the engine is marginally better.
The way I see it, the guy was being fairly honest considering he wasn't comparing two automatic cars.
The comparison seemed to revolve around all the things that didnt really change. seemed more comparing the base interior to a premium.. we all know the A10 has been the main hype and the improved efficiency. saying the engine is marginally better is hard to say at this point. from what i have seen is even at "equal" peak power levels the 18 engine produces more power under the curve. which at least for daily driving gives a better feeling of power.