Gone from the Audi lineup is the A4 wagon, known as the Avant, and in its place is the return of the Allroad.
While the previous Allroad model sold on our shores (from 1999 to 2005) was based on the A6 wagon, this new version is a down-sized model based off the more compact A4.
So does it combine the best aspects of a sedan and crossover? Or are we left wanting for the return of Audi’s premium, sporty wagon.
A wagon. Remember those? In an era when almost every new vehicle to hit the market is a crossover, the Audi Allroad is a refreshing change of pace.
Hoping to compete with those softroaders, but not step on the toes its stablemates (Q5, we’re looking at you) the Allroad offers added capability with 1.5-inches of extra ground clearance over the A4 sedan, for just over 7-inches total (about an inch less than the Q5). And of course Quattro all-wheel drive is standard for a price of $39,600.
It looks the part too, with rugged bodywork including aluminum lower bumper guards front and rear, as well as flared fenders, accentuated with special paint. Combine that with the trademark massive Audi grille, roof rails and LED taillights on higher trims and it’s a tough looking machine that manages to be sleek and luxurious too.
Interior roominess might be more myth than reality in crossovers thanks to their high rooflines – something the Allroad doesn’t have. Thankfully headroom isn’t an issue here, neither is legroom, but the seats fit so close to the floor that there’s barely any place to put your feet.
At 27 cu-ft of cargo room it’s also a touch short of the Q5. Drop the rear seats and it’s plenty spacious though with 51 cu-ft total.
Accessing the rear is handy too thanks to a power tailgate, though it’s only available on the $3,300 extra Premium Plus model.
That’s true of many other desirable features, including keyless access with a push-button ignition. Standard equipment on a lot of less pricey machines, Audi will charge you $550 for it a la carte or make you shell out an astronomical $9,200 extra to get the Prestige model… with a lot of other fancy items.
As for the brand’s Drive Select feature that let’s you customize settings like the steering, throttle, shocks and transmission, it’s only available on the $48,800 Prestige model for an additional $3,250 and also comes packaged with adaptive cruise control. Outrageous.
It’s not like we didn’t see price gouging options coming. This is a German car after all.
If there is any disappointment with the Allroad, however, it’s that it not only suffers from being less than a crossover, it’s less than a wagon too.
Much of the car-like qualities we hoped would carry over are absent, particularly some sports sedan steering. Instead the variable steering is too loose at low speeds and can firm-up oddly mid-corner. The Audi Drive Select system might solve this… for the price of a Nissan Versa.
It’s not terribly fast either. The ubiquitous turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine is peppy at most speeds with 258 lb-ft of torque but with just 211 hp it feels taxed above 50 mph. It’s hard to complain about the resultant fuel economy though with a 26 mpg rating during out drive, despite official numbers being a less-optimistic 20 mpg city and 27 mpg highway.
A unique package that you just want to love with plenty of practicality and style, the compromises make a Q5 seem like a wiser choice for the crossover crowd and make us wish for the return of the properly sporty Avant.
Looking for more info on the Audi Allroad? Get full specs, info and even build and price your Audi Allroad here. Plus, check out the rest of the Audi lineup in our New Cars section here.