Audi A4 allroad quattro
Expert Rating:
Introduction
Audi wants to corner the mid-level SUV sector with the addition of the A4 allroad to its range, which sits between the A4 Avant estate and Q5 off-roader. Hit or miss?
What are its rivals?
There are very few direct rivals for the A4 allroad and the few that spring immediately to mind are both from Sweden. The first and most able are both from Volvo in the shape of the XC60 and XC70. While the XC60 is more of competitor for Audi's Q5, the allroad will appeal to a similar buyer with its raised ride height but definite on-road bias for driving manners. The XC70 is a larger car than the allroad, so offers greater passenger space and a bigger load bay. However, the Volvo and Audi go up against each other on price and performance. Sweden's other rival for the allroad is the Saab 9-3X. It's another estate car with chunky bumpers and wheel arches, and a raised ride height, the Saab is feeling its age too much now to pose a serious threat to the Audi dynamic abilities.
How does it drive?
The A4 allroad is a tale of two halves. In the first instance, it copes very well with normal roads and the raised suspension brings a welcome extra touch of suppleness to the ride comfort compared to a standard A4 Avant. There's no deterioration in handling ability due to the taller ride height and the allroad is more than able to impress with its composure on twisty roads. Quattro four-wheel drive and standard ESP traction control keep everything in check, while the 2.0-litre turbodiesel of our test car offered strong performance. It has 167bhp and 258lb.ft of shove, and the six-speed manual gearbox is well matched to the engine's character. Admittedly, a little too much diesel grumble can be heard when the engine is pushed for more acceleration and some tyre roar is audible on anything but the most polished surfaces.
The other side to the allroad is less commendable. The off-road attitude is just that: all bluster. Take the A4 allroad any further than a wet grass field and it will struggle to see you through. There's no low-ratio for added off-road traction and the increased ride height is not raised enough to avoid scrapes to the expensive underside if you do try any dirt defying acts.
What's impressive?
It's almost a given that an Audi will be well made, but it's worth reiterating just how solidly built the A4 allroad is. Every surface, material, fabric and join is precise, measured and free from any blemish. This is a superb quality to have and one that should see the A4 allroad survive family life every bit as well as any other Audi.
We're also fans of some of the touches Audi incorporates into the A4 allroad. Not so much for their SUV appeal, but for simple family practicality; the flip-over boot carpet is worth having as it offers a normal soft carpet on one side and a rubberised surface on the other to keep muddy boots and dogs from staining the interior.
What's not?
During our week with the A4 allroad we tried every which way to get comfortable behind the wheel, but failed. It came down to the large, flat driver's seat cushions that have insufficient padding. It marred the driving experience after even a brief stint at the wheel and undermined the allroad's credentials as a family estate. Given that our test car was crammed with £10,000 worth of extras - including leather upholstery - this is unacceptable.
We also struggled to get anywhere near the official combined economy of 45.2mpg quoted by Audi. According to the on-board computer, the best we could manage was 33.6mpg and that was with mostly motorway miles under the wheels.
Should I buy one?
Sales expectations for the A4 allroad are modest and that is for the best. Audi already offers a hugely competent small family estate in its A4 Avant, while the Q5 more than satisfies as a classy compact SUV. The allroad falls between these two rather than bridging the gap.
