Audi A4 allroad first drive review

Second-generation A4 allroad is an impressive SUV alternative.

September 16 2016

Peter McKay

The new Audi A4 Allroad is an alternative to the SUV. Photo: Mark Bramley

We're told the Audi A4 allroad is "all about possibilities", meaning it is a family wagon that seamlessly slips into different roles. Those "possibilities" include on-road touring, suburban people transport, some light cargo lugging, and if the inclination takes you, some off-road exploring. To this we should also add "babysitter". More on that later…

In essence, the new A4 allroad is a mid-sized Avant wagon with embellishments that make it a useful vehicle to complement the active lifestyle of some Australian families, boasting car-like manners but some limited capabilities off the beaten track. Don't think this means venturing along rough outback trails, or grip-limited sand or mud.

Yes, it has a slightly raised suspension, quattro all-wheel-drive and some underbody protection but it still falls into the category of a soft roader.

There are some people – not enough, maybe – who prefer a traditional Euro wagon shape and drive experience over the growing SUV choices. Selling at around 150-170 annually, the A4 allroad is very much a niche product but mercifully adored by a very loyal group of customers…amongst THE most loyal of Audi buyers. Fanatical even. In choosing the allroad over a sturdier SUV, they have a preference for design and dynamics and a job request for a vehicle that doesn't have do any rock hopping.

The allroad concept has been around at Audi since its launched an A6 version in 2001. The first-gen A4 allroad came along some time later, finally going on sale here four years ago.

Now Australia has the new second-generation A4 in allroad form, lavished with the features and technology we've seen in the regular sedan and wagon versions that preceded it.

The new allroad quattro has its own distinctive styling and butchy bits including flared wheel arches, aluminium-look trim elements and roof rails, as well as an allroad-specific single frame grille.

Riding 34mm higher than its A4 Avant relative, its appearance impression leans towards the elegantly rugged without try-hard inclinations.

The only engine offered at launch is an 185kW/370Nm 2.0-litre TFSI petrol turbo four-cylinder. The first time a petrol engine has been offered in the A4 allroad, its appeal extending beyond excellent driveability and refinement to a relatively thrifty 6.7L/100km combined fuel number.

The standard, and only, transmission is a sporty seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission, which includes a fuel-saving free-wheeling function. The S tronic and TFSI get along like the proverbial house on fire although there is a hint of the characteristic hesitation sometimes associated with dual-clutch 'boxes, but not even close to being a deal breaker.

The petrol A4 allroad quattro 2.comes in at a not unreasonable $74,400 plus on-road costs. Compare this to the regular 2.0-litre A4 TFSI quattro Sport version of the Avant wagon, at $72,900. So $1500 more but the buyer gets the latest iteration of the quattro AWD system

Following in November will be a 2.0-litre turbo diesel TDI with 140kW and 400Nm (and 5.2L/100 economy and a zero-100kmh acceleration of 7.8secs), priced at a cheaper $71,400 without on-road charges.

What the petrol A4 allroad has (but the diesel hasn't) is the latest-generation quattro AWD system with the obligatory descriptive moniker - ultra technology - to the petrol TFSI model. As well as a clever distribution of torque depending on the conditions, the A4 allroad quattro 2.0 TFSI benefits from a lighter system and significant fuel economy benefits.

When AWD traction is not required, such as when cruising along a smooth tarmac road in nice weather, the system instantly adjusts to use only the front axle for drive, minimising drivetrain drag, which in turn aids fuel efficiency. Of course, if the torque control system detects any sudden wheel slip, up to 100 per cent torque can be sent to either axle.

Also available with the 2.0 TFSI engined A4 allroad quattro system is a new drive select program developed to help the vehicle's versatility. In 'auto' mode, the drive select gives the optimum grip and handling. In 'dynamic' mode, power is actively sent to the rear axle sooner and to a larger degree, which improves handling in slippery conditions. And in the new 'offroad' setting, the all-wheel drive system is always engaged.

The yet-to-arrive 2.0 TDI model continues to use the simpler permanent quattro drivetrain with the limited-slip centre differential. Its routine default setting sends 40 per cent of the engine's torque to the front axle, with 60 per cent to the rear.

On bitumen highways, the petrol A4 allroad quattro (oi Audi, what's with your reluctance to use capitals in your model and technical nomenclature?) gobbles up the kilometres in an impressively serene and comfortable fashion.

That turbo-petrol engine is a honey, with more than enough urge, even in seventh gear at the open road speed limit.

The suspension easily soaks up the usual imperfections in Australian roads and, should the driver get a little excitable, the underpinnings remain stoic to any aggressive changes of direction, the whole rig remaining commendably flat and poised. The Michelin Primacy 45-series tyres hang on like a Bolivian bus passenger but can hum somewhat on the coarser-chip tarmac.

The seamless steering of the latest A4 allroad is also sensibly tuned with enough road feel, minus the intermittent heaviness sometimes associated with AWD.

For those who hanker for something more than impressively serene, for the first time the A4 allroad quattro is optioned with adaptive suspension, costing an extra $1700.

The uncluttered cabin design, with clean horizontal aluminium licks, creates a pleasing initial impression. Driver and passengers are well spoiled too with appointments starting with nicely contoured power-adjustable sport front seats electric lumbar support (and memory function for the driver). They're described as leather-appointed seats, meaning the material is a pretend hide. The allroad also has three-zone climate control, with display for the folks in the rear.

Standard offerings extend to the MMI Navigation plus with 8.3-inch centrally mounted screen and with MMI touch, digital radio, 10GB music storage, live traffic and five free map updates. There's a DVD player too, for those more at ease with older infotainment systems. Bluetooth phone connectivity and music streaming is a cinch, and you also have the possibilities of Apple Carplay and Android Auto sourcing.

A second 7.0-inch screen, in high-res colour, relays key information to the driver. The GPS, incidentally, can use Google Earth, or the standard look.

A $2200 Technic Package option but well worth the dough is Audi's virtual cockpit digital instrument cluster with 12.3-inch colour screen and head-up display. It looks so contemporary and works sensationally.

Now, about the "babysitting" feature mentioned earlier. The A4 allroad can be ordered with an optional rear-seat entertainment system, which includes a detachable 10.1-inch Audi tablet mounted behind the driver's seat. The wifi-connected Android-compatible low-glare device does about everything a normal tablet can manage, meaning loading movies and games. Priced at $2000, and fully integrated into the car's infotainment system, it can even 'send' navigation destinations to the driver for one-touch approval. It is almost guaranteed to keep the midgets amused for hours. Oh, BYO earphones…

The allroad's value equation is aided and abetted by a long list of equipment - 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights with adaptive function and dynamic rear indicators, Convenience key with hands-free opening and closing for tailgate, folding exterior mirrors, with heating, dimming and memory functions and sunblinds for the read side windows.

Safety gear is extensive too: Audi pre-sense city with Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) and pedestrian detection (up to 85 km/h), door exit warning (which may save passing cyclists some pain), cross traffic assist when reversing, side assist blind spot warning system, pre-sense (belt tensioning, window closing and other preventative measures if an emergency is detected) and parking system plus with rear-view camera

Like its not-as-versatile A4 Avant sibling, the latest A4 allroad quattro offers 505 litres of luggage space, or 1510 litres with the split-fold rear seats folded flat. It comes standard with an electric tailgate, activated by an "arms full" sensor-controlled kick motion, as well as an electric sliding luggage cover.

To an already versatile machine, owners can add accessories to integrate their active lifestyles which might mean carrying bikes, surf ski or kayak on the roof, dropping the rear seats flat to tote big items from Bunnings or being totally confident clawing a path through sand or over an imperfect gravel track.

The second-gen A4 allroad is a very smart, polished, liveable and adaptable jigger for families that want to be comfortably different.