Audi A4 Allroad (2016 – 2021) Review

The Audi A4 Allroad combines the style and practicality of a premium estate car with the off-road prowess of an SUV. It has taller suspension and improved underbody protection for tackling country lanes, and Audi's quattro four-wheel drive system is fitted as standard. Much like fancy skiing gear, part of the Allroad's appeal lies in its exclusivity and adventurous image, since it commands a hefty premium over the standard estate. The current model launched in 2016, and got a mid-life visual refresh and spec bump in 2019. It competes with jacked-up estates the Volvo V60 Cross Country, Subaru Outback, and Volkswagen Passat Alltrack.

The A4 Allroad is a curious half-way house between a standard A4 Avant estate and the Q5 SUV. For the majority of drivers, surely buying the standard A4 Avant on which its based makes more sense? So aside from a bigger set of bumpers, what does the Allroad really offer over and above the standard car?

Firstly; exclusivity. It's a simple fact that Audi sells fewer Allroads than it does regular A4s, and driving around in something that wears its distinctive, tougher character on the outside has an obvious appeal.

The rugged wheel arch protectors, vertically slatted chrome grille, a wider body kit and a generous helping of aluminium trim on the exterior are more cosmetic than functional, but there are mechanical upgrades here too.

For starters, there's increased ground clearance, with an extra 34mm of suspension travel compared to the Avant, along with a dedicated off-road mode and tougher underbody guards.

It has a slightly wider front and rear track, and four-wheel drive comes as standard. In the current generation, this is an on-demand system - so it's also capable of running in front-wheel drive mode under normal driving conditions to help save fuel.

This is definitely a car that fits within an idealised outdoor lifestyle, but it's not bereft of any off-road ability.

It can tackle surprisingly difficult terrain in fact, and the quattro system works incredibly well. It gives the Allroad sure-footed grip in all weathers, and the taller springs help further improve the Avant's excellent ride comfort.

The trouble is, with its luxurious interior, high-quality materials and lengthy standard kit list, the Allroad feels a bit too posh to be a genuine mud-plugger. The same charge could be levelled at Audi's SUVs - so like many fancy diving watches - the extra capability is just reassuring to have, even if you're unlikely to ever need it.

With identical cargo volumes to the Avant (505 litres with the rear seats up, 1510 litres when folded flat) it has no additional carrying capacity. While the regular estate is a pretty practical car, plenty of rivals will do a better job of swallowing all of your weekend surfing/biking/skiing/hunting* gear (*delete as appropriate).

The engine range is simpler too, with one petrol and two diesels available. All are powerful units, sending drive to each corner via an automatic gearbox.

The 40 TDI is likely to be the most popular. Producing 190PS and 400Nm, it comes with a seven-speed S tronic gearbox and has an easy-going character that pulls strongly when you need it to. Claimed economy figures are good, with WLTP economy listed at 44.1mpg.

The A4 Allroad comes in only two trims: Sport and Vorsprung. The former has everything you could possibly need, including leather seats, parking sensors, three zone climate control, and LED front and rear lights. The latter adds virtually every luxury accessory, from a panoramic glass roof to massage seats and a B&O Hi-Fi.

There are a few alternatives to the A4 Allroad, but Volvo V60 Cross Country is the most obvious. Audi might claim to have created this niche, but the Swedish brand has been building beefed-up estates for just as long. 

Still, it's an expensive niche. With prices starting at more than £40,000, it's far from cheap, and although not in the same class the likes of the Skoda Octavia Scout offer something similar for considerably less money.

Some reviewers might try to tell you that the Allroad's raised suspension and laidback approach to handling are a major drawback.

Honestly, we think you'll be very hard-pressed to tell the difference in normal driving, and in fact its taller springs only enhance the standard car's comfortable ride and relaxed driving character.

On the motorway, it feels supremely stable and soaks up even the worst surfaces. It also avoids the jittery low-speed ride of the V60 Cross Country in town.

Of course, it doesn't give you a commanding view of the road and over other traffic that a SUV would, but all-round visibility is fine, and it's very easy to judge the dimensions of the car for squeezing through tight gaps. 

The on-road handling is secure and comfortable, but what about when you want to venture away from paved surfaces? The extra ground clearance, wider track and clever four-wheel drive system are equipped to cope with muddy forest tracks or hauling a caravan across a wet field, but a Subaru Outback is a better off-roader.

Choosing an engine for your Allroad is a simple affair, with two diesels; the 190PS 40 TDI and 286PS 50 TDI. A solitary petrol model, the 45 TFSI, splits the difference with a power output of 245PS. All of these units are paired up with automatic transmissions (there is no manual option) and send their drive to all four wheels.

On paper, the smooth petrol motor is considerably quicker than the 2.0-litre diesel in the 40 TDI. However in everyday use, the extra low-down shove of the diesels makes them feel stronger, especially when towing.

We think the 40 TDI is the best choice. It's not as refined as the 45 TFSI or as muscular at the 50 TDI, but it suits the car's character, and strikes a better balance between pulling power and fuel economy than either.

The only slight drawback is the seven-speed S tronic transmission, which can hesitate on occasion when you want it to kick down the gears and go. It only happens occasionally (like pulling out of a junction) but when it does it's frustrating. Still, the eight-speed tiptronic gearbox in the 50 TDI is worse, with an even longer delay.

The standard A4 saloon achieved the top five-star Euro NCAP rating when it was crash tested in 2015. That result applies to the Avant and Allroad too. It was awarded an 87% score for child and adult protection, but the pedestrian score of 75% is a bit lower than on some newer rivals, even though it has a pop-up bonnet.

Other standard safety equipment includes six airbags, Isofix child seat mounting points and top tether, plus electronic stability control (ESC), parking sensors, and a autonomous low-speed emergency braking. 

Audi calls this system Pre-Sense City, but you can add more active and semi-autonomous assistance by choosing the Driver Assistance Tour pack. This includes radar-cruise control and active lane-keeping assist.

If you were to write a list of desirable tow car qualities then the A4 Allroad would tick every box. Four-wheel drive traction? Check. Torquey engines with plenty of pulling power? Check. Heavy kerbweight? Check. In fact the only thing it lacks is an actual tow bar (Audi will of course sell you a retractable one for just £995).

The 50 TDI can tow the highest load, with a max legal capacity of 2100kg up an 8% gradient, but the 40 TDI is not far off since it's capable of hauling up to 2000kgs. Sticking to the 85% rule (Not towing more than three quarters of the car's kerb weight), inexperienced drivers who are new to towing should not exceed 1400kgs.

In theory, the Allroad is no more practical than the A4 Avant on which it's based. Still, since that car is one of the roomiest small premium estates, it's a good starting point. Boot space is identical, which means 505 litres of capacity behind the rear seats. This expands to 1510 litres with them folded flat, and it's well shaped too.

Those figures are hardly class leading (The S60 Cross Country and Passat Alltrack can both carry more) but it'll cope with bikes, buggies and holiday gear with a bit of careful packing.There's an electric tailgate as standard which works quickly enough, and the boot itself has a wide opening, no load lip and vertical sides.

The rear seats split in a 40/20/40 configuration. That means you can carry still longer items with four people on-board, if you don't want to use the roof rails for a top box instead. The £195 Storage Pack from the Avant is standard here, with net pockets behind the front seats, a luggage net and restraining straps in the boot.

There are no quibbles about the quality inside the Allroad. The previous A4 was a hardly wanting in this area, but Audi raised the bar again with this generation - it's a proper masterclass.

Even something as simple as the air conditioning controls and LED cabin lights feel like they've had a lot of thought put into their design. Major touch points like the gear selector, steering wheel and heater dials have a weighty, precise action that oozes quality. Sport models feature smart patterned aluminium dash inserts, while the more luxurious Vorspung comes with a choice of open pore oak or glossy piano black trim instead.

One of the best features of the A4's MMI Plus infotainment system is the Audi Virtual Cockpit. First seen in the TT, this replaces the normal analogue dials with a 12.3-inch high resolution display.

It's more than just a gimmick though. The screen is customisable, and there are different views including one that fills pretty much the whole screen with the navigation. It's impressive stuff, and comes as standard on the newest shape car.

The new 10.1-inch touchscreen has large icons, a slick interface and sharp graphics, but it rather dominates the cabin, and the absence of Audi's familiar rotary controller makes it tricky to use when you're driving. 

Still, this system comes with every possible piece of connectivity you could want. DAB radio, Bluetooth, a pair of USB charging ports, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring all come as standard. It also has an excellent sat-nav with 3D mapping (and if you're a bit old school) even comes with a CD player.

As we've alluded to the A4 Allroad commands a hefty premium over the Avant. While it has more standard equipment, gadgets and power than its sibling, the entry-point to ownership is almost £10,000 higher.

You'll need to set aside £40,180 (before options, plates, and first year VED) to secure a 40 TDI in Sport trim. Petrol buyers will have to part with an extra £2600 for a 45 TFSI in the same trim, and it's another £5285 for the more powerful 50 TDI diesel, with its smooth 3.0-litre V6 engine and eight-speed tiptronic automatic 'box.

Indulge yourself in one of the palatial Vorsprung models and it'll cost an additional £9300. So the 40 TDI becomes a £49,480 car, and the maxed-out 50 TDI costs £54,745 - more than the price of a new A6 Allroad.

The Volvo V60 Cross Country starts within just a few hundred pounds of the A4 Allroad, but it's four-cylinder only engine range means that even with every optional extra specified, it tops out just above £50k.

The Passat Alltrack - with the exact same engine and gearbox as the 40 TDI - starts a little lower at £39,345.

Still, monthly finance deals are likely to be more relevant to most buyers than the list prices. Audi is currently offering a PCP deal spread over four years for £429/month on the 40 TDI Sport. The deposit required set at £5,347.96 with a decent dealer contribution of £3,000, and the option to buy at the end of the agreement. 

Excess mileage above the 10,000 annual limit is charged at 10.8p per mile. For comparison, the Passat Alltrack on a four year loan with identical deposit (and a higher dealer contribution) will cost £503.48/month, but the excess miles incur just a 7p penalty, and the representative yearly interest rate is marginally lower.

The most efficient version is the 40 TDI Sport, but its official WLTP figure of 44.1mpg is a bit lower than its nearest rivals. Expect to get around 40mpg in the real world.

Choosing either of the other engines will significantly increase your consumption, with official figures in the mid-thirties. The 50 TDI Sport also emits between 194 - 198g/km of CO2. That means you'll pay over £1000 in first year road tax (above the asking price) and a higher premium rate of VED for five years after that.

There is a big difference in insurance costs as well. The standard A4 Avant equipped with the same 2.0-litre 190PS engine, four-wheel drive as the 40 TDI in Sport trim sits in Group 29E. The same Allroad? Group 32E.

Once again, picking the 50 TDI comes at a cost, since its Group 41E rating will mean higher premiums.

Audis often feel fantastic when they come fresh from the showroom. However the brand's patchy reliability record and middling standing in the HonestJohn Satisfaction Index mean it could be worth investing in one of their extended warranties. The standard manufacturer cover is only for the first three years or 60,000 miles.

The A4 Allroad comes comprehensively equipped - even more so than the standard A4 Avant. Leather sport seats, 18-inch alloys, a powered tailgate and load cover, plus LED front and rear lights are all standard. This car also has the storage pack, adding elasticated nets in the back seats, and restraining straps in the boot.

That's on top of the impressive MMI Plus infotainment system and Virtual Cockpit digital displays, three-zone climate control, cruise control and all-round parking sensors (plus reversing camera) of the regular A4 estate.

Essentially, this simply means that we see no reason to upgrade to Vorsprung edition. Sure, it's nice to have the luxury of every possible option fitted, with a B&O stereo, panoramic sunroof and adaptive dampers, but you can cherry pick any of these singular items and add them to the Sport model without breaking the bank.