Audi A6 Allroad (2006 – 2012) Review

Audi A6 Allroad (2006 – 2012) At A Glance

4/5

+Very comfortable to drive on tarmac or off-road. Classy image and styling. Height adjustable air suspension. Large boot. Ideal for towing. Best on Pirelli Scorpion STRs for the road.

-Doesn't handle quite as well as A6 quattro on which it is based.

Insurance Groups are between 32–39
On average it achieves 92% of the official MPG figure

The second generation Audi A6 Allroad of 2006 is half way between a normal estate and a full-blown 4x4, making it the ideal car if you need the extra traction of four-wheel drive, but don't want the bulk usually associated with off-roaders. The A6 Allroad comes with Audi's quattro four-wheel drive system as standard, as well as height adjustable air suspension, so it's perfect for towing trailers or caravans across wet fields.

It's based on the Audi A6 Avant (and only comes as an estate) so it's very practical with plenty of rear legroom and a huge boot. It's great on the motorway where it effortless soaks up miles of road with minimal fuss thanks to a forgiving ride and low noise levels.

Of course there is a trade off for this and the A6 Allroad doesn't handle quite as well as the standard A6 and feels noticeable softer in corners, but the extra ground clearance and four-wheel drive makes it superb in snowy and icy conditions where a standard car would struggle.

It comes with Audi's larger engines, but it's the TDI diesels which make the most sense thanks to more reasonable running costs. The 2.7 TDI with the Multitronic gearbox is especially smooth while the 3.0 TDI offers a bit more punch. As with all Audi cars, the A6 Allroad has a superbly built and high-class interior, while a long list of optional extras gives you the chance to personalise your car - at a cost of course.

Audi A6 2004 Range Road Test

Audi A6 Avant 2005 Range Road Test

Audi A6 Allroad 2006 Range Road Test

 

Real MPG average for a Audi A6 Allroad (2006 – 2012)

RealMPG

Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.

Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.

Average performance

92%

Real MPG

30–42 mpg

MPGs submitted

62

Diesel or petrol? If you're unsure whether to go for a petrol or diesel (or even an electric model if it's available), then you need our Petrol or Diesel? calculator. It does the maths on petrols, diesels and electric cars to show which is best suited to you.

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Ask Honest John

What vehicle can cope with towing and long distance travelling?

"We’re farmers and need to tow up to 2.5tons (trailer plus up to several cattle). The farm has a 4.0-litre diesel 2007 Range Rover Sport which has a number of old and recurring faults to do with suspension, tyre pressures, other electrical faults, and starting, which would be v expensive to fix! The one where having hit the dashboard… it then starts! Clearly it’s a thirsty old car. This car has done 48000 miles. We could keep it and run it into the ground if it keeps going that long…or We also have a 2015 C250 diesel estate (50mpg on a motorway run), with 70,000 miles on the clock We’re wondering whether there’s a car that would offer combined comfort, towing capability, better fuel efficiency… that would allow us to part exchange our existing cars and just have one? We haven’t looked for a different car for years and there seem to be many options. New land rovers look good, but are v big, very expensive, and have poor reliability. Lexus have a very good reliability…?"
There are a few vehicles that offer the capacity to tow up to 2500kg and would offer the other attributes you are looking for, but would require a particular specification in order to have the required power and torque. We would suggest looking at the 2021-on Audi A6 Allroad with the 3.0 TDI or 3.0 BiTDi engine, the 2006-on Hyundai SantaFe 2.2 CRDi, the 2010-on Kia Sorento 2.2 CRDi or the Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0 TDi.
Answered by David Ross

What would you recommend doing to keep my diesel Audi A6 Allroad well maintained?

"I own a 2011 Audi A6 Allroad 3.0 TDI 240PS 6 speed auto with paddle shifts (98,000 miles). Other than 10,000 mile oil changes, what would you recommend doing to keep this on the road for a few years? It has had full Audi service from new. Is this the troubled gearbox I've read bad reports on? I sold my 2009 Audi A4 2.0 TDI 8 speed at 210,000 miles and am looking for similar again. I cover around 35,000 miles a year. "
This will have a proper, reliable torque converter transmission, but the quattro Haldax clutch does require maintenance with regular fluid and filter changes. You might run into trouble due to a build up of ash in the diesel particulate filters, but other readers have successfully had them cleaned out by the Ceramex process at £350 a time. Vital to maintain the tyres so they are all the same type and have similar tread wear. Any significant disparity can confuse the electronics controlling the quattro system.
Answered by Honest John

Which used, all-wheel drive estate?

"I am looking to change my beautiful 15 year old Audi A6 Quattro S Line. She runs beautifully, original engine, gearbox, clutch, almost no faults. But I need to do significant motorway distances on the continent and UK. However the degree of luxury offered has spoiled me. I also plan to live at least part of the year in the Italian Alps where I do a lot of trekking so need a car that has a better offroad capability. I am past 67 and enjoy arriving fresh and relaxed after a ten hour drive. I have looked at older (six-year-old) Subaru Outbacks - fine, safe and reliable but lacks the degree of extra luxury. I drove a Mercedes-Benz CL500, not AWD of course but has all, the luxury to keep me relaxed as I drive. I've looked at most of the other Japanese and Korean cars, none really set me on fire! Can you please point me in the most sensible direction? I have £7000 to spend"
4WD pretty much forces you into a later A6 or Allroad because there isn't anything else in the UK apart from a Legacy or Outback.
Answered by Honest John

Can I transfer my warranty?

"I bought a 2009 Q5 in August 2012, and took out a Platinum two-year contract with Warranties 2000. Have changed the car in the last 10 days - to an Audi Allroad (2009). Before I did the deal, I asked Warranty 2000 if I could transfer the warranty to the new car as it was only three months' old. Was told they would send me a transfer form, so I did the deal. Got nothing, so phoned again and was told they don't send transfer forms out, but I was to write in and give then details of the new car so they could submit the request to the underwriters. Did that and got no reply, so phoned again and was told that I could not transfer the warranty to the new car. Can you advise what to do as I have been led up the garden path by this company. I want to either transfer the warranty or get a pro-rata re-payment."
Depends on the terms of the warranty. If it's for the car and transferable to the next owner, then it has gone with the car. If it's for the car and non transferable then it's gone. Check the terms. If you think they are unfair and if this is an insured warranty then you can take the matter up with the Financial Services Ombudsman. If it's a self-insured warranty then all you could do is use http://www.moneyclaim.gov.uk
Answered by Honest John
More Questions

What does a Audi A6 Allroad (2006 – 2012) cost?