Its not made for the rock hopping antics of the passionate four-wheel drive set, but with some extra ground clearance, tuned suspension and a few other features it means you can venture onto reasonable dirt roads with confidence.
It is a station wagon that takes on aspects of an SUV rather than the typical SUV that originally evolved from a four-wheel-drive. Audi defines it as rugged but sophisticated.
The Avant wagon and Allroad models account for 15% of the total A4/A5 sales.
The Allroad is still considered a medium sized prestige passenger car category currently dominated by the BMW 3 series and the Mercedes C Class although there is little to directly compare with the Allroad in this class.
Audi has introduced an upgrade that it calls a “Refreshment” of the model.
There are two variants for the A4 Allroad depending on the engine:
- 40 TDI – 4 cylinder 2 lire turbo diesel
- 45 TFSI – 4 cylinder 2-litre turbo petrol
There is no S-Line option (as in the sedan and wagon) and the diesel engine is now exclusive to the Allroad.
What is the A4 Like outside?
The Allroad shares most of the exterior new look of the front of the sedan and the side and back of the Avant wagon.
The key distinctive features of the Allroad’s external appearance are:
- Wider track
- Underbody protection
- Bespoke 18inch wheels with higher profile tyres which improves the ride quality on the highway.
- 46 mm higher ground clearance that he A4 sedans
- The front track is 6mm wider than the standard model, with the rear 11mm
- Webbed roof rails
- Rear sunshades
The front design has the daylight running lights are positioned up high. The grill has vertical bars rather than a lattice type patter, thus losing a little of the elegance while moving to a more SUV appearance.
At the rear, a specially designed bumper with integrated trapezoidal exhausts further differentiates its look.
There are a number of options for the wheel arches which can be finished in Manhattan grey, metallic or matched to a selection of body colours in keeping with their own style.
What’s it like inside?
The interior is very similar to the A4 sedans. It has a strong feeling of class without being overstated and uses silver finishes on the dash board to make it a little different from its siblings.
Standard equipment includes Audi virtual cockpit, a fully configurable digital instrument cluster with a 12.3-inch high-resolution screen that displays important functions right in front of the driver, and the Audi phone box light which provides wireless charging plus allows two smartphones to be simultaneously connected.
Features include:
- Sport front seats; with shaped seat side bolsters and extendable thigh support
- Electric seats for driver and front passenger including 4-way electric lumbar support and memory function for driver’s seat
- Leather appointed seat upholstery1
- Rear seat bench, 40:20:40 split folding and rear centre armrest with cup holder
- 3-zone climate control – separately adjustable temperature and air distribution settings for driver, front passenger and rear passengers
- Door sill trims in front with aluminium inlays with allroad logo
- Interior lighting package including ambient lighting – includes courtesy lighting in the exterior door handles, entrance lighting, cup holders in the front, footwell lighting at front and rear, inside door handles, door trims and centre console
- Sunblinds for the rear door windows, manual operation
Options include
- Extended upholstery package – lower part of centre console, door armrests and door pull handles in man-made leather
- Load area rail system with load-securing kit
- Map lights at front and rear, individually dimmable
Audi A4 All Road Features
Both variants of the Allroad include:
- Cruise control (but not adaptive) with braking to maintain set speed and speed limiter
- Audi parking system plus front and rear with visual display
- Predictive efficiency assist – provides targeted control of the engine overrun and coasting phases
- Turn assist – monitors oncoming traffic when turning right at low speeds
- LED headlights and tail lights – full LED headlights with daytime driving lights, dipped beam, high beam, position light, all-weather light, turning light, static cornering light, automatic-dynamic headlight range control and rear dynamic indicators
The Audi shows how the systems within the car can now provide much more information for the driver and even the passengers. Their Connect plus Navigation & Infotainment services can now, not only give online traffic information with hazard alert and destination entry via myAudi or Google Maps but it can also provide parking information on what spaces are available; weather; fuel prices and other Google services
Audi connect plus Security & Assistance services provides help to the driver including:
- Car finder with remote signal
- Remote lock & unlock
- Emergency call
- Online roadside assistance
- Steering wheel in S line design, flattened at the bottom
Optional features include
- Audi Matrix LED headlights (includes all the features above) – the Matrix beam detects and blanks out oncoming vehicles or vehicles in front, but continues to fully illuminate other areas between and Includes dynamic cornering light, front and rear dynamic indicators, headlight washer system, and Coming home and Leaving home animation
- Exterior mirrors; electrically adjustable, heated and folding, kerb-side function on the passenger side and automatically dimming on both sides, with memory feature
What Engine and Transmission does the Audi A4 have?
The Allroad has two engine options: one petrol and one diesel
- 40 TDI: 140kW and 400Nm – 5.2L/100km fuel consumption
- 45 TSFI 183kW and 370Nm: 7.1L/100km fuel consumption:
Both models have a 7- speed S tronic transmission and are all-wheel-drive
Both engine options incorporate a mild hybrid system which contributes up to 0.3L/100km fuel saving.
The Allroad off-road mode, within the drive select system, combines the functions of traction control, stabilisation control, ABS and hill descent control for added surety when venturing from sealed roads. Visually, the aluminium-look exterior package, including roof rails, as well as the bespoke Allroad front and rear bumpers.
Adding the optional Allroad-specific adaptive suspension, allows electronic adjustment through the Audi drive select to tailor the ride to different situations and conditions, altering parameters such as engine and transmission control, steering and chassis.
What are the safety features?
The last Audi A4 that was crash tested by ANCAP was back in 2015. Those tests were said to cover all the A4 four-cylinder models. The vehicle was awarded 5 stars. To achieve five stars now is a much harder task however the new A4 has some important safety features that should help it get a good result:
- Autonomous Emergency Braking and pedestrian detection
- Preventative protection measures including tensioning of front seat belts and closing of the windows and sunroof where the risk of a collision is detected from the rear
- Cross traffic assist rear – supports the driver when reversing out of a perpendicular parking space reducing the risk of accidents
- Exit warning system – detects cars and cyclists when opening doors
- Lane change warning (side assist) – warns vehicles in the blind spot as well as those approaching rapidly from the side
- Light and rain sensor – automatic control of lights-on function and windscreen wipers
- Airbags (eight in total) front airbags for driver and passenger, side airbags for front and rear passengers, head level curtain airbag for front and rear
- Attention assist – provides a warning alert tone and visual signal if the system evaluates that the driver’s attention may be lapsing
- Hill descent control
Driving Impressions
The all road has smaller rims (18 inch) and slightly higher profile tyres but the tyre pattern is not the chunky four-wheel drive pattern. For this reason, the Allroad is a little more comfortable to drive on the open highway than the sedan and Avant wagon. Lower profile tyres typically grip the road more effectively but they also feel the bumps more.
While the diesel engine is a solid performer; it gets of the line well and builds speed but it does not have the sharpness of the 45 TFSI petrol engine. The diesel certainly a little less “punch-in-the-back” performance but with 400 Nm of torque it does not struggle in most situations. The diesel does a 0 to 100 km/h time in 7.8 seconds the 45 TFSI is nearly two seconds quicker at 6.1 seconds.
Pricing
| A4 allroad 40 TDI quattro | 140kW | $69,900 MLP* |
| A4 allroad 45 TFSI quattro | 183kW | $72,900 MLP* |
*MLP – Manufacturers List Price includes GST and LCT but excluding statutory charges, dealer costs and dealer delivery. See your dealer for RDAP. Does not include price of any options.
Audi A4 Allroad Summary
While the number of SUV models is increase for most manufacturers there are few cars that are still classed as passenger cars but with some four-wheel drive capability.
The Audi Allroad is a sophisticated vehicle with a high level of technology in the drive systems, the performance, handling and the digital infotainment and dashboard which inform the driver with clarity, especially about navigation information.
The Allroad ability to cope with some off-road situations does not significantly compromise the Audi’s performance, handling and braking although the diesel engine is for a little more gentler touring.
Audi is showing strong leadership in the adaptability of their infotainment and driver dashboard communication.
The Allroad also has the right specifications to allow off-road experiences (without going as far as the severe four-wheel drive adventures).
While quite of number of other manufacturers are providing some lower priced SUVs with a good list of features, the Allroad, especially with the 45 TFSI petrol motor represents a vehicle that has not compromised on the on-road performance.
Good Bits
- Smaller rims and higher profile tyres make highway touring better
- Quattro technology is advanced
- The setup takes into account specific reasonable off-road conditions
Not So Good Bits
- Some common features are still options
- Options list can be expensive
- Diesel is not as sharp a performer that you might want from a prestige car.
Also Look at
Facts and Figures:
The Allroad diesel 40 TDI is the only diesel now in the A4 line up
- Engine: 2.0L four-cylinder turbo diesel 140kW and 400Nm – 5.2L/100km fuel consumption
- Transmission: Seven-speed tiptronic with quattro all-wheel drive
- Warranty: 3 years unlimited kilometres
- Safety: Five stars (2015)
- Origin: Germany
- Price: from $69,900 MLP*
*MLP – Manufacturers List Price includes GST and LCT but excluding statutory charges, dealer costs and dealer delivery. See your dealer for RDAP. Does not include price of any options.