Audi A4 Allroad long-term test
These days, it can feel like every other car is an SUV, but the A4 Allroad is a more distinctive choice that promises many of the same strengths. We've added one to our long-term fleet to see if...
- The car Audi A4 Allroad 3.0 TDI 218 quattro Sport
- Run by Alan Taylor-Jones, new cars editor
- Why it’s here To see if a practical family holdall with moderate off-road ability can mean something other than an SUV
- Needs to Provide good long-distance comfort and SUV versatility, while being refined, comfortable and frugal
Price £42,945 Price as tested £52,805 Miles 8647 Official economy 55.4mpg Test economy 40.4mpg Options fitted Technology Pack (£1395), Parking Assistance Pack (£1350), Comfort and Sound Pack (£1295), electrically adjustable front seats with driver’s memory (£950), damping control (£900), folding towbar (£850), 19in alloy wheels (£750), front sports seats in Milano leather (£750), matrix LED headlights (£650), Quantum Grey solid paint (£645), folding door mirrors with auto-dimming and memory function (£325)
17 October 2018 – country companion
As my colleague mentioned in a previous update, it’s hard to see why you would buy an Allroad over a standard Audi A4 Avant – well, at least objectively. It’s taller and therefore doesn’t handle as sharply as the standard car, is fractionally less economical due to its poorer aerodynamics and it costs around £5000 more to buy outright.
And yet, over the last three months of ‘ownership’ the entire road test team, including myself, have fallen completely in love with it. Indeed, with close family based in Yorkshire, Wales and Scotland, I’ve found myself grabbing the keys to the Allroad more times than I can remember, simply because it fits so well into life in the country.
For example, like an SUV, the raised driving position is ideal for seeing over country lane hedgerows and dry stonewalls. But unlike an SUV you don’t have to deal with the awkward proportions of a full-sized off-roader. And because you have all-wheel drive and plenty of ground clearance you can dive into muddy passing places or head down narrow green lanes with reckless abandon.
Why anyone would buy an Audi Q5 over an Allroad is beyond me. Indeed, if I had a spare £42,945 going free, I’d be straight down to my local Audi dealer.
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