Overview

The Audi A4 Allroad is designed to give buyers off-road practicality without the bulk of a full-size 4×4. It’s best suited to those who only need occasional off-road ability – it will struggle with traditional 4×4 terrain, but makes light work of otherwise inaccessible muddy tracks.

It retains the strengths of the standard Audi A4 Avant estate, so is good to drive, beautifully built and comfortable on the move. The range is much slimmed-down compared to the standard A4 and – as a new car at least – is much more expensive. Such is the premium, that it leaves the A4 Allroad in a strange position. For a little bit more, buyers can have the full-size Audi Q5 or they can make a significant saving by opting for a standard Avant with quattro four-wheel drive .

Good to drive

The Audi A4 Allroad does not offer the same array of engines as the standard A4 Avant estate but it does pick three of the best motors for this SUV/estate 4×4. They are the 208bhp 2.0-litre turbo petrol and 2.0- and 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel engines that offer strong performance and excellent economy.

Coupled to the Allroad’s standard Quattro four-wheel drive system, these engines deliver excellent all-round driving manners. There’s plenty of grip on the road and the Allroad is a refined long distance machine. Only very limited off-road ability due to the standard tyres and little ground clearance holds the Allroad back from being a truly gifted all-rounder.

Too close to Q5 for comfort

The biggest problem the Audi A4 Allroad has it is too close in conception and price to the much more obviously SUV-styled Q5 from Audi. For some, this makes the Allroad an irrelevant choice, but for a select band of buyers the Allroad is the better bet as it’s a much more road-focused machine that still has the traction and stability to cope well in snow and ice.

For anyone who skis or loves winter sports and wants to drive to the resort, the A4 Allroad is the ideal car and is a more refined car on the motorway than the higher-riding Q5. Is it the complete package? Read the full Audi A4 Allroad review to find out.