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Audi A4 ALLROAD Quattro 2020 Review

Audi A4 ALLROAD front qtr Audi A4 Allroad – Wagons are an important component of Audi’s A4 passenger car models. The Avant is an on-road station wagon based on the sedan but there is also the A4 Allroad that provides some off-road capability. 

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:

  1. 40 TDI – 4 cylinder 2 lire turbo diesel
  2. 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:

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:

Options include

Audi A4 All Road Features

Both variants of the Allroad include:

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:

Optional features include

What Engine and Transmission does the Audi A4 have?

The Allroad has two engine options: one petrol and one diesel

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:

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

  1. Smaller rims and higher profile tyres make highway touring better
  2. Quattro technology is advanced
  3. The setup takes into account specific reasonable off-road conditions

Not So Good Bits

  1. Some common features are still options
  2. Options list can be expensive
  3. 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

 *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.

 

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