Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Audi A4 Allroad quattro estate review (2016-2022)

"The Audi A4 Allroad retains the best aspects of the standard estate, but adds improved ride comfort and increased off-road ability"

Carbuyer Rating

3.4 out of 5

Owners Rating

5.0 out of 5

Read owner reviews

Pros

  • Clever four-wheel-drive system
  • High-quality interior
  • Comfortable ride

Cons

  • Expensive to buy
  • Some SUVs better off road
  • Not as agile as standard estate

This is the third iteration of the Audi A4 Allroad. It combines the highly acclaimed Audi A4 Avant’s practical estate body with some off-road elements – such as a rugged bodykit and raised ride height – to make it a bit tougher and less likely to get stuck in a muddy field than the standard Avant.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Four-wheel drive comes as standard and this is the first Audi model in the UK to get the brand’s new ‘quattro with Ultra technology’ system, which, unlike the permanent four-wheel drive in other quattro Audis, remains front-wheel drive most of the time, only sending power to the rear wheels when required. This saves fuel end reduces emissions, hence the use of ‘Ultra’ (Audi’s label for its most efficient models and technology).

There are only a few styling changes on the A4 Allroad compared to the standard A4 Avant. These include a chrome front grille, metal-effect front and rear skid plates, black plastic cladding around the wheelarches and bottom of the car, as well as silver-effect side skirts and more prominent roof rails.

Most of the range is powered by diesel engines, with just one turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol available, developing 247bhp. Initially, this is the only engine being offered with Audi’s ‘quattro with Ultra technology’ setup, although diesel models with this feature will follow.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

There’s a 2.0-litre diesel producing 187bhp as well as a pair of 3.0-litre V6 diesels, which manage 215 and 268bhp respectively. A 148bhp 2.0-litre diesel is also set to join the range. In terms of running costs, the petrol will be the most expensive, returning 44.1mpg fuel economy on average, while CO2 emissions sit at 147g/km, meaning a £145 annual road-tax bill if registered before April 2017.

One of the diesels will be cheaper to run, as they return between 57.7mpg (for the 187bhp 2.0-litre) an 53.3mpg (for the most powerful V6). Similarly, CO2 emissions range from 128 to 139g/km, meaning annual road-tax bills of either £110 or £130 if registered before April 2017.

Our favourite is the 187bhp 2.0-litre diesel, as it offers the best combination of performance, economy, running costs and purchase price. It’s worth asking yourself before you buy whether a normal Audi A4 Avant with four-wheel drive would meet your needs, as it’s cheaper than an Allroad.

All A4 Allroad models have climate control, 17-inch alloy wheels and Audi’s MMI infotainment system. Sport trim adds LED lights all round, as well as dynamic indicators (where orange lights ‘sweep’ in the direction you’re turning), 18-inch alloys and tinted rear glass.

The standard Audi A4 finished 53rd out of the 75 cars ranked in our 2017 Driver Power owner satisfaction survey of cars currently on sale in the UK. Safety won’t be an issue – the standard A4 has a full five-star rating from Euro NCAP and the addition of four-wheel drive only makes the Allroad safer, while a more advanced electronic stability control system will help keep you out of trouble off-road, too.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Richard is a former editor of Carbuyer, as well as sister site DrivingElectric.com, and he's now Deputy Editor at Auto Express. Having spent a decade working in the automotive industry, he understands exactly what makes new car buyers tick.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Renault 4 first glimpse! Retro-renaissance continues with new all-electric small SUV
Renault 4 front fascia teaser
News
1 Oct 2024

Renault 4 first glimpse! Retro-renaissance continues with new all-electric small SUV

New Skoda Elroq revealed! Family EV gets 355-mile range, costs from £31,500
Skoda Elroq front quarter
News
1 Oct 2024

New Skoda Elroq revealed! Family EV gets 355-mile range, costs from £31,500

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s best PCP finance offers
Carbuyer best new car deals hero
Deals
27 Sep 2024

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s best PCP finance offers

More on A4 Allroad quattro estate

Top 3 used rugged estates for £10,000
Top 3 used rugged estates for £10,000
Tips and advice
16 Aug 2019

Top 3 used rugged estates for £10,000

“Dear Carbuyer, I need an estate car that can handle the outdoors, that’s family friendly and good to drive. What does £10,000 buy?”
Facelifted Audi A4 breaks cover
Facelifted Audi A4 Avant Estate - front driving
News
14 May 2019

Facelifted Audi A4 breaks cover

The new Audi A4 arrives with mild-hybrid tech and new engines
Reader left fuming over sub-standard A4 repairs
News
15 Nov 2016

Reader left fuming over sub-standard A4 repairs

Owner’s Allroad damaged at Kwik Fit branch, and attempts to fix it leave him frustrated
New Audi A4 saloon and Avant: pictures, specs and price list
News
15 Sep 2015

New Audi A4 saloon and Avant: pictures, specs and price list

2016 Audi A4 gets efficient new engines, high-tech interior and S4 performance model
Audi A4 Allroad quattro estate (2009-2015)
In-depth reviews
15 Dec 2014

Audi A4 Allroad quattro estate (2009-2015)

"The Audi A4 Allroad offers some genuine off-road ability without the running costs and proportions of a traditional 4x4."
Audi A4 Avant estate (2011-2015)
In-depth reviews
2 Dec 2014

Audi A4 Avant estate (2011-2015)

"The Audi A4 Avant estate has all the luxury and grown-up driving dynamics of the saloon, but with an added dose of practicality"
Watchdog: Late service wrecks Audi warranty
News
11 Nov 2014

Watchdog: Late service wrecks Audi warranty

Late service leaves Audi unwilling to pay for £9,000 gearbox claim
Audi A4 Avant estate (2008-2011)
In-depth reviews
18 Jul 2013

Audi A4 Avant estate (2008-2011)

"The A4 Avant is a spacious and classy rival to the BMW 3 Series Touring and Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate"  
Skip advert
Advertisement
Audi A4 SE Technik now with more equipment
News
27 Jun 2013

Audi A4 SE Technik now with more equipment

The mid-range Audi A4 SE Technik is now cheaper and better equipped than before

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
26 Mar 2024

Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps
Charging station
Tips and advice
23 Jul 2024

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
21 Mar 2024

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors

Top 10 best electric cars 2024
Best electric cars
Best cars
16 May 2024

Top 10 best electric cars 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024