Skip advert
Advertisement

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."

Carbuyer Rating

4.1 out of 5

Owners Rating

5.0 out of 5

Read owner reviews

Pros

  • Spacious boot
  • Plenty of equipment
  • Surprisingly good off-road

Cons

  • Expensive compared to rivals
  • Limited engine range
  • Rear seats don’t fold completely flat

The Audi A4 Allroad is a more rugged version of the Audi A4 Avant. It's aimed at those who need some off-road ability but don’t want or need a ‘proper’ 4x4 that’s likely to be much bigger and more expensive to run.

The car is similar to the standard Audi A4 Avant estate with the added practicality of raised suspension, four-wheel drive and protective bodywork for off-road driving. The Allroad isn’t quite as sharp to drive on tarmac as the standard car on which it’s based, but you’d need to drive both back-to-back to tell. At any rate, it’s a small trade-off for the extra comfort of the raised, softer suspension and the car’s off-road ability.

Advertisement - Article continues below

And thanks to the car’s off-road detection system, even complete off-road novices will be able to make best use of its grip. But don’t expect the Allroad to cover the same terrain as a Land Rover Discovery – it's at its best towing a horse box across a muddy field.

The Allroad only comes as an estate and with a choice of three engines. There's one petrol and two diesels, with the 3.0-litre TDI diesel offering the most power. There are just two trim levels, meaning even the basic standard model comes loaded with equipment – which it should given the car’s relatively high starting price.

The standard A4 Allroad is based on the A4 Avant SE, but there’s also the rather incongruously named A4 Allroad Sport model for around an extra £2,500.

Neither BMW nor Mercedes has a direct competitor for the Allroad, but the Subaru Outback, Volvo XC70 and Volkswagen Passat Alltrack all follow a similar concept. They can't quite match the Audi for sophisticated image and badge appeal, however.

Unless you really want the extra pace of the petrol or larger diesel engine, we’d recommend the A4 Allroad 2.0-litre TDI. It’s the most economical of the three models, yet with 175bhp, it still packs plenty of punch for motorway driving, tackling tracks off-road or towing a trailer or caravan.

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

New Polestar 4 coupe SUV – how is the £60k EV shaping up?
Polestar 4 Prototype drive front quarter
News
22 Mar 2024

New Polestar 4 coupe SUV – how is the £60k EV shaping up?

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s top car offers
Carbuyer best new car deals hero
Deals
28 Mar 2024

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s top car offers

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?

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: a complete guide
Public EV charge point
Tips and advice
11 Jan 2023

Electric car charging stations: a complete guide

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
The best electric cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 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