Audi A4 2.0 TDI 177 Allroad Estate
Price: £32,235
If you've ever spotted an Audi A4 Allroad Estate on your travels, chances are you were curious to know why anybody would buy one of these over a sportier looking Quattro Avant model. The reason people buy Allroad's is because they're conventional family cars modified for light off-road use, with a raised ground clearance and increased suspension travel. This makes the Allroad a more sensible option for families than high-rise SUVs, with lots of space and ruggedness combined with excellent cruise ability.
The A4 Allroad Estate slots in-between the A4 Avant Quattro and Audi Q5. It's yet another choice for motorists in the crowded four-wheel-drive market.
There are three engines to choose from with the Audi A4 Allroad Estate: Audi’s 2.0-litre four-cylinder TFSI engine with 208bhp and 258lb ft of torque, a 2.0 TDI with 177 bhp and 280 lb /ft, and a 242bhp, 369 lb /ft 3.0-litre V6 TDI. The model we are looking at today is the cheapest you can buy, at £32,235.
The six-speed manual 177 Allroad will get from 0 - 62 mph in 8.2 seconds with solid potential economy figures of 46.3 miles per gallon with a CO2 rating of 159 g/km.
Thanks to the raised ground clearance (37mm over an A4 Quattro Avant) you get a better view of the road than in an A4 Avant or BMW 3-Series Touring. Surprisingly, during normal on-road driving, it's very hard to distinguish the Allroad from the Quattro Avant and thanks to that increased ride height, there's more suspension travel which results in greater comfort at any speed than other models of A4 - even SE saloon models.
There's no air suspension like on A6 Allroad's, but we don't think the A4 needs it to be honest.
When you leave the road, the Quattro permanent all-wheel-drive system really comes into its own. It gifts the A4 with stellar grip on slippery surfaces and inspires confidence on muddy tracks and steep hills with a loose surface. The increased ride height also means that you can tackle those country lanes which have deep potholes and humps without worrying about scuffing your bumpers. If you do, the black plastic which surrounds the Allroad's wheel arches and bumpers are cheap and easy to replace.
Inside, it's business as usual. The A4 Allroad has a well laid out cabin with high quality materials in abundance. Standard equipment on Allroad models includes climate control, cruise control, Bluetooth, CD player with DAB, side airbags and passenger airbags, 18-inch alloy wheels, load-area fixing kit, power-operated tailgate, high roof rails, and headlight washers.
So is the Allroad worth it over a Quattro Avant? If you find yourself driving off-road a fair amount of the time or in areas with rough and uneven roads, the Allroad offers greater off-road ability and comfort than a Quattro Avant can muster.
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