Audi brings back the Allroad - in smaller, more affordable form.
Audi is likely to confuse some potential customers in the months ahead. The maker has announced it will stop importing the wagon version of its small A4, known as the Avant, in 2013. So what should a buyer make of the vehicle that will be taking its place? Replacing the Avant, Audi has begun importing the new Allroad. And, yes, if it looks like a wagon to you, you’re not alone whatever the German maker wants to call it.
But before writing the new offering off, wagon-phobic shoppers should give pause. The 2013 Audi Allroad is an attractive, fun and highly functional addition to the maker’s line-up. And if it had to come down to a choice between Avant and Allroad, Audi has come up with the right decision.
Audi aficionados will undoubtedly recognize the Allroad name. The maker previously sold a model bearing that badge between 1999 and 2005. But the original model was bigger – based on the same platform as that era’s Audi A6, and worked hard at passing itself off as a sport-utility vehicle. Though you can order optional side-cladding, just like the old model, the 2013 Audi Allroad has been downsized to share the A4 platform. It loses the height-adjustable air suspension and optional two-speed transfer case, as well as the original’s knobby, off-road tires.
Will buyers accept the Audi Allroad's wagon-like look?
It does get an extra 1.5 inches of ride height and an inch wider track than the A4 Avant – which will continue to be sold in Europe and much of the rest of the world – and more rugged styling cues, such as the more aggressive grille, front skid plates, front and rear bumpers, side sills and roof rail.
Yes, the added ride height will come in handy if you regularly face gravel or rutted muddy roads, or if you’re based in the Snowbelt. But Audi no longer makes pretenses that the Allroad is also capable of handling all trails. For those who need that sort of vehicle, consider one of the maker’s Q-Series or head to a Jeep or Land Rover showroom.
But, let’s face it, the number of American motorists who actually consider serious off-roading is miniscule, which is why we’re seeing so many traditional SUVs migrate to crossover platforms, the Ford Escape and Nissan Pathfinder being just two of the latest to follow that path.
The new Allroad is based on the latest A4 and skips the adjustable ride height featured in the larger, older Allroad.
So, Audi would seem, at least on the surface, to be making the right move, at least if it can convince American buyers to accept the wagon-esque Allroad body. If you’re in the market, you’d certainly be wise to do so. The old A4 Avant was an extremely attractive vehicle, and a highly functional one that too many shoppers ignored. The slightly more ute-like cues just might make folks feel more comfortable.
The 2013 Audi Allroad is powered by the maker’s familiar 2.0T turbo four-cylinder engine, here mated to an 8-speed Tiptronic gearbox. Making 211 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, it is both faster and more fuel-efficient than the outgoing Avant, the EPA ratings at 20 City, 27 Highway and 23 Combined.
The 2013 Allroad is quick – delivering a rated 6.5 second 0 to 60 launch – but there is a bit of a trade-off. It’s not quite as nimble as the new A4, no surprise considering the added ride height. That results in a moderate amount of body roll during seriously aggressive turns.
The 2013 Allroad gets the classic refinement of an Audi interior.
But that’s a modest complaint that only a select number of performance-oriented drivers will lament. During several days of motoring through the Colorado Rockies we found the Allroad more than up to the maneuvers we undertook (admittedly often pushing well beyond the low speed limits posted to keep RV drivers in check).
If anything, most buyers seriously considering the 2013 Audi Allroad will likely be more focused on the advantages of the Quattro all-wheel-drive system. With its locking front and limited-slip rear differentials and Torsen center diff, along with a variety of brake-based mitigation systems, you’ll claw through snow, gravel and mud.
As one might expect from Audi, the interior is a well-executed package, with comfortable, supportive seating all around and excellent ergonomics. The Allroad offers the latest Audi MMI infotainment system – including an upgraded navi that can display Google Maps, as well as access Google Voice Search, deliver real-time fuel prices, weather and more. You can also subscribe to TMobile’s data service which turns the system into a WiFi hot spot for up to eight cellphones, iPads and other digital devices.
The Allroad delivers slightly less cargo space than the taller Audi Q5.
The Allroad, meanwhile, yields 27.6 cubic feet of cargo space, compared to 29.1 cf in the more ute-ish Q5. The Q is also cheaper but definitely isn’t as much fun to drive.
At a starting price of $40,900 for the wagon, er ute, er, whatever you prefer to call it, the 2013 Audi Allroad isn’t cheap. But it comes with a wide range of standard features, even in base trim. Load it up and you’ll just nudge the $50,000 mark.
That’s more than a number of competitors but significantly less – after adjusting for automotive inflation rates – than the old, A6-based Allroad. And that, Audi is hoping, will increase the new model’s appeal. Whether they’re right remains to be seen and could depend upon whether potential buyers accept the wagon-like styling. If they do they could be in for a pleasant surprise.