2017 Audi A4 allroad Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
byMark Takahashi
Correspondent
Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the Edmunds YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.
Pros
- Impeccably crafted interior with top-notch materials
- Enhanced light off-road capabilities
- More maneuverable than most crossover SUVs with comparable utility
- Turbocharged engine provides strong performance
Cons
- Might exhibit some of the A4 sedan's initial hesitation to accelerate
What’s new
It may not necessarily look it on the outside, but the Audi Allroad is all-new for 2017. It blends the same wealth of improvements made to the 2017 A4 along with the wagon body style, elevated ride height, standard all-wheel drive and rugged body cladding that differentiated the outgoing Allroad.
Vehicle overview
The Audi Allroad wagon is redesigned this year, but you might not know it just by looking at the pictures. Check out our photos of the 2017 Audi A4 Allroad. Now compare them to the 2016 Allroad. Hard to tell the difference, right? The grille and lights are a little different, but otherwise a 2017 Allroad looks a lot like a 2016 Allroad. But do some research and you'll realize there's a lot more than meets the eye with the 2017 Allroad.
The 2017 Audi A4 Allroad wagon builds on the previous Allroad's credentials by borrowing heavily from the recently redesigned and highly rated A4 sedan. Compared to its predecessor, the 2017 Allroad is lighter and has a more sophisticated all-wheel-drive system and a new engine that is both more powerful and fuel-efficient than before. Inside, an all-new design maintains Audi's reputation for creating innovative cabins of impeccable quality. The revised MMI infotainment system, with its updated controller, new dash-top screen and available Virtual Cockpit gauges, represent a step forward both aesthetically and functionally. As before, though, the Allroad's calling card is its extra ground clearance, which helps you out when driving on rutted dirt roads or during the occasional snowstorm.
One of the few areas that the 2017 A4 Allroad is lacking is in its competition — crossover SUVs have replaced wagons in most shoppers' lists. But you might want to also check out the BMW 3 Series wagon and Volvo V60 Cross Country. The 3 Series doesn't have the off-road clearance that the Allroad does, but it is a little sportier to drive, while the V60 offers Swedish flair and a new engine this year. If you need more interior space than these wagons provide and don't mind a non-luxury badge, a loaded-up Subaru Outback could be the way to go. Overall, though, the newest Allroad looks to be the best at combining a luxurious interior, impressive performance and just enough enhanced off-road capability to make you forget about crossover SUVs all together.
Standard safety features for all 2017 Audi A4 Allroad models include antilock brakes, stability and traction control, side curtain airbags, a rearview camera, Audi's Pre Sense Basic system (pre-tensions seat belts and closes windows and sunroof during emergency maneuvers) and the Pre Sense City system (forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking).
Features available or standard on higher-trimmed Allroads include rear seat airbags, front and rear parking sensors, Audi Connect Care emergency telematics (includes emergency assistance, stolen vehicle locating and automatic crash notification), Audi Pre Sense Rear (adds rear collision detection to the existing Pre Sense system), blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning and automatic high beams.
Driving
We have yet to fully test the 2017 Audi A4 Allroad, but all signs point to it being comparable to the A4 sedan, which is a very good thing. The sedan received excellent scores for acceleration, braking and handling, further bolstered by the surefootedness of the all-wheel-drive system. Among the few drawbacks, we noted some hesitation upon initial acceleration and a lack of steering feel.
In addition to the expected on-road manners, the Allroad also benefits from some light off-road capabilities thanks to its extra 1.3 inches of ground clearance. It's a far cry from what a dedicated SUV such as a Land Rover Range Rover can do, but rutted, unpaved roads and snow-covered conditions should pose no threat.
Interior
The 2017 Audi A4 Allroad shares much of its interior with the A4 sedan, which received high praise in our evaluations. Materials quality is excellent, even for this luxury class, with sturdy design and construction. The sharp infotainment screen is placed high atop the dash, keeping more of the driver's attention on the road. The MMI system takes some getting used to, but after a short time, operation becomes second nature. The same can be said of the available virtual instrument panel that adds a distinct high-tech edge to the cabin.
Most of the Allroad's interior measurements remain identical to the A4 sedan, which likely means it will feel as spacious. When evaluating the sedan, we commented that the cabin felt more like a midsize luxury sedan, with an abundance of space for front and rear passengers. Six-footers could easily fit in the rear seats, and the Allroad even gains an advantage with slightly more headroom.
The rear seats are split in three sections, allowing for more flexible passenger and cargo configurations. Cargo space is generous for the class, with 24.2 cubic feet available behind the rear seats and 58.5 cubic feet with them folded.
2017 Audi A4 allroad models
The 2017 Audi A4 Allroad is a four-door luxury wagon with seating for five. It is available in Premium, Premium Plus and Prestige trim levels.