2020 Audi A6 allroad
Other years
2020 Audi A6 allroad Review
- High-level style and build quality, inside and out
- Practicality of an SUV with the road manners of a sedan
- Smooth, powerful engine and mild hybrid system
- Air suspension adds up to 1.8 inches of ground clearance on demand
- MMI touch infotainment system takes time to learn
- Touchscreens look dirty after minimal use
- Optional equipment adds to the already high price
- The A6 Allroad, last sold in the U.S. in 2005, returns
- Part of the second A6 Allroad generation introduced for 2020
Station wagons have nearly vanished from the marketplace. But one automaker, Audi, seems to have discovered the Land of Wagons That Time Forgot. After a 15-year hiatus from North America, the Audi A6 Allroad has returned to the lineup. (It was simply called the Allroad Quattro back then.) The 2020 Audi A6 Allroad is based on the Audi A6 sedan but designed for light off-road exploring with a higher ground clearance, plastic wheel arches and standard roof rails.
There is also added emphasis on style and technology. The Allroad has a standard air suspension and an advanced 48-volt mild hybrid system providing boost to the turbocharged V6 engine. Audi's latest MMI infotainment system is standard as well. Is it an off-roader? Not quite. But this is one station wagon that makes a statement.
Our verdict | |
Powerful, comfortable and impressively upscale on the inside, the A6 Allroad has a lot going for it. Unfortunately, the mild off-road capability it offers comes at the expense of on-road performance, and with a sticker price of nearly $75K, our test vehicle had us wondering: Why not get a Q7? | |
How does the A6 allroad drive? | |
The A6 Allroad is only available with one engine — Audi's 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 — and it's the party piece of this big wagon. At our test track, the A6 Allroad zipped from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.3 seconds, a very quick time for the class. Its seven-speed automatic transmission shifts quickly and smoothly. Unfortunately, it falls behind in other areas of the driving experience. The Allroad's brakes feel spongy in daily driving, the steering is vague, and handling is compromised by the higher-than-average ride height and off-road-oriented tires. Off-road capability is better than average for the segment, with an adjustable suspension that gives the Allroad more ground clearance, but the long front and rear overhangs limit capability overall. | |
How comfortable is the A6 allroad? | |
An ultra-quiet interior, comfortable seats and smooth highway ride make for an excellent combination in the Allroad. The optional Contour Seating package provides supportive and well-padded front seats, while the rear seats are just as well suited to long drives. The standard air suspension and big tire sidewalls combine to absorb almost all bumps, big and small. Thanks to the optional dual-pane acoustic glass, the Allroad's interior is whisper quiet. The climate control cools things down quickly inside the large cabin, but there is a pretty steep learning curve for the touchscreen controls. Heated and ventilated seats work well too, so achieving the perfect temperature inside is easy. | |
How’s the interior? | |
The Allroad's cabin is spacious, with plenty of room for adults in all four main seating positions. There's lots of headroom, legroom and shoulder room — it's at the head of the class in this regard. The driving position gives you a commanding view of the road thanks to the Allroad's higher-than-standard ride height. That higher ride height also makes it easier to get in and out of. Outward visibility is good, though the large front pillars impede the view somewhat. But the side and rearview windows are large, and the Allroad comes standard with an excellent 360-degree camera for fitting into tight spaces. It take a bit of time, but after a few days in the A6, all the controls feel relatively intuitive to use and are easily within reach. | |
How’s the tech? | |
The dual-screen infotainment and climate system can seem daunting, but tech-savvy users willing to adjust to the lack of physical buttons will get the hang of it after a few days and it becomes very easy to use. Driver aids such as adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring work well too. The Virtual Cockpit configurable instrument cluster is genuinely useful in putting maps as well as vehicle and engine speed data right where they're needed. It's augmented by an extremely crisp full-color head-up display and a powerful standard audio system. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard and connect quickly, but if you don't want to connect, the A6's native voice command system is easy to use and it understands natural language. | |
How’s the storage? | |
Compared to a standard A6, the Allroad wagon has impressive trunk space and 1.4 inches of additional rear headroom. But compared to other luxury wagon rivals, the Allroad is merely average. Its trunk offers 30 cubic feet of storage space, but wagons from Mercedes and Volvo offer more space. Small-item storage is average too, with a few cupholders, an adequate-size center console and slender door pockets. The rear seat has enough space to fit most child seats, with easy-to-locate anchor and tether points in the outboard seating positions. | |
How economical is the A6 allroad? | |
The EPA estimates that the A6 Allroad will return 22 mpg combined (20 city/26 highway). That's a little bit below average for luxury wagons with upgraded powertrains, but during our test, the A6 was relatively efficient. On our 115-mile mixed-driving evaluation loop, it achieved 25.8 mpg. | |
Is the A6 allroad a good value? | |
The A6 Allroad, like its sedan brother, offers an extremely well-built cabin with attractive materials that are pleasant to see and to touch. Even against rivals from BMW and Mercedes, the Audi feels top-notch. Fuel economy estimates are average for the segment, as is the Audi's four-year/50,000-mile warranty. Our test vehicle was the top trim, Prestige, and along with a few options it checked in with a price of $74,940. It comes with several desirable safety features, as well as a long list of creature comforts. However, that price is pretty high when you consider that a similarly equipped Mercedes E 450 wagon comes in nearly $2,000 lower and a Volvo V90 Cross Country with similar equipment is around $15,000 less. | |
Wildcard | |
You might have fun tossing the Allroad around on a dirt trail, but when it comes to truly difficult off-road terrain, you'll want something with a bit more ground clearance. And because of all the off-road oriented equipment, the Allroad is significantly less fun to drive on a curvy back road than the standard A6. Powerful turbocharged V6 acceleration is always there to make it exciting on the highway, and its understated, classy looks always make it feel upscale, but the A6 Allroad isn't as exciting or as practical as we'd like. | |
Which A6 allroad does Edmunds recommend?
Buying an A6 Allroad is straightforward since there are only two trim levels. The base Premium Plus is a solid pick, but we suggest going for the Prestige if you can. Its extra driver safety features and luxury add-ons are worth the higher price.
Audi A6 allroad models
The A6 Allroad comes in two trims: Premium Plus and Prestige. Each is powered by a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine good for 335 horsepower. It's matched to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.
Save as much as $8,762 with Edmunds
2020 Audi A6 allroad pricing
in Ashburn, VA
Premium Plus
3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 7AM
Edmunds Suggested Price$62,635
Prestige
3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 7AM
Edmunds Suggested Price$66,303
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Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2020 Audi A6 allroad.
Trending topics in reviews
- road noise
- sound system
- comfort
- off-roading
- driving experience
- maintenance & parts
- doors
Most helpful consumer reviews
5/5 stars, Mommy’s new toy
CaliMom,
3.0 TFSI Prestige quattro 4dr Wagon AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 7AM)
This car does everything: neighborhood, highway off-road. It’s a dream to drive with a very comfortable cabin and lots of power. All the benefits of an SUV but drives like a sedan.
5/5 stars, smooth is the rule
Harrison,
3.0 TFSI Premium Plus quattro 4dr Wagon AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 7AM)
this is a comfortable car, top-tech, doors require an extra pull to close, Almost like the mechanics of the door were made for the soft-close option. My doors are often centimeters from being closed. The ride of this car is very smooth and quiet. Stereo is a good one, better than most stock systems. Great for a long trip. Very smooth, quiet.
Safety
Our experts’ favorite A6 allroad safety features:
- Audi Pre Sense Front
- Uses sensors at the front of the car to warn you about an imminent front collision. Can automatically apply the brakes as well.
- Top-View Camera System
- Provides a 360-degree bird's-eye view of the car to aid parking.
- Audi Side Assist
- Notifies you if a vehicle is lurking in a blind spot. Includes lane departure warning as well.
Audi A6 allroad vs. the competition
2020 Audi A6 allroad
2020 Volvo V90 Cross Country
Audi A6 allroad vs. Volvo V90 Cross Country
Like the Allroad, the V90 Cross Country is a midsize wagon that incorporates adventure cues into a luxurious package. The Volvo has a taller ride height, plastic fenders and standard all-wheel drive. It also comes with a strong four-cylinder engine and lots of standard safety features.
Audi A6 allroad vs. Audi Q7
Wagons can be charming but there's a reason most people buy SUVs these days. Audi's Q7 has copious space and style in a more traditional SUV package. It's also got a new look and a new V6 engine for 2020, plus the same dual-screen infotainment screen as the A6 Allroad. The Q7 regularly tops best-of lists for its impeccable ride comfort and interior quality. It's a solid choice for any luxury buyer.
Audi A6 allroad vs. Mercedes-Benz E-Class
The E-Class station wagon adds Mercedes-Benz panache to the long-roof segment. It has an exquisite interior and a very comfortable ride. Wagon versions skip the E 350 trim level and are only available as E 450 models or the mighty E 63 with its twin-turbo V8. You don't get any off-roady bits, but the E-Class wagon is otherwise an excellent wagon option.
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FAQ
Is the Audi A6 allroad a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2020 A6 allroad both on the road and at the track, giving it a 7.6 out of 10. You probably care about Audi A6 allroad fuel economy, so it's important to know that the A6 allroad gets an EPA-estimated 22 mpg. What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the A6 allroad has 30.0 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Audi A6 allroad. Learn more
What's new in the 2020 Audi A6 allroad?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2020 Audi A6 allroad:
- The A6 Allroad, last sold in the U.S. in 2005, returns
- Part of the second A6 Allroad generation introduced for 2020
Is the Audi A6 allroad reliable?
To determine whether the Audi A6 allroad is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the A6 allroad. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the A6 allroad's average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2020 Audi A6 allroad a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2020 Audi A6 allroad is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2020 A6 allroad and gave it a 7.6 out of 10. Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2020 A6 allroad is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2020 Audi A6 allroad?
The least-expensive 2020 Audi A6 allroad is the 2020 Audi A6 allroad Premium Plus 4dr Wagon AWD w/3.0 TFSI (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 7AM). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $65,900.
Other versions include:
- Premium Plus 4dr Wagon AWD w/3.0 TFSI (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 7AM) which starts at $65,900
- Prestige 4dr Wagon AWD w/3.0 TFSI (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 7AM) which starts at $70,400
What are the different models of Audi A6 allroad?
If you're interested in the Audi A6 allroad, the next question is, which A6 allroad model is right for you? A6 allroad variants include Premium Plus 4dr Wagon AWD w/3.0 TFSI (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 7AM), and Prestige 4dr Wagon AWD w/3.0 TFSI (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 7AM). For a full list of A6 allroad models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more