2017 Audi A4 allroad Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

byMark TakahashiCorrespondent

　　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 zzdcar YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.

　　

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.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2017 Audi A4 allroad 2.0 TFSI Premium quattro 4dr Wagon AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$187/mo  for A4 allroad Premium

　　A4 allroad Premium

　　2.0 TFSI Premium quattro 4dr Wagon AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) - $44,000 MSRP2.0 TFSI Premium Plus quattro 4dr Wagon AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) (Most Popular) - $47,000 MSRP2.0 TFSI Prestige quattro 4dr Wagon AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) - $51,400 MSRP

　　vs

　　$164/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　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.

　　

zzdcar' Expert Rating

　　You don't necessarily need to buy a luxury crossover SUV to get utility. Check out the redesigned 2017 Audi A4 Allroad. This small wagon can haul a fair amount of stuff, and its extra ground clearance and standard all-wheel drive will help you out when the road or weather turns nasty.

　　

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.

　　Standard features on the base Premium trim include 18-inch wheels, underbody skid plates, xenon headlights, LED running lights, automatic wipers, heated mirrors, roof rails, a panoramic sunroof, a power liftgate, cruise control, an adaptive suspension, selectable drive modes, and forward collision warning and mitigation.

　　Inside, you also get tri-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, keyless ignition, eight-way power front seats (with driver four-way power lumbar adjustment), 40/20/40-split folding rear seats, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, interior ambient lighting, Audi's MMI infotainment system, a 7-inch central display, a rearview camera, Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone app integration, and a 10-speaker audio system with a CD player and two USB ports.

　　The Premium Plus trim adds LED headlights, power-folding and auto-dimming mirrors, front and rear parking sensors, keyless entry, Audi Connect Care (emergency telematics), heated front seats, driver memory functions, a 19-speaker premium Bang & Olufsen surround-sound system and satellite radio. This trim is also eligible for the Technology package option that adds a navigation system, expanded Audi Connect services (including 4G LTE connectivity and in-car Wi-Fi hot spot), a virtual instrument panel inside the gauge cluster, a touchpad infotainment controller, mobile apps (for travel, information and entertainment) and advanced safety features (rear collision preparation and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert).

　　At the top of the range, the Prestige trim includes all of the above, along with acoustically insulated front windows, a head-up display, enhanced interior lighting and a surround-view camera system.

　　Many features are offered on supporting trims as options. Other add-ons include the Sport package (front sport seats and a black headliner), the Cold Weather package (heated steering wheel and rear seats), the Warm Weather package (ventilated front sport seats and rear window sunshades) and the Driver Assistance package (adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, automatic high beams and traffic sign recognition). Rear-seat side airbags are available as a standalone option.

　　Powering the 2017 Audi A4 Allroad is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 252 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. A seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission sends power to all four wheels. Hill descent control is also included.

　　Audi estimates the Allroad will accelerate to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds, which is about average for wagons in the class. The EPA estimates fuel economy at 25 mpg combined (23 city/28 highway), which is also similar to other small luxury wagons.

　　

2017 A4 allroad Highlights

Trim: PremiumPremium PlusPrestigePremium

　　

Base MSRP	$44,000
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	25 MPG
Cost to Drive	$187/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	24.2 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles