Road test - Audi A4 Allroad 3.0TDi

Author: Ian Strachan

The Audi A4 Allroad Quattro is a car that can take the rough with the smooth. This excellent offering follows the lead set by its bigger brother – the A6 Allroad.

The A4 Allroad combines the on-road manners of the Audi Avant A4 estate with genuine off road ability. And it's big, with an impressively large loadspace that can be made even bigger by folding the rear seats.

I drove the diesel powered 3.0 TDI Quattro, with a silky smooth, direct injection engine which can return more than 39 miles to the gallon in mixed driving, despite being a big unit powering a pretty big car.

This easy-revving 240 horsepower engine will take you from 0-60 in not much more than six seconds, with a top speed, where allowed, of 155 mph. Married to an ultra smooth six speed tiptronic automatic gearbox it gives excellent torquey performance when you want it and a smooth and sedate ride on long journeys.

Ride and handling is both refined and composed, with sure-footed cornering, even at speed. The Quattro permanent four wheel drive set up ensures confident handling and superb grip in all weathers.

A mechanical self-locking centre differential and five-link suspension give the A4 Allroad impressive go-anywhere credentials. With the right tyres it can give a conventional 4x4 a run for its money, with only its ground clearance restricting its abilities.

Inside, the A4 Allroad is comfortable and roomy in the extreme, particularly in the back. Controls are well laid out and clear, with a central display screen which shows radio and climate control settings as satellite navigation if fitted (£1955 extra as part of the technology pack). The electronic park brake operated by a small switch on the centre console is effortless. 

Loadspace is as impressive as the interior of this roomy car, with a low loading sill and little wheel arch intrusion. The width is plenty big enough for a couple of sets of golf clubs. There are two securing rails recessed into the boot floor. 

Standard equipment includes cruise control, CD player, automatic light and wiper activation, cruise control, and electrically operated and heated door mirrors.

My test vehicle was also fitted with a surround sound system, leather upholstery, sports seats, hill-hold assist, heated electric front seats, towing equipment and hefty 18 inch alloys as well as satellite navigation. On-the-road price for this car is £35,340 but the extras pushed it up to £44, 275.

That's not cheap, but this is an excellent, high performance go-anywhere car that feels expensive and looks good.

Road test by Ian Strachan Communications Ltd

Ian Strachan is a motoring and business writer and PR consultant. He can be contacted on 01543 490932 or 07949 202596 or via email: ian@strachan13.freeserve.co.uk