This is one good-lookin’ wagon.
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Not way back, the Allroad was the closest factor Audi needed to an SUV. The unique wagon, based mostly on the C5-generation Audi A6 of the late 1990s and early 2000s, had vast fender flares, an air suspension and all-terrain tires, and it actually might get you fairly far off the overwhelmed path. Hell, some European fashions even got here with a low-range gear. It was a charmingly rugged factor, however as Audi labored to fill its lineup with crossover SUVs lately, the Allroad identify was relegated to little greater than a styling bundle. And for higher or worse, the 2020 A6 Allroad goes down that very same path.
LikeWagon versatilitySerene freeway mannersTop-notch driver-assistance techTop-notch infotainment tech, too
Don’t LikeNot as succesful as different rugged wagonsMore costly than equally sized SUVs
The A6 Allroad is one in all two new wagons Audi is bringing to the US this yr, the opposite being the shut-up-and-take-my-money RS6 Avant. But whereas the RS6 is festooned with all types of go-fast {hardware} and over-the-top styling to match, the Allroad’s upfitting is not fairly so excessive. It shares the vast majority of its mechanicals with the good-looking A6 sedan, and its inside is an identical, too.That means passengers are handled to a cushty and modern-looking cabin with loads of area. The Allroad provides 30 cubic ft of quantity behind the second-row seats, greater than doubling the trunk capability of the A6 sedan. The rear bench folds flat for added versatility, and all-weather floor- and cargo mats can be found for those who’re the outdoorsy (or messy) sort.
Every A6 Allroad comes with Audi’s full suite of infotainment tech, beginning with the always-a-treat Virtual Cockpit, housed on a 12.3-inch display proper in entrance of the motive force. It’s been round for a number of years now, however I nonetheless assume Virtual Cockpit is without doubt one of the richest digital gauge clusters round, from its vibrant colours to its Google Earth mapping and bevy of accessible info. The Allroad might depend on Virtual Cockpit alone and nonetheless have a stronger tech sport than a complete host of different luxurious automobiles.But there’s extra. In the center of the sprint, you may discover Audi’s MMI Touch Response setup, with a 10.1-inch display on prime and an 8.6-inch show under. The higher part is the place you management the same old infotainment capabilities — together with normal navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and a Wi-Fi hotspot — whereas the decrease display acts as a management panel for issues like local weather settings, driver-assistance capabilities and extra. The decrease show additionally transforms right into a keyboard for straightforward on-line search or vacation spot enter, or for those who want, it will probably perform as a pill, assuming your handwriting is not horrific.
Between Virtual Cockpit and MMI Touch Response, the A6 Allroad has one of many strongest tech video games within the enterprise.
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Again, none of that is totally different from what you get in a standard A6, and certainly, it is outdoors the place the Allroad has the obvious modifications. This wagon will get a singular front-end therapy, with a pronounced little bit of brightwork on the chin and contrasting grey cladding across the wheel wells. (You can ditch the butch look and get a full-body-color Allroad, if you want, for $1,000.) By the best way, it is price noting the crossbars pictured right here aren’t normal gear. Audi put in these on my check automobile as a result of there are a selection of hashtag-active-lifestyle equipment accessible, together with bike mounts and ski racks and roof bins, not not like the one seen in a number of of the accompanying images.
Only one engine is obtainable: the 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 you get within the A6 sedan, with 335 horsepower, 369 pound-feet of torque and a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. (The A6’s 2.0-liter I4 is not accessible within the Allroad.) Audi’s 48-volt mild-hybrid expertise does an amazing job of smoothing out the operation of the cease/begin system, and it offers supplemental enhance for acceleration. Speaking of which, regardless of a 220-pound weight penalty, the Allroad matches the A6 3.0T sedan’s 0-to-60-mph acceleration time of 5.1 seconds. On the opposite hand, the Allroad is barely much less environment friendly general, estimated to return 20 miles per gallon metropolis, 22 mpg freeway and 20 mpg mixed, in comparison with the sedan’s 22/29/24 mpg.The key ingredient that units the Allroad aside from different A6 fashions — except for, you understand, the entire wagon factor — is its adaptive air suspension. No matter for those who’re on metropolis streets or open expanses of freeway, the Allroad rides like a dream, even on these decidedly giant 20-inch wheels, which come normal. The suspension’s Auto and Comfort modes preserve the Allroad at 5.5 inches of floor clearance — which matches the A6 sedan — however change over to Dynamic and the wagon lowers itself by 0.6 inches. The steering will get somewhat heavier on this Dynamic setting and the throttle response and steering are sharper, too.The A6 Allroad is ideal for a weekday escape to Joshua Tree.
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As you’d anticipate from an Audi, the Allroad’s driver-assistance tech roster is spectacular, although the entire great things prices further. Full-speed adaptive cruise management with Traffic Jam Assist, lane-keeping help and traffic-sign recognition are a part of a $1,750 bundle on the bottom Premium Plus mannequin, whereas choosing the costlier Prestige trim unlocks a head-up show, rear cross-traffic alert, car exit warning and Audi’s Predictive Efficiency Assistant, which may see upcoming velocity restrict modifications or downhill grades and can advise you when to carry off the throttle.All of this stuff make the Allroad a champ for street journeys. On a weekday escape from Los Angeles out to Joshua Tree National Park, the Allroad is nothing wanting serene. The pillow-top trip high quality is hands-down the Allroad’s finest attribute, making that hellish slog down the 10 freeway a non-event. In each different regard, the Allroad drives precisely like the bottom A6 — a praise in and of itself. The steering is gentle however correct, the dual-clutch transmission shifts with clean imperceptibility and the brakes are highly effective however simple to modulate.Torque thrust is ample within the low finish of the rev vary, so there’s by no means a scarcity of energy while you roll onto the throttle for passing at freeway speeds. It’s useful as heck for uphill climbs; after a meander by way of Joshua Tree and the encompassing weirdo desert cities, I head up the mountains to Big Bear Lake, climbing some 7,000 ft above sea degree. Turbo torque is a large assist at greater altitudes, and powering out of tight mountain-road hairpins isn’t any sweat. And whereas the air suspension permits for barely extra physique roll than the A6 sedan’s steel-spring setup, I do not assume that is inappropriate within the Allroad, a mannequin inherently designed to be softer.The better part about taking the Allroad to the off-road park is how nice it’s for the two-hour spherical journey on the freeway to get there and again.
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While the unique Allroad’s air suspension gave it legit off-road chops, I’m sorry to say the brand new one is not precisely constructed for journey. Put the suspension in Allroad mode and also you get an additional 1.2 inches of floor clearance, which is useful for rutted dust roads or the occasional sandy path. An further Offroad setting additional provides 0.6 inches of suspension carry, for a most trip top of 7.3 inches, however solely under 22 mph.The normal hill-descent management is a pleasant little bit of tech to have on steep grades, however it’s not just like the Allroad actually evokes the boldness essential to take a giant, heavy luxurious cruiser up a unclean mountain go. Admittedly, nobody is shopping for a brand new Allroad with critical off-roading in thoughts, however different go-anywhere wagons are higher set as much as deal with tough terrain. Even at its highest setting, the Allroad sits an inch decrease to the bottom than a Volvo V90 Cross Country, or 1.4 inches decrease than a Subaru Outback. Those automobiles do not lose any functionality above 22 mph, both.Another level that works in opposition to the Allroad? It’s costly: $66,895 to begin, together with $995 for vacation spot, which rises to $71,395 for those who go for the loaded Prestige. The V90 Cross Country is available in at $56,190 together with vacation spot, however whereas I a lot want the look of the Swede in comparison with this Audi, I do not assume Volvo’s in-car tech roster is almost as sturdy. The Outback is one other strong selection, and a totally loaded turbocharged mannequin begins at simply $40,705. Sure, the Audi comes from a bona-fide luxurious model packing a premium inside, higher infotainment and nicer on-road manners, however I additionally assume the actually outdoorsy sorts will care extra about general sturdiness than fancy accoutrements. To wit: While driving by way of the real-life REI catalog that’s Big Bear Lake, California, I did not see a single Audi Allroad of any sort, previous or new, but Subarus have been thick on the bottom.You should admit, it appears good dusty.
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Let’s additionally not overlook that the A6 Allroad’s largest competitor can be sitting subsequent to it in Audi showrooms: the Q7 SUV, or maybe the smaller Q5. The Q7 is priced proper on prime of the Allroad, whereas providing all the identical luxurious and tech facilities with heaps extra room for individuals and cargo. Buying a station wagon over an SUV is usually a selection made extra out of emotion than rationality, however except for the cooler look, it is arduous to make the case for an A6 Allroad as an alternative choice to one in all Audi’s glorious SUVs.Should that detract you from shopping for an A6 Allroad? Absolutely not. The A6 sedan is a unbelievable automobile, and the Allroad loses none of these constructive attributes whereas including some helpful performance and rough-and-ready model. It’s excellent for daily-driving duties and weekend getaways alike. It is perhaps an Allroad in identify solely, however it’s however an amazing Audi A6.