2023 Audi A4 Allroad

Overview

Venturing off-road in a luxury station wagon might seem a silly endeavor, but the 2023 Audi A4 Allroad is designed for just that. We’re not talking about rock-strewn trails like you’ll find in Moab, but the A4 Allroad has a lifted suspension that gives it more ground clearance than the A4 sedan, meaning it’s equipped for the occasional grassy knoll or dirt path. All-wheel drive is standard, as is a turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Performance is brisk, and the A4 Allroad’s on-road manners are refined. This being a longroof vehicle, the cargo area behind the rear seats is measurably larger than in a sedan, but rivals such as the Subaru Outback and the Volvo V60 Cross Country offer even more space. Still, Audi’s junior station wagon provides an off-beat option for those who might otherwise buy an SUV that requires few compromises.

What’s New for 2023?

This year, Audi made LED headlamps standard equipment and introduced a new Black Optic Plus package which includes 18-inch wheels, black exterior trim, and a Manhattan Gray paint job. The Black Optic Plus package is available on Premium Plus and Prestige models and also features black exhaust tips. The mid-range Premium Plus model now comes with the upgraded Bang and Olufsen stereo system and the available Convenience package now includes adaptive cruise control.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

Premium

$46,595

$51,195

Prestige

$56,495

We recommend the mid-range Premium Plus model. It’s slightly elevated over the base Premium model with additional standard features such as Audi’s cool Virtual Cockpit gauge display, lane-keeping assist, keyless entry with push-button start, front and rear parking sensors, a wireless smartphone charging pad, power-folding exterior side mirrors, and a memory seat for the driver. We’d also add the Cold Weather package with its all-weather floor mats, heated rear seats, and heated steering wheel.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

There’s only one powertrain for the A4 Allroad, but it’s a good one: the gutsier, 261-hp version of the regular A4’s turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, which now comes with a 12-volt hybrid system. A seven-speed automatic transmission and the latest version of Audi’s Quattro all-wheel-drive system are standard. In our experience with older nonhybrid models, we noted that the gearbox modulates its attitude depending on the driver’s demands and can snap off quick, precise shifts under hard driving or more relaxed, unobtrusive shifts around town. We’ll have to wait to test the A4 Allroad with its new powertrain. From our previous experience, however, the A4 Allroad drives like a dream, balancing ride and handling extremely well. Its cornering grip is plenty adequate and puts it right in line with most competitors. It feels like a car rather than an SUV, something we appreciate and think many buyers will too.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The EPA estimates the A4 Allroad will earn 24 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. However, we can’t evaluate its real-world mpg until we run one on our 75-mph highway fuel-economy route, which is part of our extensive testing regimen. For more information about the A4 Allroad’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The A4 Allroad has an attractive, businesslike interior, which we would like far better if we hadn’t seen the art piece that is the Volvo V90’s cabin. It may not be beautiful, but the A4 Allroad’s cabin is perfectly functional, handsome, nicely appointed, and comfortable. Despite being significantly shorter in exterior length than several of its competitors, the Allroad’s back seat has nearly as much legroom as both the Mercedes-Benz E-class wagon and the V90. As befits a luxury car, the Allroad comes standard with leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, a panoramic sunroof, and three-zone automatic climate control. The A4 Allroad lost the carry-on luggage test before we even got our suitcases out, however. It’s smaller inside and out than competitors such as the E-class wagon and the Outback. More perplexing is that it barely beat the sedan version of the A4 in seats-up cargo-carrying room, despite its supposed 11-cubic-foot advantage in cargo volume; it held just six carry-ons behind the rear seat, only one more than the A4 sedan.

The Car and Driver Difference

Infotainment and Connectivity

Audi was one of the first automakers to bring data plans and Wi-Fi into cars, and it hasn’t stopped innovating. Audi’s MMI infotainment system’s crown jewel is the optional Virtual Cockpit, a high-resolution configurable display located where the gauge cluster would normally be. It can be arranged to show either a digital version of a traditional cluster layout or a more infotainment-focused display, which can feature real-time Google Maps overlays of the surrounding environs. A 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen takes center stage atop the dashboard and features Apple Carplay and Android Auto.

How to Buy and Maintain a Car

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

A wide array of available driver-assistance technology is impressive, but only forward-collision warning, automated emergency braking, and lane-departure warning are standard. For more information about the A4 Allroad’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

Standard automated emergency braking with forward-collision warning Available lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist Available adaptive cruise control

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Almost all of the cars in this class, including the A4 Allroad, have a warranty based around a four-year or 50,000-mile limited and powertrain warranty.

Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles Powertrain warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles

No complimentary scheduled maintenance

More Features and Specs