Audi’s Allroad nameplate has a turbulent history in the United States. The A6 Avant based Allroads from a decade ago were desirable and even trendy, but eventually were troubled by maintenance and reliability woes. The 2015 Audi Allroad is a new take on the still attractive concept of the all-wheel-drive wagon with extra ground clearance. However, even this capable A4 Allroad has an uphill battle.
| STATS | Starting Retail Price | As Tested Price | HP / Lb-Ft |
| 2015 Audi Allroad | $42,400 | $48,325 | 220 / 258 |
| EPA Rating MPG | As Tested MPG | Curb Lbs | |
| Rating: LEASE IT! |
21 / 28 | 25.1 | 3,891 |
There is no specific reason to be worried about its long-term reliability (at this point). This Allroad is powered by Audi’s tried and true 2.0L turbo-four, versions of which can be found in many other VW Group vehicles. It’s mounted in a longitudinal orientation in the Allroad and is tuned to 220 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque @1,500 rpm. It’s the sole engine option available. This motor and the 8-speed automatic transmission are matched together exceptionally well. The engine revs quickly, and the transmission shifts are brisk to match and practically unnoticed.
Fuel economy is a good 21 MPG city, 28 MPG on the highway, and 24 MPG combined. I average 25.1 MPG after several days of mixed driving.
Audi’s well-known Quattro AWD system sends the power to the four corners. It’s capable of traversing deep snow and steep inlines as we found out. No complaints here.
The issue with popularity of this Allroad comes in the form of competition. It’s not so much any other tall wagon. Yes, the Volvo XC70 or the upcoming V60 CrossCountry do compete, but the trouble comes in the form of small luxury crossovers that continue to pop-up like mushrooms after a thorough rain. In fact, Audi’s own Q5 and Q3 may be to blame as much as anybody.
The Allroad has a useful and well-designed interior, but with a somewhat cramped rear seat. The legroom back there is less than in some mid-size crossovers. Rear legroom is at a premium, although the headroom is adequate for most.
Perhaps, one of Allroad’s strong suites is the handling. Yes, it has a higher ride-height than a base A4 (7.1 inches of ground clearance), but it still sits lower than the Q5. You can actually feel this from behind the wheel. The Allroad still drives and handles like a sedan or wagon. It barely exhibits a lean in corners and feels very well planted on practically any surface. The steering feels a little light in the weight, but provides good feedback. Yes, it can be more precise and heavier, but it’s not meant to be a sports car like the S4.
In the end, it comes down to utility and value, and this is where the 2015 Allroad struggles. It starts at $42,400 and this tester ended up at $48,325 with the Technology and Premium Plus packages. This price point can also get you into a well-equipped Audi Q5 or any number of competitors, such as the X3 or the Mercedes-Benz GLK. However, the Volvo XC70 is the closest competitor.
On the TFLcar scale of:
- Buy it!
- Lease it!
- Rent it!
- … or Forget it!
I give the 2015 Audi Allroad a Lease It!
This wagon is engineered to near perfection, but it also does not provide a cavernous interior or a very good value. If this was the new A6-based Allroad, the story may have been different. As it stands, I cannot give it the highest Buy It! rating.
Check out this classic TFLcar off-road mashup between the Audi Allroad and Lexus RX.
Andre Smirnov is a life-long automotive enthusiast, software engineer, writer, and reporter. He has been writing and reporting at TFLcar since 2011.
