Sometimes, the auto industry is like military artillery—you overshoot, you undershoot, and then you hit your target. In the SUV/family funster segment, the overshoot is easy to identify. Lincoln Navigators, Ford Expeditions and Cadillac Escalades all provide easy examples on that end of the spectrum. The 5-door Toyota Yaris or Mazda2 make up the opposite end of the pendulum. Fine cars, but too small for real family duty.
And here we find the target—the Audi Allroad. Spacious, efficient and capable enough to do the kind of moderate offroading that actually occurs in the real world. I’m not talking about climbing mountains for sun-drenched photo ops, rock crawls along picturesque beaches or even bounding through snowdrifts on your way to a secluded Scandinavian cabin. Think more along the lines of driving across an open field to get a spot close to your kid’s soccer game. Think gravel road on the way to the national park vacation you’ve planned. Think pulling fully up into your campsite on Labor Day weekend.
This is what the Allroad is for. Were it not for its too-high price tag, it’d be the perfect vehicle for the family just starting out. And in 2014, it’s even better than before.
Just a few years ago, that sentence would never have been predicted. The Allroad seemed doomed to demise alongside the rest of the SUV/crossover lineup being culled from Audi stables just as quickly as you could say “schnell.” For 2014 it returns on an A4 platform, and despite being based on a smaller model, the Allroad has grown in proportion and power.
Sadly, you won’t feel most of that when you’re behind the wheel. While the Allroad is definitely bigger than its original incarnation, a surge of safety features has taken up that extra room inside. This is especially noticeable in the rear, but you’re going to be stuffing the kids back there anyway, right? Same goes for the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine. Nine extra horses this year bring the total to 220, paired with a not-unsubstantial 258 lb-ft of torque—though this falls far shy of the 250-hp V6 or 300-hp V8 that previously powered the Allroad—enough to get you around and fast, but don’t plan any major hauling.
No, your main focus should be on getting the family where it needs to be—safely, comfortably and quietly. Audi can help there as well, as the Allroad provides one of the best suspensions in a crossover/SUV/wagon/shooting brake/whatever. Level, confident and even adjustable, the Allroad will provide spirited, safe driving with none of the drama of excessive lean and brake dive that can come with higher drivers. You even get skid plates for the occasional mishap or misjudged curb.
You’ll also get the option of utilizing Google Maps through a 3G connection, although this will add some dollars to your monthly bill. Don’t feel like forking over the extra dough so Google can keep tabs on your comings and goings? That’s fine. Audi’s MMI provides a more-than-capable infotainment system with navigation, along with standard Bluetooth and an iPod interface. In fact, the base Premium trim comes with plenty of amenities, such as a panoramic sunroof, automatic headlights, leather, automatic climate control, power front seats and more. Rivals such as the Volvo V70 may be cheaper, but don’t come with anywhere near the standard features—not to mention material and finish quality—and have to add functionality such as AWD. From there, the Audi only becomes a better value through the Premium Plus trim with its heated mirrors, power liftgate, memory for driver's settings and keyless ignition.
A navigation package will add a rear-view camera and parking sensors, voice control, HD radio and the aforementioned nav system. Collecting all this together, the Allroad Prestige trim adds a blind-spot warning system, adaptive headlights and a 14-speaker, Bang & Olufsen stereo.
Now if only the price would come down. Truly there are shortcomings with the Allroad, above and beyond the price. It’s not a true off-roader, it’s not going to win any races, and it’s not the most nimble vehicle when canyon carving. It’s not supposed to be. No, Audi has managed to create a vehicle that doesn’t try to satisfy every craving and fill every niche. Instead, they’ve focused on some very specific needs, and satisfied them fully.
I purchased a used 2014 Audi A4. I want to use it as my daily drive, on an average I'll be driving around 5kms a day (or just maximum 3000 Kms / Year). How long can the car last if it's well maintained.? Currently it has 167K Kms on it. Thanks
my computer is still flashing all the symbols it flashed the night my timeing belt broke my car has no power hardly wants to make it up hill my power steering is leaking and since the engine swap i have barely drove 3,000 miles and did an oil change and the oil was completely black does this mean my motor is bad
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Bluetooth auxiliary audio input · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Total Number of Speakers: 9 · 180 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 12.6 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.8 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Door sill trim: aluminum · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Assist handle: rear · Center console: with lighting · Cupholders: rear · Multi-function remote: keyless entry with panic alarm · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): two 12V · Power steering: speed-proportional · Reading lights: rear · Rear power outlet: 12V · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: phone · Storage: door pockets · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 8
Drivetrain
4WD Type: full time · Axle ratio: 3.08 · Locking differential: center
Engine
Alternator: 150 amps
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: chrome · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Skid plate(s): front · Window trim: aluminum
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment screen size: 6.5 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Warnings and reminders: lamp failure
Lights
Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: wiper activated
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 8
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Moonroof: sliding sunshade · Roof rack color: chrome · Roof rails: silver
Safety
Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Impact sensor: post-collision safety system
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front and rear · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: height · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: premium leather
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Steering ratio: 15.9
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lateral links · Front Shock Type: twin-tube gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: strut · Rear Shock Type: twin-tube gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): rear
Telematics
Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Wheels
Wheel spokes: 5
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: with safety reverse · Rear wiper: with washer
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones · Rear air conditioning: with independent controls · Single rear air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Auxiliary audio input: iPod/iPhone integration · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Total Number of Speakers: 9 · 180 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 12.6 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.8 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Door sill trim: aluminum · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Assist handle: front · Center console: with lighting · Cupholders: rear · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: side mirrors · Multi-function remote: keyless entry with panic alarm · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): two 12V · Power steering: speed-proportional · Reading lights: rear · Rear power outlet: 12V · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: cargo tie-down anchors and hooks · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 8
Drivetrain
4WD Type: full time · Axle ratio: 3.08 · Locking differential: rear
Engine
Alternator: 150 amps
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: chrome · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: power operated · Skid plate(s): front · Window trim: aluminum
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment screen size: 6.5 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Warnings and reminders: lamp failure
Lights
Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: HID · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power folding
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 8
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Moonroof: sliding sunshade · Roof rack color: chrome · Roof rails: silver
Safety
Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Impact sensor: post-collision safety system
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front and rear · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: height · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: premium leather
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Steering ratio: 15.9
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lateral links · Front Shock Type: twin-tube gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: strut · Rear Shock Type: twin-tube gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Wheels
Wheel spokes: 5
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: with safety reverse · Rear wiper: with washer
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones · Rear air conditioning: with independent controls · Single rear air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Bluetooth auxiliary audio input · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Bang & Olufsen · Touch screen display radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Total Number of Speakers: 14 · 505 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 12.6 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.8 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Door sill trim: aluminum · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Assist handle: rear · Center console: front console with armrest · Cupholders: rear · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: 2 driver · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): two 12V · Power steering: speed-proportional · Reading lights: front · Rear power outlet: 12V · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: cargo tie-down anchors and hooks · Sunshade: side window · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 8
Drivetrain
4WD Type: full time · Axle ratio: 3.08 · Locking differential: center
Engine
Alternator: 150 amps
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: chrome · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: power operated · Skid plate(s): front and rear · Window trim: aluminum
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment: Audi MMI Connect · Infotainment screen size: 7 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: range · Warnings and reminders: low oil pressure
Lights
Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: self-leveling · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 8
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Moonroof: power panoramic · Roof rack color: chrome · Roof rails: silver
Safety
Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Impact sensor: door unlock · Parking sensors: rear · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front and rear · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: height · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: premium leather
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Steering ratio: 15.9
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lateral links · Front Shock Type: twin-tube gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: strut · Rear Shock Type: twin-tube gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Navigation system: with voice recognition · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Wheels
Wheel spokes: 5
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: with safety reverse · Rear wiper: with washer