The Audi A4 Allroad is all-new for 2017, replacing the Audi Allroad from 2013-2016 and previous. Like the Volkswagen Golf Alltrack, Volvo V60 Cross Country, and Volvo XC70, it’s part of a niche of semi-lifted and wagons that split the difference between a car and a crossover. In the case of the A4 Allroad, that means that it’s a version of the new A4 wagon not sold on these shores, with a 1.3-inch lift, lower cladding, and Audi’s “Quattro” all-wheel-drive system as standard equipment.

Design-wise, the A4 allroad gets the same geometric headlights as the A4 sedan and a similar hexagonal grille, only the slats are vertical rather than horizontal. The sides and back are smooth and handsome, with a prominent shoulder crease that wraps all the way around the body. The dark grey plastic wheel flares add visual presence and character, while touches of satin silver, like the roof rails and rear skid plate, make it sparkle. There are LED taillights at the back, and a large rear hatch designed to swallow large cargo. If Audi’s attempt is to convey a sense of upscale adventure and utility, mission accomplished.

Most of the interior is also shared with the new A4 sedan, which is full of trapezoidal and hexagonal shapes. With tasteful swaths of wood, soft-touch plastic, and metallic silver, it looks both inviting and ultramodern. There’s a lot going on, but it all comes together nicely, and each and every element looks deliberately and carefully positioned. Buttons on the dashboard are all grouped logically according to function, and within easy reach of the driver and passenger. The infotainment screen appears to float above the dashboard, front-and-center. And the center console has plenty of space for various important functions, aided by the static gear selector that responds to motion, but otherwise remains in place, like a joystick. In back, there’s room for three more occupants. Audi says cargo capacity is up versus the old Allroad, too, both with the seats upright and folded.

Power comes from a single engine found elsewhere in the lineup, a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine good for 252 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. It delivers power to all four wheels courtesy of a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. There are four drive modes: Comfort, Auto, Individual, and Dynamic, but the A4 Allroad gets an exclusive fifth mode, Offroad, which adjusts engine, steering, transmission, and traction-control settings for non-paved roads. Audi also gives the A4 Allroad a unique steering rack, a stiffer, adaptive suspension, and lighter-weight drivetrain components, all of which are designed to make the A4 Allroad a perfect blend between on-road driving and trips off of the beaten path.

The A4 Allroad is spread across three basic trims, Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige. Premium comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, HID headlights with LED daytime running lights and LED turn indicators, a panoramic sunroof, leather upholstery, a 7-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, 8-way power front seats, 3-zone automatic climate control, LED ambient lighting, a power liftgate, and heated washer nozzles. An available Convenience package tacks on driver and passenger memory settings, keyless access and start, a color instrument panel display, heated auto-dimming side mirrors with memory, and XM radio compatibility.

Premium Plus includes the Convenience package, full LED headlights, a 755-watt Bang & Olufsen sound system with 19 speakers, and a hands-free liftgate. The Navigation and Telematics package brings a larger 8.3-inch widescreen infotainment system with navigation, a full-LCD 12.3-inch instrument cluster, and a center console touchpad. The Cold Weather package comes with all-weather floor mats, a heated steering wheel, and heated front and rear seats. The Warm Weather package comes with power lumbar for the front seats, manual rear window shades, and cooled front seats.

Prestige bundles the Convenience and Navigation and Telematics packages. plus a heads-up display. The Cold and Warm Weather packages are still optional.

Audi also offers a standalone Full-Paint Finish package across all trims, which replaces the gray plastic lower cladding with body-colored parts.

In terms of safety, every A4 Allroad has a standard reversing camera, automatic emergency braking, and forward collision warning. Premium Plus adds blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and vehicle exit assist. And Prestige comes with traffic sign recognition, a surround-view camera system, crash avoidance assist, and full adaptive cruise control with a low-speed function.

The Audi A4 Allroad is handsome, full-featured, and as capable off-road as it is on the pavement. For upwardly-mobile individuals with active lifestyles, it’s a fitting partner.