Audi Allroad Quattro C5 Review

To the inexperienced viewer, Audi's allroad quattro (note the lower-case designation) might be dismissed as just another station wagon. Audi already makes an A6-based wagon, the A6 Avant, which looks strikingly similar to the allroad. However, the allroad is separated from the Avant by over 1,100 new parts, most notably an adjustable air suspension that can raise or lower the car according to various driving needs. Other visual differences include large unpainted and flared fenders, as well as twin exhaust tips in the rear, and the allroad comes standard with Audi's legendary all-wheel drive system - Quattro. The best feature, however, lies under the hood.

Engine
The allroad benefits from Audi's 2.7 liter twin-turbocharged 250 hp V6, originally found in the high-performance S4 sedan. This puts it at a significant advantage already over competitors such as the Volvo XC70 (208 hp) and Subaru Outback H6 (212 hp). The 2.7 also puts out an impressive 258 lb-ft. of torque over an even more impressive range of 1850-5000 RPM. This unusually low peak torque point enables the Audi to respond almost instantaneously in traffic, and provides smooth passing power on the highway. However, the added power comes with a price.

Price
Options on a new allroad could have easily pushed the price tag close to $50,000, although used examples can currently be found for less than $10,000. Also, gas mileage is sub-standard, as the allroad returns 13 mpg in the city and 19 on the highway. However, when driving a fully optioned-out allroad, you will quickly forget about the price tag and the price at the pump - amenities like heated front and rear seats, heated steering wheel, and power-assisted steering, along with dual-zone climate control and excellent 6-way adjustable seats with lumbar support, will keep you in the lap of luxury while you spend time in the allroad.

Performance
The allroad's excellent engine goes a long way towards offsetting the added weight of the wagon (roughly 4200 lb.), enough to take the car from 0-60 in 7.7 seconds. Also, when lowering the suspension to its lowest setting, the car takes corners like any German performance sedan - so adeptly, in fact, that you might forget you are driving a two-ton car. When raised to its highest setting, the suspension gives the car even more clearance than a BMW X5, allowing it to conquer the toughest of obstacles.

Safety
Audi's Quattro system, dynamic traction control, antilock brakes, front and side airbags all around...the allroad will make you feel safe as soon as you close the doors behind you. It takes a fantastic amount of effort to break the tires free on dry pavement, and Quattro provides unparalleled performance on slick or snowy roads.

Summary
If you are looking for a cheap car that is frugal on gas, perhaps you might want to look elsewhere - the allroad is neither. However, it does provide the total package, and comes very close to "being all things to all people". It can provide the handling of a sport sedan, the practicality of a wagon, or the off-road capabilities of a larger SUV without missing a beat - and that is not something many cars can honestly claim.