Station wagons are uncommon these days, but after spending a week in an Audi A6 Allroad, you’ll question why. While crossovers promise SUV practicality and “car-like” driving qualities, this vehicle is accurate. You would be hard-pressed to find another SUV that drives with the finesse of the A6, short of the absolute smoothest, sharpest-handling models. Its interior has more excellent space and upscale features than some of its smaller luxury crossover rivals. Despite not being a G-Wagen, it can even navigate some rugged terrain. In a manner that crossovers don’t, it also exudes flair.
The Allroad is a head-turner, but Audi’s A6 sedan (which we assess separately) is a quiet Q-ship. It has standard 20-inch rims and is long, low, and elegant, giving it an appearance almost as athletic as the formidable RS6 Avant. It also has the 3.0-litre, 355-horsepower V6 engine offered for the A6 and an adjustable adaptive air suspension system comparable to the S6’s but can lift the vehicle by 1.2 inches. Audi hasn’t made many changes after a significant tech upgrade for the A6 family in 2021.
These days, station wagons are essentially luxury lifestyle vehicles, and the A6 Allroad competes directly with only the Mercedes-Benz E450 All-Terrain (part of the E-Class series) and Volvo V90. Though much more commonplace, the idea of Subaru’s Outback is comparable. However, the Allroad may just as readily be seen as a substitute for sportier crossovers like the BMW X4 or Genesis GV70 and sedans like the A6 competitors E-Class, BMW 5 Series, and Genesis G80. The drawback? The A6 Allroad is much more expensive, even though it is about as helpful as those small luxury SUVs.
The Allroad’s V6 engine is the sole option, yet it is smooth and robust. Although it isn’t as quick as an S6 or M5, passing power is always there. Despite its 4,500-pound weight, it also handles like a sporty luxury sedan. All-wheel drive (AWD) is standard, and the air suspension will lift the vehicle higher, but in the mud, the Allroad is not as good as the Outback and V90. Nevertheless, it can maintain calm in various ways and travels smoothly enough for little children to nod off.
Interior rear space is decent by midsize vehicle standards and on par with many small SUVs. The seats are pretty comfy, and the cabin has exquisite details. Overall, cargo capacity is similar to that of the midsize Lexus RX SUV and Audi’s tiny Q5, although the A6 Allroad has more room behind the back seats than both. Although you lose the commanding perspective of the road that crossovers provide, the lower roof height makes employing the included roof rails simpler than on an SUV.
Like previous A6 models, the Allroad has abundant contemporary technology, with several features operated by two screens: an 8.6-inch HVAC panel and a 10.1-inch infotainment unit. However, some drivers like more complex controls, so learning to navigate Audi’s settings isn’t too tricky. A head-up display and a night vision aid are just two of the numerous essential and optional driver assistance features and accessories. The asking price is over $70,000, but the A6 Allroad does practically everything well and looks fantastic.
Performance: Audi A6
The Allroad only comes with one powertrain option: the 3.0-litre V6 turbocharged 55 TFSI engine that produces 335 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, unlike the many options available on the other A6 variants. A 48-volt mild hybrid system helps with economy and power, and the Allroad’s seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox aids with both.
The Allroad model, exclusive to the United States, has a changeable adaptive air suspension system that can raise the vehicle an additional 1.2 inches while navigating uneven terrain. It is the only A6 wagon available to Europeans. Along with having larger front brakes and more extended wheel travel than the ordinary A6, the Allroad also has 20-inch wheels, which hint at some of its limits.
It’s not built for the most challenging terrain, even if it can handle dirt roads and woodland trails considerably better than any Audi car, and the body armour looks incredibly butch. While the Audi tops at 7.3 inches, the Outback and V90 provide at least eight inches of ground clearance and more terrain-appropriate wheels. That is still superior to the 5.8 found in the Mercedes-Benz E450 All-Terrain.
On the street, however, it is entirely unaffected by any off-roading focus and, in some opinion, rides more smoothly than the A6 sedan. For a 4,500-pound station wagon, it’s surprisingly elegant, and the steering is somewhat responsive. It isn’t intended to be nearly as sporty as the RS6 Avant, which has a similar form. Mile after mile, the Allroad offers dependable, secure handling and comfy comfort. With zero to sixty runs taking more than five seconds, it is also noticeably quicker than the V90 or Outback (approximately a second ahead of the others).
Fuel Economy: Audi A6
The A6 Allroad gets about the same mileage as its wagon counterparts, but regular A6 sedans have above-average fuel efficiency for the class. It receives the same EPA rating as the V6-powered A6 sedans, which is 21 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined. This puts it ahead of sedans like the Genesis G80 and Cadillac CT5 but slightly behind smaller (and less expensive) crossovers like Audi’s Q5, which receives 23 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined.
The Mercedes-Benz E450 All-Terrain achieves 21, 28, and 24 mpg combined, while the Volvo V90 achieves 22 mpg in the city, 29 mpg on the highway, and 25 mpg overall when compared to competing wagons. Subaru’s turbocharged Outback XT gets 22 mpg in the city, 29 mpg on the interstate, and 25 mpg overall. In our combined real-world tests, we averaged around 23.2 mpg. The Subaru uses standard 87 fuel, and all the luxury vehicles use premium.
Tech for Safety and Driver Assistance:
On the A6 Allroad, Audi includes many standard active-safety technologies, such as automated high lights, surround-view monitoring, lane-departure alerts, front automatic emergency braking with pedestrian recognition, and forward collision warnings. Rear-cross traffic warnings, active lane change assist, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, and rear automatic braking are added to prestige models. Choosing the $3,200 Executive option and the $500 “side assist and pre-sense rear” package—both of which are worthwhile—is the only way to get these features on the standard Premium Plus.
The A6 also receives five stars overall from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and its highest grade of Top Safety Pick+ from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
Although the lane maintenance assistance on the A6 Allroad is less intrusive than that of the BMW, the lane centering may be more forceful. Nevertheless, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo both have superior ADAS systems.
Coziness & Space:
The inside of the A6 Allroad is almost entirely designed with comfort in mind, and seats in every configuration are supportive and pleasant for passengers to sit in. In contrast to the stiff hearts of an Outback, it’s difficult to envision this vehicle tiring you out on a trip as long as New York to Chicago. Audi even provides massaging seats to ensure that it doesn’t.
Plenty of space is available up front, and the back seat has more excellent legroom (37.4 inches) than either the Mercedes-Benz (36.1) or Volvo (35.9). With 39.5, only Subaru has more. The Volvo and Mercedes sedans have different amounts of legroom; the longer-wheelbase S90 has much more (40.3), while the E-Class sedan has less (35.8). Compared to the A6 sedan, the Allroad’s extended roof provides more headroom in the backseat.
Infotainment: Audi A6
The A6 Allroad’s HVAC settings are on a smaller 8.6-inch device underneath a 10.1-inch central infotainment panel. A gorgeous 12.3-inch digital driver’s display with the manufacturer’s Virtual Cockpit configuration is included. There should be complex controls for the HVAC operations since there are a lot of shows here.
Despite its extensive menu structure, the Audi MMI infotainment system is not that difficult to operate or get accustomed to. Though there may be a high learning curve for those who are not digital natives, its infotainment system is not nearly as complex as any other premium vehicle we’ve seen in a 2023 model (see BMW i7). If you’d instead use those interfaces, Audi also has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard features.
A six-month trial of Audi Connect Plus, which includes Wi-Fi hotspot functionality, traffic light data for the navigation system, and Amazon Alexa integration, is also included with every Allroad. On the conventional A6, a 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio is optional; however, on the Allroad, it comes standard.
Storage & Cargo Space:
Audi only lists the 30 cubic feet of room behind the back seats of the A6, which is more than plenty and only eight cubes less than the large Audi Q7 when its third row is folded. When the seats are folded down, the A6 Allroad’s cargo space resembles the roughly 54 cubic feet seen in the V90 Cross Country. That is more than plenty for a family of four, while Subaru has somewhat more (32.5 and 75.7), and Mercedes-Benz has slightly more (35 cubes behind the back seats and 64 total). Nevertheless, this is a handy premium car that even surpasses the Audi A7 hatchback.
Should you need an SUV? Most likely not. This has less capacity than the smaller Audi Q5 but more than the BMW X3 and Genesis GV70. However, the A6 Allroad is much more glitzy and almost as valuable. Though it may be too ambitious, the Allroad’s small item storage is mediocre; Subaru and Volvo have better options.
Design: Audi A6
The A6 Allroad is quite different from the standard A6, which is so subtle that it often goes unnoticed. With its almost flawless extended roof, enormous 20-inch wheels, and low, elegant proportions, it draws much attention from SUV owners and Audi aficionados everywhere it travels. Although the body cladding, an Allroad mainstay since 1999, isn’t to everyone’s taste, it looks great in this instance. In addition, it is more peaceful and less combative than other wagons, such as the Outback.
Images don’t always do Audi interiors justice since, in a web-sized shot, the sleek, uncluttered surfaces might seem barren and uninteresting. But as you go inside, the intricacies become even more noticeable, with exquisite leather, linen, metal surfaces, and gorgeous wood inlays. Although it is not as flashy or visibly opulent as the E450 All Terrain, the inside seems unique.
Is the 2023 Audi A6 Allroad Worth it?
Without sugarcoating anything, the A6 Allroad is a pricey vehicle; the Premium Plus variant begins at $68,995 (plus a $1,095 destination charge). Of its rivals, the only car with a higher price tag is the E450 All-Terrain, which is $4,200 more expensive than the A6 Premium Plus 55 TFSI sedan. Costing $74,495 in its highest trim level, the Prestige model surpasses the Mercedes by over $5,000 and the top-trim V90 Cross Country by $9,000 in price. It is also more expensive than many smaller premium crossovers.
Yes, it is pricey, but considering the luxurious sedan accommodations, eye-catching design, small crossover usefulness, and fulfilling driving experience, it seems worth considering. Among auto enthusiasts, A6 Allroads has a cult following, which seems well justified.
We would continue to use Premium Plus but add a few select choices. We would also choose the $3,250 Executive Package, which includes 4-zone temperature control, ventilated front seats and heated rear seats, adaptive cruise control with lane centring, and lovely ambient lighting. Any colour other than black would increase the price by $595. You should budget an additional $500 for the side assist and pre-sense rear capabilities, bringing your total to $73,340.
Audi produces an A4 Allroad as well. Not only is the cargo compartment and rear seat more compact, but the starting price is only $46,995.
How Much Does Audi A6 Allroad Insurance Cost?
Insurance for the Audi A6 Allroad is comparable to those of its competitors. Our research indicates that the average yearly premium for a clean 30-year-old female driver driving an Audi A6 Allroad Premium Plus is $3,242, which applies to all 50 states. A comparable Volvo V90 Cross Country would cost $2,960, a Mercedes-Benz E450 All-Terrain would cost $3,289, and a Subaru Outback XT Limited would cost $1,899.
Audi A6 Allroad Generations
Fourth Generation
2020 to Present
The fifth-generation A6 range included the A6 Allroad, which made a triumphant comeback to American dealerships after a protracted 15-year hiatus. It debuted one year after the standard A6 sedans and went on sale in 2020 with the ultra-high performance RS6 Avant, another huge Audi wagon. Compared to its sedan brothers, the refreshed Allroad’s basic trim, the Premium Plus, which is the A6’s mid-level trim, has many more standard features. A 2.9-liter V6 engine producing 335 horsepower powers the A6 Allroad.
Third Generation
2012 to 2018
Although it arrived in 2011, the next generation of A6 Allroad, more extensive and subdued in appearance than its predecessor, was not marketed in the US. While worldwide customers could still purchase both the Avant and Allroad variants, the A6 did not have a wagon version available in the United States during these years, in contrast to the previous generation model.
Second Generation
2006 to 2011
Arriving in 2006, the second-generation Allroad was the first to be officially badged as an A6. However, it was never offered in the US. On the other hand, Audi kept selling the A6 Avant wagon without a lift.
First Generation
1999 to 2004
Audi introduced the A6 Allroad in 1999 as a part of the second-generation A6 range; however, the A6 Avant, a conventional, non-lifted wagon, was available from 1995 forward.
In 1997, the second-generation A6 range made its premiere as a sedan with a 5-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission, a new suspension, and a complete cosmetic change.
The first Allroad wagon was added to the range the following year, targeting the Subaru Outback and Volvo’s V70 Cross Country with aggressive body cladding and off-road intentions. It was initially only known as the Audi Allroad and lacked the A6 logo. Audi’s 2.7-litre turbocharged V6 or 4.2-litre V8 engine provided the power.
Verdict
Of course, it seems sense that the Audi A6 Allroad draws attention everywhere it travels, but its sedan sibling is a discrete, high-end vehicle. This elegant station wagon’s SUV-like practicality and smooth design complement its grand proportions and stylish appearance. Despite its off-road aspirations, it isn’t designed for rough terrain and is more expensive than most other wagons and trim luxury crossover options. Nevertheless, it is just as unique and helpful as most SUV substitutes. If you have the funds, it is hard to beat as a plush, comfortable family vehicle.
