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At the intersection of “my parents bought me this car when I graduated from Penn” and “I need something to carry my kids, my dog, and my mountain bike” sits the Audi A4 Allroad. It’s practical but never dowdy, luxurious but not ostentatious. In essence, it’s a wagonized A4, but the extra cargo space isn’t the only thing separating this wagon from its sedan sibling. The Allroad is lifted 1.3 inches, clad in SUV-like black plastic wheel-arch moldings, and propelled by a new version of Audi’s Quattro all-wheel-drive system that allows the car to be driven by the front wheels or all four, depending on driving conditions. An off-road drive mode decreases steering effort and softens the standard adaptive dampers to increase suspension compliance. That’s not to say that most drivers will ever take their Allroad off-road; the knowledge that they could will be enough. Against all odds, the luxury-wagon market is booming, and the A4 Allroad has stiff competition from the likes of the Mercedes-Benz E400 wagon and the Volvo V90 Cross Country. The Audi’s fully realized powertrain, above-average agility, and leading-edge infotainment features make it a strong contender in a deepening field. READ MORE ››
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