Audi A4 Allroad quattro estate review (2016-2022)

This is the third iteration of the Audi A4 Allroad. It combines the highly acclaimed Audi A4 Avant’s practical estate body with some off-road elements – such as a rugged bodykit and raised ride height – to make it a bit tougher and less likely to get stuck in a muddy field than the standard Avant.

Four-wheel drive comes as standard and this is the first Audi model in the UK to get the brand’s new ‘quattro with Ultra technology’ system, which, unlike the permanent four-wheel drive in other quattro Audis, remains front-wheel drive most of the time, only sending power to the rear wheels when required. This saves fuel end reduces emissions, hence the use of ‘Ultra’ (Audi’s label for its most efficient models and technology).

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There are only a few styling changes on the A4 Allroad compared to the standard A4 Avant. These include a chrome front grille, metal-effect front and rear skid plates, black plastic cladding around the wheelarches and bottom of the car, as well as silver-effect side skirts and more prominent roof rails.

Most of the range is powered by diesel engines, with just one turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol available, developing 247bhp. Initially, this is the only engine being offered with Audi’s ‘quattro with Ultra technology’ setup, although diesel models with this feature will follow.

There’s a 2.0-litre diesel producing 187bhp as well as a pair of 3.0-litre V6 diesels, which manage 215 and 268bhp respectively. A 148bhp 2.0-litre diesel is also set to join the range. In terms of running costs, the petrol will be the most expensive, returning 44.1mpg fuel economy on average, while CO2 emissions sit at 147g/km, meaning a £145 annual road-tax bill if registered before April 2017.

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One of the diesels will be cheaper to run, as they return between 57.7mpg (for the 187bhp 2.0-litre) an 53.3mpg (for the most powerful V6). Similarly, CO2 emissions range from 128 to 139g/km, meaning annual road-tax bills of either £110 or £130 if registered before April 2017.

Our favourite is the 187bhp 2.0-litre diesel, as it offers the best combination of performance, economy, running costs and purchase price. It’s worth asking yourself before you buy whether a normal Audi A4 Avant with four-wheel drive would meet your needs, as it’s cheaper than an Allroad.

All A4 Allroad models have climate control, 17-inch alloy wheels and Audi’s MMI infotainment system. Sport trim adds LED lights all round, as well as dynamic indicators (where orange lights ‘sweep’ in the direction you’re turning), 18-inch alloys and tinted rear glass.

The standard Audi A4 finished 53rd out of the 75 cars ranked in our 2017 Driver Power owner satisfaction survey of cars currently on sale in the UK. Safety won’t be an issue – the standard A4 has a full five-star rating from Euro NCAP and the addition of four-wheel drive only makes the Allroad safer, while a more advanced electronic stability control system will help keep you out of trouble off-road, too.