With the trend toward crossover vehicles in full swing, the Audi allroad (one of the early crossovers) still offers something for those with a more discerning palate. Aside from the freakishly-ahead-of-its-time AMC Concord, the Subaru Outback started the current craving for crossover vehicles, but it's the allroad that added the element of luxury to the mix. If a crossover vehicle is a cross between a truck-based SUV and a traditional passenger car, then both the allroad and Outback are taking a literal approach to the idea when compared to such crossovers as the Toyota Highlander, or Honda Pilot. Little more than an Audi A6 Avant with a raised suspension, the allroad is sticking to a car-based philosophy in theory and practice. As a side note, the allroad could be rendered all but obsolete when the new A7 SUV arrives — a luxury crossover SUV based on the VW Touareg.
The allroad has gone through some refining in recent years and it continues to make sense for some shoppers who want a luxurious car with expanded all-weather capabilities and a reasonable off-road ability. For 2004, the allroad has the option of a 300-hp V8 in addition to the standard turbocharged 2.7-liter V6. Also in 2004, the option of deleting the black fender panels became available, and beginning in 2005, allroads will no longer be offered with the body trim. On the one hand, the monochromatic body looks cool, but we can't help but feel that the black fenders and bumpers helped to set the allroad apart from more pedestrian Audi wagons — without them, the allroad loses some of its rough and tumble appeal.
But if it's refinement and elegance you're after, no amount of bodywork can rival the rumbling authority of the newly available 4.2-liter V8. We've never really thought of the V6-powered allroad as underpowered — in our full test of a 2001 allroad we said the car offered "plenty of performance," but many of our editors complained of excessive turbo lag. Add 50 extra horsepower in the form of a smooth, nonturbocharged V8 and the problem is solved.
But while the refinement of the V8 is pleasing, the combination of the V8 power plant and the five-speed automatic is less than ideal. True, there is no turbo lag as the 4.2-liter engine is normally aspirated, but the transmission is eager to upshift, then reluctant to downshift if more power is needed. The whole thing feels a bit disconcerting and not unlike our experience with the V8-powered VW Touareg — there's plenty of power, but the manner in which that power is delivered is less than perfect. The 4.2-liter engine seems to do its best work when flat-out acceleration is needed. Even with the gas pedal pushed in just past halfway, the allroad leaps forward with an authoritative growl and impressive urgency. If it's just power you're looking for, the V8 version should be pleasing.
We applaud Audi for building real-world off-road versatility into the allroad, but again we're not sure the total package works best for the average crossover shopper. The allroad is surprisingly capable off-road, more so than most buyers will need or even realize. The downside is that the allroad tends to feel stiff and the ride tends toward busy on the highway — with the air suspension raised the ride is even stiffer. The problem with all this is that anyone looking for a crossover vehicle (especially a luxury crossover) is likely doing so because they wish to skip the rough truckish nature of a real SUV in exchange for a lot of carlike civility and handling. That's not the package you'll get with the allroad — V8 or otherwise.
Other luxury crossovers may offer more carlike road manners (ironic because the allroad is a car), but such vehicles lack the real luxury or power of the allroad. The Chrysler Pacifica is a wagonlike luxury crossover but can't even come close to the allroad in terms of off-road ability, on-road performance or interior luxury. Of course, the allroad with a V8 is much more expensive than any Pacifica. A better comparison might be the new Subaru Outback. While it lacks the fancy adjustable suspension and barely falls short of the Audi's top-notch interior, it does offer an excellent combination of real-world usability, mild off-road ability and stellar performance from its 250-hp, six-cylinder engine (a turbocharged four-cylinder with the same horsepower rating is also available). A dollar-for-dollar, feature-for-feature comparison would best be made by pitting the allroad against our recent luxury crossover SUV comparison test winner (coming soon on our site), the Cadillac SRX. In this case, the SRX tops the V8-powered allroad with its supple ride, 20 extra horsepower and seating for seven.
As good a car as the allroad is, we can't help but feel there are better ways to spend your money. Whether it means saving some cash by opting for the less-expensive Subaru or considering an American nameplate like the Cadillac SRX, the allroad is likely to appeal to a minority of car buyers. The allroad's apparent lame duck status in light of the coming A7 crossover SUV further complicates the issue. Judged on its own merits, the allroad is a great-looking, well-engineered car that offers versatility, performance and luxury — you're not likely to find an interior as superb as this Audi's no matter how much you spend. The addition of a V8 to the allroad lineup is welcome and it gives the car a more substantial feel and pleasing acceleration. But ultimately there are better choices and many of them are less expensive. Before rushing out to buy an allroad, we suggest you drive a 2005 Subaru Outback, Infiniti FX35/45, Cadillac SRX or Lexus RX 330.
The allroad has gone through some refining in recent years and it continues to make sense for some shoppers who want a luxurious car with expanded all-weather capabilities and a reasonable off-road ability. For 2004, the allroad has the option of a 300-hp V8 in addition to the standard turbocharged 2.7-liter V6. Also in 2004, the option of deleting the black fender panels became available, and beginning in 2005, allroads will no longer be offered with the body trim. On the one hand, the monochromatic body looks cool, but we can't help but feel that the black fenders and bumpers helped to set the allroad apart from more pedestrian Audi wagons — without them, the allroad loses some of its rough and tumble appeal.
But if it's refinement and elegance you're after, no amount of bodywork can rival the rumbling authority of the newly available 4.2-liter V8. We've never really thought of the V6-powered allroad as underpowered — in our full test of a 2001 allroad we said the car offered "plenty of performance," but many of our editors complained of excessive turbo lag. Add 50 extra horsepower in the form of a smooth, nonturbocharged V8 and the problem is solved.
But while the refinement of the V8 is pleasing, the combination of the V8 power plant and the five-speed automatic is less than ideal. True, there is no turbo lag as the 4.2-liter engine is normally aspirated, but the transmission is eager to upshift, then reluctant to downshift if more power is needed. The whole thing feels a bit disconcerting and not unlike our experience with the V8-powered VW Touareg — there's plenty of power, but the manner in which that power is delivered is less than perfect. The 4.2-liter engine seems to do its best work when flat-out acceleration is needed. Even with the gas pedal pushed in just past halfway, the allroad leaps forward with an authoritative growl and impressive urgency. If it's just power you're looking for, the V8 version should be pleasing.
We applaud Audi for building real-world off-road versatility into the allroad, but again we're not sure the total package works best for the average crossover shopper. The allroad is surprisingly capable off-road, more so than most buyers will need or even realize. The downside is that the allroad tends to feel stiff and the ride tends toward busy on the highway — with the air suspension raised the ride is even stiffer. The problem with all this is that anyone looking for a crossover vehicle (especially a luxury crossover) is likely doing so because they wish to skip the rough truckish nature of a real SUV in exchange for a lot of carlike civility and handling. That's not the package you'll get with the allroad — V8 or otherwise.
Other luxury crossovers may offer more carlike road manners (ironic because the allroad is a car), but such vehicles lack the real luxury or power of the allroad. The Chrysler Pacifica is a wagonlike luxury crossover but can't even come close to the allroad in terms of off-road ability, on-road performance or interior luxury. Of course, the allroad with a V8 is much more expensive than any Pacifica. A better comparison might be the new Subaru Outback. While it lacks the fancy adjustable suspension and barely falls short of the Audi's top-notch interior, it does offer an excellent combination of real-world usability, mild off-road ability and stellar performance from its 250-hp, six-cylinder engine (a turbocharged four-cylinder with the same horsepower rating is also available). A dollar-for-dollar, feature-for-feature comparison would best be made by pitting the allroad against our recent luxury crossover SUV comparison test winner (coming soon on our site), the Cadillac SRX. In this case, the SRX tops the V8-powered allroad with its supple ride, 20 extra horsepower and seating for seven.
As good a car as the allroad is, we can't help but feel there are better ways to spend your money. Whether it means saving some cash by opting for the less-expensive Subaru or considering an American nameplate like the Cadillac SRX, the allroad is likely to appeal to a minority of car buyers. The allroad's apparent lame duck status in light of the coming A7 crossover SUV further complicates the issue. Judged on its own merits, the allroad is a great-looking, well-engineered car that offers versatility, performance and luxury — you're not likely to find an interior as superb as this Audi's no matter how much you spend. The addition of a V8 to the allroad lineup is welcome and it gives the car a more substantial feel and pleasing acceleration. But ultimately there are better choices and many of them are less expensive. Before rushing out to buy an allroad, we suggest you drive a 2005 Subaru Outback, Infiniti FX35/45, Cadillac SRX or Lexus RX 330.
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