Audi A6 Allroad 2019 Review – International

The Audi A6 Allroad is back for another clash with the Mercedes-Benz E 220d All-terrain and the Volvo V90.

We won't see it here for several months, but the A6 Allroad will be re-introduced around the end of the first quarter next year. It's already on the road in its homeland, where carsales was granted the opportunity to test it.

Australia will see the A6 Allroad in its 45 TDI form. This is the variant with the lowest output of three engines offered in global markets. But even this model produces more than enough torque to blitz along German freeways at speeds that would shame an old fashioned Falcon GT HO Phase III.

The turbo-diesel V6 is quiet and smooth, but retains some diesel character. About the only complaint to mention for the powertrain is the occasional bout of turbo lag.
Across a range of driving conditions the fuel consumption was 7.5L/100km, which was a commendable number, given the Allroad was carrying driver and passenger, plus luggage, at speeds up to 130km/h on the autobahn and at lower speeds leading out of the city (Munich). The A6 Allroad features 48-Volt mild-hybrid technology to reduce fuel consumption by up to 0.4L/100km, the manufacturer claims. That claim seems to stand up, based on our previous experience testing the old A6 Allroad.

After a high-speed run at speeds up to 210km/h on an unrestricted autobahn the fuel consumption had crept up to 8.2L/100km before falling back to 7.9 over the final half hour of driving.

Like the previous model, the new A6 Allroad drives through a permanent all-wheel drive system via the eight-speed ZF automatic transmission, which provides the level of adaptability and seamless shifting we've come to expect from the German autobox brand.

For a relatively large car, the Allroad was easy to place on roads that were quite narrow at times. It was also very surefooted in the wet.

At speeds above 120km/h, the A6 Allroad lowers itself on its air suspension by another 15mm, reducing the centre of gravity and minimising aero drag under the car. Riding on Continental 245/45 R20 tyres front and rear, the A6 Allroad is slightly reluctant to turn in unless operating in Dynamic mode, which can be chosen by the driver using the Audi Drive Select system.

Ride comfort is fine on German and Austrian roads, but as the Austrians are fond of pointing out to Americans, Austria is not Australia. The Allroad's ride properties were never really assessed during the drive, but the car's suspension appeared to cope fairly well with the minor blemishes on the otherwise very well maintained bitumen in the two Teutonic countries.

Braking was progressive and offered good feedback through the pedal, but the brakes did occasionally protest at low speeds with some steering lock applied. This was not the usual pad-dust build-up sort of problem. Perhaps the car had been sitting for a while, because the noise and vibration at low speeds had faded by the end of the first day.

In pouring rain on German freeways the Allroad's adaptive cruise control was invaluable. It not only kept the Audi from piling into the rear of a slower car, it was also adjusting speed at the first sign of new speed restriction zone. And afterward the Audi would automatically readjust speed to the open-road limit, when that was applicable. This was accomplished through the traffic sign recognition, which generally worked well – even ignoring visible speed limit signs on service roads and freeway exits – but did pull the speed back below the prevailing limit on one occasion for no obvious reason.

Although the lane keep assist systems works competently on German freeways, it does occasionally fight against the driver once the rain arrives. It will probably be sorely tested by Australian country-road conditions. The only other grip, in terms of driver-assist technology is the reversing camera, the lens of which is obscured by rain drops, and that makes backing something of a hit-or-miss affair – literally.

The Audi A6 Allroad has a terrific interior and very well thought-out driving position, with the test vehicle upholstered in an appealing camel-coloured leather with quilted stitching. Snug but soft seats in front supported the occupant properly for everything from long-distance touring to flinging the Allroad around.

The Virtual Cockpit set-up works very well with the head-up display complementing it. Even the dreaded hand-writing recognition worked for me... spelling out an address for the satnav using only my clumsy left index finger.

The infotainment functions, the instrumentation, switchgear and the decorative elements – the subtle woodgrain veneer, brushed-aluminium and piano-black gloss lacquer – all combine for a very classy look.

In the back, there's no shortage of legroom or headroom for adults of average height, and the rear seats are very comfortable and well shaped. Rear-seat occupants are served by adjustable vents located in the rear of the centre console and in the B pillars. In addition, there are two cupholders in the centre folding armrest, and two USB ports and a 12-Volt outlet in the rear of the centre console.

As a wagon, the A6 Allroad offers large boot space, with finger pulls to flip the rear seats forward for additional luggage capacity. Our one misgiving in this car, which could be called up on to go off-road at times is that the A6 Allroad comes with just a tyre repair kit to get you back on the road after a puncture.

Target buyers for the A6 Allroad may not care as much about that however. Many buyers will be looking for a car with everything a conventional wagon has to offer, plus some towing capacity (2500kg) and comfort, safe overtaking and long-range touring potential. That makes the A6 Allroad quite compelling, but its appeal may also depend on the price Audi Australia asks when the car arrives in the local market next year.

How much does the 2019 Audi A6 Allroad 45 TDI cost?
Price: TBA
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 170kW/500Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.9L/100km (as tested)
CO2: TBA
Safety rating: TBA