Going off-road in the new Audi A4 Allroad

The Audi A4 Allroad is a jacked-up A4 with 34mm extra ground clearance, rugged body cladding and standard four-wheel drive running gear. Here, we’re testing it with what could be the choice engine, Audi’s comparative-bargain 3.0-litre TDI 218. At just £2000 more than a 2.0-litre TDI, it’s virtually a free upgrade to business class.

The bit that gives it all-roads ability isn’t quite as advanced as on the 2.0-litre TFSI we tested earlier, though. Petrol cars get Audi’s clever new clutch-based quattro Ultra tech; the diesels have the older quattro system, with a centre differential. However, while it’s not as smart, it is a ‘proper’ full-time four-wheel drive system. Traditionalists may well prefer it.

You get a standard automatic gearbox with this model, but it’s a seven-speed twin-clutch S tronic system, rather than a regular torque convertor self-shifter. If you tow regularly, you may want the latter, which is only fitted to the range-topping diesel. But if you’re a company car driver, stick with this efficiency-focused one: it caps the 3.0-litre TDI’s benefit-in-kind tax penalty over the 2.0-litre TDI to just 2%.

And in action, it’s an engine that performs beautifully. It’s outstandingly quiet and smooth, responsive from low revs and very strong throughout the rev range. All this and a real-world 45mpg; what’s not to like? It’s simply a pleasure, this engine, that fills the well-judged A4 Allroad with feel-good vibes.

The rest of it is also on the money. Audi sells a lot of A4s with sporty S line bodykits and suspension, but it’s possibly the Allroad where the car’s at its best. Comfortable, soothing, well-isolated and tenacious on all surfaces, it could well be called the Audi A4 all-rounder. The ride is so well measured, it deals with anything UK roads can throw at it, and although handling lacks involvement, it wants for little security.

Our advice is to choose the optional adaptive dampers, which let you alter the setup from cosseting “Comfort” to taut and roll-free “Dynamic”. Better still, leave it in Auto and let the car do the thinking for you: it knows best how to fully enhance the A4 Allroad’s longer-travel suspension in the most perfect way.

The rest of it is as per regular A4s. The interior is beautifully constructed and finished more like a luxury car than a mid-size premium estate. It’s comfortable front and rear, the boot is bigger than its arch-rivals and the detailing is exquisite. While you’re forking out for options, spend a bit on the Audi Virtual Cockpit, which is still one of the coolest interior features going.