Are You Ready For: The Return Of The Allroad?
Though the original A6-based Audi Allroad was designed for the US market, it hit the market at the height of SUV mania, and as a result never sold more than 6,357 units per year (in 2001, its second year on the market). By the end of 2005, Audi pulled the “Avant Outback” from the US where it was replaced by the hulking Q7 SUV, but the brand did develop a new version for Europe, which debuted in 2006. In many ways, this evolution mirrors the Subaru Outback’s shift from jacked-up wagon to full-blown CUV, and reflects America’s growing preference for unique-bodied car-based crossovers. And with a Q5 already on sale in the US, and a Q3 on its way, it seems unlikely that Audi will bring this smaller, A4-based Allroad to the US. But fashion being what it is, doesn’t it seem likely that the pendulum will eventually swing back, and that air-suspension-equipped wagons will once again enjoy a moment of vogue? And if anything is going to bring about such a fad, isn’t it this freshly facelifted A4 Allroad?
More by Edward Niedermeyer
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I owned the A6-based allroad; drove it off the showroom floor in September 2001. It was the perfect Colorado car, where I live. I kept it 9 years, about 4 years longer than I should have. I replaced the air suspension THREE times. Engine camshaft seals, rebuilt torque converter, rebuilt transmission, multiple component failures that included two turn signal relays, ABS components and on and on. I love European cars. I've owned Peugeots, Volvos, Saabs and Audis. The allroad drove me over the edge. Now, my only European cars are weekend vehicles: a '97 Porsche 911 and an '82 Alfa Romeo GTV-6. My daily driver: an Acura.
I loved the All-Road, great interior and exterior. My wake -up call was when one I was considering buying had a transmission failure on the lot of the dealer when I was pulling out for a test drive. That warned me off.