Category: Executive 
Price Range: No data available
Power and smoothness of the 2.7-litre petrol engine, Tiptronic gearbox, rugged styling, combination of off-road prowess and on-road ability, good value compared with standard A6 Avant
Diesel's lack of low-speed torque, exposed sills transfer dirt onto exiting legs, beautifully-finished interior inappropriate for regular dirt-road use, easily scuffed bumpers and alloys
It looks great and delivers the goods - what more could you want? Well, it's a bit too smart to be a proper working vehicle
On the road, the Allroad is as easy to drive as any other A6, with clear, beautifully engineered controls and a user-friendly layout. The Tiptronic transmission is one of the best around, responsive and intuitive in fully auto mode and quick in sequential-shift, and the steering is direct, if a little remote. Off the road, it seems remarkably able, even on winter road tyres, despite its relatively low ground clearance, thanks to amazing levels of wheel articulation over rough terrain when the ride height is at its highest setting. Once the Allroad is travelling above 51 mph, the suspension automatically drops down to its lowest setting. Together with the permanent four-wheel drive, this gives the car an immense feeling of stability and security, even at very high speeds on the Austrian autobahn. It's not hugely involving, however, and can feel somewhat soulless and remote.
The diesel is exceptionally refined and smooth on the road, with none of the cabin-penetrating clatter that is traditionally associated with these engines. But it suffers during severe off-road driving: at very low speeds the turbos are not engaged, so it lacks the pulling power necessary for steep climbs. The 2.7-litre bi-turbo engine has been tweaked to give more power than in other Audi models - it's now rated at 250bhp - and more pulling power at low revs. Combined with the excellent five-speed Tiptronic gearbox, the Allroad has one of the best transmission systems available on any car. The V6 engine is exceptionally smooth and very linear in its power delivery. Unlike many turbo engines, the power is delivered smoothly and evenly, and even at high revs, the car accelerates with a relentless vigour. We haven't driven the V8 yet, but it promises to be very quick indeed.
Latest Readers' Drives About the Audi Allroad
wrote on 27 06 2006