Audi A4 allroad quattro 3.0 TDI

Costs

Not your average company car, this A4 allroad will cost you more to purchase than a regular diesel A4. It's obviously a bit more special, and you're likely to add a few more options to it the point of sale given its premium status. That said, opting for one of the two diesel variants will help lessen the fuel and tax bills, while dealer visits should be only of the scheduled type.

Space and practicality

The allroad is essentially the same deal as a conventional Avant, which makes this A4 a pleasingly practical and versatile compact executive holdall. With the ability to fold the rear seats for increased load space, the allroad promises to be an intelligent compromise between compact SUV and estate car. Elsewhere, the car's cabin boasts plenty of oddment space and good size glovebox.

Controls and display

An object lesson in how to do it, the A4 allroad's various controls and displays prove clear and easy to read whatever time of day or night. The central console's dominant display is easy to see when on the move, Audi's main rotary control is immediately intuitive and the steering, gearshift and column stalks are straightforward to understand and use

Comfort

With more cabin room the previously, rubbing elbows is no longer a regular occurrence. Headroom in the back is now acceptable and, overall, road, wind and tyre noise is largely absent from the cabin when you're on the move. And despite the car's suspension biased slightly towards rougher terrain, ride comfort on Tarmac is no worse than in a standard A4.

Car security

The saloon bodystyle will always be the best anti-theft deterrent, but this Avant offers the next best level of protection thanks to a sturdy retractable load cover. As for the rest of the car, it's no different from any other A4: remote locking and a robust anti-theft package focused on keeping undesirables out.

Car safety

There's nothing to worry about here, which is partly down to the array of electronic stability controls and the full compliment of airbags dotted around the cabin. There's also the small matter of the A4 allroad's all-wheel driver system which, apart from proving useful in a muddy field, is likely to just as useful when you're traversing wet, leaf-strewn country roads in the middle of winter.

Driver appeal

Boasting a host of incremental if not quantum leap improvements over its predecessor, this A4 range proves to be a more mature and accomplished performer on the road. Despite the slightly raised ride height, handling hasn't suffered. This extra height is welcome when off road, as it gives you the ability to tackle rougher terrain with relative ease. The inclusion of all-wheel drive and a trio of impressive engines also helps.

Family car appeal

Audi does offer conventional SUVs large and small, but if you don't want to go down the high-rise hatch route the A4 allroad won't disgrace itself. There's less room than in, say, a Q5 but there are fewer ride and handling sacrifices. You might want to seriously consider your choice of upholstery though, as the plush leather options are unlikely to sit well with boisterous toddlers.

First car appeal

Despite the car's perceived and actually premium value, there's no reason why it can't be driven by a novice. The allroad is an easy car to control, and is hardly the high performance flagship in the range. Good forward visibility should put most first timers at ease.

Quality and image

For some this is becoming a trifle repetitive but it's fair to say that the A4 allroad is built to the same high standard as all modern Audis. It's something that does much to attract buyers to the brand, as does the car maker's bold, successful image.

Accessibility

Modest size increases across the board have ensured that access and egress is marginally better than before, especially for rear seat occupants. As you'd expect, access to the rear is straight forward, and the fractionally greater ride height also makes life a little easier.

Stereo and ICE (In car entertainment)

We're now familiar with this generation's excellent control layout and audio performance. The dominant screen displays settings and options for the high sound system plus secondary functions - phone, ventilation and car settings. The standard system features a MP3 compatible CD player, while colour sat-nav and iPod connectivity are just two options.

Colours and trim

In keeping with the rest of the Audi range, the A4 allroad looks especially good in the darker, more mature colour options. This also bodes well when considering the car's add-on 'bash-proof' plastic protectors, which contrast nicely with the car's otherwise premium image.

Parking

The estate bodystyle makes life easier when it comes to parking, and is much better than the sometimes harder to judge saloon form when reversing. Parking sensors help, while the car's steering boasting a high level of assistance makes light work of complex manoeuvres.

Spare wheel

Space saver fitted as standard.