It’s no secret that the classic wagon seems to be going the way of the dinosaur. For years, crossover-SUVs have been edging this once ubiquitous vehicle towards extinction. However, Audi hasn’t given up on the wagon quite yet, or at the very least, it’s transitioning towards a crossover model with the 2013 Audi Allroad, based on the A4 design.
With its taller, longer, wider body than the A4, the 2013 Audi Allroad wagon is just a short hop away from a crossover, but it still retains enough wagon characteristics to make it appealing to those still not ready to take the crossover plunge. ?Allroad? is a bit of a misnomer. It can handle things when standard road conditions take a turn for the worse, but if you’re serious about off-roading, get an SUV with proven off-road chops instead.
This 2013 Audi Allroad is an all new design, so Audi is really serious about staying in the wagon game with a competitive vehicle. If a wagon is really what’s right for you, the Audi Allroad is a great choice, and you’re sure to like the interior, which showcases upscale materials, an array of welcome features and is a generally comfortable environment to pack the family into for a weekend drive.
There’s only one choice of engine and transmission with the 2013 Audi Allroad, so if you’re looking for a lot of options, you’re going to have to look elsewhere. That being said, Audi has provided three trim levels for the Audi Allroad: Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige trim.
If you’ve never even considered a crossover, you’d be remiss if you didn’t even take a look at some of the top luxury crossovers on the market today. However, SUVs definitely aren’t for everybody, and if you need cargo space but not a big, bulky vehicle that’s going to fill up your garage and make you feel more like a trucker than a car driver, you should be very happy with the 2013 Audi Allroad.
New For 2013
The 2013 Audi Allroad is an entirely new vehicle, taking the place of Audi’s previous wagon model, the A4 Avant wagon. You’ll also find the Audi Connect system in the Audi Allroad for enhanced navigation.
Exterior
The 2013 Audi Allroad has a nice, modern wagon look to it, with nothing overstated or ostentatious. It doesn’t look like a crossover crammed into a sedan’s body or a stretched out coupe, which you can’t say about every wagon these days. It features 18-inch alloy wheels, skid plates, a roof rack, and a panoramic power glass sunroof with remote operation. Bi-xenon headlamps and LED running lights are optional. The Premium Plus adds a power liftgate and heated mirrors, while the Prestige includes keyless entry and adaptive headlamps. Available colors include Brilliant Black, Volcano Red Metallic, Phantom Black Pearl Effect, Scuba Blue Metallic, and Ibis White.
Interior & Cargo
The interior of the 2013 Audi Allroad is beautiful and marks one of the highlights of this vehicle. It features eight-way power bucket front seats with power lumbar support, leather upholstery, and a split-folding rear seatback. You’ll find a leather steering wheel and lots of attractive alloy trim. In addition to the Audi MMI system with Audi Connect for easy control of various functions like audio, navigation and vehicle information, you’ll find full power accessories, a tilt and telescoping steering wheel with audio and cruise controls on the wheel, and available Bluetooth connectivity. Entertainment comes in the form of a 10-speaker AM/FM stereo with a single CD player, MP3 playback, SiriusXM satellite radio and an auxiliary MP3 audio input. With seats in place, you can fill the Allroad up with up to 27.6 cubic feet of cargo, which can expand up to 50.5 cubic feet.
Safety
Safety options include a rearview camera, a blind spot warning system, and adaptive cruise control. Front-seat side airbags and side curtain airbags are standard, with rear-seat side airbags optional.
The Audi Allroad performed well on select government crash tests and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Tests (IIHS), scoring a top rating of five stars for side crash protection and a top rating of ?Good? from the IIHS for frontal-offset, side-impact, and roof-strength tests.
Standard safety features on the 2013 Audi Allroad include but are not limited to four-wheel anti-lock brakes with emergency brake assist and electronic brake force distribution. Ventilated front disc and solid rear disc brakes, stability control, traction control, tire pressure monitoring, daytime running lights, and fog lights add to the list. You’ll also find child safety features, with seat anchors and rear-door child safety locks, as well as theft protection measures such as an engine immobilizer and anti-theft alarm system.
Driving Experience
The Allroad is fairly responsive, with steering that isn’t too light and a design that adjusts to give you more control when you need it in off-road situations. Handling is adequate, but drivers appreciate the smooth ride they get even in slightly harsher driving conditions. You can adjust the level of sportiness and responsiveness with the optional Drive Select system if you’re the type of driver who needs this kind of control.
You should get all the power you need out of the 2013 Audi Allroad’s 2.0-liter, turbocharged, four-cylinder engine; after all, this is a wagon, not a racecar. This engine, linked to an eight-speed shiftable automatic transmission with all-wheel drive, delivers 211 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, getting you from 0 to 60 mph in just a touch over seven seconds. Fuel economy is acceptable for this vehicle and better than some wagons, with gas mileage rating at 20/27 mpg city/highway.
Key Competitors For The 2013 Audi Allroad
- BMW xDrive 328i
- Lexus IS
- Volvo XC70