The 3-liter turbo diesel six-cylinder offers three outputs (218hp, 272hp, 315hp). The entry-level output seems to offer decent enough flexibility but we reckon that it’s worth paying the premium for the mid-range which offers extra pull at low revs and is more rewarding to drive. The most powerful output has effortless turn of pace but you’ll have to want that engine to justify the higher asking price. Our tester car was the top of the range and in our opinion the sweet spot of the range. The torque is massive and it doesn’t feel sluggish like you’d expect of a diesel engine. It’s smooth and also very quick on its feet. It never feels overly powerful around town and it does feel refined too, but you’re constantly that it is a diesel engine.
The A6 Allroad is a gem to drive on the highway. The ride comfort is smooth and doesn’t feel overly firm; however the driving experience is nowhere near as rewarding as the Volvo V90 CC. Also, the turning circle radius is way too large; making it quite difficult to squeeze around tight narrow roundabouts. We know that this isn’t a city car but it shouldn’t be this difficult to navigate an estate around town. The biggest gripe we have with the A6 Allroad is that it’s not offered here in the US. Instead we are left with just the A4 Allroad and well for the premium you’ll have to pay for one, you’re better off with the Volvo anyway. Which brings us on to another problem with the A6 Allroad, the pedals are offset which makes the driving position way to awkward for our comfort.
The interior is what you’d expect from Audi. The infotainment screen glides out of the dashboard with elegance and class. The controls and dials used for the infotainment system do require a learning curve, but once you’ve mastered them (or at least gotten used to them) it is quite easy to use. The front seats offer superb comfort, while the second row is roomy as well. Some may find a slight shortage of legroom if taller passengers sit in the front seats. The boot space is quite massive, but we’ve seen the boot space in estates such as the Ford Mondeo and Mercedes E-class and both seem to have larger boots.
Our rental car came fitted with nearly $18k worth of optional kit which pushed the price from $73k to a whopping $95k. We know that in Europe these vehicles are generally taxed higher than what we would have to pay here in the U.S. so it’s no surprise that this vehicle costs as much as it does. A Volvo V90 CC however is only $84k with similar options ticked and a slightly more powerful four-cylinder engine, although to be fair this engine would be considered way pricey in terms of running costs as petrol fuel is way more expensive than diesel.
1200 watt 15-speaker sound system was optionally fitted as well as 21-inch alloy wheels, perforated leather seats and a hands-free boot operation. The most expensive was the premium sound system powered by B&O and the advanced matrix LED headlights made driving at night a breeze. We certainly would love to see this technology become available in the near future, however the fact still remains that these bulbs won’t be cheap to replace and the sheer fact that the overly complex design means you’ll have to take it to an Audi Dealership to get them fix if something were to go wrong with them.
We loved our time spent with the A6 Allroad. It’s classy, comfortable to drive and has torque-tastic diesel engines that we truly do wish were still offered here. However, the high price of admission means that this isn’t cheap to buy and it certainly won’t be cheap to own either. But for those few that can pocket the premium in both aspects, you are truly in for a treat. This isn’t the crème de la crème like the Volvo V90 CC but it certainly has charm and appeal that only an Audi has.
Likes: The diesel engines are all flexible and offer a decent turn of pace. The headlights are stunning in design. The interior is opulent in luxury and refinement.
Dislikes: The pedals are a little off-set. The push button ignition is oddly placed. The price of admission isn’t cheap and it’s not as rewarding to drive as the Volvo V90 CC.
Our pick: Stick with the mid-range or the entry-level engine. It does the job well and isn’t overly priced like the top of the range diesel engine we had as a rental, plus let’s face it not everyone will use it to drive off-road anyway.
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