Audi A4 allroad quattro 3.0 TDI quattro S tronic 5dr Car Review - March 2012

REVIEW
List Price: £38,145
Tax Band: G
Insurance Group: 33
MPG: 45.6
CO2: 161
0-62 Mph: 6.2 secs
BHP: 242 BHP
Range: 612 miles
CarSite Verdict:  4/5
The 3.0 litre A4 Allroad is a very powerful, strong car with great handling thanks to the four-wheel-drive. However, the engine is too much for a regular estate car and the running costs, even with the efficient diesel engine, will be huge. The price is high for a car which does not improve vastly on the cheaper 2.0 litre Allroad or the A4 Avant.

There is also not as much kit as you might expect for this price, although the estate is a spacious car with plenty of room for passengers and luggage.

PROS:  A powerful V6 engine with four-wheel-drive in the practical estate body of the A4 Allroad. The drive is smooth and powerful.

CONS:  There is a big price jump between the A4 Allroad and the A4 Avant and although the diesel engine is highly efficient, with an engine this size it will not make much difference to the high running costs.

Behind the Wheel

The petrol engine does not suit the A4 as well as this diesel, as it needs far more revs to get going. The car is not a particularly sporty one, but has good grip and handling, with the four-wheel-drive offering loads of stability. The suspension however, can be a little uncomfortable.

The engine is 2967cc and uses diesel with a fuel tank capacity of 61 litres. There is a seven-speed S Tronic automatic gearbox, which provides smooth acceleration.

Although the cabin is quiet with little road and suspension noise, there is still quite a bit of wind noise around the wing mirrors.

The 2.0 TFSI Quattro has a 242bhp engine delivering 368lb-ft of torque at 1400-3250rpm and reaches 0-62mph in 6.2 seconds with a top speed of 149mph.

Looks & Equipment

The interior of the A4 is a little bit of a disappointment, as it feels a little cheaper than an Audi normally does.

The seat and steering wheel adjust comfortably, although the pedals are set off to the right, which can be a bit uncomfortable over long distances. The controls are straightforward and without too much complication, but the dash is a bit cluttered. Rear view visibility is good thanks to a large back window.

The 2.0 TFSI Quattro comes with power steering, climate control, stability control, alloy wheels, cruise control, rear parking sensors, MP3 connectivity, Bluetooth and stereo as standard, with optional extras including leather seats for £1315, satellite navigation for £1620 and metallic paint for £615.

For fuel economy, the A4 has a start/stop system and electromechanical power steering as standard, which allows for great efficiency and low CO2 emissions.

Practicality, Safety & Reliability

The A4 comes with stability control, electronic brake force distribution, with twin front and side airbags as standard, although without the hatchback’s full-length curtain airbag. The immobiliser and alarm add to security.

The boot is sizeable offering 490 litres with the rear seats up and 1430 litres with the seats folded down (although they don’t fold down completely). The A4 Allroad sits four adults comfortably and is definitely one of the best for space in its class. The leg and head room in the back is very generous.

Value for Money

The running costs are good with the A4 and CO2 emissions are fairly low. The 2.0 TFSI Quattro model costs £36,840 and has a combined economy of 45.6mpg and CO2 emission rate of 161g/km.

The diesel engine is much more efficient than the petrol version, but is worth the extra cost only if you make up enough miles to justify the price and the rising diesel prices. It will also save for company car drivers on tax due to the low CO2 emissions, but on an engine this size, it won’t make that much difference.

The A4 Allroad is priced higher than the A4 Avant and there is not that much between them in terms of performance. Other models in the range offer superior fuel efficiency and lower running costs.

The Audi A4 is much cheaper than its rivals, such as BMW and Mercedes and the resale value on the A4 Allroad is great so it is a worthwhile investment. Audi promise good service and reliability as well.

Audi A4 allroad quattro 3.0 TDI quattro S tronic 5dr Car Review - by 
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Large Family Alternatives

You might want to read reviews for other Large Family cars that you can then compare to the Audi A4. Here are some popular Audi A4 alternatives:

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