2005 Audi allroad quattro test drive

A magnificent road car, whether or not there's a road

The Audi allroad quattro (no caps) is the quintessential sporty wagon. Capable both of commandeering the passing lane on an autobahn and chasing down a BMW X-5 in an unplowed farmer’s field, this is a very competent automobile with buckets of presence. It's luxurious too, with wonderful ergonomics. And it's exceptionally fun to drive with the growly 2.7L biturbo and smooth 6-speed stick combo. Likely the last year for this model (sob!). MSRP (base): $40,900; Warranty: 4 years/50,000 miles.

First Glance

The allroad’s dated lower body cladding has been eliminated for 2005. And not a moment too soon, I say. It lent earlier models a distinctly steroidal look. That cladding was the only thing not to like about this muscular yet luxo bruiser--except perhaps its lousy urban fuel economy. Nevertheless, the allroad has never really had the impact in the marketplace it deserved. This was not so much the fault of the car itself but rather the fault of Audi’s marketing and engineering departments’ not getting together early enough in the car’s development. Because it’s based on the last generation A6 and is identical to the A6 wagon in many respects, potential buyers always had difficulty justifying the allroad’s not-inconsiderable added upfront cost. But it has many performance and structural features not found on the plainer-looking A6, including air suspension which allows road clearance to be increased up to 60mm (3 inches). Having driven both cars, I have always thought the allroad worth the extra money. The allroad is a luxury automobile that can be driven in unprecedented comfort and safety at astonishingly high speeds over truly dreadful road and non-road surfaces.

In the Driver's Seat

With 250 hp and 258 pound-feet of torque @ 1850 rpm, the sophisticated 2.7 twin-turbo V6 provides V8-like performance. Incidentally, a non-turbo 4.2L V-8 is optional. Both Tiptronic automatic and a 6-speed manual are available. The biturbo set-up (two turbos in tandem) on the 2.7 ensures turbo lag is imperceptible. Step on the gas pedal in any gear (and at almost any engine speed) and you get virtually instantaneous action. Response is quite remarkable when you consider there are only 2.7 liters propelling this nearly two-ton (1795 kg) automobile. Audi claims a 0-60mph time of about six seconds. I have no trouble accepting that figure. Although I found its city fuel economy had not improved, the twin- turbo 2.7 (derived from the venerable 2.8L that powered the A6 for the first few years of its life) produced acceptable mileage on the open road. Front seats are fully power-adjustable, and all seats are covered in durable yet luxuriously soft leather. The rear seats are limo-like and a genuine pleasure to use. They’re set high enough off the floor that an average adult can see over the front headrests to get almost as good a view as the driver gets. The large rear doors with their square-shaped cutout allow easy entry and exit.

On the Road

In the interests of good old journalistic integrity (and, I admit it, plain old automotive hedonism) I gave the allroad a real workout. In the middle of winter, my wife, dog and I drove from Vancouver to Edmonton and back, a total of almost 800 miles (1300km). The trip involved crossing two mountain ranges. Outbound we drove the fabled Yellowhead Trail, which was clear of snow (and traffic) and I was able to wind the allroad up to 100 mph (160 km/h) at times. On the return journey we encountered normal wintertime mountain weather and found ourselves on hardpack snow and ice much of the time. The falling snow through which we drove at higher elevations turned to rain at the lower elevations. The allroad behaved flawlessly under all conditions and inspired tremendous confidence, even bravado, in this driver. The fact that I was able to drive it at higher-than-normal speeds for three and four hour stretches without stopping and still climb out of the driver’s seat without help speaks volumes about the wonderful seats. My spouse, seldom reticent when it comes to the seats and ambiance in my test cars, sat virtually uncomplaining listening to Christmas CDs on the allroad’s fabulous Bose stereo.

Journey’s End

The allroad has never been the big seller Audi had hoped for. Apparently consumers in America (a critical market) were never able to discern whether it was supposed to be an SUV or a wagon. If the allroad seemed overpriced when it first appeared, it doesn’t today. The direct competition seems to be creeping up on it pricewise. A well-equipped 2005 allroad (like my tester) with a 2.7T and 6-speed manual lists at just a couple grand over its (albeit loaded) chief rival, the Volvo XC70. Even my friend Lydia who lives in snowy, blowy Edmonton, Canada (and who bought her 2003 XC70 on my recommendation) was wowed by my 2005 allroad. For presence, competence and sheer driving pleasure this one offers exceptional bang for the buck. I for one will truly miss it. But there’s good news: It seems the allroad, a favorite of this reviewer since it was first introduced, might not go the way of the dodo after 2005 as widely predicted. Although this is as yet by no means a slam dunk, it could be that the allroad’s place might be assumed by a completely new allroad based on the latest A6 platform and powered by Audi’s stunning 4.0L V8 turbodiesel. A concept allroad (dubbed Q7) was introduced at the 2005 Detroit Auto Show. Cross your fingers!