2024 Audi A4 allroad

We like a non-conformist car. This A4 allroad is a prime example. Behind the SUV attitude — with the raised ride height, all-wheel drive and side cladding — is a fine car based on the A4 compact luxury sedan. Except this is a wagon, giving it some SUV-like practicality. Sit in the driver’s seat, though, and it feels like a car to drive — more precise and responsive than a typical SUV.

The foundation is solid. After all, the Audi A4 is an excellent machine in its own right. It’s just that the A4 allroad has been around since the 2017 model year, the same as the sedan. They’re standing the test of time exceptionally well, but there could be a shakeup in the cards before long. Our advice to anyone thinking of buying a new A4 allroad would be to do it now.

The regular Audi A4 sedan is reviewed separately.

The 2024 A4 allroad gains adaptive cruise control, active lane-keeping assistance, front/rear parking sensors, remote start, and a heated steering wheel as standard equipment. The Navigation package (optional in Premium Plus trims, standard in the Prestige) gains road sign recognition and predictive adaptive cruise control. And Arkona White replaces Ibis White.

The Volvo V60 Cross Country is the most direct rival, from around $50K. If a sloping hatchback has the right amount of practicality and style, the Audi A5 Sportback starts at $45.5K. The A6 allroad is the same idea as its compact counterpart, but larger and more powerful, and starting at $68.5K.

Before buying a new A4 allroad luxury car, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying. In terms of resale values, the A4 allroad’s are above average, better than the regular A4 sedan. Recouping more money when you trade or sell a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on your next vehicle.

Most of the time, the turbocharged engine’s meaty 261 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque is just right for a compact luxury car with a greater hauling capability than normal. We’ve caught a fleeting glimpse of turbo lag happening occasionally, but we don’t think it’s a deal-breaker.

With maximum thrust coming in at just 1,600 rpm, there’s enough punch to get things moving. The A4 allroad can sprint from a standstill to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds and accelerate up to freeway speeds easily. The Volvo V60 Cross Country has 247 horsepower and is almost a second behind in the sprint to 60 mph.

A sophisticated ride quality in the A4 allroad straddles the line between comfort and control masterfully, complemented by supportive seats. If we had to make a cross-country trip in winter, we’d be happy with a 2024 A4 allroad, reassured by Audi’s quattro all-wheel-drive system.

Gaining extra practicality in this kind of body while losing a few degrees of sedan precision is a bargain many drivers might be prepared to strike. However, we still reckon the A4 allroad is far more poised and enjoyable than, say, a Lexus RX.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of compact luxury cars, including the A4 allroad.

Fuel Economy

The A4 allroad achieves 26 combined mpg (23 city, 30 highway). Premium gasoline is recommended. That’s exactly the same as the Volvo V60 Cross Country.

Extending Audi’s usual Gorgeous-Cabins-‘R’-Us approach to high-riding wagons, the 2024 A4 allroad furnishes a well-designed, well-assembled interior with leather seating surfaces, wood trim, and quality plastics.

Technology also makes a strong showing with a generously sized 10.1-inch infotainment screen and, in the top two trims, a digital driver information display that can show sharp navigation images from Google Maps as well as the usual speed and rpm stuff.

With legroom of 35.7 inches, the rear seats aren’t where tall adults will want to hang out for too long. Shorter friends and family members will be fine, though.

Behind those 40/20/40-split folding rear seats is a luggage area of 24.2 cubic feet. With the seats folded down (they don’t go completely flat), a maximum cargo space of 58.4 cubic feet is possible. The V60 Cross Country expands to 60.5 cubic feet.

Accepted wisdom states that Americans don’t like wagons. But show an American a wagon with some SUV-style plastic cladding down the sides (in grey or specific body colors), a raised ride height, and all-wheel drive, and it’s a slightly different story. The great thing about the A4 allroad is that it’s in a pretty exclusive class and sleeker than a typical SUV.

Ground clearance is 6.5 inches. That’s a happy medium between a regular sedan (the A4 sedan has 5.2 inches) and something like an Audi Q5 with about 7.9 inches. So those who like a slightly elevated driving position could find an A4 allroad ideal, especially if the hardiest terrain they need to tackle is a dirt road or snow.

Adaptive suspension
Part of the A4 allroad magic is a standard adaptive suspension that adjusts its responses within milliseconds to suit the conditions of the moment. There are also driving modes ranging from Comfort to Sport, including an Off-Road setting.

Standard all-wheel drive
Having already established that the A4 allroad is not going into the wild as far as a Jeep Wrangler, all-wheel drive is still a great asset on slippery roads and on that dirt trail leading to the lakeside cabin.

Powered tailgate
We just really like the convenience of having a powered tailgate, mostly because we have our hands full when we’re about to load something in. This is standard across the lineup.

Aluminum roof rails
Another standard feature. They’re handy for bikes, luggage, surfboards, canoes, etc. And they look good.

Bang & Olufsen audio
Bang & Olufsen is a top audiophile brand for a good reason, and a decent sound system is the gift that keeps on giving, especially in a plush family car that’s perfect for road trips. It’s standard in Premium Plus trim.

Virtual Cockpit
Audi was among the first to offer this kind of digital driver information display. It looks great, is easy to use, and saves looking over to the center console for navigation information. Standard from the Premium Plus level.

For reasons best known to Audi, the company calls this drivetrain the 45 TSFI. It’s one of two choices in the A4 sedan range (not counting the S4’s V6), but this is the sole setup for the A4 allroad, which is great. It develops 261 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, going to all four wheels through a 7-speed automatic transmission.

4-Year/50,000-Mile Warranty

Audi’s new-vehicle and powertrain warranties last four years or 50,000 miles, whichever happens first. Roadside assistance is included. This is typical among European luxury car manufacturers.

Safety Ratings

The A4 allroad has been named a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has not crash-tested the A4 allroad specifically, but it did give the extremely similar A4 sedan a maximum overall score of five stars.