Used 2021 Audi A6 allroad

The 2021 Audi A6 Allroad is a ruggedized and slightly higher-riding wagon from the German luxury brand. And while just about every automaker is churning out SUVs as fast as they can, luxury wagons – especially off-road-capable ones like this – are a rarity. If you’re drawn to the A6 Allroad or its rival the Volvo V90 Cross Country, you are probably a person who appreciates both panache and going your own way.

Based on the esteemed A6 midsize sedan (reviewed separately), this all-new generation of the A6 Allroad was introduced just last year and boasts more space and gravitas than the A4 Allroad. With its standard turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 with mild-hybrid technology, it’s also more powerful.

Audis lay claim to some of the most drool-worthy interiors in terms of technology and design, and the A6 Allroad is no exception. This ruggedized yet elegant wagon is more versatile than the sedan on which it’s based, but with a starting price over $65,000, this premium practicality comes at a higher price.

With the turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine and the A6 Allroad’s standard quattro all-wheel drive (AWD), you can expect manners that are refined enough for quiet highway cruising and just taut enough to enjoy a quick fling on a back road.

Audi’s steering is precise and gives the kind of feedback you want from a midsize German luxury hauler, while its  7-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission (DCT) shifts exactly when you want it to.

The A6 Allroad’s standard air suspension provides both comfort and capability. When smooth paved roads turn to dirt or snow, you can raise the vehicle for extra ground clearance, while various drive modes further change the personality of this toughened executive wagon.

The interior of the 2021 Audi A6 Allroad creates a wood-trimmed environment around the driver complete with configurable ambient lighting and lots of contrast-stitched leather. Audi’s superb Multi-Media Interface (MMI) Touch Response system presents all primary controls through haptic-feedback, touch-sensing display screens. A 10.1-inch touchscreen sits at the top of the center stack. An 8.6-inch screen resides directly below it to operate the climate control.

Both screens work in much the same way as your smartphone. For example, if a driver uses the voice control to says she’s cold, the MMI will ask what temperature she’d like the cabin to be. Audi’s 12.3-inch digital cockpit gauge cluster remains one of our favorites in the industry. With its broad customizability, it can give the driver a highly personalized driving experience.

The A6 Allroad’s leather seats feel supportive and comfortable. Other luxury features include 4-zone climate control, a heated steering wheel, sophisticated walnut inlays, and ambient interior lighting.

Wagon enthusiasts often cite these vehicles’ inherent cargo capacity and flexibility. Even with the rear seats up, the A6 Allroad has 30 cubic feet of storage – over twice the capacity compared to the A6 sedan’s 13.7-cubic-foot trunk.

The 2021 A6 Allroad takes its design cues from its sibling, the A6 sedan. Styling feels classic and understated, true to Audi’s sophisticated aesthetic that we love.

For this wagon, the rugged off-road performance gets enhanced with exterior functionality. Body cladding covers the wheel arches and rocker panels for extra body protection. A wide, single-frame, Allroad-specific grille with chrome vertical slats and 20-inch wheels also differentiate the wagon from its sedan counterpart.

Standard roof rails and underbody protection are coated in an aluminum finish. The Allroad-specific diffuser finishes the rear. A dual-pane panoramic sunroof comes standard on both Premium Plus and Prestige trims.

ADAPTABLE AIR SUSPENSION
With six driving modes, the A6 Allroad proves adaptable to most driving scenarios. Comfort mode gives the Allroad 5.5-inches of ground clearance, but get into Offroad or Lift modes, and you’ll see a maximum 7.3-inches off the ground when traveling under 21.7 mph.

TURBOCHARGED 3.0-LITER V6 ENGINE
The base A6 Allroad comes equipped with Audi’s turbocharged 55 TFSI V6 engine that’s optional on the A6 sedan. Coupled with the 48-volt hybrid motor, they produce a collective 335 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. For a capable wagon, those are impressive power numbers. All that juicy torque becomes available at a scant 1,370 rpm, helping the Allroad maximize power even at the low end of the range.

Because the 2021 Audi A6 Allroad only comes in the Premium Plus and Prestige trims, a lot of features come standard.

Inside, larger infotainment screens are included, as is the upgraded Bang & Olufsen audio system. Keyless start, rain-sensing windshield wipers, a 360-degree camera, leather seats, and Audi’s safety front- and rear-Pre-Sense also make their way into the base model. Remember, though, Premium Plus normally counts as the second-highest trim in Audi products, so you’re already paying a premium.

For 2021, the Executive Package for Premium Plus models includes adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist, plus amenities like ventilated front seats and heated rear seats. Blind-spot monitoring, called Audi side assist, is also available and recommended. The Prestige model includes the Executive Package, plus upscale features like power-operated soft-close doors, head-up display, and dual-pane acoustic glass for an even quieter and better-insulated cabin. That model can be further upgraded with the Luxury package that adds 18-way adjustable and massaging front seats, Valcona leather upholstery, and leather-covered dashboard and console. Also available is Dynamic all-wheel steering to improve driving dynamics and maneuverability, a night-vision system, and a higher-end Bang & Olufsen audio system. For 2021, the aggressive-looking Black Optic aesthetic package becomes available for the A6 Allroad.

Power in the 2021 Audi A6 Allroad feels plentiful with the 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 under its hood. While the 4-cylinder base model engine for the A6 sedan doesn’t make the hair on our arms stand up, it more than adequately does the job. We’re pleased that the Allroad gets the beefier powerplant out of the gate. With the turbo V6 that’s standard in the A6 Allroad, its 0-60 mph time is clocked at a quick 5.1 seconds.

3.0-liter turbocharged V6
335 horsepower @ 5,000-6,400 rpm
369 lb-ft of torque @ 1,370-4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/26 mpg