Used 2022 Audi A6 allroad

The 2022 Audi A6 Allroad is a luxury midsize car that can go in several directions at once. It can be a paragon of Audi plushness and a temple of tech, lugging lots of luggage while dashing down a dirt road.

For those well-off families who divide their time between the townhouse and the cabin, the mansion or the mountains, the A6 Allroad makes an intriguingly nimble alternative to a lumbering luxury SUV.

The big thing about the A6 Allroad is that it’s essentially a wagon, based on the superb A6 sedan. But it’s styled to look like an SUV/crossover, has a raised ride height, and comes with all-wheel drive as standard. It’s practical and versatile, yet offers the kind of driving pleasures that big SUVs can’t.

One extra plus point. It’s not a fully fledged SUV/crossover, but a more imaginative choice.

A subdued thrum is the only audible indication that this refined turbocharged V6 is doing any work. It powers the A6 Allroad with authority and alacrity — gentle in town or on a dirt trail, forceful on the freeways.

Maximum thrust is achieved at just 1,350 rpm, barely above tick-over, and doesn’t start to tail off until 4,500 rpm. So there always seems to be more muscle when it’s needed.

The ride quality is suitably sophisticated for one of the finest midsize luxury cars that’s ever been created. The all-wheel-drive system provides reassurance in tricky conditions. The virtue of having a lower center of gravity means handling talents with greater stability than an SUV. Yet the A6 Allroad still has a somewhat raised driving position, while getting in and out can be handled with dignity.

If there’s an Audi cabin that isn’t impressive, full of smart design, quality materials and great technology, please write to us on a postcard. We’re willing to bet that no one is going to mention the 2022 A6 Allroad.

In true uncluttered Audi form, the dashboard is sparing with buttons but generous with tech. There are three screens. One is the Virtual Cockpit, then the infotainment system has a 10.1-inch screen, plus an 8.6-inch lower display.

Smartphone integration includes wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto. Audi also installs wireless charging and a phone signal booster.

Front occupants sit in comfortable, heated, 8-way power-adjustable seats, and everyone gets to enjoy leather seating surfaces. The dual-pane sunroof, meanwhile, makes this spacious interior feel even airier.

Neither the Volvo V90 Cross Country nor the Mercedes-Benz E 450 4Matic All-Terrain are considered cramped in their rear quarters, but the A6 Allroad’s 37.4 inches of rear legroom beats them both.

Behind the rear seats (that split and fold in 40/20/40 fashion) is a massive 30 cubic feet of luggage space. Audi doesn’t quote a figure with those seats folded down.

Sitting 1.3 inches higher than the regular A6 sedan (whose ground clearance is 4.2 inches), the 2022 A6 Allroad also differs from its trunked stablemate with a wagon body style. But a wagon with a twist.

Extra plastic cladding around the wheel arches adds an SUV flavor, enhanced by a rear skid plate. The A6 Allroad has 20-inch alloy wheels as standard. They can have a dark silver finish if the Black Optic package is chosen. This also brings roof rails, grille, window surrounds and bumper inserts all finished in the color of a vampire’s cape.

Full body paint is another option, replacing the gray cladding with the same hue as the rest of the car. This is only available with some colors, however.

ADAPTIVE AIR SUSPENSION
This standard feature is the secret behind the 2022 A6 Allroad’s versatility. It can keep relatively low on the freeways, while its Off-Road mode lifts the car by another 1.2 inches for maximum ground clearance over rougher surfaces. It also provides a luxurious cushioned-yet-controlled ride.

VIRTUAL COCKPIT
Another standard item in every new A6 Allroad, this configurable digital driver information display takes the place of a traditional instrument cluster. As well as the usual information like road speed and revs, the Virtual Cockpit can also show directions and Google Maps images from the standard navigation system.

Almost every great feature Audi offers is standard in the Premium Plus version of the 2022 A6 Allroad. Things like an adaptive air suspension, dual-pane panoramic sunroof, matrix-design LED headlights, Virtual Cockpit driver information display, power-adjustable steering column, hands-free tailgate operation, and a Bang & Olufsen audio system.

One aspect we’re less impressed by is Audi’s approach to driver assistance features. There’s a forward-collision mitigation/automatic emergency braking setup, along with lane-departure warning and parking sensors at both ends. But blind-spot monitoring is optional in this version.

Among the extras for the 2022 A6 Allroad Premium Plus is an Executive package with adaptive cruise control, quad-zone automatic climate control, heated/ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and shades for the rear side windows. And, as mentioned, blind-spot monitoring as another option.

These items are standard in Prestige trim, along with soft-closing doors, automatic high beams, head-up display, intersection assistance, road sign recognition, and dual-pane acoustic glass.

Prestige trim is also eligible for higher-quality leather, upgraded front seats with massaging, memory settings for the front passenger seat, night vision (where images from an infrared camera are shown on the infotainment display), and a 23-speaker/1,920-watt Bang & Olufsen surround-sound system (at a mere $4,900).

Both trim levels of the 2022 A6 Allroad have the same drivetrain that employs a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 paired with a 48-volt mild hybrid system. This extra piece of equipment provides an exceptionally smooth engine stop/restart function.

Using premium gasoline, output is 355 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. This goes to an all-wheel-drive system (always referred to as quattro when on Planet Audi) through a 7-speed automated transmission.

3.0-liter turbocharged V6
335 horsepower @ 5,000-6,500 rpm
369 lb-ft of torque @ 1,370-4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/28 mpg