2012 AUDI A4 Allroad 2.0L TDI Quattro 7AT AWD (163 HP)

Vehicle Overview

In 2011, Audi introduced a facelift for the entire A4 range, which included improvements in more areas, not just outside.

A crossover built on the base of a station-wagon was not a new idea. Audi used it before on the A6 Allroad Quattro, and AMC did that in 1987 for the Eagle model. While some were nice additions on the market and were really useful if the owner had a lodge in the mountains, others were just sidewalk crawlers and mall-roaders. The A4 Allroad Quattro was too big to pass as a compact station wagon and too small to be useful in the mountains, but it was a good all-around vehicle.

With its higher ground clearance, the Allroad version tried to make a good impression on the Audi stand at the 2011 Frankfurt Motorshow. Its new headlights with the slim daytime running lights strips and the silver, single-frame grille at the front screamed for attention. The carmaker installed a new set of underbody protections, but since they were made out of plastic, those were there mostly for their look.

Inside, Audi offered a wide selection of steering wheels with chrome and high-gloss inlays. The MMI (multimedia interface) featured only four buttons instead of eight as before, and seven speakers for the standard version. Fortunately, the carmaker left the volume knob in place, still between the front seats.

The German carmaker improved the car on the technical side, with a new electromechanical power steering. For the V6 engined version, the A4 Allroad featured a sport rear differential on the options list.