THE INTELLIGENT SUV ALTERNATIVE (some text hidden) SECTIONED_mid_audia6allroad_2020

By Jonathan Crouch

Introductionword count: 121

It's hard to think of a better 'one car fits all' solution than Audi's A6 allroad quattro. It's presentable in any situation and as at home in the city as it is blasting across continents or slogging its way along dirt tracks. What's more, it'll do all this in any weather, in total comfort and with some style. This '4K'-series fourth generation version launched in 2019 though, improved the concept further, with sleeker style, extra space, high-tech cleverness and greater efficiency from a mighty range of six cylinder engines that featured the brand's mild hybrid technology. It was, in short, a smarter choice for those needing occasional off road traction and all-weather capability. Let's check it out as a used buy.

Modelsword count: 9

5dr Estate (3.0 TFSI petrol / 3.0 TDI diesel)

Historyword count: 294

Back in the year 2000, the original A6 allroad was introduced merely as a stop-gap until Audi could introduce its Q7 large SUV. Back then, that original A6 allroad was then - and subsequently always was - an Audi A6 Avant estate with clever air suspension for limited off road ability and a little more styling attitude. A simple enough idea you might think, except that at the time of this brilliantly executed model's launch, no one else had thought of it. Three further generations made the British market, the MK2 model of 2006, the MK3 model of 2012 and the MK4 design we look at here, introduced in 2019. By then, Audi had long since properly plugged the SUV-shaped gap in its line-up with its various Q-series crossover models. This A6 allroad though, was a more unique proposition, copied in concept at the time of its launch by other premium rivals (principally the Volvo V90 Cross Country and the Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain) but never bettered in execution. While other SUV-style all-wheel drive estates of the period - including Audi's own smaller A4 allroad - offered nothing more than plastic body cladding and a marginally higher ride height, this one did the job properly, with an air suspension system able to raise the car height enough to give it real off road ability. Such was always the A6 allroad's appeal, the car of choice for the clever few who realise they don't need a hulking great off roader for the style of sensible SUV-ness. And in fourth generation guise? Well, the recipe was further refined, with a more powerful range of more efficient 3.0-litre V6 engines and enough high technology to satisfy the most committed technophobe. The MK4 A6 allroad was sold until late-2021.

What You Getword count: 244

Audi tried to make the fourth generation version of this A6 allroad model look a little more striking. In profile, you notice the raised ride height - and the special body attachments that emphasise this rugged Avant model's extended capabilities. Aluminium-look underbody cladding provides additional protection, plus there are wheel arch trims finished in contrasting 'scandium grey' and allroad-specific roof rails to emphasise this car's leisure-orientated remit. Inside up front, the cabin is as well appointed as you'd expect from a range-topping A6 model, with leather-and-alcantara-combination upholstery and impeccable fit and finish, plus most original buyers specified Audi's Virtual Cockpit instrument binnacle digital display. Media features are taken care of by the usual black panel MMI twin-screen system on the centre stack, with a 10.1-inch screen for infotainment functions up top and a smaller 8.6-inch display (mainly for climate features) just below. Thanks to this car's long 2.93-metre wheelbase, the back seat offers reasonable space for three adults, but much more comfortable room for two and you get a fold down centre armrest with storage and cup holders. Out back in this estate model there's a 565-litre boot. The centre part of the 40:20:40-split rear bench can be retracted if you need to push longer items like skis into the passenger compartment without disturbing a couple of rear-seated folk. If you want to push the seat backs down completely, you do it by pulling on the cargo sidewall levers, which reveals a 1,680-litre space.

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