2017 AUDI A4 : ADVANCING THE ARGUMENT FOR MORE WAGONS

It’s a good time to be a wagon fan. The long-rooftop body style is amidst a startling resurgence, and regardless of the possibility that a few cars need to pick up a couple creeps of wheel hole to speak to Americans’ unquenchable hybrid craving, our wagon decisions are really great nowadays. Case in point, simply take a gander at the 2017 Audi A4 Allroad.

In spite of the fact that it’s not exactly as sexy as the A4 Avant that Europeans get, the Allroad is still a great looking vehicle. The lifted suspension doesn’t offer a similar ground leeway as a conventional SUV or hybrid, however the front end still effortlessly clears stopping squares and different deterrents regular in the urban wilderness. The wide-mouthed grille with vertical braces wasn’t in a flash appealing to me, however the look develops on you. The same goes for the plastic bumper watches, which are for the most part for show however don’t hinder the wagon’s lines too seriously.

Like all A4 Allroad models, our analyzer came outfitted with a 2.0-liter turbocharged I-4 mated to a seven-speed double grip programmed transmission and Quattro all-wheel-drive framework. That engine is for all intents and purposes indistinguishable to the one in the A4, making the same 252 hp and 272 lb-ft of torque. That measure of force still feels satisfactory in the heavier Allroad, which weighs about 150 pounds more than an all-wheel-drive A4 vehicle. Regardless of the additional weight, it’s almost as brisk; it takes 5.7 seconds to hit 60 mph and 14.3 seconds to finish the quarter mile. (Both outcomes are 0.3 second slower than an A4 Prestige.) The Allroad is significantly snappier than the likewise hybrid ized however more established Volvo V60 Cross Country T5 AWD, which did 0–60 in 6.8 seconds and ran the quarter mile in 15.2 seconds.

From in the driver’s seat, the Allroad feels energetic and has great shut down low to pass. The new seven-speed double grasp transmission capitalizes on the turbo-four’s powerband, slamming out smooth, quick moves and keeping the engine in its sweet spot. Getting the bounce on the auto in the path alongside you is simple, on account of the Quattro all-wheel-drive framework and low-end torque, which crests somewhere around 1,600 and 4,500 rpm.

Despite its raised suspension, the Allroad still handles well. Body development is controlled when alternating, and the car feels moderately unbiased without the understeering attributes of more seasoned front-drive-based Audis. The Allroad finished our figure-eight test in 26.8 seconds at a normal of 0.67 g. Inquisitively, that pretty much matches the execution of our long haul 2013 Allroad notwithstanding the new model making more power and getting the new Quattro Ultra AWD framework. Still, that is snappier than the 27.1-second aftereffect of the 2015 Volvo V60 Cross Country T5 AWD. It’s even up there with our long haul 2014 BMW 328d xDrive wagon (26.7 seconds at 0.65 g), which had a lower ride tallness yet made less power from its turbodiesel I-4 motor.

Audi’s speed-delicate electromechanical power directing is one of the better frameworks I’ve inspected. It’s light however open in Normal mode. Changing to Dynamic mode takes care of the directing, which gives the wheel a characteristic feeling weight to it. You likewise get enhanced throttle reaction and higher move focuses, alongside a stiffer ride from the versatile dampers. There’s nothing crossoverlike about the Allroad when driving in this mode. At the point when the asphalt closes, however, changing to Offroad mode will make the suspension more consistent.

Be that as it may, whether you’re on-or rough terrain, the A4 Allroad’s lodge is the place to be. The cockpit acquires its extravagant feel and moderate great looks from the A4, and it highlights the same unsupported screen and long vent-overwhelming dash. I like how the traveler side dash has a wide false vent, which associates the useful HVAC vents in a constant string from the gage group to the traveler entryway, however I wouldn’t have any desire to clean it following quite a while of collecting dust. Our car, being a Prestige demonstrate, accompanied Audi’s virtual cockpit screen, and the determination is sufficiently high that you overlook there are no physical dials until the screen reconfigures to advantageously indicate subtle elements of your course or show some other piece of data. The shading head-up show is likewise clear and puts helpful information focuses all the more straightforwardly in your viewable pathway.

The MMI infotainment framework accompanies Apple CarPlay and Android car, and the cell phone reconciliation plans work similarly and additionally in different cars. In any case, seeing the application symbols that are unmistakably intended to be pushed to get to makes me wish for a touchscreen rather than the touchpad dial interface, which generally functions admirably. I additionally wish automakers would bring back physical radio controls; on most cars, capacities for changing stations or looking over presets are generally covered up in the infotainment framework’s menus, just like the case in the Audi. Talking about catches, the cupholders are put straightforwardly underneath the inside stack, which sticks out over the support. Bigger beverages will scarcely fit in these cupholders, yet when they do, you’ll unavoidably hit the catches above when attempting to expel your drink. Avoid the Big Gulp, however, and you’ll be fine.

Ergonomics for whatever is left of the auto are great. Rearward sitting arrangement travelers have a lot of legroom and headroom. The 40/20/40 split collapsing back seats run down effortlessly with one hand, growing the load range to 58.5 cubic feet. The power liftgate is quick, and when it opens, the freight hider lifts up and off the beaten path.

As tested , our A4 Allroad Prestige rang up at $55,575. That is a sizeable lump of progress, however the Allroad appears like a ton of car for the cash. Similarly as it generally has, the wagon body style offers the driving qualities of an auto however with an additional aiding of utility. The Allroad repackages that logic for American tastes, however that wagon DNA is still in place. To the wagon perfectionists pining for the A4 Avant, here’s your next best thing. To the eventual hybrid customers a little while ago finding the delights the wagon offers, welcome to the resistance.

2017 Audi A4 Allroad Quattro (Prestige)