SUVs might rule the school run, but what if you want the practicality of a wagon, the comfort of a luxury limousine, and the ability to venture beyond the smooth stuff without looking like you’re about to lead an expedition across the Sahara? How about the all-new Audi A6 allroad.
Now in its fifth generation, Audi’s rugged luxury wagon has undergone a substantial makeover, gaining a wider stance, more technology, and an enhanced chassis. Combining the elegance of an executive estate with the added capability of quattro all-wheel drive, the latest A6 allroad is designed to do considerably more than ferry you between the office, the airport, and the occasional gravel driveway.
A Wider Stance and a More Purposeful Attitude
Audi hasn’t exactly been shy with the redesign. The new A6 allroad features a more muscular exterior, with pronounced wheel arches, broader proportions, and a stance that looks ready to tackle more than a particularly enthusiastic speed bump.
In fact, the body is now 84mm wider than its predecessor, marking the first significant increase in width in the model’s 27-year history. Combined with a wider track, the changes give the wagon a more planted appearance and are intended to improve its road-going composure.
A black exterior styling package comes standard, incorporating black roof rails and contrasting exterior details, while 20-inch Audi Sport alloy wheels in a black metallic finish complete the look.
Lighting also receives an upgrade, with Matrix LED headlights and LED rear lights featuring a full-width light strip fitted as standard. Those wanting something a little more technologically theatrical can opt for the Premium package, which adds digital Matrix LED headlights with micro-LED technology and digital OLED rear lights. These offer advanced lighting functions and additional personalisation.
In other words, the new allroad looks more purposeful without abandoning the understated sophistication that has always been part of its appeal.
Audi A6 allroad TDI quattro 220kW
Price: From $174,990
The A6 allroad TDI quattro uses a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 diesel producing 220kW and 580Nm. It also benefits from Audi’s latest mild hybrid plus technology, which incorporates a belt alternator starter, a powertrain generator, and an electrically powered compressor. The latter is particularly interesting, helping build boost pressure more quickly and improving engine response, especially at lower engine speeds.
The result should be more immediate acceleration when pulling away, overtaking, or getting up to speed with a full load of passengers and luggage. Energy recuperation and electric assistance also contribute to efficiency and refinement.
Power is delivered through a seven-speed S tronic transmission and quattro all-wheel drive, making the diesel a compelling proposition for drivers who regularly cover serious distances. While the e-hybrid offers the ability to complete shorter trips on electric power alone, the V6 TDI takes a different approach, prioritising torque, touring ability, and the familiar convenience of diesel refuelling.
Air Suspension That Knows When to Rise to the Occasion
A rugged-looking wagon is all well and good, but the allroad needs more than black trim and chunky wheel arches to justify its name.
Thankfully, Audi has equipped both variants with adaptive air suspension and all-wheel steering as standard.
The suspension has been specifically tuned for the A6 allroad and offers a total adjustment range of 55mm, allowing the vehicle’s ride height and suspension characteristics to adapt to different driving conditions through Audi drive select.
In Dynamic mode, the body drops by 20mm to help improve stability and handling.
Switch to Offroad or Offroad+ and the suspension rises by 15mm, with revised damping and traction-control settings designed to improve performance on uneven or low-grip surfaces.
Need a little more clearance? Lift mode raises the vehicle by 35mm at speeds of up to 35km/h.
Naturally, this doesn’t turn the A6 allroad into a rock-crawling specialist. However, it should provide useful additional clearance when navigating rough access roads, uneven approaches, or the sort of gravel tracks that can make a conventional luxury wagon think twice.
Quattro all-wheel drive adds another layer of confidence, while specially tuned progressive steering helps deliver the sort of precision expected from a premium passenger car.
Then there’s the standard all-wheel steering. At lower speeds, the rear wheels can turn by up to five degrees in the opposite direction to the front wheels, reducing the turning circle to just 11.4 metres — almost a metre tighter than it would otherwise be.
At higher speeds, the rear wheels can turn by up to two degrees in the same direction as the front wheels, helping improve stability. It’s a clever combination of technologies that should make the A6 allroad feel more manoeuvrable around town while remaining composed on the open road.
Luxury Inside, With Technology to Match
Step inside and the new A6 allroad takes another significant leap forward. Both variants receive an S line interior as standard, featuring sport front seats upholstered in perforated Nappa leather with diamond stitching.
There’s also a three-spoke leather sport steering wheel with shift paddles, matt brushed aluminium inlays, stainless steel pedals, and a black headlining.
The front seats are electrically adjustable and include pneumatic lumbar support and massage functionality. Heating and ventilation are standard, too, while four-zone climate control and dynamic ambient lighting help create a more premium environment for everyone aboard.
One particularly neat feature is the panoramic glass roof with switchable transparency. Rather than relying on a conventional sunblind, occupants can adjust the amount of light entering the cabin. It’s a welcome addition for anyone who enjoys a bright, airy interior but doesn’t necessarily want the sun turning the cabin into a greenhouse.
Those wanting to personalise things further can select the optional Customised contour seats package, which introduces a choice of black or Nutmeg brown Nappa leather, contrasting stitching, adjustable seat and backrest bolsters, electrically adjustable thigh support, and additional interior trim treatments.
In short, this isn’t a rugged wagon that asks you to compromise on comfort. It’s designed to deliver the luxury experience first, with additional versatility built around it.
Screens, Sound, and Smarter Driving
Audi has also given the A6 allroad its latest digital interior architecture, centred around a curved OLED digital stage. The driver gets an 11.9-inch Audi virtual cockpit plus display, positioned alongside a 14.5-inch OLED MMI touchscreen.
Passengers aren’t forgotten, either. A 10.9-inch front passenger display comes standard, allowing the person in the other seat to access selected entertainment and vehicle functions independently.A next-generation head-up display projects configurable driving information into the driver’s field of vision.
Connectivity includes Audi connect plus, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, digital radio, and a cooled inductive smartphone charging system. For those who take their music seriously, Audi has included a Bang & Olufsen 3D Premium Sound System with 16 speakers, including a subwoofer, and a total output of 685 watts. That’s enough audio hardware to make even a mundane commute feel a little more like a private concert.
Safety and Driver Assistance
The new A6 allroad also arrives with an extensive suite of driver assistance and safety technologies. Standard equipment includes adaptive cruise assist and active lane assist, both designed to support the driver during longer journeys.
Active front assist incorporates autonomous emergency braking, front cross-traffic assist, and front and rear turn assist. Audi side assist adds blind-spot awareness, exit warning, and rear cross-traffic assist, while lane departure warning, emergency assist, and proactive occupant protection provide additional layers of assistance.
Parking should be less of a chore thanks to the standard 360-degree camera system and park assist plus. Speed sign recognition and a front dash camera are also included. Occupant protection features nine airbags, including a front centre airbag, alongside tyre pressure monitoring.
For those wanting more, the optional Premium package adds digital Matrix LED headlights, digital OLED rear lights, power-latching doors, a heated steering wheel, heated rear outer seats, an electrically adjustable steering column, advanced parking functionality, and manual rear-door sunblinds.
More Equipment, More Capability, More Allroad
Audi says the new A6 allroad includes more than $10,000 in additional standard equipment compared with its predecessor. That equipment includes the adaptive air suspension, all-wheel steering, panoramic glass roof with switchable transparency, extensive digital displays, premium audio, and a comprehensive driver assistance package.
The Australian models also come with a five-year vehicle warranty and a 12-year manufacturer’s warranty against corrosion perforation of the bodywork.
Owners receive complimentary membership of Audi Experience during their warranty period, providing access to exclusive Australian events, Audi ambassador experiences, and selected premium partner offers.
The Verdict? A Luxury Wagon That Refuses to Be Pigeonholed
The new Audi A6 allroad continues to occupy an interesting position in the automotive world. It’s not quite an SUV, although it borrows some of that segment’s capability. Nor is it simply a luxury wagon with a few cosmetic flourishes.
Instead, it aims to combine executive-car comfort, long-distance touring ability, quattro traction, and enough additional ground clearance to make less-than-perfect roads considerably less intimidating. With its wider body, adaptive air suspension, all-wheel steering, more generous standard equipment, and a thoroughly modern cabin, the fifth-generation A6 allroad looks set to carry its distinctly Audi interpretation of versatility into a new era.
