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Driving around as I do in the snowy Northeast I see all kinds of bad winter driving and
it’s mostly from people in 4-wheel drive vehicles who don’t understand the benefits
and limitations of the system they’ve paid for. But this is how to make it work; pair
tenacious quattro grip and real winter tires to create a snow and ice eating machine known
as the Audi allroad.2015 Audi allroadPrior to the allroad’s debut in the 2013 model
year, Audi’s previous off-road wagon, also called the allroad (lower case ‘a’, please)
was a variant of the A6 sold here from 2000 to 2005. This time around, we get a smaller
A4 derivative, ostensibly having replaced the A4 Avant in the U.S. This beefed up wagon
with its matte finished bumpers and wheel arches and stainless steel skid plates also
gets more room between its belly and the ground – 7.1” to be exact which is more than
a Honda CR-V’s but far less than a Subaru XV Crosstrek’s. It displays a rugged elegance
that appropriately integrates into a variety of environments, congruous in either the city
or tramping down the snowy trail. Its purpose is to lend a little SUV swagger to this small
station wagon and indeed Audi has succeeded.quattro comes standard, biased 20% more to the rear
wheels in normal operation for sportier on-road handling. With the longitudinally placed 2.0-liter
turbo geared by an 8-speed auto, it’s a balanced all-wheel drive system and one of
4 quattro variants engineered by Audi. It’s rare, but my testers occasionally arrive with
true winter tires and in this case, the allroad is running on Pirelli Sottozero performance
snows; a wonderful but pricey option that provides the proper footwear quattro needs
to perform its best. In conditions like this, the $225 you’ll spend on each one is definitively
worth it. With solid ice below this 3 day old snow, the allroad cannot be deterred,
feeling more confident on these slippery surfaces than in many SUVs I’ve driven wearing regular
all-seasons. And it’s not just about the incredible traction advantage of a legit snow
tire, but in sub-freezing temps these Pirellis help you stop shorter, too. Back on the tarmac,
the optional Sport interior package on this mid-trim allroad Premium Plus model provides
the awesome Audi drive select feature, electronically manipulating steering, transmission and engine
response to your desire. The 258 pound-feet of torque from the punchy turbo requires a
light right foot to modulate, but it’s packed with lots of get up and go with a 6.4-second
0-to-60mph time. Its 3,900 pounds is kept in check by the feel good chassis and low
center of gravity delivering driver playtime that would make an SUV jealous. Sport front
seats are as supple as the suspension tuning.Because the car from which this is based, the A4,
is due for a redesign this year, the allroad suffers from some staleness inside where it’s
a bit too tight on passenger room and looking like it’s passed its sell by date. But the
exterior styling is still remarkably fresh and its drive has held up exceptionally well
with a beautiful blend of comfort and sportiness you can thoroughly enjoy every day. The allroad’s
fun to drive nature stands out while at the same time completely nurturing its occupants.The
standard roof rack and low height make for friendly roof loading. Ditto for the low liftover
into the back, where the allroad allows you to stuff in more of your gear than you’d
ever guess. Seats fold easily and a retractable net and cargo cover help to securely stow
the goods. Though some occupants complained of uncomfortable rear seats, they do provide
excellent leg and headroom – it’s up front where dimensions feel narrow and a bit tight.
Base price of the Premium Plus model is $45,425 and this one tacks on the Technology package
including a somewhat dated yet commendable version of Audi’s MMI system with navigation,
including cool features like Google mapping and a 3G though not 4G Wi-Fi hotspot. A rearview
camera and side assist are also included, for an as tested price of $49,625. Gas mileage
is rated at 21mpg city/28mpg highway on premium. $50 grand feels like a lot to spend on a small
wagon even with all of its positive attributes and the allroad’s future is uncertain as
Audi decides whether to keep it here or simply return to the A4 Avant.