2007 Audi allroad quattro Road Test
September 6, 2007 by Paul Maric
2007 Audi allroad quattro Road Test
CarAdvice rating: 
Recommended Retail Price: $106,000 – 6sp Auto only.
Options Fitted: Metallic Paint ($1,895); 18” Alloy Wheels ($2,900); Xenon Plus Adaptive Headlights ($2,450); Technik/Comfort Package ($9,000); Vavona Assum Grey ($900); Bose Speakers ($1,850).
- by Paul Maric
There was no mistaking the previous generation of Audi’s Allroad quattro. Beefed wheel arches and plastic attachments everywhere made the Allroad stand out from the pack. The all new Audi Allroad quattro fits the same bill. Although it’s slightly more discreet this time, dead set giveaways include LED clad rear lights, defined wheel arches and a unique grille.
After climbing into the cockpit and closing the door, the silence becomes almost deafening. You instantly know that all facets of this car have been meticulously perfected to impress driver and passenger alike. Things like the quality of the door trim, right through to the motion of the Audi control interface knob inspire confidence in the car’s quality and design.
Inside the cabin, driver and front passenger have commendable amounts of room, while rear passengers are also catered for. A long-distance drive with four adult passengers returned pleasing results for both comfort and quality. At highway speeds, the lack of interior noise was incredible. So much so that passengers started dozing off halfway through the journey – courtesy of the comfy pews and smooth-as-silk suspension.
So far so good. But what about the drive? Surely this oversized gas guzzling wagon would be terrible through corners and at the fuel bowser? Wrong on both counts. The drive-train is headed by one of the smoothest Diesel engines in the business – the Audi 3.0 TDI. The 3.0-litre, turbocharged V6 Diesel motor produces 171kW and an absolute neck twisting 450Nm of torque. Power is handled by a silky smooth 6-speed ZF Sachs gearbox. With this combination of engine and gearbox, the Allroad sips through an impressive 8.8-litres/100km.
The drive can only be described as superb. Several drive modes are available – Dynamic, Automatic, Comfort, Allroad and Lift. Select the ‘Dynamic’ mode and the Allroad turns into what can only be described as a weapon through the bends. The suspension firms up and the car lowers its air suspension, allowing the car to barrel through corners at unimaginable (but legal) speeds. The quattro all-wheel-drive system is magic in the way it delivers power to the wheels and never ceases to amaze.
Hit the comfort button and the suspension returns to its default mode and softens up the dampers to provide what is possibly the smoothest ride available in this class.
At $106,000 though, the car is expensive – too expensive in my opinion. Nevertheless, standard features include: Dual zone climate control; cruise control; central locking; electric driver and passenger seats; six-disc CD player; trip computer; leather seats; front and rear parking sensors; roof rails; 17” alloy wheels and auto dimming rear vision mirror.
Standard safety features include: Electronic Stability Program (ESP); Traction Control (TC); Brake Assist (BA); Electronic BrakeForce Distribution (EBD); driver and front passenger airbags; side airbags and curtain airbags.
Our test vehicle had an arsenal of options fitted – these included: Metallic Paint ($1,895); 18” Alloy Wheels ($2,900); Xenon Plus Adaptive Headlights ($2,450); Technik/Comfort Package ($9,000); Vavona Assum Grey ($900); Bose Speakers ($1,850). The additional features bumped the price up to $124,995.
I’ll be the first to admit that I found it hard giving the keys back. It’s an ‘Allrounder’ (pardon the pun) which can easily cart an arsenal of people around while also happily tearing through corners up your favourite stretch of mountain road.
I wouldn’t hesitate for one second recommending this car on face value…but, when you look at the price in base form – $106,000, it’s ill-equipped for a vehicle in this price bracket. For such a stunning car, the only thing that lets it down is its price. Aside from that, it’s nearly impossible to fault and that’s why I’m at odds with what is otherwise a brilliant package.
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There’s no doubt this car is overpriced but I’d still love one. I think it looks great and would be perfect for me.
Dammit, I drooled over my keyboard again.
It does look very nice, but undersized and overpriced compared to the Q7.
But size isn’t everything Myke, and the Q7 looks and drives like a whale.
HELLLLLLLLLLOOOOOOO?
Something SERIOUS wrong when this costs more than a Benz ML and BMW X series?
Like, WTF?
Hope they will be satisfied in selling 2 a year
Cheers
M
Guys, this IS an awesome car to drive and if you’re minted – then the cost won’t be an issue now will it.
Graeme – I’ve driven the Q7 on a number of occasions and I would have to disagree with your “whale” comments. The Q7 TDI can be driven like your family car – its a very easy car to get around in despite its size.
That said, if I had the money, I’d be into this new Allroad in a flash!
Size isn’t everything, but up against a Q7 you’d really be questioning value, is a better driving experience worth a $20,000 premium.
Audi Q7 and Allroad are not as good as BMW off road but audi concentrates on luxury!
I wish they have the 4.2 V8 ASAP, I don’t like the turbocharged V6 Diesel!
I wish they have the 4.2 V8 ASAP, I don\’t like the turbocharged V6 Diesel!
I think if large SUVs had a SUV tax increase and not the current tax decrease then i think this vehicle would be similarly priced or even cheaper than the Q7. However, until this day comes when politicians are serious about helping reduce climate change this car will be for those who don’t want or need the large egotistic SUVs but still want/need a quattro wagon that can go on roughish roads.
surely this audi is overpriced, even more than its other models. Volvo V70/XC70 provides far better value and only comes short of some on road dynamics, but it only costs half as much as the Audi.
Overpriced – certainly.
Can someone explain to me why a 5% differential in tax relays to a 20k difference in retail ( on cars worth about 100k). IE the difference between Q7 and Allroad??
PS- much prefer the allroad, as it certainly drives better everyday.
would you buy one now they are about 90k, demo’s???
At around 100K, woulden’t you rather buy a X5, ML, XC or other massive SUV’s? But if money was no object….
Dear all.
I have owned one Allroad Quattro 3.0DTI for one year (30.000km) driving the tour between The netherlands and Demark (850-950km depeding on exact destination) several times. For those of us fortunate enought to be able to drive in Germany with occational unlimited speed restrictions, this car is just wonderful. Sofar trafic and road conditions has limited the upper velolcitis to the 210-220km/h experience and up to this speed the control and stability is unprecidented. I’we got it with sound damping laminated windows and the remotely controlled heater package that allows you always to enter a warm and ice free car.
This is definitely the best car I’ve ever driven.
Spelling allroad with a capital ‘A’ will earn you a visit from the Audi PR department! BTW, I enjoy driving my 2004 4.2l model, and when benchmarked against my Legacy GT, fuel comsumption is comparable. I feel, that with the allroad, I am over-compensating for a Hillman Imp I used to own! My engine of choice, however, would have to be the 3.0l diesel, but way outside my budget for now.
Peter:
allroad is actually spelt with a lower case ‘a’ Peter :-)
Check Audi’s website if you like.