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.