In a world that only wants SUVs and Crossovers, even quirky additions like the wagon genre are highly struggling. Gone are the days when manufacturers would flock to make the meanest station wagon on the block, as most are running behind their cash cows now!
2021 Audi A4 allroad Wagon Latest Updates
Jun' 30, 2022 : 2022 Audi A4 Allroad Earns IIHS's Top Safety Pick Award Read More »
Audi is one such manufacturer though that is still keeping wagons alive and well. With the introduction of the A4 Allroad, Audi has managed to offer a compelling package for a wide variety of audiences. Does it succeed in cementing a place against the likes of the 2021 Volvo V60 Cross Country, 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Wagon, and the 2021 Subaru Outback? Let’s find out!
2021 Audi A4 allroad Wagon front angle view
2021 Audi A4 allroad Wagon rear angle view
Features
The 2021 Audi A4 Allroad still carries forward the exact same three-trim hierarchy as before and starts at a base price of $44,600 with the Premium Trim. The Premium Plus trim at $48,800 follows suit with the range-topping Prestige trim waltzing in at a pricey $54,500.
Trim
Premium
Premium Plus
Prestige
MSRP
$44,600
$48,800
$54,500
Key Features
7.0-inch driver information display
Adding to/Replacing Premium features
Adding to/Replacing Premium Plus features
Standard Leather Upholstery
Front and Rear Parking Sensors
Heads-up display
Three-zone Climate Control
Hands-on detection steering wheel
Heated Rear Seats
Lane Departure Warning
Adaptive Cruise Control
Heated Steering Wheel
Heated Front Seats
Wireless Charging Pad
Bang and Olufsen Audio System
Rear Air Conditioning
Audi Virtual Cockpit
Passenger Lumbar Support
Which Trim should you buy?
Although the base Premium trim is generally well equipped, we would still recommend you loosening your pockets a little more for the Premium Plus trim as it offers much more of the snazzy tech at a relatively meager price bump. The amount of kit that is tacked on with the Premium Plus trims more than makes up for the price difference.
The Premium Plus trim manages to find a sweet spot in the middle of the line-up and it essentially represents itself very well as it is similar in equipment to the Prestige trim but leans towards the Premium trim when it comes to price.
Engine and Performance
7.7/10
The heart of the 2021 Audi A4 Allroad is the tried and tested 2.0 L turbocharged 4-banger but for 2021 MY, Audi has strapped on a 12 Volt Hybrid System to it, which bumps up the power output from last year’s 248 bhp to 261 hp for this year although the torque output remains constant at 273 lb.-ft.
2021 Audi A4 allroad Wagon driving view
The added power should help make the 2021 A4 Allroad a smidge quicker of the line but we would bet that the hybrid system would be a little more apparent during in-gear acceleration. The Allroad manages a solid time of 5.7 seconds from 0 to 60mph which makes it ample quick for your grocery runs, ensuring that you always have fresher vegetables. The 7-Speed Automatic Transmission that is mated to the engine has been serving extremely well in the A4 line-up of vehicles and proves to be lightning-quick when putting your foot down. Even in city traffic, the transmission stays cool as a cucumber and offers shifts that are imperceptible and silky smooth.
Model
2021 Audi A4 Allroad
2021 Volvo V60 Cross Country
2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Wagon
2021 Subaru Outback
MSRP
$44,600
$40,295
$66,100
$39,695
Engine
2.0L TFSI 4-Cylinder
2.0L Twin Turbo 4-Cylinder
3.0L Bi-turbo V6
2.4L Turbocharged Flat-4
Drivetrain
AWD
FWD
AWD
AWD
Transmission
7-speed Automated Manual
8-Speed Automatic
9-speed 9G Tronic Automatic transmission
Continuously Variable-Speed Automatic
Power
261 hp @ 5,000 rpm
250 hp @ 5,500 rpm
362 hp @ 5500 rpm
260hp@5,600rpm
Torque
273 lb-ft @ 1,600 rpm
273 lb-ft @ 1,500 rpm
369 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm
277lb-ft@2,000rpm
0-60 MPH
5.5 seconds
6.9 seconds
5.1 seconds
8.5 seconds
Quarter Mile
14.3 seconds
15.3 seconds
13.7 seconds
16.9 seconds
Top Speed
130 MPH
130 MPH
130 MPH
130 MPH
Although the E-Class Wagon pulls a lead on its competition due to the V6 under the hood and significant power advantage with outputs of 362hp and 369lb.-ft of torque, it is surprising to note that the A4 trails just 0.4 seconds behind. We do understand that the E-Class Wagon is a class above the rest due to its price and size, but the availability of station wagons is becoming rarer by the day. The quarter-mile times further prove that the A4 is one of the strongest performing vehicles in its segment as it comes in behind the Mercedes-Benz by less than half a second.
The 2021 Volvo V60 Cross Country and the 2021 Subaru Outback come equipped with turbocharged units under the hood. While they make distinctions in the segment with the Volvo being the only front-wheel-drive variant and the Subaru using a CVT unit, both vehicles are evidently slower than the contemporaries.
How well does the 2021 Audi A4 Allroad handle?
For the added ground clearance in contrast to the regular A4 sedan, one would expect that composure under spirited driving would go for a toss, but Audi seems to have other plans. Yes, the Allroad isn’t as high as a pick-up for sure, but for some reason, the added inches haven’t taken away the edge off of its handling. The Allroad still manages to corner exceptionally well for its class while offering great interior isolation from tarmac imperfections. The Quattro system that comes in as standard on the Allroad imparts great mid-corner grip while also being forgiving enough that you would have a gala of a time if you take the Allroad over slush and ice.
2021 Audi A4 allroad Wagon ride and handling
Braking Performance
The brakes on the 2021 A4 Allroad work just as well as they did on the regular sedan even with the added bulk which is a big thumbs up from our side. Although when trying to battle with slippery surfaces, the ABS could appear to be a little overprotective, the Quattro system coupled with some praise-worthy pads and rotors makes the Allroad come to a halt seamlessly and rather quickly.
When decelerating from the 60mph mark, the 2021 A4 Allroad covers 119ft and ranks second in the segment. It features average-sized brakes that measure 13.3 and 13-inches at the front and rear, respectively.
Model
2021 Audi A4 Allroad
2021 Volvo V60 Cross Country
2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Wagon
2021 Subaru Outback
Brake Rotors Front
13.3"
14"
14.2"
12.4"
Brake Rotors Rear
13"
13.6"
12.6"
11.8"
Curb Weight
3,847 lbs
4,041 lbs
4,585 lbs
3937 lbs
60-0 MPH
119 ft
112 ft
152 ft
176 ft
Although the A4 Allroad performs commendably well in the braking test, it is the Volvo that takes an unsurprising win by being the fastest to come to a halt since well, Volvo knows how to do brakes exceptionally well averaging 112ft. Both Mercedes-Benz and Subaru have a lot to work on in the segment since they manage considerably longer distances and the 2021 Outback could definitely do with some beefier brakes.
Fuel Economy
8.0/10
With an EPA estimate of 24 mpg in the city and 30 mpg out on the highway, we certainly feel that the Audi A4 Allroad manages to be practically similar to its sedan sibling but does lose out on 4 critical MPGs on the highway due to the added weight. We believe that the trade-off is well worth the added practicality that the Allroad offers, but if you seek superior EPA figures, then the sedan is also worthy of a look.
With a combined mileage of 26 MPG, the 2021 Audi A4 Allroad might not be the segment leader but its performance is amicable. It sports the least voluminous fuel tank in the segment of 15.3-gallons and consequently, averages the lowest combined range in the segment of 382 miles.
Model
2021 Audi A4 Allroad
2021 Volvo V60 Cross Country
2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Wagon
2021 Subaru Outback
MPG(City)
24
24
22
23
MPG(Highway)
30
36
28
30
MPG(Combined)
26
28
24
26
Fuel Capacity
15.3 gallons
15.9 gallons
19.5 gallons
18.5 gallons
Range(City, Highway, Combined)
337/444/382 miles
334/493/429 miles
400/548/464 miles
426/555/481 miles
The better fuel economy numbers on the 2021 Volvo V60 Cross Country unfortunately are no match for the larger tanks on the Subaru and Mercedes-Benz as they clock in some great range figures. Although we don’t want to knock the decent figures that the 2021 A4 Allroad possesses, it still comes in last.
Interior
8.0/10
Audi has recently been hugely impressed buyers with the treatments to their cabins in general and the 2021 Audi A4 Allroad follows through in the same path. For many, the interior could appear to be too perfect and sterile, but we do believe that the crisp sense of German engineering resonates throughout the cabin with exceptionally well-put-together panels and upholstery. The interior features ample use of top-class materials such as metal and leather which makes it one of the nicest cabin experiences in its segment.
2021 Audi A4 allroad Wagon cockpit area
The seats on offer are more than comfortable for your long cross-country trips while the heated functionality would come in handy for those icy cool mornings. The rear seats although offer more space than the regular A4, still can feel a little too restrictive for taller passengers on the legroom front due to the overall smaller dimensions of the A4 in contrast to its rivals.
2021 Audi A4 allroad Wagon front seats
One surprising addition though is the fact that even though the Allroad offers about 11 cubic feet more cargo space than its sedan counterpart managing 24.2 cubic feet, the practical advantage other than an easier access hatch isn’t all that noticeable.
Model
2021 Audi A4 Allroad
2021 Volvo V60 Cross Country
2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Wagon
2021 Subaru Outback
Seating Capacity
5
5
5
5
Front Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)
39.1/55.9/41.3
37.4/56.1/42.3
37.5/57.8/41.7
37.7/58.1/42.8
Rear Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)
37.4/54.5/35.7
37.4/56.1/42.3
38.2/57.1/36.1
39.1/57.4/39.5
Trunk Capacity (cubic feet)
24.2
23.2
35
32.5
The larger dimensions of the Subaru and the Mercedes-Benz come off as being more practical than the Volvo and the Audi but all in all, we still believe that consumers would be more than satisfied with either of these vehicles when it comes to interior space.
While all vehicles can seat five passengers, the front-seat occupants will find themselves at ease in the 2021 Outback. The rear seat occupants will enjoy unparalleled comfort with additional legroom in the 2021 V60 Cross Country. In terms of cargo capacity, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Wagon has the highest trunk volume of 35 cubic feet.
Some of the basic interior features include:
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel
Sun Sensor
Leather-wrapped steering wheel
Three-zone climate control
Interior Air Filtration
Audi Cargo Mat Option
What’s there to keep you entertained?
The 10.1-inch Infotainment Display that sits on the dashboard is an instant attention grabber and has proved to be one of the better systems in the segment. Although the I-Drive systems have been the benchmark for times too long, the MMI systems on newer Audi’s are just as good in our opinion. Like many other German systems, they do require you to brush through the menus a couple of times to get the hang of it, but for the most part, the system is very intuitive.
The standard audio system does a great job of audio fidelity and sound separation and should be enough for most folk but the optional Bang and Olufsen system can rock your socks off if you crank it up.
One of the biggest highlights of the A4 has got to be the Audi Virtual Cockpit that sadly isn’t standard but is worth every penny to tack on. It is arguably the best iteration of a digital gauge cluster and as we have proclaimed before Audi knows how to do these modern gauge clusters amazingly well.
Some of the more notable infotainment features are mentioned below:
The 2021 Audi A4 Allroad offers a distinctive station wagon silhouette that is adored by many individuals. Yes, it may not be as fast as something like the RS6 or as capable off-road as the Audi Q7, but it does manage to look the part for either of the activities. The newly introduced LED Headlamp and Taillamp assemble to make it look very modern while the high ground clearance lends it pseudo-off-road cred.
2021 Audi A4 allroad Wagon
The sleek lines and crisp proportions make it look unmistakably Audi and the big Audi family grille up front give it a bold and imposing front end.
Model
2021 Audi A4 Allroad
2021 Volvo V60 Cross Country
2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Wagon
2021 Subaru Outback
Curb Weight
3,847 lbs
4,041 lbs
4,585 lbs
3937 lbs
Length
187.5”
187.4”
194.8”
191.3"
Width
72.5”
72.8”
73.7”
73"
Height
58.8”
56.6”
58.9”
66.4"
Ground Clearance
6.5”
5.8”
5.7”
8.7"
Wheelbase
110.9”
113.1”
115.7”
108.1"
If it’s not apparent by the figures above, the 2021 Subaru Outback decimates the competition when it comes to venturing on some rough trails as it possesses the highest ground clearance of the bunch at 8.7 inches. The Allroad also has some decent lift on it but it would still bottom out if you do try and do anything more than light soft-roading. While the Subaru is also the tallest in the segment, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz is larger than all its competitors in every other aspect standing at a total length of 194.8 inches and a wheelbase of 115.7 inches.
Some of the other exterior features that make the A4 Allroad stand out are as follows:
Although the NHTSA shies away from testing the Allroad, the A4 sedan has managed a perfect 5 out of 5 crash test rating for the 2021 MY. The IIHS has also awarded the Allroad with the highest rating of “Good” in all of its crash tests which is some high praise. The newer B9 platform on which the 2021 A4 Allroad is based is around 265 lbs lighter than the B8 but still manages to offer better crash protection and higher stability. The fact that 2021 MY also has lane departure warning as standard only ups the safety quotient.
Although the A4 Allroad offers some great active safety features that have been mentioned below, we would have liked more of them to have been standard across the range.
Automated Emergency Braking
Lane Departure Warning
Forward Collision Warning
Lane Keep Assist
Adaptive Cruise Control
Semi-Autonomous Driving
Competition
7.5/10
2021 Audi A4 Allroad vs 2021 Volvo V60 Cross Country
Both the 2021 Volvo V60 Cross Country and the 2021 Audi A4 Allroad have some great underpinnings and definitive strengths that make them exceptional products. On one hand, where Volvo offers significantly better active safety features and a quirkier cabin design that is typical Volvo, the Audi offers a more timeless interior with much better driving dynamics that are hard to replicate. Since both vehicles have entirely different strengths it is tough to pick one, but we would still edge towards the A4.
2021 Volvo V60 Cross Country
2021 Audi A4 Allroad vs 2021 Mercedes E-Class Wagon
Since both these vehicles are from different classes, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Wagon does have a leg up on the Allroad when it comes to straight-line performance and more opulent feeling interiors. Although the two have a wide price gap, it is surprising to note that the Audi is arguably the better value and also the better canyon carver. If it was our money on the line, although it would be hard to pass up the E, the Allroad does make much more sense, especially due to the better handling.
2021 Mercedes E-Class Wagon
2021 Audi A4 Allroad vs 2021 Subaru Outback
The Subaru Outback is significantly cheaper than the A4 Allroad and it is stupidly apparent when comparing the in-cabin experience of both. The Audi simply blows the Japanese Wagon out of the water with a much better interior but the Subaru has the advantage of being even more fun to drive than the Audi. The classic Subaru rally pedigree shines through the Outback and makes it next to impossible to choose one out of the two.
2021 Subaru Outback
Final Verdict
8.1/10
The 2021 Audi A4 Allroad manages to not only cocoon its occupants in comfort but also reward its driver when going silly with the right foot, a combination that is very hard to achieve. It manages to highlight all that has ever been great about station wagons and turn it up a notch or two in typical Audi fashion.
The 2021 A4 Allroad’s interior design and setup is where its uniqueness lies, and the unabashed provision of premium features makes it a winner in the segment. On the outside as well, the Allroad’s contemporary design gives it an adequate lead amongst its competitors and while safety features could have been improved, the Audi is targeted for brilliant overall performance rather than categorized excellence.
es, it could do a little better with the pricing and some added rear legroom, but if you are wondering about getting a wagon, the A4 Allroad is certainly one of the better ones out there.