Topic: Test Drive: 2013 Audi A4 Allroad

[blotter]

nice car.
but I consider this a half wagon.

i don't know it may seem stupid, but i really hate how they're now really curving the rear end.
to me it becomes more like an extended hatch.   
The Volvo XC70 is one of the only example of a true wagon left.   

if people start getting tired of SUVs, perhaps wagons will come back.
the only reason these aren't selling so much is your options are so limited.   Aside from the Golf wagon (no AWD BTW) everything is premium.   The Outback has become a little too big and SUV like to be a real wagon anymore.


I agree, the Q5 is simply a better deal.   I bet if Audi put the diesel in this wagon it would sell like hot cakes.

[Fobroader]

This is why I don't care for the Allroad, it's not a real wagon.

I'd say it's as much a 'real wagon' as an AMG shooting brake .

At least with the AMG one you can cover up the wifes complaints of "its not a real wagon" with the loud exhaust and spinning tires 

[hemusbull]

The only Wagon carrying the initial idea for economical car based cargo hauler is Hyundai Touring. No other  manufacturer offers budget friendly wagon here in Canada! From VW Golf TDI wagon to Mercedes Benz AMG - all these "wagons" are perverted Euro niche players!

[ChaosphereIX]

The only Wagon carrying the initial idea for economical car based cargo hauler is Hyundai Touring. No other  manufacturer offers budget friendly wagon here in Canada! From VW Golf TDI wagon to Mercedes Benz AMG - all these "wagons" are perverted Euro niche players!

thing is, in Europe they are not niche at all, but commonplace.

[pcsp]

" The cargo area is relatively commodious at 781 L when the rear seats are up and 1,430 L with the rear seats folded"

I would definitely not describe the cargo area as "commodious". It is 35 L smaller than a Suzuki SX4! Therein lies the essential compromise of a "Crossover" such as this vehicle - it's not a wagon. Fine, if one wants rugged looks and some ground clearance, but it's hard to beat a wagon for utility.

[Northernridge]

This is why I don't care for the Allroad, it's not a real wagon.

I'd say it's as much a 'real wagon' as an AMG shooting brake .

OK but the MB is a road car...and who doesn't like to say, "shooting brake"?

[JRM]

Many of us like wagons but I don't see anybody buying one 

I bought one three years ago.

[HeliDriver]

" The cargo area is relatively commodious at 781 L when the rear seats are up and 1,430 L with the rear seats folded"

I would definitely not describe the cargo area as "commodious". It is 35 L smaller than a Suzuki SX4! Therein lies the essential compromise of a "Crossover" such as this vehicle - it's not a wagon. Fine, if one wants rugged looks and some ground clearance, but it's hard to beat a wagon for utility.

Cargo numbers are basically useless. In this case, it's obvious that Suzuki is measuring differently than Audi (probably right to the roof instead of the seat tops.)

And there's no way this new Allroad should be called a crossover: It's a wagon, plain and simple (albeit not a very large one.)

Unfortunately, it's also a wagon with a suspension lift and tacky body cladding. That's the real problem, IMO.

[ChaosphereIX]

" The cargo area is relatively commodious at 781 L when the rear seats are up and 1,430 L with the rear seats folded"

I would definitely not describe the cargo area as "commodious". It is 35 L smaller than a Suzuki SX4! Therein lies the essential compromise of a "Crossover" such as this vehicle - it's not a wagon. Fine, if one wants rugged looks and some ground clearance, but it's hard to beat a wagon for utility.

Cargo numbers are basically useless. In this case, it's obvious that Suzuki is measuring differently than Audi (probably right to the roof instead of the seat tops.)

And there's no way this new Allroad should be called a crossover: It's a wagon, plain and simple (albeit not a very large one.)

Unfortunately, it's also a wagon with a suspension lift and tacky body cladding. That's the real problem, IMO.

[SaskSpecV]

" The cargo area is relatively commodious at 781 L when the rear seats are up and 1,430 L with the rear seats folded"

I would definitely not describe the cargo area as "commodious". It is 35 L smaller than a Suzuki SX4! Therein lies the essential compromise of a "Crossover" such as this vehicle - it's not a wagon. Fine, if one wants rugged looks and some ground clearance, but it's hard to beat a wagon for utility.

Cargo numbers are basically useless. In this case, it's obvious that Suzuki is measuring differently than Audi (probably right to the roof instead of the seat tops.)

(Unfortunately) correct.  Measurements  - whether HP, fuel economy, towing capacity, legroom, or cargo volume - are useless unless standardized.  And no MNFRs (or regulatory agencies) seem to have any desire to standardize their ratings (other than HP/TQ - but there's still some wiggle room there too).

That's why I like Consumer Reports cagro measurements, and C&D's comparison cargo measurements (# beer cases, length of pipe, plywood sheets, etc.)  It gives another perspective of cargo volume because the MNFR numbers can't be compared directly

My Elantra Touring supposedly has 689L of cargo volume.  That may be accurate - a Matrix is listed as 561L, and the ET definitely has a bit  more room.  But then Hyundai says "1848L with the rear seats down, more than a Murano (1826L)".  Complete and utter BS - my buddy's Murano has oodles more room with the seats down.  What did Hyundai do, include the volume in the rear leg area too?  How about the footwells under the front seat?

Back to the test vehicle - has anyone driven both a Q5 and the allroad?  Are the driving differences significant?

[mixmanmash]

Many of us like wagons but I don't see anybody buying one 

Cause all the wagons [you'd want] cost 50-60-70K +

If you want to subsidize my CTS-V wagon, Dad, I'll order it this afternoon.

How much did the MDX cost 

You facker.

Kristi not interested in wagon (wants to sit up high). So hey, she doesn't get on my case about what I buy so I return the favor.  Wagon in the family would have to be mine, and so, needs to be a sport wagon.

Crossing fingers for a ATS and/or ATS-V wagon. That would be the bomb.

No.  The bomb will be the 2014 E63 AMG S-Model Wagon. 

[pcsp]

OK, I'll put my point a different way. Let's compare apples and apples. The VW Golf wagon has about one third more cargo space than the Allroad (about 1900 L)! One would assume same methods of measurement, but the Xover lags behind the shorter wagon significantly.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

CR's cargo measurements

Allroad 28.5ft³
Q5 32.0ft³
Jetta wagon 31.5ft³

[SaskSpecV]

CR's cargo measurements

Allroad 28.5ft³
Q5 32.0ft³
Jetta wagon 31.5ft³

Do they also do measurements with the seats folded down?  Or just the cargo area?

[quadzilla]

OK, I'll put my point a different way. Let's compare apples and apples.  The VW Golf wagon has about one third more cargo space than the Allroad (about 1900 L)! One would assume same methods of measurement, but the Xover lags behind the shorter wagon significantly.

Keep trying and you might want to buy a new calculator. 

[pcsp]

"Keep trying and you might want to buy a new calculator. "

No need to keep trying - point proven. Basic math

[Sir Osis of Liver]

CR's cargo measurements

Allroad 28.5ft³
Q5 32.0ft³
Jetta wagon 31.5ft³

Do they also do measurements with the seats folded down?  Or just the cargo area?

I only noticed with the seats up. When I get the chance I'll look more closely.

[Snowman]

Q5 has 57.3 cubic feet with rear seats folded down and the allroad is 50.5 cubic feet.

[blotter]

here's numbers from my own research (manufacture site - yes maybe meaningless)

Cargo:
Outback 928L
Patriot 651L
Matrix 560L
Crosstrek 632L
CX-5 966L

the only real way to know for sure is measure it yourself and for what you might need.
Our old RAV had rear seats that not only folded flat but would lock into any recline position.   On many trips I'd lock them straight, using them as a divider.   The Matrix's rear seats don't allow this.   So if I keep the rear seats as is, the angle creates a loss of space.   Items like a cooler don't line up flat against the seats.     

Now I've had my Matrix right next to my father in-laws Patriot and although they claim the Patriot has more space it does NOT.  They're clearly counting the space from floor right up to the roof.  (who piles stuff right to the roof?)   In the past I've actually brought the car home from a test drive and loaded our gear up to see how the game of tetris works out.   

[mixmanmash]

Many of us like wagons but I don't see anybody buying one 

Cause all the wagons [you'd want] cost 50-60-70K +

If you want to subsidize my CTS-V wagon, Dad, I'll order it this afternoon.

How much did the MDX cost 

You facker.

Kristi not interested in wagon (wants to sit up high). So hey, she doesn't get on my case about what I buy so I return the favor.  Wagon in the family would have to be mine, and so, needs to be a sport wagon.

Crossing fingers for a ATS and/or ATS-V wagon. That would be the bomb.

No.  The bomb will be the 2014 E63 AMG S-Model Wagon. 

I can at least come close to affording (read: dream realistically) an ATS-V. E63 Wagon? No so much.

I hear you on that.  But it is definitely going to be one heckuva wagon.