2022 Audi A6 allroad Review: When An SUV Just Isn't Your Style

Believe it or not, station wagons continue to sell in the USA, although it is mostly the premium brands keeping the body style alive. The 2022 Audi A6 allroad is the larger of the two wagons from the automaker, with the ground clearance that many SUV lovers may appreciate. As with the rest of the A6 line, it comes equipped with a powerful 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 that develops 335 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque with mild hybrid assistance. Quattro all-wheel drive is standard for improved traction and some off-road capabilities, and the interior is hugely spacious and well-appointed. This all sounds great, but with strong competitors like the Mercedes-Benz E-Class All-Terrain and Volvo V90 Cross Country, is it enough to dominate this extremely niche segment?

What's the Price of the 2022 Audi A6 allroad?

While there may be some affordable station wagons left out there, the Audi A6 allroad is not one of them. Since it comes so well-equipped with a powerful V6 and loads of luxury features, the starting price of $66,900 isn't unreasonable, though. But, to unlock all it has to offer, you'll need to spend over $70k, since the Prestige starts at $72,400 before options. The Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain goes on sale for a similar price, but the Volvo V90 Cross Country is considerably less expensive. The price of the 2022 Audi A6 allroad is MSRP and does not include the $1,045 destination fee.

2022 A6 allroad Exterior

Dimensions

2022 A6 allroad Performance

Handling and Driving Impressions

Wagons handle more like sedans than their practical SUV competitors, which is one of the reasons we appreciate them. This means that the A6 allroad can be surprisingly enjoyable to drive. It instills a great deal of confidence with its heft and the traction of AWD, but the steering remains precise and responsive. What's more impressive is that none of this performance comes at the cost of comfort. The adaptive air suspension eats up road imperfections with ease.

The adjustable air suspension also allows you to slightly raise the wagon's ground clearance when you need to go off-road. However, this is not where the A6 allroad shines, despite the name. It is much more at home over snow or dirt on the tarmac than tackling larger rocks and uneven terrain. The entire package has an almost sports-sedan-like handling quality, which makes it a pleasure to drive.

2022 A6 allroad Interior

2022 A6 allroad Trunk and Cargo Space

Warranty

US NHTSA Crash Test Result

Verdict: Is The 2022 Audi A6 allroad A Good wagon?

There aren't all that many station wagons left in the US against which to compare the Audi A6 allroad, but even if there were, we are sure it would blow most of them out of the water. Equipped with a potent V6, it can keep up with much flashier sedans and crossovers, and it doesn't sacrifice any of the joy of driving in order to ensure its practicality.

Inside, it is beautifully appointed with luxury materials and loads of standard creature comforts. Our one real gripe might be that the standard safety suite is a little behind the times, especially for the base model. Most cars, even at a much lower price bracket, offer more without expecting you to pay extra for it. Its safety ratings are ultimately top-notch, and ride comfort is velvety smooth, even over semi-rough terrain. Even if it weren't as impressive as it is, the A6 allroad would warrant some attention just for being one of the few surviving wagons. The fact that it is also a genuinely enjoyable, practical, and luxurious vehicle is just icing on the cake.

What Audi A6 allroad Model Should I Buy?

The Prestige is a rather expensive upgrade over the base model of the A6 allroad, and you get no extra performance from the V6 for your trouble. That said, all the extra features it comes equipped with may be worth the expense. Heated and ventilated power-adjustable front seats, quad-zone climate control, and additional driver-assistance tech like rear cross-traffic alert are appealing enough on their own. However, the head-up display is the real MVP of the upgrade. If you want to go all out, the more sumptuous Valcona/Milano leather with front-seat massage functions is quite alluring, too, but the upgraded B&O sound system is not so much better than the standard system to warrant the premium of nearly $5,000.

2022 Audi A6 allroad Comparisons

2022 Audi A6 allroad vs Mercedes-Benz E-Class All-Terrain

Like the A6, the E-Class All-Terrain makes use of a powerful six-cylinder engine with hybrid assistance. The Mercedes has more horsepower at 362 hp, but equal torque, and is actually a smidge slower than the Audi to 60 mph. Both share similar fuel economy figures and starting purchase prices. However, the E-Class has a larger tank, so it can travel further between refills. The differences are more pronounced inside the cabin. The All-Terrain is capable of housing up to seven occupants, though the jump seats in the trunk are very cramped. The overall quality of the cabin is higher, too, and Mercedes-Benz installs all the latest safety and infotainment tech. This bias towards comfort extends to the suspension, which delivers an even more cushioned ride than the A6 allroad's. However, the latter is more capable in terms of handling. Since station wagons don't really shine as sports cars, we feel that the E-Class All-Terrain is the more accomplished option.

2022 Audi A6 allroad vs Volvo V90 Cross Country

The V90 Cross Country has long been a staple in the station wagon classification. In fact, the automaker has put all its eggs in one basket by discontinuing every other style of V90. It's not quite as powerful as the Audi, with only 295 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque from its four-cylinder, but it has better fuel economy, managing 22/29/25 mpg. It has an equally excellent safety rating and comes outfitted with a fair number of standard driver assists. Inside, it is luxuriously appointed, with sufficient space for people, though the trunk is not as large as the A6 allroad's. It's significantly cheaper, so we would suggest it if your budget is tight. However, while we feel the Audi will attract more attention, it doesn't discount the Volvo's brilliance. Either would be a good choice here.