Audi has just announced the return of the A6 Allroad for the 2020 model year, nearly two decades after the original went on sale. We know power will come from the same 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 TFSI engine found in the sedan, producing 335 horsepower going out to all four wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch. The Allroad will offer obvious off-road improvements over the sedan as well as more space in the boot.
Pricing has not been announced yet but we expect it to be higher than the V6 sedan, which starts at $59,800. If this is more than you'd like to spend for your off-road-capable luxury wagon, we've come up with seven cheaper alternatives on the used market.
2013-2019 Audi (A4) allroad
If you fancy an Audi wagon with some off-road credibility but can't afford the new A6 model, the logical place to go is a used A4 Allroad. Previously known as the 'Allroad' from 2013 to 2016, the car was renamed to 'A4 Allroad' in 2017 along with a refresh of the A4 lineup. Compared to the new A6 model, the A4 Allroad will obviously be a bit smaller in terms of rear passenger space and luggage capability and the engine will not be as large.
While the new A6 uses a V6, the only engine option in the A4 Allroad was a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing 200 hp from 2013 to 2016 and 248 hp from 2017 onwards. Used pricing for the pre-name-change cars starts around $13,000 and even the post-2017 cars can be found starting at around $25,000. Expect to pay around $35,000 for a certified pre-owned example with a warranty.
2018-2019 Buick Regal TourX
The Buick Regal TourX is based on the European Opel Insignia and has only been on sale in the US since 2018. Yet in that brief period of time, it has already been hit by some serious depreciation. A brand-new TourX starts at $29,370 for a base model but you can now find the nicer Preferred trim - which starts at $32,970 - for less than $23,000. Power comes from a 2.0-liter four-cylinder sending 250 hp out through a nine-speed automatic, which won't match the Audi but should be plenty for most families.
2017-2019 Volvo V90 (Cross Country)
The Volvo V90 and V90 Cross Country are perhaps the A6 Allroad's closest competitors. Both are based on a mid-size luxury sedan platform and Volvo offers an off-road variant for people who plan to take their luxury wagon up a dirt road. A new V90 starts just over $50,000 but you can already find CPO examples (including the Cross Country version) starting around $36,000. The T5 powertrain uses a turbo-four producing 250 hp but the T6 adds a supercharger to the mix, bringing the output up to 316 hp.
2011-2019 Mercedes E-Class Wagon
So long as you don't need to do any off-roading, the used Mercedes-Benz E-Class Wagon is a great alternative. Prices for the last-generation model (2011 to 2016) can be found starting at around $13,000 on the low end. Even the current-generation model (2017-2019) starts around the $45,000 mark. Available engines range from a V6 up to the V8-powered E63 AMG model, so there is an E-Class to suit any level of wagon enthusiast.
2018-2019 Jaguar XF Sportbrake
The Jaguar XF Sportbrake is one of the few brand-new luxury wagons still offered in the US but with a price of over $66,000, it is pretty expensive. Jaguar has long suffered from a steep depreciation curve and the XF Sportbrake is no different, with used prices already sinking to the mid-$40,000 range for a used, CPO example. Power comes from either a 296-hp four-banger or a 380-hp supercharged V6.
2011-2014 Acura TSX Sport Wagon
The Acura TSX Sport Wagon is a seriously good bargain. Acura added the Sport Wagon to the TSX lineup in 2011 and it only lasted until 2014. The only engine was a 2.4-liter four-cylinder VTEC engine producing 201 hp and 172 lb-ft of torque (the larger V6 and manual were sedan-only options). Used prices begin at under $10,000 and cap out at under $20,000, making the TSX one of the best bargains on the list.
2011-2014 Cadillac CTS-V Wagon
Cadillac offered a wagon variant of the CTS in the model's second generation. A used V6 model can be found for under $10,000 but if you are reading this, you are likely more interested in the high-performance CTS-V Wagon. Those came powered by a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 pumping out 556 hp going out to the rear wheels through either a six-speed automatic or rare six-speed manual. High-mileage examples start around $35,000 but good luck finding a low-mileage example with a manual, because it will probably cost more than a brand-new A6 Allroad.