2013 Audi Allroad gets more power, better mileage

The Audi Allroad is back on the job after a seven-year sabbatical during which it was replaced by the A4 Avant. For 2013 the Avant has retired.

Though both vehicles are luxury wagons based on the A4 sedan, Audi isn’t just swapping names back and forth between the two cars. When the Avant took over in 2006, changes were made, and the new 2013 Allroad is different from the A4 Avant it supersedes. The Allroad is 0.6 inches wider, 2.3 inches taller, and has 1.5 inches more ground clearance. Wheelbase length has been stretched to 110.4 inches, creating a smoother ride. Headroom for the driver and front-seat passenger has also been increased.

The 2013 Allroad (Audi stylizes the name by using all lowercase letters: allroad) is more powerful and gets better fuel economy than the original version. Mechanically, it comes one-size-fits-all, with a terrific 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine generating 211 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, coupled with an equally impressive Tiptronic eight-speed automatic transmission and topped off with Audi’s esteemed all-wheel drive system, Quattro (Audi lowercases that name, too: quattro).

Three trim levels are offered: Premium ($40,495), Premium Plus ($43,795), and Prestige ($49,695). These prices include a destination charge of $895.

Allroad’s zero to 60 mph acceleration time is 6.5 seconds. The fuel economy rating is 20 mpg city and 27 mpg highway, and premium fuel is recommended.

The earlier Allroad was built to handle off-road driving, and at the car’s press introduction Audi proved it by including a long and fairly rugged off-road segment in the all-day drive route. The new Allroad isn’t intended for off-road use, but with 7.1 inches of ground clearance and all-wheel drive, it can be taken off-pavement onto rough roads if they’re not seriously thrashed.

On pavement, Quattro provides a large dose of extra stability, especially welcome if the road is wet or white.

Audi’s status as a luxury brand is reflected in the Allroad interior’s impeccable workmanship and high comfort level. A 12-way power adjustable driver’s seat and 8-way power adjustable front passenger seat are standard equipment. Other standard features are a panoramic sunroof with power sunshade, halogen headlights with front and rear foglights, and a 10-speaker Audi premium sound system that includes Sirius satellite radio, CD player and MP3 playback capability.

Also standard is a Pacific Northwest driver’s dream: rain-sensing windshield wipers with a four-position adjustable sensor rate. I use windshield wipers as soon as there’s a molecule of water on the glass, but I have a friend who’s the opposite. She lets rain soak the windshield for so long before she does anything, you’d think her wipers weren’t working. With the Allroad’s adjustable sensor rate, both extremes, or close to it, can be accommodated.

The second-row split seat is foldable, creating 50 cubic feet of cargo space. With the seats upright, the rear cargo area measures 27 cubic feet and includes a retractable cover.

My tester was a Premium Plus model, whose $3,300 above the Premium model adds an auto-dimming interior mirror with compass, auto-dimming power-folding and heated outside mirrors, Audi music interface with iPod cable, Bluetooth preparation, driver information system with trip computer, heated front seats with driver-side memory, HomeLink garage door opener, Audi xenon plus lighting with LED daytime running lights, three-zone climate control, and a power tailgate.

On a base model whose price tag tops $40,000, it seems like these features should be standard. But the cachet of the Audi brand and the excellent driving dynamics of its German engineering come at a cost. For some buyers it’s worth it. For others, not so much.

Mary Lowry is a free-lance automotive writer who has been reviewing cars for more than 20 years. The cars are provided by the manufacturers as a one-week loan for review purposes only. In no way do the manufacturers control the content of the reviews.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Business

A closing sign hangs above the entrance of the Big Lots at Evergreen and Madison on Monday, July 22, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Big Lots announces it will shutter Everett and Lynnwood stores

The Marysville store will remain open for now. The retailer reported declining sales in the first quarter of the year.

George Montemor poses for a photo in front of his office in Lynnwood, Washington on Tuesday, July 30, 2024.  (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Despite high mortgage rates, Snohomish County home market still competitive

Snohomish County homes priced from $550K to $850K are pulling in multiple offers and selling quickly.

Henry M. Jackson High School’s robotic team, Jack in the Bot, shake hands at the 2024 Indiana Robotics Invitational.(Henry M. Jackson High School)
Mill Creek robotics team — Jack in the Bot — wins big

Henry M. Jackson High School students took first place at the Indiana Robotic Invitational for the second year in a row.

The computer science and robotics and artificial intelligence department faculty includes (left to right) faculty department head Allison Obourn; Dean Carey Schroyer; Ishaani Priyadarshini; ROBAI department head Sirine Maalej and Charlene Lugli. PHOTO: Arutyun Sargsyan / Edmonds College.
Edmonds College to offer 2 new four-year degree programs

The college is accepting applications for bachelor programs in computer science as well as robotics and artificial intelligence.

FILE — Boeing 737 MAX8 airplanes on the assembly line at the Boeing plant in Renton, Wash., on March 27, 2019. Boeing said on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024, that it was shaking up the leadership in its commercial airplanes unit after a harrowing incident last month during which a piece fell off a 737 Max 9 jet in flight. (Ruth Fremson/The New York Times)
Federal judge rejects Boeing’s guilty plea related to 737 Max crashes

The plea agreement included a fine of up to $487 million and three years of probation.

Neetha Hsu practices a command with Marley, left, and Andie Holsten practices with Oshie, right, during a puppy training class at The Everett Zoom Room in Everett, Washington on Wednesday, July 3, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Tricks of the trade: New Everett dog training gym is a people-pleaser

Everett Zoom Room offers training for puppies, dogs and their owners: “We don’t train dogs, we train the people who love them.”

Andy Bronson/ The Herald 

Everett mayor Ray Stephenson looks over the city on Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2015 in Everett, Wa. Stephanson sees  Utah’s “housing first” model – dealing with homelessness first before tackling related issues – is one Everett and Snohomish County should adopt.

Local:issuesStephanson

Shot on: 1/5/16
Economic Alliance taps former Everett mayor as CEO

Ray Stephanson will serve as the interim leader of the Snohomish County group.

Molbak's Garden + Home in Woodinville, Washington will close on Jan. 28. (Photo courtesy of Molbak's)
After tumultuous year, Molbak’s is being demolished in Woodinville

The beloved garden store closed in January. And a fundraising initiative to revitalize the space fell short.

Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin, Advanced Manufacturing Skills Center executive director Larry Cluphf, Boeing Director of manufacturing and safety Cameron Myers, Edmonds College President Amit Singh, U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, and Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers participate in a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, July 2 celebrating the opening of a new fuselage training lab at Paine Field. Credit: Arutyun Sargsyan / Edmonds College
‘Magic happens’: Paine Field aerospace center dedicates new hands-on lab

Last month, Edmonds College officials cut the ribbon on a new training lab — a section of a 12-ton Boeing 767 tanker.

Gov. Jay Inslee presents CEO Fredrik Hellstrom with the Swedish flag during a grand opening ceremony for Sweden-based Echandia on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Swedish battery maker opens first U.S. facility in Marysville

Echandia’s marine battery systems power everything from tug boats to passenger and car ferries.

Helion Energy CEO and co-founder David Kirtley talks to Governor Jay Inslee about Trenta, Helion’s 6th fusion prototype, during a tour of their facility on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
State grants Everett-based Helion a fusion energy license

The permit allows Helion to use radioactive materials to operate the company’s fusion generator.

People walk past the new J.sweets storefront in Alderwood Mall on Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Japanese-style sweets shop to open in Lynnwood

J. Sweets, offering traditional Japanese and western style treats opens, could open by early August at the Alderwood mall.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.