Audi A4 Allroad

The same price as a Q5 with pretty much all of the ability. Foot. Shoot. In. The.

• Comfort

  The Allroad has 37mm inserted into the ride height, so it actually rides better than any of the saloon variants - even when you put the adaptive suspension into ‘dynamic' mode. It doesn't even get soggy when in ‘comfort'. Plus there are decent seats, plenty of room (even though this is the little brother to the A6 Allroad) and good all-round vision. That 37mm makes a big difference to the driving position.

  

• Performance

  There's a 2.0-litre TFSI petrol engine with 208bhp and 258lb ft of torque, a 2.0-litre TDI with 174bhp (returning 46.3mpg) and a 3.0-litre with 240bhp, a whopping 348lb ft of torque and a 0-62mph time of 6.2 seconds. It also returns 45.6mpg and emits 161g/km of CO2.

  

• Cool

  It won't pull members of the opposite sex, but there's something neat and trendy about an Allroad. It's slightly more butch than the stock car, can do things that most SUVs struggle with and still remains reasonably efficient - meaning that it won't get targeted by environmentals. 

  

• Quality

  Really very good. The cars we tested were full-spec, but felt tight and solid. Even pushed to the limit off-road, the general feeling was that if Audi builds something, then it stays built. Right through eight inches of water, six inches of mud, a couple of mild jumps and a small tree. 

  

• Handling

  Again a nice surprise. The A4 Allroad feels very much like a stock A4 - except slightly nicer-riding. Yes, there is an element of body roll if you go mental in comfort mode, but it still hangs together very nicely. Stick it in dynamic mode and you'll be able to tag along to a saloon A4 without any problem at all - even though the ride gets a tad harsh over really bad bumps. 

  

• Practicality

  Smaller than the A6 Allroad (obviously), the A4 still maintains that estate capacity that makes it a doddle to ferry about a small family. Loading heights are more genial, and smashing through urban potholes is fine when you have the beef to cope. It's no bigger than an A4 Avant, it just feels more useable. 

  

• Running costs

  The mpg figures are very reasonable if not startling, and you can get into one for just over £30k. Insurance is relatively good, though main dealer servicing can be pricey. Not bad though.