The 2020 Audi A6 allroad is priced from $75,200 in Canada, $65,900 in the US.
It is an extremely rare offering in a nearly dead segment.
The allroad is the choice of the wisest among us.

Station wagons are a special breed of automobiles that bridge the gap between sedans and SUVs. They are neither-or and yet they are both, but better. And in an interesting twist, the few that remain on the market today are all, without exception, exceptional. Wagons like the Audi A6 allroad suffer no setbacks, are exclusive, and extremely gratifying to drive. And, although they can be, most are priced below $80,000. Name one SUV that is truly all three of these things.

Almost exactly two years ago, Bloomberg published a story about station wagons and who was buying them. In brief, it said that, given that wagons like the Allroad are not entirely affordable, they are being bought by well-to-do individuals and families. In fact, sales of wagons actually increased and, in many instances, those that were purchased were loaded with higher transaction prices than equivalent SUVs. This is the start of a trend, my friends.

2020 Audi A6 Allroad | Photo: Olivier Delorme

If there’s a wagon alternative, do it

There’s a desire for cars like the allroad, be it an A4 or A6. Compared to their sedan counterparts, they are more versatile, equipped, safe and, in my opinion, which is the only one that counts here, far, far more attractive. Most sedans/saloons are boring. Wagons are not.

The A6 allroad is decked out in subtle Manhattan-grey body-cladding, unique front and rear bumpers, and slightly raised ride height to please everyone, including SUV buyers. Should you prefer the classic wagon look, the A6 can be spec’d out with full-body paint to blend the cladding as it was on my tester. Personally, I’d leave the cladding as the auto Gods in Ingolstadt intended it to be.

There’s no poor angle to sample the A6 allroad in, unlike many sedans. And if accessorizing your car is what you do, name a better set up than a wagon with a roof-mounted cargo box. I’m saying that the A6 allroad can be nearly as invisible as a sedan and or a true representation of your uniqueness.

Loaded with tech, luxury, comfort, and space

Of the countless upsides to the A6 allroad, one that stands out is its incredible cabin. Audi has blended 21st-century technology with time-honored craftsmanship and attention to detail. The twin-screen (10.1-inch top, 8.6-inch lower) center console/stack layout is reasonably easy to navigate once we become familiar with the menus. My tested model was a Progressiv trim meaning that it did without Audi’s Digital Cockpit, which is typically spectacular. Frankly, however, Audi’s classic gauges are always a pleasure to consult.

The amount of space available to occupants is generous both upfront and in the second row. Seats in both rows are comfortable and the rear bench accommodates three adults (as long as they live under the same roof…). The wonderfully deep boot can hold 850 litres (30 cubic feet) of gear with ease. Should you ever need more, there always the box on the roof…

The Progressiv’s base price of $75,200 includes features such as Audi connect Navigation and Infotainment, Apple CarPlay, heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated leather front and rear seats, 2-one automatic climate control, power front seats, power hatch, and much more. These are essentials for any luxury car. The options on my $78,200 unit were the superb 20-inch wheels, the full paint finish, and the roof box.

Mild-hybrid, great power

Another essential is a sophisticated, powerful, and efficient powertrain. And guess what? The 2020 Audi A6 allroad has exactly that. The only available engine is a turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 which produces 335 horsepower and 369 lb.-ft. of torque. While unpretentious, these numbers hide the fact that the Allroad also features a 48V mild-hybrid system which serves to boost performance be it in an eco-friendly or “speed” frame of mind.

What’s more, the car’s power is sent to the quattro AWD system via a 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission. Smooth or sharp, the transmission is always doing what is expected, whether it be comfortably cruising or aggressively taking on traffic and the elements. And finally, the allroad also includes a standard adaptive air suspension which truly makes the wagon as supple as a luxury sedan or quite capable at handling obstacles, or apexes.

Driving the 2020 A6 allroad is like holding all the cards. No matter the demands, the Allroad has an answer, including an off-road, allroad, comfort, and dynamic drive modes. Like I said, all the cards.

Truly unique and exclusive

Much like my reviews of the 2021 Audi RS 6 and Mercedes-AMG E 63 S wagon, there are no wrong answers between the Audi and Benz wagons. In Canada, at least until the Mercedes-Benz E 450 All-Terrain wagon arrives, the A6 allroad is unique.

So many strive to be special, to show off their unique vision or point of view on life, and buying an SUV simply means you are like everyone else. Get a new Audi A6 allroad and allow your personality to shine through.