FAST FACTS
* Model: 2015 Audi Allroad * Exterior color: Tornado Gray Metallic * Interior color: Black * Engine: 2.0-liter turbocharged * Horsepower: 220 * Transmission: eight-speed automatic * Fuel economy: 28 mpg highway, 21 mpg city * Dealer: Audi Chattanooga * Price (as tested): $49,210
It's mid-January, the heart of snow season here in the Chattanooga area. OK, I can hear you transplanted Northerners out there chuckling.
Our snow season might be shockingly short here in the mid-South and our precipitation accumulations are rarely deep -- witness the school closings Friday for a light dusting. But when it does snow and you live at a higher elevation, it's nice to have a vehicle that can climb like a mountain goat in a sleet storm.
Enter today's test car, the Audi Allroad wagon, which comes with Audi's excellent quattro all-wheel drive set-up, an intuitive system that can sense traction loss and road imperfections and dole out power to each wheel. The Allroad, to our eyes, is also the best looking snowmobile out there.
It should definitely be on your radar if you are looking for a sure-footed wagon with an upscale ride. Think of it as a cross between an Audi A4 and a Subaru Outback.
Our Tornado Gray Metallic Allroad tester this week is from Audi Chattanooga, and it weighs-in with a sticker price of $49,210. Base prices for the Allroad line range from $39,600 to $48,800. Audi Chattanooga eBusiness Specialist Jeff Lynch said the dealership had two Allroads in stock this week, including our tester.
STYLING AND FEATURES
The exterior of the Allroad manages to look both rugged and refined. The wagon has a wide, planted stance and provides more than seven inches of ground clearance. Still, it doesn't look like a truck on stilts like some modern crossovers.
The side panels of the Allroad have a character line that runs from front to back, tying together the wagon's handsome profile. Audi calls it the Tornado line -- because, well, Audi loves the word tornado (i.e. Tornado Gray Metallic and Tornado line). Stainless steel cladding on the bottom and exposed roof rails on top add to the Allroad's high-adventure vibe.
Like all Audis, the Allroad is a collection of thoughtful details, from little sills on the side mirrors that keep the glass from collecting rain droplets to the precision-hung doors that shut with a confident "thwap." Audi publicists claim that its engineers fret over such small matters as how the door-locks should sound when they engage.
Inside, the Allroad has leather seating surfaces, and the fit and finish is superb. The cockpit seems properly proportioned for average-size adults without being cramped. The Allroad comes with a panoramic sunroof and a power tailgate that provides easy access to the cargo area. Cargo capacity is 28 cubic-feet with the back seats upright and 50 cubic-feet with the seats down.
Our tester also comes with a $2,900 tech package that bundles navigation, a rearview camera and the Audi Connect telematics system. Just ask Audi Connect to find the nearest gas station or Chinese restaurant and it will get busy plotting your course. The navigation system partners with Google Earth to give you turn-by-turn guidance.
The Allroad has eight-way power front seats and a fancy four-spoke leather steering wheel. It carries a four-year, 50,000-mile, new-car warranty.
DRIVING EXPERIENCE
Under the hood, you'll find a 2-liter turbocharged engine that makes 220 horsepower and distributes power through a smooth, eight-speed automatic transmission. The direct-injection engine is a fine match for the Allroad, but we would like to see a diesel engine option, as well. The Allroad zips from zero-to-60 mph in a brisk 6.5 sections.
In our test drive around Chickamauga Lake we pushed the wagon through twisting back roads. The Allroad showed off its taunt driving dynamics, which can be adjusted according to your mood and prevailing road conditions. Audi says the car will has a top track speed of about 130 miles per hour.
The Allroad combines tenacious grip and a relatively low center of gravity to produce a confident, car-like ride. The speed-sensitive electronic steering is on the heavy side at low speeds -- a good thing -- and allows for excellent road-surface feedback. The quattro system has a full-time 40/60 front-to-rear torque split. By contrast, many of today's vehicles badged as all-wheel-drive really only engage the rear wheels when the computer brain senses slippage.
BOTTOM LINE
Audi's market share is on the rise, and the brand is gaining popularity among young affluent buyers -- the most desirable demographic because they can be won for life.
The Allroad is an elegant solution for those who want a family vehicle that's safe, handsome and full of fun. In other words, if the Allroad were a guy you'd let him date your daughter.
Contact Mark Kennedy at mkennedy@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6645. Follow him on Twitter @TFPCOLUMNIST. Subscribe to his Facebook updates at www.facebook.com/mkennedycolumnist.