2017 Audi A4 Allroad: First Impressions

CARS.COM — The 2017 Audi A4 Allroad, seen at the 2016 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, wears the right styling to inject a healthy dose of kick-ass into the somewhat plainly restyled 2017 A4. Increased ground clearance, more aggressive front and rear styling plus a slick set of wheels and bulging fender flares make the most of the A4's chiseled new appearance. And it's a wagon, so how can you go wrong?

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2017 Audi A4 Allroad

Cars.com photo by Evan Sears

Sitting 1.3 inches higher than a standard A4, the Allroad and its matte gray fender flares give an illusion that the car sits higher off the ground than just a 1.3-inch-lift would suggest. A large front grille provides a similar effect with vertically slotted chrome slats projecting an upward, aggressive appearance. The sharper look of the A4 really translates well to the wagon, which appears sleeker and meaner than the outgoing Allroad.

2017 Audi A4 Allroad

Cars.com photo by Evan Sears

On the inside, it's nearly identical to the A4 sedan, just as expected, but with an innovative cargo feature where the cargo cover automatically slides forward and back with the opening and closing of the standard power liftgate. Open the liftgate and the cargo cover slides out of the way on its own tracks to uncover the open space, and then it slides back over the cargo area when the tailgate shuts. Typically, the cargo cover is a bulky retractable shade that takes up way too much space or is attached to the liftgate through flimsy strings, so this is a welcomed new feature.

2017 Audi A4 Allroad

Cars.com photo by Evan Sears