The A4 Allroad is the most car-like of crossovers (along with its only similar competitor, the Volvo V60 Cross Country), and it is based on a car that is simply spectacular. As an all-around driving experience, it’s a little easier to get into with the extra height, the visibility in all directions is good, and while being practical wagon at heart, it has the soul of an athlete (albeit one that is getting on in years). As mentioned, the engine comes on strong as you pull away, and the strong torque of the engine is couple with a steering and suspension to match your driving mood and the adaptable and Quattro all-wheel drive balances the power seamlessly. It should be noted that Audi shaved significant weight while increasing rigidity of this generation, improving both comfort and handling. Curb weight lands at 1,580 kg (which is about 200 kg lighter), so everything is better, from acceleration to suspension response.

On the highway it is stable well above our speed limits (good ol’ Autobahn derestricted sections…), but when the road tightens, it can still corner with the agility of a car and leans gradually in side-to-side transitions, communicating its limits so you don’t exceed them. It’s not meant to be a sport sedan, but stills serves admirably when the lure of a series of curves or corners calls.

Although only subtly different in appearance, with new headlights, taillights, grille and more chiseled body, it hides a drastically improved vehicle that has improved every little thing without straying from the formula that has endeared it to owners. With the mix of practicality, only modest sacrifices to performance for the sake of added versatility, the A4 Allroad is a standout in the small luxury segment as an excellent all-rounder to go along with Audi’s unparalleled refinement, quality and technology. The masses are eager for crossover SUVs these days, and this is one more option in the Audi showroom along with Q3, Q5 and Q7, with more car-like dynamics and the convenience of a wagon for those that still value driving stability over seating position and ground clearance.

The Allroad is expected to land here in Canada in late 2016, with a similar markup over the sedan as the previous Allroad to its A4 equivalent, so we’ll speculate that a base Komfort will run about $48K and to range up to $55K for the Technik, plus a few grand more for various tech and convenience packages.

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