The writing has been on the wall for some time, but it’s now official – the Audi A4 allroad quattro is no longer available to order in Australia. For families who’ve grown to love this unique blend of luxury, practicality, and adventure-ready capability, this news hits particularly hard.
If you’ve been considering an A4 Allroad or wondering what this means for the Australian wagon market, you’re not alone. This departure represents more than just another model being discontinued – it signals a broader shift in how luxury brands view the Australian market and what vehicles they believe we want to drive.
Understanding What’s Really Happening
The situation isn’t quite as straightforward as a simple discontinuation. While Audi has axed two crossover estates – its A4 allroad and A6 allroad – in the UK but has no plans to do so in more wagon-averse Australia, the reality on the ground tells a different story. The Audi A4 allroad quattro is no longer available to order, though Audi Australia hasn’t made a dramatic announcement about permanently leaving the market.
What’s actually occurring is part of Audi’s global restructuring. The Audi A4 compact sedan and Allroad wagon will be discontinued after the 2025 model year, and reborn as the new Audi A5. This change reflects Audi’s new naming strategy where odd-numbered models will house internal combustion engines, while even-numbered vehicles will be reserved for electric powertrains.
For Australian buyers, this transition period creates uncertainty. The current generation A4 Allroad has reached the end of its production run, but there’s no clear indication whether a replacement Allroad variant will emerge from the upcoming A5 lineup.
What This Means for Your Family
If you’ve been eyeing an A4 Allroad, your options have suddenly become much more limited. The good news is that existing inventory might still be available through dealerships, though these remaining vehicles will likely command premium pricing as supply dwindles.
The A4 Allroad filled a specific niche in the Australian market. It offered families the elevated driving position and rough-road capability they wanted without the bulk and fuel consumption of a traditional SUV. The allroad has a tougher stance, rides a bit higher (+34mm) and has more presence on the road thanks to more substantial wheel arch flare extensions and the raised roof rails. This combination made it particularly appealing to families who wanted something different from the endless parade of Q5s on Australian roads.
The vehicle’s versatility was one of its strongest selling points. With a cargo capacity of 495 litres which expands to 1,495 litres when the rear seats are folded forward, space is simply not an issue. This practicality, combined with Audi’s signature quattro all-wheel drive system, made it an excellent choice for families who valued both everyday usability and weekend adventure capability.
The Broader Context: Why Wagons Are Disappearing
The A4 Allroad’s departure reflects a wider trend affecting the entire automotive landscape. Mercedes-Benz, in contrast, has gradually thinned its local wagon range down to nothing. The CLS Shooting Brake was axed globally and the second-generation CLA Shooting Brake wasn’t brought here, while the A6 allroad-rivalling E-Class All-Terrain wasn’t carried over to the updated E-Class range last year.
Australian buyers have increasingly gravitated toward SUVs, making it difficult for manufacturers to justify bringing wagon variants to our market. This shift has been particularly pronounced in the luxury segment, where the margins need to support the cost of importing relatively low-volume models.
The irony is that many families would actually be better served by a wagon like the A4 Allroad. These vehicles typically offer better fuel economy than equivalent SUVs, superior on-road handling, and often more usable cargo space. However, consumer perceptions and preferences have shifted decisively toward higher-riding vehicles.
Your Alternatives in Today’s Market
With the A4 Allroad no longer available, families seeking similar capabilities have several options to consider. The most direct alternative is probably the Volvo V60 Cross Country, which offers a similar elevated wagon formula with Scandinavian style and strong safety credentials.
For those willing to move within the Audi family, the Q5 remains available and shares many of the Allroad’s fundamental qualities. It offers the same quattro all-wheel drive system and similar interior space, though in a taller, more SUV-like package. The Q5 has been Audi’s most successful model in Australia, which explains why the company feels comfortable prioritizing it over the Allroad.
The Subaru Outback presents another compelling alternative, particularly for families who prioritize value and reliability. While it doesn’t match the Audi’s luxury appointments, it offers superior ground clearance and proven durability for families who actually use their vehicles’ adventure capabilities.
BMW’s 3 Series Touring remains one of the few premium wagons still available in Australia, though it lacks the elevated ride height that made the Allroad special. For families prioritizing driving dynamics over ground clearance, it’s worth considering.
Looking Toward an Uncertain Future
The question many potential buyers are asking is whether a replacement will eventually arrive. A redesigned A4 is expected to be launched in 2023 and an Avant version has been spied testing, while Audi executives have spoken about the possibility of a wagon version of the upcoming electric A6 e-tron. Whether allroad versions of these models will be offered isn’t yet clear, nor is it clear whether the next generation of Audi wagons and allroads will be sold here.
The new A5 lineup, which replaces the A4, will include Avant wagon variants in European markets. However, Audi Australia hasn’t committed to bringing these models to our shores, much less confirmed whether an Allroad variant will be part of the equation.
This uncertainty reflects the challenging economics of the Australian car market. With relatively small volumes spread across a vast geographic area, manufacturers must be increasingly selective about which variants they choose to import and support.
Making the Right Decision Now
For families currently in the market for a vehicle like the A4 Allroad, the key is understanding your priorities. If you specifically want the Audi brand experience and that particular combination of luxury and capability, seeking out remaining stock might be worth the premium pricing.
However, if you’re open to alternatives, taking time to thoroughly evaluate other options could lead to a better long-term decision. The automotive market continues to evolve rapidly, and what seems like the perfect vehicle today might be superseded by something even better tomorrow.
Consider your actual usage patterns honestly. Many families who think they need the elevated ride height and rugged styling of an Allroad might find that a regular wagon or even a well-designed SUV better meets their real-world needs.
Audi A4
The departure of the A4 Allroad from the Australian market represents the end of a unique and appealing option for families seeking something different from the mainstream. While it’s disappointing for enthusiasts of this particular formula, it also reflects the reality of modern automotive economics and changing consumer preferences.
For those who appreciated what the Allroad offered, the hope is that future electric vehicles might recapture some of that versatility and character. Until then, Australian families will need to look elsewhere for that perfect combination of luxury, practicality, and adventure-ready capability that made the A4 Allroad special.
The automotive landscape continues to evolve, and while we’re losing some beloved options, new possibilities are always emerging. The key is staying informed about what’s available and making decisions based on your family’s actual needs rather than what might have been ideal in the past.