Other than the option of exclusive Allroad tweed-style floor carpets, the interior is standard A6, mixing clarity and aesthetic appeal with high quality. The newcomer's load bay is unaltered from the A6 Avant's, which means average space (560 litres seats up, 1660 litres seats down) and a load-through hatch as standard, but the frustration of rear seats that don't fold flat.
Spend an extra £140 for the tether system and you'll have a selection of extendable bars, belts and nets to secure your cargo, all designed with typical Audi finesse.
Unfortunately, the Allroad retains the A6's poorly weighted steering and effective but lifeless brakes. Despite these gripes and its superior ride quality, the Allroad improves upon the already compelling A6 Avant package.
The downsides to the transformation are limited to marginally more road and wind noise and that for some the plastic add-ons and conspicuous grille may not find favour. But for those who are attracted by go-anywhere ability yet don't want a full-size SUV, the Allroad will be tempting.
The 2.7 TDi starts at £33,530 before options (of which there were a hefty £10,000 worth on our test car), which is a £2165 premium over a comparable Avant, although it is worth noting residuals for the previous Allroad bettered those of the estate. To compare, the base Q7, a 3.0 TDi, starts at £37,285.