The humble station wagon isn't at the top of most family buyers shopping lists - most are choosing to sit up high in traffic in an SUV instead.
So does Audi expect the new A6 Avant luxury wagon to sell by the thousand? Not at all. But following our first local drive of the practical new variant, we'd suggest some well-heeled buyers flocking to luxury high-riders may well be tempted.
The boot is the business end of the A6 Avant. In comparison to its sedan sibling, which went on sale last year, it's only slightly larger in terms of capacity (565 litres versus 546L) – but there's no shortage of load-lugging goodies hidden away in the back.
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If your hands are full and your key is in your pocket or
handbag you can simply kick your foot and a hidden sensor under the rear
bumper bar will open the electronic tailgate and retract the cargo
blind. It's very clever – provided you learn the correct "kick" action
(some people on the launch needed a few lessons).That cargo blind also features a net that can extend to the roofline behind the rear seat if you need the load up the cargo hold to its full capacity. If the rear seats are folded flat for extra storage (the capacity jumps from 565L to 1630L), the luggage net can be installed behind the front seats.
Keeping your stuff stuck fast in the boot is made easy with a standard luggage rail system with an included luggage strap and hooks. The carpeted floor can also be folded back to reveal a plastic section that allows you to store wet or dirty items - a nice touch.
The inside of the A6 Avant, as with the sedan version, is a nice place to be. Leather lines the seats, door trims and parts of the centre console, and buyers have the choice of metal-look inlays or a knotty wood finish which looks spectacular.
The front seats are comfortable if lacking some bolstering, and both chairs offer electronic adjustment (the driver's gets memory settings) and the rear seat is roomy and offers good foot, knee and headroom.
There are good storage pockets in all four doors and good space in the covered centre console and glove box, but the mesh map pockets on the backs of the front seats are a bit cheap looking.
The media system offers Bluetooth phone and audio streaming, satellite navigation as standard and an optical readout for the front and rear parking sensors. No rear camera is standard, which is a disappointment considering cars a quarter the price of the A6 offer the technology at no cost. Test cars were fitted with the optional four-camera "overhead" view system which increased visibility impressively.
There are a few notable equipment shortcomings, too: there's no USB input (you need to buy the Audi cord to connect your media player - about $100), and you won't find a fog-light switch because there are none. Those eye-catching Audi LED daytime running lights are standard, though.
The first model we tested was the 2.0 TFSI turbocharged petrol four-cylinder, impressively priced from $81,800 plus on-road costs. It's mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission and they combine fairly well for comfort-focused cruising, but the transmission is slow to wind up from a standing start, and the engine can feel as though it's a bit small for the circa-1630 kilogram weight.
The turbo diesel version – priced $1100 higher from $82,900 plus costs – is slightly heavier, but the oil-burner offers better low-rev response both from a standstill and when you plant foot on the move. It's easily the pick of the two.
On the road, the suspension copes reasonably well with bigger lumps and bumps, but the ride pitter-patters over smaller inconsistencies on rougher roads. Find a smooth section, though, and it's commendably plush.
There was some body-roll through bends, and it can feel nose-heavy with a tendency to understeer - where the car pushes on straight despite the driver's instructions. The steering also weighted up at the wrong times in the twisty stuff. However, the steering is thankfully light at low speeds and feels more substantive as the needle rises.
Overall the A6 Avant offers a convincing argument for those in need of a family car – and if you're realistic about how often you'll actually need a high-riding all-wheel-drive SUV, it could be a better option.
Nuts and bolts
How much? From $81,800 - $82,900 plus on-road costs.
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo petrol / 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo diesel.
Transmission: "Multitronic" continuously variable automatic transmission.
Power: 132kW (petrol) / 130kW (diesel).
Torque: 320Nm (petrol) / 380Nm (diesel).
Weight: 1630kg (petrol) / 1650kg (diesel).
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