There is a choice of four different engines, one petrol and three diesels. No matter which one you opt for Audi A6 allroad performance is very good. The sole petrol option is the 3.0-litre TFSI V6 producing 306bhp. This engine is capable of powering the A6 allroad from 0-62mph in just 5.9 seconds. Out of the three diesel engines the entry level choice is the 201bhp 3.0-litre V6. This also produces 450Nm of pulling power to help give the A6 allroad a 0-62mph sprint time of 7.5 seconds.

The mid-range diesel engine uses the same 3.0-litre V6 but it generates 242bhp and 580Nm of torque. Likely to be the most popular choice in the A6 allroad, this is a lively engine with a good amount of low down pulling power. The substantial in-gear acceleration is useful when overtaking and there is more than enough power available. This version of the A6 will get from 0-62mph in 6.6 seconds.

The range-topping diesel option is the BiTDI that uses two turbochargers to produces a substantial 309bhp and hefty 650Nm of pulling power. This all means an impressive zero to 62mph time of 5.6 seconds. This is a great engine, and if it weren’t for the badging you would be forgiven for not realising it is a diesel engine. The exhaust generates a satisfying soundtrack, while the engine has masses of low down pull for excellent acceleration and easy overtaking.

The two lower-powered diesel engines and single petrol engine are all paired to the manufacturer’s seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch automatic gearbox. The top-of-the-range diesel engine gets the firm’s latest eight-speed tiptronic automatic gearbox. While both gearboxes are very smooth and good, the seven-speed version feels just a little sharper and responsive when changing. Power is transmitted to the road by the standard quattro all-wheel drive system, which helps keep everything in check.

While it may have a slightly raised ride height, Audi A6 allroad handling is very similar to that of the standard Avant model. It would take an Audi specialist to really pinpoint any major difference here. Despite its large size the A6 allroad feels nimble and surprisingly agile for what is essentially a chunky estate.

At just under two tonnes, and slightly longer than the Avant model, there is a little more body roll in the bends however. There are a number of different handling modes to choose from with the Audi Drive select. Auto gives a balanced operating mode and is the default setting that most buyers will often leave the car in. This has well weighted steering that gets heavier as the car speeds up to ensure more confidence in faster bends. Comfort mode softens things slightly with lighter steering and a gentler ride, though this setting can feel unnecessary – you could just leave the car in Auto mode instead. Dynamic mode tightens and sharpens things up a little, from the acceleration and gear change to the steering weight. It also helps minimise body roll in conjunction with the adaptive air suspension.

Even in this there’s not really enough feedback to make you feel engaged with corners though. It’s worth remembering, however, that this is an off-road focused estate for long motorway drives rather than a performance focused car. Efficiency mode helps to reduce fuel consumption while allroad mode raises the ride height 18.5cm more than the standard Avant. Along with stainless steel guards for the underbody and front and rear of the car, the allroad is in fact a capable piece of kit in more difficult terrain. Of course it won’t be mud plugging with Land Rover Defenders but it’s more than capable if you find yourself in some difficult muddy conditions or towing across a slippery uneven surface. Finally Individual mode allows you to choose the favoured parts of the other settings for your ideal set-up.