Like the smaller Audi A4 Allroad wagon, the Audi A6 Allroad wants to convert the SUV faithful. Riding on a slightly raised suspension with additional height available from the adaptive air suspension, the A6 Allroad can tackle moderate dirt and trail routes when not doing double duty as a family shuttle. While certainly a prime pick for outdoorsy lifestyles, the Allroad is probably better thought of as a sure-footed all-weather wagon, ideal for driving confidently in snowy and wet climates.

For buyers who blanch at the idea of piloting an SUV, crossover, or even, a minivan, the A6 Allroad makes a compelling choice. It offers all the goodness of Audi’s A6 midsize luxury sedan, then adds length and a whole lot of cargo space. The ride is quiet, smooth, and absorbent. The Allroad is not as playful behind the wheel as its smaller Audi A4 Allroad sibling, and that’s a bit of a disappointment. But none of its rivals are particularly engaging either. You’ll forget all that though when you slide into the optional massaging front seats, cue up route guidance from the sharp nav system, and set the cabin lights to a purple hue.

Only a few other buff luxury wagons are available in the U.S., including the Volvo V90 Cross Country and Mercedes-Benz E450 All-Terrain. And while the Subaru Outback doesn’t match the European trio’s hotel lobby interiors, it is the undisputed leader in legitimate off-road ability and massive cargo space.

The Audi A6 Allroad is available in two trim levels: Premium Plus and Prestige.

The Audi A6 Allroad Premium Plus starts at $67,945 with standard features that include 20-inch wheels, an adaptive air suspension, aluminum roof rails, LED headlights, a sunroof, power tailgate, heated and auto-dimming side mirrors, proximity keyless entry, and hands-free tailgate release.

Leather upholstery, heated front seats, tri-zone climate control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a heated and power-adjustable steering wheel, and LED ambient interior lighting are among the standard passenger comforts.

Infotainment starts with a 10.1-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay, satellite radio, and a subscription-based Wi-Fi hotspot. Navigation, a wireless charging pad with signal booster, surround-view camera, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, and a Bang & Olufsen audio system round out the tech highlights.

Driver aids include forward-collision warning, automatic braking, automatic high beams, and lane-departure warning. Rear seat side airbags are also standard equipment.

The optional Executive package ($3,250) for the Premium Plus trim adds four-zone climate control, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, rear window sunshades, customizable LED interior lighting, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist.

The Black Optic package ($1,100) adds different 20-inch wheels, black roof rails, and black exterior trim elements. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are also optional.

We think the Premium Plus gets the cost-to-features ratio right, especially if you add the Executive package. And you’ll still come out a few thousand dollars less than the top-level Prestige trim.

The Prestige ($73,445) adds the features from the optional Executive package, as well as upgraded LED headlights, power soft-closing doors, a head-up display, and blind-spot monitoring.

The Prestige can be further enhanced with the Luxury package (upgraded leather upholstery, 18-way adjustable front seats with massage function, passenger seat memory function, and leather-wrapped dash panel, armrests and center console) or the Black Optic package. The Night Vision Assistant adds thermal imaging of the roadway (displayed in the digital gauge cluster) for nighttime driving, while the Bang & Olufsen surround-sound audio system fills the cabin with angelic sound.

The 2022 Audi A6 Allroad is powered by a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine (335 horsepower, 369 pound-feet of torque) mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The engine makes for a very quick wagon. Audi says it takes just 5.1 seconds to travel from zero to 60 mph. Independent testers have found it slightly slower than that.

The A6 Allroad isn’t built for speed, though. Instead, it excels at steady highway speeds and low-speed city driving, where the ride is smooth and composed, and the suspension and chassis work together to mute harsh road impacts.

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The Audi A6 Allroad‘s air suspension can lift the car 1.2 inches from its normal resting height for 7.3 inches of ground clearance. Combined with selectable driving modes, including off-road-specific settings, it’s enough to tackle modest dirt trails and exposed roots and ruts, though not enough to run with Jeeps in Moab.

The A6 Allroad’s moderate off-road ability takes a toll on its on-road manners. Steering and braking can feel numb and indirect, and neither is helped by the standard tires that split the difference between highway and trail tread.

The Audi A6 Allroad is rated by the Environmental Protection Agency to deliver 21 mpg during city driving and 28 mpg on the highway. Those are the lowest fuel-economy ratings among its main rivals. The Mercedes-Benz E450 4Matic All-Terrain does better at 23/30 mpg city/highway, and the Volvo V90 Cross Country earns 22/29 mpg city/highway. The Subaru Outback leads the class with 26/33 mpg city/highway, although it makes far less power than the three Euro wagons.