The 2021 Audi A4 Avant
is a compact sports sedan that, like most sedans, lacks the necessary specifications to be considered suitable for use off-road. If you’re looking for a truck or SUV with serious off-road capabilities, you’re better off setting your sights on a different model. While some drivers are more than happy to stick to the beaten path, others are looking for an adventure that only off-roading can satisfy. That being said, in order to safely take your vehicle off-road, it needs to have certain specifications in order to avoid damaging the car, or worse, the passengers. But how can you tell which vehicles are best suited for off-road use?
Jerry
—the top-rated car insurance
comparison shopping super app
—is here to answer that question, specifically in regards to the 2021 Audi A4 Avant sports sedan. We’ll take a look at the A4 Avant’s key specs, including ground clearance, torque, drivetrain, and tires, to determine whether or not the Audi model is fit for the trail. Can the 2021 Audi A4 Avant go off-road?
Absolutely…not. Unfortunately, in nearly every category you look at when considering a vehicle’s off-road capabilities, the A4 Avant shows its true colors as a highway-oriented sedan. Generally speaking, you’re better off looking for a truck or an SUV when shopping for an off-road-capable vehicle.
At a starting price of $40,995, this luxury sports sedan has plenty to offer conventional drivers, but when it comes to the ground clearance, power, and suspension that off-road drivers need, the A4 Avant falls flat.
Let’s take a closer look at exactly where the A4 Avant fails as an off-road capable vehicle, and what you should be looking for in an ideal rock crawler.
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Start earning nowGround clearance
Ground clearance, meaning the distance between the bottom of the car’s chassis and the ground, is one of the first specs you should be considering when shopping for an off-road vehicle. Ideally, only vehicles with a ground clearance spec of between 8.8 and10.8 inches should be taken off-road. This distance off the ground is necessary to avoid damaging the vehicle’s undercarriage while off-roading.
Unfortunately, the 2021 Audi A4 Avant is only 4.7 inches off the ground—that’s just over half the necessary height required for off-roading. The A4 Avant is particularly low to the ground, even when compared to the standard 2021 Audi A4
, which features a ground clearance spec of 6.3 inches. Torque
The best trailblazing vehicles pack a powerful punch when it comes to providing low-end torque. Low-end torque refers to a high torque output in terms of lb-ft of pressure, at a lower overall rpm rating. This is necessary as, while off-roading, power will always supersede speed.
Yet again, the 2021 Audi A4 Avant fails to show up as a qualified off-road vehicle, only producing 184 lb-ft of torque @ 3,000 RPM with its 136-horsepower I-4 engine. That’s not a lot of power—definitely not enough to tackle the trails.
Tires
Your standard-issue 2021 Audi A4 Avant comes with a set of 205/60R16 tires. If that means nothing to you, here’s a quick breakdown.
205/60R16 tires are approximately 205 millimeters wide with a 60% aspect ratio—meaning the tires’ sidewall measurement, or the distance from the rim to the tread, is equal to 60% of the total width, or, in this case, 123 millimeters. These tires, as indicated by their name, are designed to be outfitted on a set of 16-inch wheels. The 2021 Audi A4 Avant’s tires are relatively narrow, making them less compatible for use off-road where wider tires and a greater surface area mean increased traction.
Drivetrain
If you want to have any success off-road, you’re going to need all-wheel drive. Unfortunately, the 2021 Audi A4 Avant comes standard with the front-wheel-drive drivetrain, yet again showing that it is more suited for highway use.
Angles
Off-roading is all about angles: specifically, the approach angle and departure angle:
Approach angle: the maximum angle at which a vehicle can climb without interference
Departure angle: the maximum angle at which a vehicle can descend without interference
Once again, the 2021 Audi A4 Avant fails as an off-road vehicle, with approach and departure angles of 25 and 27 degrees respectively.
Off-road rating: Don’t Try It
Using Jerry’s extremely-official DIRT rating system, we’ve ranked the 2021 Audi A4 Avant. Check out a breakdown of the system in the table below:
| | |
|---|
| | Vehicles better suited to highway conditions |
| | Vehicles that can handle off-road conditions in certain circumstances |
| | Vehicles designed for casual off-roading |
| | True off-road vehicles capable of tackling a range of terrain |
If it wasn’t obvious, we’re giving the 2021 Audi A4 Avant a D rating: in nearly every test we’ve thrown at it, the A4 Avant has failed to live up as an off-road capable vehicle, mostly due to the fact that it’s a sedan and too close to the ground.
The best off-road alternatives to the 2021 Audi A4 Avant
Now that we’ve determined that the Audi A4 Avant is better suited for highway use, let’s take a look at some comparable alternative models that are cheaper, more capable off-road, and more eco-friendly than the A4 Avant luxury sports sedan.
| | | |
|---|
Best affordable alternative | | | In addition to being cheaper than the Audi A4 Avant, the Subaru Forester is higher off the ground and offers a better low-end torque output. |
Best eco-friendly alternative | | | While the Audi A4 might not be the best off-road vehicle either, it is higher off the ground than the A4 Avant and features a mild-electric hybrid powertrain that makes it a more eco-friendly alternative. |
Best alternative for serious off-roading | 2021 Volvo V90 Cross Country | | The Volvo V90 Cross Country’s powerful 316-hp I-4 engine is leaps and bounds more powerful than the A4 Avant’s. |
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How to find affordable car insurance for off-road vehicles
When it comes to shopping for insurance for off-road-capable vehicles, drivers should be aware that these models are typically more expensive to insure than their highway-oriented counterparts. This is a result of the added risk of off-roading.
Thankfully, you can save money on car insurance, no matter what or where you drive, when you shop using the Jerry
app. As a licensed insurance broker
and the must-have super app for off-road drivers, Jerry generates custom competitive car insurance quotes from 50+ of the top insurance providers nationwide. Just select the plan that best fits your needs and budget, and you’re on your way to saving an average of $800+ a year on your car insurance policy! “Because I have a luxury car, I was more interested in finding better coverage than the exact price. Jerry
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