Maturing Subaru Outback Fans Will Once Again Have a Quirky Wagon to Graduate Into

Trademark filings with Australia’s IP office and new spy photos signal the return of the Audi A6 allroad for a new generation.

Close-up of a gray car's rear with illuminated red taillight and "allroad quattro" badges.

Add Gear Patrol as a Preferred Source on Google

By Chris Chin

Published May 14, 2026

·

Audi allroad fans, assemble! The Ingolstadt automaker is apparently readying a new model based on the latest A6. New spy shots and intellectual property office filings indicate that the lifted soft-roader wagon variant of Audi’s popular midsizer isn’t going anywhere.

The carmaker just recently launched an all-new, fifth-generation A6, which, of course has fans wondering what’s next for its different variants. So, if you were fearing the disappearance of the allroad model, fret no more.

Subaru Outback fans will still have a fancier lifted wagon to move up to

Black Audi SUV driving on a sunlit road with blurred green trees in the background. — With a new, fifth-gen A6 already out and about, fans are wondering about the next-gen allroad variant.

The fifth-gen A6 recently dropped not too long ago with the standard sedan and wagon leading the launch. Despite a new generation already out and about, the outgoing A6-based allroad variant remains available for the 2026 model year.

But obviously, the fourth-gen model is on limited time as Audi continues phasing out the old version. That leaves the slot wide open for a new model, which is exactly what the brand is preparing.

Gray Audi A6 allroad quattro driving on a muddy forest trail with mud splashing behind. — Despite there being a new generation of A6, the previous A6-based allroad remains available for the 2026 model year.

According to our friends at Drive on the opposite side of the planet, spy photos recently surfaced of a next-gen A6 allroad prototype. Additionally, Australia’s intellectual property offices received trademark filing renewals for the A6 allroad.

Although heavily camouflaged, per normal protocol, one can still make out widened wheel wells with additional protective cladding, a slight bump in ground clearance and standard roof rack rails.

Gray Audi allroad quattro wagon parked on a gravel surface with mountains in the background at sunset. — The A6 allroad remains one of Audi’s most beloved models and a huge cult favorite.

Considering the details, all serve as solid confirmations that an A6 allroad successor is most certainly in the works. And, perhaps, just around the corner.

In addition to sticking to its beloved formula, the A6 and its allroad variant will also retain their “A6” badges. Originally, Audi was on a controversial remodeling kick after it renamed the A4 model as the A5.

The plan included rebranding the A6 as the A7. But after huge backlash, the brand canceled that strategy, which means the A6 will stick with its original designation.

A ongoing tradition and love for Audi’s quirkiest automobile

Two green Audi allroad quattro SUVs with headlights on driving on a gravel road with dry tall grass in the background. — The allroad has been a staple of Audi’s lineup since its introduction with the second-gen A6 in the late 1990s.

Believe it or not, the allroad variants have been some of Audi’s longest-running models. Originally introduced in the 1990s on the second-gen A6, the allroad has become a huge cult favorite.

It’s so beloved, Audi has continued producing an allroad version of the A6 over the years without interruption. And it even attempted to make a smaller, more affordable version based on the previous generation A4.

Dark green Audi SUV parked on a dirt road with mountains and blue sky in the background. — Audi’s allroad is so popular, the brand even tried to spin one off the previous-generation A4 Avant.

With the next-gen model, Audi will be sticking with tradition. However, new rumors suggest that it could inherit the new A6’s latest plug-in hybrid gas-electric powertrain. European and Asian market customers are also likely to get an optional turbodiesel variant.

“The big thing is what we found with allroad customers, traditionally A4 and A6, they are traditional buyers of allroads,” Matthew Dale, Audi Australia’s chief product manager, once told Drive. “They don’t want passenger vehicles, they’re very loyal, they don’t want an SUV, so they’ll continually buy an allroad because that’s the car that suits them.”

About the Author: Chris Chin is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, trucks and anything else with four wheels. He has over a decade of experience writing news and reviews but considers himself an enthusiast first, with a passion for classics and European cars. His daily driver is a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL with nearly 250,000 miles (87,000 are his).

Want to stay up to date on the latest product news and releases? Add Gear Patrol as a preferred source to ensure our independent journalism makes it to the top of your Google search results.