pros: handled well, very smooth ride, good power getting on highway etc, took some tight fast turns. did feel every bump in the road but very used to this.
cons: comfort - you sit in a go-kart like position, windows felt high limiting visibility, due to feeling so low was nervous taking this thing over speed bumps.
Allroad -pros: great handling, visibility is better [to me], like the interior better [but all i know is VW], HUD was more pleasing to use. likes to take corners fast.
cons: did feel that start stop hesitation at a relight that others have noticed but it seems to be a modern car thing too.
in the end the allroad made more sense for me, i needed something enjoyable to drive, with a bit more room for the dog, but not an SUV. other than using this as a daily driver, I tend to go camping 3+ hrs away so knew i would drive up mountains with washed out gravel roads, so wanted comfort and something that can take a bit of terrain.. but we are not talking "jeep style" off roading. The 3 wagon was fun, but felt less practical for me as a daily driver, it would be fun for driving on the highway, but as a grocery getter, in tight traffic and merging in rush hour traffic i did not see that in this car.

you mentioned not being able to find the cars to test, did you try just perusing all used car lots regardless of brand, sometimes you will find a 1-2yr old german wagon sitting at your local Toyota dealer. i have also seen people recommend, that you post your location to see if anyone would let you try out their car i don't know how often it works but never hurts to try.