Audi A6 review: a luxurious executive car

​The Audi A6 offers a masterclass in the art of the executive saloon. Its elegant, sophisticated styling carries just the right amount of gravitas without being austere. At the same time, impeccable motorway manners will ensure even those covering serious miles can do so comfortably. 

There’s more space than ever inside, while the trio of digital displays provide a futuristic environment. The absence of a rotary controller for those screens takes some getting used to, but they’re emblematic of the A6’s hi-tech nature, as are the state-of-the-art driver assistance systems. 

The current Audi A6 saloon arrived in 2018, so it is now one of the older members of Audi’s line-up. A fully-electric A6 e-tron is set to replace the current model by the end of 2024, but for now the current generation car is on sale alongside the A6 Avant estate version. There's also the performance-focused S6 and RS 6 models to choose from. 

The standard A6 comes in Sport, S line and Black Edition trims, all offering the high-tech luxury that executive car buyers expect.

There’s also a variety of engines on offer. Buyers of the regular A6 can choose from two petrols or a diesel — all of which are fitted with mild-hybrid technology — and there’s also a plug-in hybrid powertrain with a combined WLTP fuel economy figure of over 200mpg. The latter will be the best choice for company car users because there is no fully-electric option.

The traditional three-box design has evolved to incorporate styling cues from the larger Audi A8 limo, but the A6 still has its own distinct design. Those after something of a similar size, but with a slippery shape and the additional versatility of a hatchback rear boot design might consider the Audi A7, which shares much of its engines and high-end technology with the A6.

While previous generations of A6 have underwhelmed from behind the wheel, the current model is impressively sharp to drive, making it a closer rival to the BMW 5 Series than ever before.

Inside, there's even more inspiration from the A8, with a plush interior packed with high-tech touches. Audi's MMI interface controls all the cabin functions, and this comprises a pair of touchscreens with haptic feedback, which means they mimic physical buttons by clicking and vibrating when a function is pressed.

There's a raft of driving aids available, too. Add all the safety options available, and you'll get five radar sensors, five cameras, twelve ultrasonic sensors and a laser scanner. These combine to equip the A6 with adaptive cruise control, active lane assistance and self-parking, while an advanced city braking system is designed to scan for obstacles crossing the car’s path in urban environments.

Interior space is greater than you'll find in the past A6. In addition, a stiffer bodyshell, extra sound deadening and a sharper driving experience mean the A6 is still a strong contender in the class. It's a flawless motorway companion, delivering a near-silent cruise, but on smaller roads, it offers an agility that was missing from previous generations of A6.

We're used to the Audi A6 challenging its German rivals, the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E-Class, but while the executive saloon market is smaller than it once was, there are a number of competitors from other brands, too. The Lexus ES and Genesis G80 are two other combustion-powered models that the A6 has to face, and there’s also an increasing number of fully-electric options, such as the BMW i5 and Mercedes EQE.

Engines, performance and drive

Audi has a reputation for building large saloon cars that will cruise along in perfect comfort, but then disappoint on open roads due to a firm ride and heavy feel. Fortunately, the current Audi A6 has consigned that reputation largely to the history books.

Ride quality is one area where the A6 is particularly worthy of praise. The previous model felt almost wooden and uncomfortable over bumps, jarring occupants over potholes. Audi has obviously taken this criticism on board when building this model, because it rides with far more elegance and refinement. 

One area where compliments are harder to find is the A6’s steering. It’s accurate enough, but its synthetic character is almost entirely devoid of feel. Here, the Audi loses out to the BMW 5 Series, which provides far greater levels of feedback through the wheel.

Elsewhere, almost all the news is positive. The brakes are effective, the automatic transmission shifts seamlessly, and wind noise is all but absent; it’s here that Audi’s work with aerodynamics and sound insulation pays dividends.

The latest A6 is closer than ever to providing the sportier handling characteristics that are often associated with BMW’s executive car offerings. The high standard of build-quality, refined ride and plush materials bring it closer in line with the equivalent Mercedes models, too. While each brand still offers its own benefits, the A6 is a strong contender in this sector of the market.

Engines, 0-62mph acceleration and top speed

The current A6 has been offered with a broad range of engines throughout its lifespan but, now in its later years, the line-up has been trimmed down to just four options. 

Kicking off the A6 range is a front-wheel drive 2.0-litre 40 TFSI producing 201bhp and 320Nm of torque. This engine propels the A6 from 0-62mph in a respectable 7.3 seconds and onto a top speed of 152mph. While it can’t quite match the effortless surge of the Audi’s six-cylinder rivals, the weight advantage this four-cylinder block brings means it delivers a purer, lighter-feeling driving experience. 

If you wish to stick with petrol but desire a bit more power, the alternative option is the 45 TFSI unit. This is also a four-cylinder engine, but it boasts an increased power output of 262bhp and 370Nm of torque. These figures bring the 0-62mph time down to exactly six seconds, while top speed is limited to 155mph. All A6s fitted with this engine come with quattro four-wheel drive as standard. 

Those who prefer the black fuel pump will be pleased to know that diesel power is still an option, and this comes in the form of the 40 TDI engine. With 201bhp and 400Nm on tap, this oil-burner is also a pretty impressive performer. It’ll launch the A6 from 0-62mph in 7.3 seconds, and then onto a top speed of 153mph. All 40 TDI-powered A6s are also fitted with quattro as standard.

If you’re covering plenty of miles but are looking to lower your emissions, the 50 TFSI e plug-in hybrid will be the A6 for you. Not only does this variant offer strong performance thanks to its combined 295bhp and 450NM power output, but it also has a claimed range of up to 42 miles of pure-electric driving. The PHEV is no slouch, either. From a standstill, plant your right foot and you’ll reach 62mph in 6.2 seconds, and then proceed onto a limited top speed of 155mph.

Those who desire all-out performance have two options: the S6 and RS 6. The former is available in saloon or Avant form and is powered by a muscular turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine with 340bhp and 700Nm of torque – enough for a five-second sprint to 62mph and effortless motorway performance. It’s not quite as fun as previous petrol-powered models, however.

The RS 6, meanwhile, is available exclusively in Avant estate guise, but it boasts performance that’s more befitting of a supercar. Its 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged petrol engine boasts 621bhp and 850Nm of torque, meaning 0-62mph takes just 3.4 seconds.

MPG, CO2 and running costs

High-mileage drivers often favour large executive cars like the Audi A6, so fuel economy and running costs will be of the utmost importance.

Fleet cars have traditionally been powered by diesel and, predictably, the 40 TDI engine is indeed one of the most economical in the range, with an official figure of 50.4 mpg on the WLTP combined cycle. Its CO2 emissions aren’t as low as they could be, though, at 147g/km. This means company car users, as well as those who want to reduce their carbon footprint, may be better suited to the plug-in hybrid model instead.

The A6 TFSI e has a claimed fuel economy figure of 235.4mpg. Of course, you’ll be hard-pressed to achieve this in everyday driving, but we easily managed a steady figure of 60mpg when testing this model in Avant estate form. This figure may be some way off the claimed number, but it’s still quite a bit higher than the diesel. There’s up to 42 miles of all-electric battery range, too, and the official CO2 emission rate is just 28g/km.

If you’re thinking of opting for petrol power instead, the entry-level TFSI 40 returns up to 38.7mpg on the WLTP combined cycle while emitting 165g/km of CO2. The larger 45 TFSI unit claims 37.2mpg, and its official emissions are 173g/km. 

One thing helping the fully-combustion-powered A6s in terms of efficiency is the mild-hybrid system. This comprises a belt alternator starter (BAS) motor powered by a small lithium-ion battery. The system provides a short power boost to assist the engine when accelerating, helping it to work less, and save a little fuel in the process. 

On the performance-orientated side of things, the S6 is your best bet if you wish to retain a modicum of affordability at the pumps. In saloon form, the S6’s diesel engine returns a claimed average of 39.8mpg – not bad considering the car’s power, size and weight – while emitting 185g/km of CO2.

Insurance 

The 40 TFSI in entry-level Sport trim will be the cheapest A6 to insure, as this sits in group 33E. The rest of the petrol and diesel-powered models range from group 34E to 38E. Meanwhile the plug-in hybrid TFSI e jumps up into groups 42E to 45E. The letter ‘E’ means the Audi has exceeded the minimum security standard for its insurance group.

The A6’s rivals, meanwhile, aren’t too dissimilar when it comes to insurance premiums. The Mercedes E-Class ranges from group 41E all the way to 50E, while the BMW 5 Series starts in group 35E and tops out in 44E — excluding the M5 performance model.

Depreciation 

The Audi A6 has two factors that pull it in opposite directions: on the one hand, large executive saloons tend to lose value relatively savagely; yet on the other, Audis have a strong reputation for residual values. According to our expert data, the A6’s retained value after three years and 36,000-miles varies quite considerably depending on the chosen trim and powertrain. This can range from 30-47 per cent. 

The worst depreciator is also one of the most expensive to buy; the S6. If you’re set on owning this version, the best performer is the Black Edition model — without the Technology Pro Pack added — because this should retain 33 per cent after three years.

If you’re buying a standard A6, the general rule is that the Avant estates retain more value than the saloons. If you opt for the saloon, though, the best choice is the 40 TDI in Black Edition trim, as this will retain 41 per cent over the same period.

To get an accurate valuation on a specific model check out our free car valuation tool...

Interior, design and technology

The Audi A6’s interior design is largely borrowed from the big Audi A8 luxury limo, so you get clean, unfussy lines, full-width air vents and a trio of information displays. 

You have to look hard to find areas to complain about where quality is concerned. All the touchpoints are made from high-quality leather, plastic, or metal, and the gear selector operates with a satisfying sense of solidity. Dig deep, and a few areas don’t stand up to quite such close scrutiny: the headliner, for instance, could be made from a nicer fabric – but we’re getting into the level of nit-picking here.

Sat-nav, stereo and infotainment

There are three screens in the A6, which may take a bit of time to get used to – not least because of how feature-rich the car is.

The A6 is offered with a vast amount of tech fitted as standard. All variants include heated front seats, a rear-view camera, traffic sign recognition, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. At the front, a set of LED Matrix headlights are fitted across the range.

Audi also offers a number of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) with the A6. For example, the Remote Parking Assistant Plus pack provides a self-parking feature to determine if your car will fit and plot the best route into the space. Technology Pack Pro, adds a heads-up display, a Bang and Olufsen stereo, multicoloured ambient interior lighting, and a 360-degree parking camera system.

The top screen features smartphone-like tile apps, which can be dragged and dropped, allowing you to configure it as you wish. Both screens provide haptic and acoustic feedback, so they vibrate slightly and click when you push them. The system is fast and lag-free in its operation, our experience is that pressing the screens requires a harder push than is ideal, while the touchscreen-based nature of the air conditioning, for example, requires more concentration than buttons and dials would. The voice-recognition software is so advanced, however, that you could do most tasks without using your fingers.

Practicality, comfort and boot space

​The Audi A6 has only grown in length by 7mm compared to the previous model, but by stretching the wheelbase by 12mm, greater gains have been achieved with regard to interior space.

Legroom, headroom and passenger space

Few complaints tend to be made about the environment offered in the front of large saloons, and that’s certainly the case in the A6. The driving position is excellent; the seats provide fine leg and back support, while a large central storage cubby and a brace of cupholders reside in the centre console.

It’s in the rear where the most significant improvements have been made. Legroom in the back has increased by 17mm, while headroom is up by 10mm over the old A6. These sound like small numbers – and they are – but the overall impression is of a far more spacious car. 

Unless you’re sitting in the middle-rear seat, that is, where a significant transmission tunnel hump will force you to splay your legs in an ungainly and uncomfortable fashion – though this is something of a given in this class of car. 

Boot space

Something else that’s a given with large executive saloons is a decent-sized boot. At 530 litres, the A6’s boot is competitive, but the prominent load lip, slightly odd shape, and relatively small loading aperture are arguably two of the reasons why SUVs have become so popular in recent years. In fairness, the A6 Avant caters to those needing more accessible and spacious luggage area. 

It’s important to stress the 530 litres boot capacity only applies to the petrol and diesel versions of the Audi A6. Because of the way the battery pack is positioned in the car, the plug-in hybrid TFSI e has a smaller 360 litre boot. 

Towing 

If you wish to tow with your A6, Audi offers a towing equipment pack that adds a trailer hitch to the back of this executive saloon. The 40 and 45 TFSI petrol engines, 40 TDI diesel and 50 TFSE e PHEV can all tow up 2000kg braked (or 750kg).

Reliability and safety

Given the sheer number of active and passive safety systems fitted to the Audi A6, it’s fair to say it should be one of the safer cars on the road. The company has a history of achieving five-star ratings from independent safety experts at Euro NCAP, and the A6 kept that trend going when it was assessed in 2018. It also earned a 93 per cent score for adult occupant protection, an 85 per cent score for child protection, 81 per cent for pedestrian safety and 76 per cent for its advanced safety tech.

Driver assists such as blind spot monitoring are optional, but Autonomous Emergency Braking and active lane-keeping assist are fitted as standard to the A6 – and that’s in addition to the usual plethora of airbags and electronic aids.

The A6 didn’t appear in our most recent Driver Power customer satisfaction survey, but Audi’s 30th-place finish out of 32 brands in our best manufacturer rankings doesn’t do much to inspire confidence. This was well below all of its rivals, such as BMW, Mercedes, Alfa Romeo and Jaguar.

Warranty 

The news here is fine, but nothing more. Audi’s three-year, 60,000-mile warranty was once average for the industry, but it is now looking slightly ungenerous. BMW and Mercedes offer no mileage cap with their three-year policies, for example. You can always opt to extend your warranty to a four-year/75,000 mile, or five-year/90,000 mile policy, at an additional cost.

Servicing

Audi offers the choice of either a fixed or flexible service plan. Which one is best for you will depend on your predicted annual mileage. The fixed plan involves a service every 18,600 miles or two years, while the flexible plan involves an oil change every 9,300 miles or one year, and a full service every 18,600 miles or two years.