Audi A6 review

Interior

Dashboard & tech

Stepping into the Audi A6 is like stepping into the future. The dashboard is a masterclass in modern, minimalist design, dominated by two large, high-definition touchscreens that control almost everything. This is what Audi calls its MMI Touch Response system. The top screen handles your sat-nav and music, while the bottom one looks after the climate control. They both give a satisfying click, or haptic feedback, when you press them, which makes them easier to use on the move.

Many models also come with Audi’s brilliant Virtual Cockpit, a configurable digital screen that replaces traditional driver’s dials. It all looks fantastic and works brilliantly, cementing the A6’s reputation as a technology leader.

Comfort

Comfort is the A6’s superpower. The seats are superbly supportive, making even the longest journeys feel effortless. The cabin is incredibly well-insulated from wind, road, and engine noise, creating a calm and tranquil atmosphere that’s hard to beat.

The ride quality is generally excellent, especially on models with standard suspension, which soaks up bumps with ease. Sportier S line models have a firmer suspension which can feel a little unsettled on rougher roads, so if comfort is your absolute priority, it might be worth seeking out a car with the optional air suspension.

Quality

The interior of the A6 is a showcase of Audi’s famous build quality. Every surface you touch, from the soft leather on the steering wheel to the cool metal trim and polished black plastics, feels expensive and beautifully put together. The switches click with precision, the screens are sharp and responsive, and the whole cabin has a feeling of solidity and craftsmanship that few rivals can match. It’s a truly premium environment.

Practicality & boot space

Interior space

The Audi A6 is a large car, and that translates to plenty of space for passengers. There’s generous head and legroom for those in the front and back, so four tall adults can travel in complete comfort. A fifth person can fit in the middle rear seat, but the large transmission tunnel on the floor means it’s best reserved for shorter journeys.

You’ll find plenty of useful storage spaces dotted around the cabin, including large door bins and a decent-sized glovebox, helping to keep the minimalist interior looking tidy.

Boot space

In the Saloon model, the boot offers a very useful 530 litres of space. That’s plenty for a couple of sets of golf clubs or luggage for a family holiday. The only slight drawback, as with most saloons, is that the boot opening is smaller than a hatchback’s, which can make loading very bulky items a bit tricky.

If you need maximum practicality, the A6 Avant (Audi’s name for an estate) is the one to go for. It offers an even bigger 565-litre boot and a huge, flat load area when you fold the rear seats down, making it perfect for tip runs, dog owners, or carrying flat-pack furniture.

Versatility

The A6 is a fantastically versatile car. It’s a comfortable and prestigious business express during the week, and a spacious and safe family car at the weekend. The availability of Audi’s legendary quattro all-wheel-drive system on many models adds an extra layer of all-weather capability and confidence, making it a superb all-rounder for UK roads.

Driving

Driving experience

The Audi A6 is a car that’s designed to be effortlessly competent rather than outright fun. The driving experience is dominated by its incredible refinement and stability. The steering is light and accurate, and it feels incredibly secure and planted on the road, especially in quattro models.

It’s not as agile or engaging as a BMW 5 Series on a twisty road, but it’s far from boring. It simply gets on with the job of getting you to your destination with the minimum of fuss. For most drivers, its safe, predictable, and relaxing handling is exactly what you want from a large executive car.

Performance

The engine lineup in the A6 is excellent, with a focus on smooth and powerful diesel engines, although efficient petrol and plug-in hybrid options are also available. The most popular engine is the ‘40 TDI’, a 2.0-litre diesel with around 201bhp. It’s brilliant, offering a fantastic blend of punchy performance and impressive fuel economy.

For more power, there are 3.0-litre V6 diesel engines (badged ‘45 TDI’ or ‘50 TDI’) which are incredibly smooth and make for effortless high-speed cruising. There are also high-performance S6 and RS6 models for those who want supercar speed in a practical package. All models come with a smooth and responsive automatic gearbox as standard.

Running costs

Fuel economy & CO2 emissions

For such a large and luxurious car, the A6 is surprisingly cheap to run, especially if you choose one of the diesel models. The 40 TDI is the efficiency champion, capable of returning over 55mpg in official tests. Even the powerful V6 diesels are impressively frugal given their performance. The plug-in hybrid (TFSI e) models offer the potential for incredibly low running costs, provided you can charge the battery regularly.

Value for money

The Audi A6 is a premium car with a premium price tag. However, it feels every bit worth the money, thanks to its high-quality interior and generous levels of standard equipment. It holds its value well for a large executive car, which is good news for your long-term ownership costs. On the used market, you can find some fantastic deals, allowing you to get a slice of high-tech luxury for a much more accessible price.

Reliability & Warranty

Audi has a strong reputation for build quality, and the A6 feels like an incredibly well-engineered and solid car. Modern Audis are generally very reliable, but they are complex cars, so a full service history is absolutely essential when buying used. From new, all Audis come with a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty.

Safety

Safety features

The Audi A6 is one of the safest cars you can buy. It was awarded the maximum five-star safety rating when it was crash-tested by the experts at Euro NCAP, with particularly high scores for adult occupant protection.

It comes packed with standard safety equipment, including autonomous emergency braking. It’s also available with a huge array of advanced driver assistance systems, such as adaptive cruise control that can help with steering in traffic jams, and clever matrix LED headlights that can shape the light around other cars. Many of these were optional, so it’s worth checking the spec of any used car you’re considering.

Trims & Engines

Trim levels

Audi offers a range of trim levels, all of which are well-equipped.

• Sport: The ‘entry-level’ trim is anything but basic. It comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, the twin-screen MMI Navigation Plus system, leather upholstery, and heated front seats.
• S line: This adds a sporty flavour, with larger 19-inch alloy wheels, a more aggressive body kit, sports suspension, and sports seats trimmed in leather and Alcantara.
• Black Edition: Building on the S line, this adds a black styling pack that replaces all the exterior chrome with gloss black trim for a more menacing look. It also gets unique alloy wheels and privacy glass.

Engines

The engine range is badged using Audi’s number system, which can be a bit confusing. Essentially, the higher the number, the more powerful the engine.

• 40 TDI: The most popular engine. A 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel with around 201bhp. Available with front-wheel drive or quattro all-wheel drive.
• 45 TFSI: A 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol with around 261bhp.
• 50 TDI: A powerful 3.0-litre V6 diesel with around 282bhp, comes with quattro as standard.
• 50 TFSI e: A plug-in hybrid combining a 2.0-litre petrol engine and an electric motor for excellent performance and efficiency.
• S6: A high-performance model, usually with a powerful V6 diesel engine.
• RS6 Avant: The legendary super-estate, with a twin-turbo V8 petrol engine for breathtaking speed.

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