Audi A6 Review (2019-2025)
Audi A6 Saloon cars for sale
4.0
Expert review
Pros
Wide choice of engines, including a plug-in hybrid
Comfortable and superbly made cabin
Fully loaded with high-tech safety features and driver aids
Cons
Not as much fun as rivals from BMW and Jaguar
Reduced boot space if you choose a plug-in hybrid
Some optional extras are expensive
The CarGurus verdict
The Audi A6 has a lot in its favour. It’s comfortable, it’s capable, it’s packed with kit and it's offered with an array of engines and modern technology, all of which combines to make it an appealing and talented choice overall.
Facets such as its advanced-looking cabin will heighten its desirability further, as will the sensible running costs offered by the diesel and plug-in hybrid models. On the costs front, though, buyers do need to be careful about ticking lots of options boxes and pushing the price of the A6 up to excessive levels.
The only major consideration is what you’re looking for. If you want a refined, competent and sleek executive saloon then the A6 is an eminently sensible option alongside rivals such as the Volvo S90 and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. If you want a car that can occasionally lift your heart rate, and serve up some fun on more involving roads, then you’re probably better off with a BMW 5 Series or Jaguar XF.
What is the Audi A6?
The Audi A6 has long been one of the top choices if you’re in the market for an executive saloon, thanks primarily to its blend of advanced technology, a wide range of options and refined nature.
Audi first introduced the A6 in 1994 but this, the C8 generation, was launched in the UK in 2018. It didn’t look dramatically different from its seventh-generation predecessor – although it was restyled and offered more interior room – but there were bigger changes under the skin, including the addition of 12- and 48-volt mild-hybrid powertrains, new suspension options, additional features and a new touchscreen infotainment system.
Such revisions were aimed at bolstering the A6’s appeal in a sector where the competition was becoming increasingly strong, with options including the fabled Mercedes-Benz E-Class, popular BMW 5 Series, plush Volvo S90 and fine-handling Jaguar XF. Then there are alternatives such as the all-electric Tesla Model S and Model 3, which you could imagine are perhaps partly responsible for the eighth-generation A6’s wide array of advanced new driver assistance features.
How practical is it?
One of the strong points of the A6 is its interior space and practicality. It offers a lot front and rear cabin space and, usefully, 530 litres of boot space with the rear seats up. A BMW 5 Series offers the same 530 litres and, like the Audi, comes with standard-fit 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats.
Those considering the plug-in hybrid TFSI e model, however, need to be conscious of the fact that it only offers a 360-litre boot due to the addition of the hybrid hardware.
If you're really after space, the Avant estate model will deliver a larger 565 litres, along with the more practical estate tailgate.
What's it like to drive?
The 2.0-litre diesel 40 TDI isn’t a pedestrian affair, though, with its 201bhp and seven-speed, dual-clutch transmission granting 0-62mph in a sensible 8.1 seconds. The 261bhp 2.0-litre petrol 45 TFSI is much quicker, clocking in at 6.0 seconds flat, and it also benefits from quattro all-wheel drive.
Whichever you go for, though, you’ll be pleased to find that the Audi is an easy car to drive. That’s no mean feat, considering its size. It’s also impeccably refined, with low levels of wind noise, which makes it an excellent companion for long-distance driving.
Its handling is predictable and reassuring as well, and it does feel more agile and rewarding to drive than previous generations. It’s not as fun from behind the wheel as a BMW 5 Series or a Jaguar XF, but it is an excellent cruiser, which is what many will be looking for. The ride quality does vary depending on which suspension and wheel options are fitted, though.
Technology, equipment & infotainment
At launch, Sport and S line variants of the A6 saloon were offered – but even the base Sport model came with a long list of equipment. Buyers could pick from an extensive range of options, too, including all-wheel steering, adaptive air suspension, a bigger 73-litre fuel tank, adaptive Matrix LED headlights and the Technology Pack – which added bigger screens, natural voice recognition, Audi’s innovative 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit instrument cluster and a wireless charger for mobiles.
Sport and S line trims are still offered today, along with Black Edition and Vorsprung models. Sport models come with Audi’s drive select system, LED lights, heated front seats, cruise control, electrically adjustable heated mirrors, dual-zone climate control, a high-definition dual-screen infotainment system with navigation and a 10-speaker stereo system. Lots of safety features are also standard, including a front collision warning system. S line models get adaptive Matrix LED headlights and dynamic rear indicators, as well as cosmetic upgrades and sports suspension. The Black Edition model benefits primarily from black detailing and 20-inch wheels, so there’s no great reason to upgrade. Vorsprung models, however, get an extensive list of additional tech and a panoramic glass sunroof.
Audi A6 running costs
An executive saloon is always going to command a premium when it comes to running costs, but the A6 should prove competitive with cars from brands such as Volvo, Mercedes-Benz or BMW. It costs about the same, its residual values should be good, the engine line-up is efficient and a range of service plans are available, so there shouldn’t be any surprises.
The new A6 Saloon in Sport 40 TDI S tronic specification, for example, is claimed to average a best of 52.3mpg on the combined WLTP test cycle. It should also be easy to get a real-world mpg figure in the mid-40s out of it, which will help keep costs down. That, plus the standard models’ 63-litre tank, means you’ll be able to travel over 600 miles on a single fill-up. You can upgrade the tank to 73 litres, too, if you want to extend that range further.
VED costs aren’t prohibitive, either, but it’s virtually guaranteed that you’ll have to pay the £325 annual premium – for five years – on top of the normal VED rate due to the list price being more than £40,000. Models such as the 45 and 55 TFSI quattro S tronic will cost more to run, due to their increased fuel consumption and emissions, but the costs are tolerable considering the purchase price and capabilities of the car in question. There was a V6 diesel variant, called the 50 TDI, which offered more power and improved refinement compared to the four-cylinder diesel, but that no longer appears in the Audi configurator.
If you’re looking at used A6s, do keep an eye out for tyre wear on cars with the larger 19- and 20-inch wheel options. Appropriate premium-brand tyres for the 19-inch option, as a case in point, will typically cost north of £600, excluding fitting. Again, it’s not going to be a stumbling block for most, but it could be an unpleasant bill to be faced with after just buying a car.
Audi does offer an array of service plans, which are available for cars aged 0-3 years and for cars aged 3-15 years. These 24-month plans cost around £500-600 for newer cars, and are a great way of keeping tabs on your outgoings. Usefully, you can also check out the potential cost for any purchase by entering its registration into Audi’s online service plan page.
Audi A6 reliability
A new Audi A6 comes with a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty, a three-year paint warranty and a 12-year anti-corrosion warranty. Three years’ UK roadside assistance and recovery are also included, along with a three-year warranty on any accessories purchased with the car.
The main warranty can be extended, too. You can bump the cover up to four years or 75,000 miles, whichever comes first, or five years and 90,000 miles. It’s not overly expensive to do so, either, and worth considering if you want to keep your car long-term and minimise fuss. The warranties are also transferrable between owners, so could prove advantageous when it comes to selling your A6.
A standard three-year warranty might not sound remarkable for an expensive car but it’s par for the course in this class, unfortunately, although some do offer unlimited mileages. If you don’t want to get involved with warranty extensions, or you’re looking at older used cars, you could look at alternatives such as the Kia Stinger with its impressive a seven-year warranty.
Problems should be rare with the A6 but Audi does occasionally stumble on the reliability front. It also often trails behind brands such as Toyota, Lexus, Honda and Kia when it comes to the results of satisfaction and reliability surveys, but given the current age of most cars and the warranty offering, major gripes and issues should be few and far between for A6 buyers. There have also only been a few minor recalls so far, which also bodes well for future reliability.
Audi does offer used approved A6s, which will simplify the purchasing process. Each car offered through the scheme goes through a 149-point check, gets refreshed and reconditioned and then is sold on with a minimum of 12 months’ warranty and roadside assistance. MOT cover is included as well, along with a 30-day, 1000-mile exchange plan. This means, if a fault occurs and you’re not happy, you can change the car to another.
- The A6’s range of engine options includes the diesel 40 TDI S tronic and the petrol 45 and 55 TFSI quattro S tronic. Those wanting serious performance could alternatively go for the mighty S6 Saloon, which can sprint from 0-62mph in 5.0 seconds thanks to its 338bhp 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine.
- The Audi A6 scored the maximum five-star rating when it was tested by Euro NCAP in 2018. It fared particularly well on the adult occupant front, scoring 93%, and also scored a good 85% for child occupants. BMW’s five-star 5 Series, for comparison, scored 91% and 85%, respectively. The Volvo S90 did attain a better adult occupant and safety assist rating than either, though, but scored a lower 80% for child occupant protection.
- The A6 is also available as a plug-in hybrid. It’s badged 50 TFSI e, and comes with a 2.0-litre petrol engine that’s allied to a 14.1kWh battery in order to give it an electric range of up to 34 miles. It’s one of the smoothest plug-in hybrids around, with excellent ride quality and a brilliant powertrain that blends electric and petrol power almost seamlessly. The downside is that the boot is reduced to just 360 litres to make way for the battery – though that’s still more than you’d get in most of its plug-in rivals.
- The best all-rounder: If you don’t mind going for a diesel, the base 2.0-litre, four-cylinder 40 TDI in standard Sport trim makes for a good option. It’s sensibly priced, offers good running costs, it comes with a good amount of kit and it doesn’t look or feel like a base-grade model. We’d opt for the Technology Pack, if you can, to add the modern Virtual Cockpit and upgraded MMI Navigation Plus with MMI Touch infotainment system.
- For the eco-minded: Audi claims the Sport 40 TDI S tronic will average a maximum of 52.3mpg on the WLTP average test cycle but, if you want better fuel economy, you could go for the A6 TFSI e. In the new line-up, if you go for the 50 TFSI e quattro S tronic in Sport trim, you’ll get a car capable of averaging up to 188.3mpg. Its CO2 emissions are also reputed to be 39g/km of CO2, yet it can accelerate from 0-62mph in 5.5 seconds. You’ll have to keep it charged up to get the best out of it, though.
- If you’re on a budget: The least expensive new model is the Sport 40 TDI S tronic. It’s not remarkably quick but it is efficient and it offers up a wide array of standard features. It’s worth considering adding a few options but keep an eye on the final price, lest it get cranked up to an intolerable level.
- For maximum performance: Out of the standard line-up, the 3.0-litre V6 55 TFSI quattro S tronic is the quickest, with its 335bhp engine propelling the A6 from 0-62mph in 5.1 seconds. Like the other more powerful models, it also comes with the traction- and stability-improving quattro system as standard. The diesel S6 is fractionally quicker to 62mph, and offers more torque, but it’s also a lot more expensive. You don’t have to abandon your green credentials, though, as the plug-in TFSI e model is surprisingly quick thanks to its combination of 2.0-litre engine and powerful electric motor.
