The Audi A6 is a midsize luxury sedan that is available with either front- or all-wheel drive. It competes with vehicles like the Acura TLX, BMW 5-Series, Cadillac CTS, Infiniti Q50, Lexus GS and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. For 2016, the A6 received freshened front and rear styling, improved infotainment system and more powerful engines.
A6 is available only as a 4-door sedan and seats five. The similar Audi A7 is a slant-back version of the A6. It also seats five, but has slightly less rear-seat head room. The A6 offered in four trim levels: 2.0T Premium, 2.0T Premium Plus, 3.0T Premium Plus, 3.0T Prestige. 2.0T models get a turbocharged 2.0-liter four cylinder engine that makes 252 horsepower. 3.0T models utilize a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 that makes 333 horsepower. The 2.0T comes with either a 7-speed manual or 8-speed automatic and front- or all-wheel drive. The 3.0T comes only with the 8-speed automatic and all-wheel drive.
Standard safety features include antilock disc brakes, traction and stability control, rear-view and top-view cameras, front and rear parking sensors, lane-keeping assist and front-seat side, front knee , full-length side curtain airbags and rear side airbags. A blind-spot warning system and a night-vision camera system are optional.
Also standard is Audi's Pre-Sense system, which can warn the driver, tension the seatbelts and close the windows if a potential collision is detected. In addition, Pre-Sense Rear flashes the brake lights as a warning to rearward traffic to prevent rear collisions. Optional is Pre-Sense Plus, which automatically applies the brakes full force to avoid an impending forward collision or mitigate crash damage if a collision is unavoidable.
Base prices range from $46,200 on the 2.0T Premium to $61,600 on the 3.0T Prestige. Key features include voice-activated navigation system, Bluetooth audio connectivity, smartphone app integration and AT&T-based 4G LTE WiFi hotspot capability, adaptive cruise control, sunroof and a 15-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system. The A6 has a $925 destination charge and is assembled in Germany.
The A6 boasts a fine ride/handling balance. The suspension is quite firm - even on the base models - but never grows harsh. Occasionally, larger road impacts are transmitted abruptly through to passengers, but the extremely stiff structure and well-isolated suspension do a great job of mitigating secondary motions. If you're looking for a soft or floating ride, the A6 may not be for you, but if you want a car that feels connected to the road without beating you up you need look no further.
Not all is perfect though, the steering can be overly light at low speeds and lacks true on-center feel, which means constant correction is necessary when cruising the highway. Thankfully, the brakes offer amazing stopping power and a very easy to modulate pedal. Body lean is almost non-existent and the A6 hugs the corners like a sport sedan should. Depending on model, you can opt for an adjustable suspension that can be tailor ride comfort to driver taste.
The supercharged 3.0-liter V6 provides ample power when accelerating away from stoplights and in passing situations. When pushed, the A6 will acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in about 4.7 seconds. That's significantly faster than most competitors. The engine is buttery smooth and mates well to the slick-shifting automatic transmission. Audi's quattro all-wheel drive system operates unobtrusively to send power to the wheels with the most traction and requires no driver input.
EPA ratings for the 3.0T model are 20 mpg city and 30 mpg highway. While those numbers certainly aren't bad by any stretch - given the performance and size of the A6 - premium-grade fuel is required and that ups annual fuel costs. Routine suburban commuting yields an average of about 25 mpg overall with a dip into the low 20s in urban traffic and a rise north of 30 mpg in straight highway cruising.
Of all import automakers, Audi seems to have the best take on blending interior craftsmanship with modern tech. The overall look is contemporary and refined without being garish - save the gimmicky power-folding center screen. Materials are top notch and more than appropriate for the price point and fit and finish are unmatched. Controls are numerous, but well placed for easy operation. Audi's MMI infotainment system gets upgraded this year with a larger screen and more powerful processor. Controlled by a console-mounted jog dial, the MMI isn't as easy to operate as touch screen systems in some competitors but offers lots of customization, allowing drivers to configure system operation to their liking.
Front seats are firm and stiffly bolstered. They offer multiple adjustments and can be arranged to fit just about any driver. Head and leg room are impressive - given the sedan's low-slung design. Entry/exit are fine as is outward visibility. Rear seats are more softly padded thank the fronts and offer great comfort for two large adults. Putting three across will squeeze everyone, but it's certainly possible.
Trunk space is exceptional with a large and wide opening lid. Interior storage is unremarkable, highlighted by a deep center console bin and large door map pockets.
Overall, the A6 offers an impressive blend of luxury flair, German functionality and American comfort. It's certainly not inexpensive, but comes standard with lots of safety and technology features. Perhaps its strongest selling point is slightly more interior room than most competitors. If the A6 is the car for you and price is an issue, consider getting the 2.0T Premium Plus, which has a base price of just $49,900.
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