Audi A6 (2018 – 2025) Review

The Audi A6 saloon strikes the balance between balance of waftiness and driving dynamics just right, while technology (and a platform) shared with the A8 means the A6 has plenty of gadgets to keep passengers entertained. As a comfortable, premium vehicle for covering high mileages, there's not much on the market that'll do the job better, even rivals like the BMW 5 Series, Jaguar XF, Mercedes E-Class, and Volvo S90. Read on for our full review of the Audi A6 saloon. 

All of the mainstream Audi A6 saloon range come with some form of hybrid assistance, from mild help to full-on plug-in aid. There is, of course, also the very quick S6 model, which is a stepping stone to the full-blown RS6 that's only offered as an estate. The S6 uses a 3.0 litre V6 turbodiesel, which is a little at odds with its sporting outlook.

No matter which engine you choose, the A6 is a relaxing car to drive, just like the previous generation. All models come with progressive steering, which makes the steering quicker the more you wind on lock, while all-wheel steering is available as an option. This turns the rear wheels in the opposite direction of the front at low speeds to reduce the turning circle, while it does the opposite at high speeds in a bid to increase stability.

While the steering isn't the last word in feedback, the ride quality is very good - even on larger alloy wheels. There are no fewer than four different suspension options available, but all generally provide a soothing ride without being excessively floaty.

Where the A6 excels is its interior. It's not as flashy as an E-Class, but it's pleasingly modern with everything well laid out. All models come with a twin-screen infotainment system - the usual touchscreen display in the centre of the dash providing access to navigation, DAB radio and the like, with another one below it providing access to climate features. Both screens use haptic and acoustic feedback, so users hear and feel a click as soon as their finger triggers a function. Strange, but it adds to the premium ambience.

Audi's Virtual Cockpit is also available as part of the optional Technology Pack, replacing the conventional dials behind the steering wheel with a configurable display, allowing to prioritise navigation or the speedo and rev counter. Go for the Vorsprung trim and this dash is standard.

The biggest issue with the Audi A6 is its price. It may start in the region of £40,000, but you could easily spend a lot more on a few option packs. That said, you get what you pay for, and premium rivals are equally expensive, plus the A6 enjoys strong residual values. 

Looking for a second opinion? Read heycar's Audi A6 review.

Whichever engine you choose, the Audi A6 saloon's steering isn't as communicative as that in the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. It's fine, though - the A6 is an effortless cruiser than can be hustled into making progress surprisingly easily. Indeed, the Quattro all-wheel-drive versions provide an impressive amount of grip, while the optional four-wheel steer makes it feel surprisingly agile for a car of this size. It might sound peculiar, but you won't really notice the rear wheels steering.

Customers can choose from four set-ups, depending on trim level: the conventional steel spring suspension, sport suspension, suspension with damper control, and the adaptive air suspension, also with controlled damping. As you'd expect, the sport suspension is on the firm side, but all set-ups we've tried provide a relatively compliant ride without being too floaty.

The S6's 344PS 3.0 V6 diesel is surprisingly quick. It'll thunder up the road like the proverbial scolded cat, if you hammer the accelerator pedal. Doing so won't help fuel economy, though - officially it'll return 40mpg, but it's also very good at being a relaxed motorway cruiser returning impressive fuel economy.

One slight frustration is the eight-speed tiptronic gearbox, which can be caught out when you want to accelerate. If you're looking to overtake, for example, you'll need to get into the habit of prodding the accelerator a second before to encourage the gearbox to drop down a gear or two. You get used to it but it is a mild irritation on what otherwise is a near faultless driving experience. 

Fortunately, the 40 TDI and the TFSI petrols use a seven-speed S tronic gearbox which is much eager to respond. The stop-start system is a little frustrating, taking a fraction too long to react when you need a quick getaway from standstill, but the gearbox is much more eager to drop down a gear.

Most buyers will opt for the 40 TDI, and it makes sense in a car like this. It's a quiet and refined engine, only giving the usual diesel rumble when you're heavy with the accelerator.

The plug-in hybrid 50 TFSI e version has a combined power of 299PS from its 2.0 litre petrol and electric motors. It's brisk and enjoyable to drive, and you can do this for up to 42 miles on battery power alone.

Audi packs the A6 saloon with plenty of aids to the driver for everyday use. You get lane departure warning and assist, cruise control with speed limiter, all-round parking sensors and a reversing camera. There’s also automatic emergency braking, plenty of airbags, and Isofix mounts in the two outer rear seats and front passenger chair.

There are three options packs you can add to the A6 to improve its safety equipment score, and we reckon it’s shame adaptive cruise control is not included as standard.

In Euro NCAP crash tests, the A6 saloon scored a full five stars and performed admirably for both adults and child occupant safety.

Given the S6 is the Audi A6 saloon least likely to be used for towing, it has the highest limit for pulling a braked trailer at 2100kg. All other A6 saloon models are capped at 2000kg for a trailer with brakes and 750kg for one without brakes.

The A6 comes pre-prepared for having a tow bar fitted, and the optional tow pack from the factory costs £825.

The seats are very comfortable with lots of adjustment, although you'll pay a fair bit extra for electric seats. There's more head and legroom than in the old A6, and enough space for three adult passengers in the rear (although it would be a bit tight and the transmission tunnel running along the length of the car doesn't help).

If you need more space, consider the Avant - although the saloon's boot is surprisingly spacious, with 530 litres of luggage space. Its boxy shape is useful, and the rear seats can be dropped 40:20:40 for more room. There are ISOFIX points fitted in the rear of the car, allowing you to easily fit two child seats if required.

Audi's unimpeachable standards of build are exemplified in the A6. Everywhere you look or touch, there's a sense of solidity and feel of quality. Even, tight gaps between panels combine with hefty, dense materials so everything works with a pleasing precision. As a result, the A6 can be lined up alongside any of its rivals and come out in the top rank.

The Audi A6's interior might not have the homely feel of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, but that doesn't make it any less premium. There are numerous screens - two in the centre of the dash, as well as the optional Virtual Cockpit digital instrument cluster.

Some might prefer BMW's approach of buttons scattered liberally across the dashboard, but we find the Audi A6's digital systems more than intuitive. There's an 8.6-inch screen located below the main infotainment display, providing access to the climate control. A bit like an iPad controlling your home's central heating, it's a bit unnecesary, but very nice nonetheless.

The standard 8.8-inch screen in the centre of the dash can be upgraded to the 10.1-inch, if required. Whichever size you opt for, Audi's media system is one of the best in the business. It's easy to use with fast responses and sharp menus, while the navigation is easy to follow. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are fitted as standard across the range, should you wish to mirror some of your phone's features onto the dash.

Unfortunately, the displays are touchscreen only, which can make operation tricky on the move. A controller positioned near the gear lever would help when trying to input things like addresses into the navigation.

For the critical mass of the Audi A6 saloon line-up, there are four trims and four engine options to choose from. Starting with the Sport trim, you can pick between the 204PS 40 TFSI and 265PS 45 TFSI 2.0 litre turbo petrol engine, which cost £39,605 and £44,730, respectively. The 45 model comes with Quattro four-wheel drive included, which accounts for a good deal of its higher price.

The 40 TDI in Sport trim also has Quattro all-wheel drive and costs from £43,660. Or you could have the 50 TFSI e plug-in hybrid model that has 299PS from its 2.0 litre petrol engine and electric motor combined. The price for this in Sport trim is £54,515.

All of the same engine options are offered across the other three trim lines, with the jump from Sport to S line costing £3660. Tick the box for the Black Edition and it costs £1940 more than the S line version with the same engine. At the top of the pile is the Vorsprung model, which adds a very substantial £15,835 to the price of an identically powered Black Edition.

For the S6, you have the base model that costs from £61,780, while the Black Edition is £65,580, and the Vorsprung a very large step up in expenditure at ££79,680.

There is some relief for buyers in knowing that when you sell, the A6 holds its value very keenly, so you will see back a good chunk of your upfront outlay.

Most buyers will opt to pay for their A6 through a finance deal, and Audi offers a number of options for private and business users to spread the cost over monthly payments.

A used A6 is a wise choice and you can expect to pay around £25,00 for a three-year old 40 TDI Sport with average miles on the clock.

By far and away the cheapest A6 to run is the 50 TFSI e, but that’s only after you’ve paid the higher list price or lease cost based on that. It does offset this with fuel economy claimed at an official 235.4mpg if you can use the charging to its full potential. That combines with carbon dioxide emissions of 27g/km to give road tax of £10 for the first year and low Benefit in Kind payments.

From the mild hybrid range of A6 models, the 40 TDI model is best with its 50.4mpg and 147g/km, which means £255 for first-year road tax. Next in line might you surprise you as it’s the S6 with 40.4mpg, though its 3.0 V6 turbodiesel emits 183g/km to attract Vehicle Excise Duty at £1040 in the first 12 months.

For the petrols, the 40 TFSI leads with 39.8mpg over the 45’s 37.2mpg, and the 40 is the cheaper for road tax thanks to its 162g/km emissions falling into the £645 bracket. The 45 sits one band higher with a cost of £1040.

For insurance, the A6 range occupies groups 30 to 44 depending on which engine and trim suits you. This is on a par with the Audi’s rivals.

The Sport trim is the opening gambit for the Audi A6 saloon line-up and it comes sitting on 18-inch alloy wheels and standard suspension. Like all A6s, it has Drive Select to choose from various driving modes. There are LED lights front and rear, as well as parking sensors and a reversing camera. You also get cruise control, keyless entry and ignition, leather upholstery, heated front seats, and four-way electrically adjusted lumbar support for the front seats.

Choose the Sport and you also get the two centre screens, one 8.6-inch item for the ventilation controls and the other 10.6-inch touchscreen for the infotainment.

Move up to the S line and you get 19-inch alloys, sport suspension that sits the car 20mm lower, and high beam assist. There are S line badges outside, while inside there are front sports seats with electric adjustment for the front pair. Upholstery is taken care of by leather and Alcantara, and there’s the rear privacy glass. For the Black Edition, Audi provides 20-inch wheels and black-painted exterior detailing.

Pay the considerable premium for the Vorsprung model and you enjoy 21-inch wheels and Performance air suspension with damper control, though this depends on which engine you choose. This model also has a panoramic glass sunroof, soft door closing, head-up display, full leather interior with hide on the dash and doors, Super Sports front seats, and heated rear seats. You also get the Virtual Cockpit digital dash, plus the Driver Assistance and City Assist packs are included in the Vorsprung’s kit list.

The S6 comes in base trim, plus Black Edition and Vorsprung models. The differences between them are largely similar to those between the S line and the upper trims in the other A6 models, but the S6 does come with S damper control, unique bumpers and body kit.