Overview & Reviews

Luxury-car shoppers who love value have long cheered the Audi A6. And in true Audi fashion, the midsize A6 gives you a lot for a very competitive price. One of the A6's primary strengths is its deluxe cabin. Materials are first-rate, and the overall design is nothing short of class-leading. Its winter-weather capability is another plus, as most A6s on dealer lots, like other Audis, have all-wheel drive.

But the car's most compelling asset concerns value. In terms of overall quality and performance, the Audi A6 is typically equal to or even better than its luxury sedan rivals, yet it typically costs thousands less. A used A6 represents an even more affordable proposition, though these older examples lack the athleticism of their more contemporary rivals. The latest A6 benefits further still from enhanced performance and increased driver engagement, making it a top choice in the segment.

Current Audi A6
Powering the base Audi A6 is a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 (2.0T) that produces 220 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Other engine choices include a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 (3.0T) with 310 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.0-liter turbodiesel (TDI) that cranks out 240 hp and 428 lb-ft of torque. Front-wheel drive and a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) are standard on the 2.0T. Standard with the other engines, and optional on the 2.0T, is an eight-speed automatic coupled to all-wheel drive. Fuel economy across the board is quite favorable when compared to competing sedans.

Trim levels start with the Premium (2.0T only) and move up through Premium Plus (2.0T, 3.0T and TDI) and Prestige (3.0T and TDI). Standard feature highlights of the Premium include a sunroof, tri-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery and heated front seats. Premium Plus trims add larger wheels, xenon headlights, parking sensors, keyless ignition and entry, upgraded audio, a navigation system and an in-car Internet connection. The Prestige boasts adaptive headlights, unique exterior accents, quad-zone climate control, ventilated front seats and a Bose sound system. Options depend on trim levels and include LED headlights, a sport-tuned suspension, a top-view camera system, a head-up display, various electronic driving/safety aides, and a Bang & Olufsen sound system.

In reviews, we rank the current Audi A6 highly for its engaging driving dynamics, excellent interior, long list of features and impressive combination of performance and fuel efficiency. Drivers with a penchant for winding roads will certainly appreciate the A6's tenacious grip on the pavement and well-balanced weight distribution, while others will likely enjoy the quiet and attractive cabin that is well stocked with intuitive high-tech wizardry. Whereas previous A6 generations played second fiddle to their Mercedes and BMW rivals, this latest version has no problem challenging them for first chair.

Used Audi A6 Models
The current A6 debuted for 2012 and represents the fourth generation in the car's lineage. Adopting the latest Audi design language, the A6 is distinctive for its large trapezoidal grille and more angular headlights. It is also notable for improvements in regard to performance, making it the go-to choice as a "driver's car." The next year brought automatic engine stop-start for the V6, available all-wheel-drive for the 2.0-liter engine and the available top-view camera system. Apart from the 2.0T having slightly less power (211 hp versus 220 hp), the unavailability of the TDI and a slight shuffling of trim levels, these latter A6s are similar to the current version.

The third-generation Audi A6 ran from the 2005 to the 2011 model year. Overall, the third-generation car represented an admirable mix of attention-getting style, entertaining driving dynamics and opulent furnishings. A wagon body style, known as the Avant, was offered alongside the sedan.

In the third generation's final year of production, three engines were offered: a 265-horsepower V6 (3.2), a 300-hp supercharged V6 (3.0T) and a 350-hp V8 (4.2). The 3.2 front-wheel-drive sedan had a CVT, while all other A6s came with a six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The A6 Avant was only available with the 3.0T engine, AWD and the automatic.

Throughout the production run, trim levels were generally structured around engine selections. For the most part, three trims were offered: base 3.2 Premium, midlevel 3.0T Premium Quattro and top-of-the-line 4.2 Prestige Quattro. Wagons were available only in the 3.0T Premium Quattro trim. Standard features were as generous as any luxury car for the time, with navigation standard for all and the upper trims coming with heated seats. Meanwhile, Audi's easy-to-use Multi Media Interface (MMI) system made controlling audio, navigation and Bluetooth functions easy with clear and logical menus.

Those considering third-gen models should keep in mind that the base V6 made only 255 hp from 2005-'09 (later increased to 265 hp). Also, the supercharged V6 (3.0T) wasn't available from 2005-'08, while the car's V8 produced only 335 hp prior to 2007, when output was bumped to 350 hp. In terms of features, the A6 has stayed mostly unchanged, though trim packages and options were also simplified for '09, and the MMI electronics interface and navigation system were upgraded for 2010.

In reviews, we've found the engines smooth and refined. The base V6's acceleration is certainly passable, but our choice would be the 3.0T thanks to its broad range of torque and relative fuel efficiency. In fact, we've found this engine provided quicker acceleration than the V8. The A6 rode comfortably on the highway, and while it wasn't the most athletic car in its class, our editors applauded its predictable, confident feel around corners.

The second-generation A6 sedan arrived on the market in 1998 and benefited from a ground-up redesign; an all-new version of the Avant wagon debuted the following year. This was the first Audi A6 to ride on a stretched version of the highly regarded A4 platform.

For the first two years, only a naturally aspirated V6 was available, but in 2000, Audi added a spirited twin-turbocharged V6 and a torque-rich V8 to the sedan lineup. Given that acceleration tended to be sluggish with the base V6, particularly on the hefty A6 Avant wagon, Audi began offering a more powerful 3.0-liter six-cylinder in 2002. Transmission choices included a five-speed automatic and a CVT (which was introduced in 2002). In reviews, we praised the heavenly cabin and all-wheel-drive utility offered by the second-generation A6, and panned its somewhat nonlinear steering. Overall, it represents a solid choice for used-car shoppers.

The original Audi A6 came to market in 1995 as a lightly revised version of the old Audi 100 sedan and wagon. Although prices on used A6 models from this era are convincingly low, consumers should be aware that only one engine -- a 172-hp V6 -- is available on these cars. With the lightest A6 sedan weighing in at 3,400 pounds, acceleration is modest at best. However, much like newer Audis, this A6 was nicely appointed and offered a choice of front-wheel drive or Quattro all-wheel drive.

User Reviews:

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  Nice Car, Expensive to Repair - 1998 Audi A6
  By S.Costa - August 23 - 2:00 am

  Nice Vehicle. Bought 2 months ago. Some problems included rim leaks,window failure (drivers side), battery start, air bag light. Also the bose speakers blew on the drivers side door, but are ok now. Repairs on this car are very high. Dont buy the car if you cannot afford the up keep!

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  Best car Ive ever had. - 2016 Audi A6
  By Sean - August 18 - 6:51 am

  Best car Ive ever had.

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  Quattro Handling with sleek security - 2001 Audi A6
  By Logic43 - August 9 - 2:00 am

  Noone gets hurt in this car. I have had two accidents in this car and all passengers (3 first accident, and 2 the other) walked without a bruise or a scratch. Of course, I took car to L.A.s finest Euro repair shop (Avio Coach Craft). Additionally, the twin turbos really launch this car. If owners have a problem with the maintenance, maybe they should invest their money in other areas>like an extended warranty, which will be about 1/3 of all the repairs, and upkeep of a high performance, luxury car(believe me I checked). This forced induction car has endless possibilities of upgrades! Great as a used car as well.

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  LOVE MY CAR!! - 2016 Audi A6
  By Alicia Jernigan - August 7 - 8:29 pm

  I am 40 this year, a single mom, successful with a 7 yr old boy. This car is so safe, sexy, fast and comfortable! My heart skips a beat every time I see it!

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  Great blend of performance and style - 2004 Audi A6
  By panj - August 2 - 2:00 am

  I entered a lease on the s-line going from a 1999 BMW 740i sport. Performance and handling are very close to the BMW with the added benefit of AWD. Moving to much more severe winters, hence AWD. The interior lived up to Audis reputation for quality in colors, wood, etc. Dealers are offering lower than invoice with excellent lease rates given the new model coming. Recommend the leather upgrade with sport seats-- side bolstering needed for driving at the limit and the upgrade is a major improvement over the standard

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  Left over 2004 quite a bargain!! - 2004 Audi A6
  By ilovewestins - August 1 - 2:00 am

  Just picked up a A6 Quattro 3.0 yesterday. Prem, cold pkgs., and 17" wheels and tires. $2500 incentive plus $1000 Audi Loyalty got me out the door at $35300. Edmunds you missed the incentives!!! Thank goodness they wanted to move the 04s

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  Good! Good! Good! - 2002 Audi A6
  By David Big - July 22 - 2:00 am

  Great car, comportable, easy to ride, good on long trips.

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  POOR QUALITY - 2003 Audi A6
  By LINDA CASATELLI - July 14 - 2:00 am

  I have had it back many times for a loud bang when it shifts, passenger headlight fogs up, left headlight yellow reflector fell off. Audi insists it is normal except for the reflector. Passenger front wheel out of line right after service. I am very unhappy with the amount of money spent and the return on investment. It was bought on reputation and the parent company refuses to assist.

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  A6 3.0 CVT - 2004 Audi A6
  By Bruce Huffa - July 12 - 2:00 am

  At first it was a little strange getting used to the new type of transmission. I tike the tiptronic gear shift for driving up the mountain roads. the handling of curves is fun and safe. I now find that the pickup of the car is much better than the 2.7T. It has averaged about 23 mpg since I got the car with over 26,000 mile on it.

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  Awesome A6 - 1999 Audi A6
  By dreiter - July 11 - 2:00 am

  Rock solid car, even after 50,000 miles. Every aspect of this car is well engineered and manufactured. Audi dealer treats me with respect and takes excellent care of the care. Warranty issues dealt with promptly and efficiently.