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:

• 

  Second A6 2.7 T - 2004 Audi A6
  By sdsiragusa - March 30 - 2:00 am

  I was fortunate to have a certified 2000 Audi 2.7 T for three months before my new Audi arrived. I was very pleased with the four year old models performance and durability. The new model is not very different from the older model and that pleases me. Ive owned several Mercedes during the past eighteen years. This car is every bit as nice to drive and has many features that I prefer to those of the Mercedes.

• 

  Good Buy - 2016 Audi A6
  By Fumin Zhang - March 30 - 1:44 am

• 

  NON BORING VEHICLE - 2000 Audi A6
  By ehirsch60 - March 29 - 2:00 am

  • Definitely enjoyable, non- boring vehicle. Regret to let go when the new body style comes out. • Rides and handles smooth with some upper cabin wind noise. Triptronic is excellent but dislike short 1st gear up-shift & no slow down-shift to 1st. • Engine mounts where replaced by manufacturer within first 2000 miles but never had a problem again there are some trouble with engine vacuum lines which sporadically triggers the engine check light, no a major issue. Driver’s seat leather faded quickly. • Great overall, withstands abuse, reliable wear & tear, I would buy again without a doubt.

• 

  i lOVE THIS CAR - 2000 Audi A6
  By bodie - March 29 - 2:00 am

  This is a great Sedan. For performance you cant beat it....Ita brialliantly fast

• 

  A good buy - 2001 Audi A6
  By Liboz - March 28 - 2:00 am

  No Problem Still under initial warranty.

• 

  A6Q - 2004 Audi A6
  By driver9999 - March 23 - 2:00 am

  great ca, especially in snow

• 

  2004 Audi A6 Avant - Superb! - 2004 Audi A6
  By MPero - March 13 - 2:00 am

  My A6 Avant is a sporty and versatile alternative to an SUV, more fun to drive, gets better gas mileage, and is nicer looking. The cars build quality is evident with no sqeaks or rattles in spite of really rotten local roads. The electronic stabization program/yaw control and quattro kept me in control and safe while swerving into the Interstate median grass at 70 MPH when an 18 wheeler blew a tire directly in front of me. The A6 is a much better value for the dollar as compared to BMW 530 Wagon or MB E320 Wagon and gives nothing up to those two marques. The interior materials are superb. We could not be pleased more with our new A6 Avant!

• 

  SMALL STUFF! - 2004 Audi A6
  By JOHN MATT - March 9 - 2:00 am

  IM 63"AND DRIVING SPACE FOR MY LEGS IS GOOD WITH SEAT ALMOST ALL THE WAY BACK. GOOD POWER FROM THE MOTOR,BUT WOULD LIKE BETTER GAS MILEAGE.NO MECANICAL OR DRIVING PROBLEMS.VERY WELL PUT TOGETHER STATIONWAGON.

• 

  Audi engineering/ service poor at best - 1998 Audi A6
  By nvragin - March 6 - 2:00 am

  Audi and the 3 dealerships I have dealt with should be ashamed of themselves. This is not German engineering/service at its finest. I have had nothing but problems from day one, oil leaks, injector problems. After 3 visits to have the same oil leak fixed, the service mgr told me he thought I should consider buying a new car. It still leaks oil. There is a six week wait to get the car in for service because they dont have enough trained mechanics. Now, after spending $2K on a transmission module which was to fix my current problem they tell me I now need to replace the transmission.

• 

  #16 They just keep getting better!!! - 2004 Audi A6
  By footloose - March 2 - 2:00 am

  Ive driven Audis since 1982 starting with a 4000 series. I turned in a 2001 A-6 2.7Q. This 04 A-6 3.0Q is a tad slower but the ride,quality and overall value has gotten even better. You get a lot more for the money than you could with a BMW,BENZ or Jag. Winter driving here in New England was a piece of cake with Quattro. Try one youll never regret it.