Overview & Reviews

Fast four-door sedans have been around forever, but the Audi S6 provides an enticing mix of people-friendly room, blistering speed, all-weather traction and brand-name cachet. Four generations of the S6 have graced our shores to date, though their sporadic appearances and truncated lifespans sure bring new meaning to the term "limited edition."

From the start, the S6's mission has been to be an extra-special, high-performance version of Audi's already special A6. It was achieved with more power, a sportier suspension and upgraded tires and brakes. The S6 has always been generous with the luxury content expected of Audi, and its midsize dimensions make it one of the better Audis for seating multiple passengers. Just keep in mind that the S6 focuses on performance, and as such its ride quality is harder-edged than that of other Audi vehicles.

Current Audi S6
Front and center for the newest Audi S6 is a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 that's rated at 420 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. All of this is channeled through a seven-speed automated dual-clutch manual transmission and distributed to all four wheels. Audi estimates this midsize luxury sport sedan will sprint to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds.

As with any Audi, the S6's interior features the type of understated luxury that the brand is known for. With its uncluttered design aesthetic and top-notch materials, the cabin is as functional as it is attractive. On top of this, standard and optional features include a sport-tuned adaptive air suspension with variable damping, adaptive cruise control, various driver and safety assistants, night vision, carbon-ceramic brakes, adaptive LED headlights, mobile WiFi, massaging seats and a navigation system with touchpad and handwriting recognition.

Behind the wheel, the S6 effectively splits the difference between big-motor luxury sedans and maniacal ultra-performance models. In this way, it may not offer the sports car acceleration and handling of the latter, but it's also more comfortable and suitable for occasionally taking Mom out for a Sunday drive.

Used Audi S6 Models
After a one-year hiatus, the S6 returned for 2013. This represents the fourth generation of the performance-focused version of the A6. Compared to the previous, V10-powered S6, this one offers similar road-burning performance along with greater fuel efficiency and a less nose-heavy front end that contributes to improved handling. Other than lacking a standard blind-spot warning system and power-folding mirrors (which were optional), this S6 is identical to the current version.

The third-generation Audi S6 was produced from 2007-'11. Of all the iterations, this was perhaps the most maniacal, as it was powered by a Lamborghini-sourced 5.2-liter V10. Although it was detuned, it still produced 425 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque. The sole transmission offered was a six-speed automatic. Despite this impressive-sounding pedigree, this S6 was unfortunately disappointing. In the end, it was slower than the supercharged V6-powered A6 3.0T, and lagged even further behind its contemporary rivals.

In the handling department, it didn't fare any better. With 59 percent of its weight up front, the car suffered from significant understeer. It wasn't particularly comfortable either, as standard 19-inch wheels and a stiffly calibrated sport suspension produced a bone-jarring ride. Overall, competitors such as the BMW M5 or Cadillac CTS-V would be a better choice for a midsize sport sedan. Over its four-year run, this S6 saw few changes. There were slight styling tweaks for '09, while the MMI electronics interface and navigation system were given a welcome upgrade for 2010.

Available only for 2002-'03, the second-generation S6 featured a torquey 4.2-liter V8 whose 340 horses were made more accessible by a five-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission. Oddly, this edition of the S6 came as an Avant (Audi-speak for "station wagon") only, which was partly responsible for its 2-ton curb weight and scarce availability.

Zero-to-60-mph acceleration was in the low 6-second range, and the car's lowered and stiffened suspension and 17-inch wheels and tires made it a potent handler, with grip similar to that of the current S6. Other pluses included its opulent interior and ample standard features list; the wagon's big drawback was its unimpressive gas mileage. Though hard to find, a used second-generation Audi S6 wagon offers an intriguing blend of performance and utility.

Born at a time when Audi's model-naming system was in flux, the first-generation S6 officially came to life (and death) in 1995, though essentially the same car had been sold for a few years previous as the S4. Available as both a sedan and a wagon, the original Audi S6 offered an eccentric turbocharged, 227-hp five-cylinder engine, working through a manual transmission to drive all four wheels. While performance was decent for the day, this iteration of the S6 never made much of a mark on the history books.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 78.00

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  Ultimate Daily Driver - 2003 Audi S6
  By evo_z - February 24 - 5:06 pm

  I got this car because i am tired of SUVs slowness and bad handling. but i do need the utility part. 340hp make ur right foot feels good all the time, and the cars look will never get u the bad attention from cops. very well build, every little details that shows great craftmanship. enjoy drive it everyday, every where. and the good part is it does not bother me with TPMS, non-seat belt warning those extra annoying features. Well, Bad thing about this car is expensive to fix, timing belt cost more than $2500. Also all the audi/vws cockpit control buttons letter ez to wear off, make the car looks older. try to upgrade but audi do not offer V8 wagon no more, and Q7 just not as sharp!

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  Awesome machine - 2010 Audi S6
  By zschicago - September 17 - 2:00 am

  Traded a 09 C4S for this. We wanted something we could drive everyday in Chicago and still be fun. The V10 is just awesome. Love the sound. Put the car in S mode and hold on. Drove the Panamera before purchased, I just cant get past the ugly exterior.

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  Elegant Mule - 2003 Audi S6
  By AudiNut - November 16 - 4:36 pm

  Im an Audi Collector. Which is why I bought this car. They are relatively rare for the US market. Its a powerful beast and holds the road. It snugs right into the fold of the B5 S4 & D2 S8. Although I have to say~ although similarly outfitted, the S8 holds its weight better than the S6, thus, it is faster around almost any track under various conditions. The offset to this is cargo space. The S6 has its place and I love it.

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  Dissapointed - 2007 Audi S6
  By matt - July 13 - 6:23 pm

  Car drove and performed well. Service and reliability were a nightmare. At one point I was told they needed to remove my engine to replace a sensor. Many occasions where my car was never even looked at or serviced after having been left all day. Bottom line had to get rid of the car because of sevice and reliability will never buy an Audi again

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  Excellent Car - 2008 Audi S6
  By hellas79 - January 6 - 3:38 am

  Love it, most fun to drive car Ive ever owned of the 50+ exotics and luxury cars Ive had so far.

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  2002 Audi S6 Avant - 2002 Audi S6
  By Genoa - April 27 - 4:08 pm

  This drives like a Porsche, but hauls Christmas trees, and all sorts of gear. Sexier than any minivan or SUV, but not noticed by speed cops. Great ski vehicle.

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  S6 Avant eye opener - 2002 Audi S6
  By Webg - February 13 - 7:28 pm

  The biggest sleeper on the road. no one knows what they are dealing with until after the S6 taillights disappear from view. Take this wagon seriously.

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  S6 Wagon - 1995 Audi S6
  By Maine-iac - July 31 - 2:00 am

  I just sold my 2002 S4 sedan so that I could get my not-so-new 1995.5 S6 Wagon with 99,000 miles on it. So far, I couldnt be happier with my decision. The wagon has tons of room, creature comforts, power and handling. It is also fantanstic in the snow, even with ordinary all-season tires. This car is faster than the 227 bhp figure suggests, partcularly when you figure in the massive torque available at full boost. My wagon dusts my fathers 2002 A6 2.7 bi-turbo every time. And, I think its a better looking and more useful vehicle.

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  S6 Avant - 1995 Audi S6
  By lemans - March 11 - 2:00 am

  Outstanding vehicle!! Safe, fast and usefull.

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  Audi doesnt get it yet - 2003 Audi S6
  By mountains - March 7 - 2:00 am

  The car is really fun to drive, but the front seats are not the Recaros with the adjustable thigh bolster that the manual shows and there is very little thigh support. The real problem is Audi dealers. They never tell the whole truth when you buy the car - every deal is a one- shot relationship. Until Audi gets its dealers to act like human beings, buying and owning an Audi will be a constant source of irritation and frustration. Is it worth it? With all the competing products on the market, I doubt it. Audi dealers are the worst I have ever encountered.