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 31 through 40 of 78.00

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  This car is wonderful. - 2003 Audi S6
  By maastrichtian - March 5 - 3:27 pm

  Recently purchased this car Audi CPO. Drove it 1000 mi home - It was like a vacation. This car is perfect. Everything from the dashboard lights to the advanced braking system work in perfect harmony. Some notes: leather seats without alcantara insets are simply TOO slippery for spirited driving. I spent a lot of my trip home planted to the door because I slipped out of my seat. (Learned to offset that a little by stomping on the dead pedal.) Probably wouldnt be an issue for a wider person. Yes, you get terrible mileage. It IS worth it. If youre doing mostly highway miles (like me), youre getting about 18 mpg, which isnt horrible. City? Hopefully you dont drive very many miles :)

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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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  Best Top Secret in the Market - 2007 Audi S6
  By BlueSky - January 28 - 7:06 am

  Audi A6 S6 will exceed your expectation. This is a car for the "connoisseur". The only way to appreciate the A6 S6 is take a test drive. Once you sit behind the wheel, you will see what I am talking about. This is a luxury car inside out and the V10 will let you know that you have a rocket in your hands. Attach your seat belts and enjoy the ride....

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  Most impressive vehicle I have driven - 2007 Audi S6
  By Brian K - December 11 - 2:05 am

  Purchased the S6 in Nov and soon found out I had much more car on my hands than I had expected. Finesse doesnt describe this cars ability to accelerate, brake, manuever or perform. Handles everything with ease. The best part is that aside from the 19" wheels and the dimuitive V10 and S6 badges, this vehicle looks like a nice A6. Pass someone and their eyes and ears are opened by the rumbling of the 5.2 liter powerplant. This is a rocketship!

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  Fantastic Sports Sedan 20 Valve Audi S6 - 1995 Audi S6
  By Ronald F Farina - March 16 - 5:04 pm

  This is my fourth 20 valve s car over a 9 year period and by far the best of the bunch. It is a 95 1/2 or essentially the 96 they never imported. Its performance is stunning, and its reliablility and build quality are unmatched. After over 10 years this pearl white/ecru S6 looks new inside and out. Its too bad they stopped building the 20 valve cars. The newer V6 is apparently a higher maintenance vehicle, and the V8s lost the soul of where they came from...the 2.2 liter world rallye champion 20 valve Sport Quattro.

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  Just Awesome - 2002 Audi S6
  By racekarl - October 27 - 5:30 pm

  Picked up my S6 as a CPO car after lusting after one for years. I previously owned a 2000 A6 sedan, and the S6 is everything I wish that car had been. This is simply the best wagon ever: gorgeous, fast, luxurious, and incredibly useful. The fuel mileage is abysmal, but I was fully awared of that going in, so its not really a negative point for me.

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  S-6 Overview - 1995 Audi S6
  By Sue Anderson - October 6 - 12:53 am

  Car has provided high performance with all weather capabilities. Reliability exceeds what I expected from reading some reviews about Audi in general. Fuel economy maxes out at about 26 mpg on the highway- around 20 around town. The incredible surge of power when the turbo hits at about 2,500 rpm is quite exhilarating- I recommend a radar detector! It has provided a combination of performance, style and comfort with great foul weather abilites!

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  1995 Audi S6 - The Greatest Car Ive Ever Driven - 1995 Audi S6
  By turbofiend - December 11 - 10:03 am

  Thw 1995 Audi S6 is quite possibly the most amazing car I have ever driven. It is rock solid. The quattro system is a dream. You cant tell its there, but you know its working. It has been raining like crazy lately, everyone else is sliding, but this beast is not going anywhere I dont tell it to. This car is incredibly elegant, solid, and truly connects the driver to the car and the road. Amazing experience. I think im going to go drive now.

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  Control and fun - 1995 Audi S6
  By Abbas - September 10 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car as backup/mountain car but this is the most fun car I ever drove. its true in my case that many times I drove extra miles just because I was having fun. Control and road grip is awesome. Maneuvering, control, big torque, aggressive, fun. For me, love with this machine start after 40mph. AC, sound, climate control, pocket seats, finishing, elegent style, all is flawless

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  The Best - 2002 Audi S6
  By CaddyConvert - August 6 - 2:00 am

  This is the best car we have ever owned - it is a sports car with family functionality - it will get your kids where they have to go - store stuff in the trunk and will handle the road like a monster - put snow tires on it and even without the ground clearance it will burn most SUVs on slick roads - in the summer it will give an M5 a run for its money on the highway - maybe the greatest car ever designed for people who want the ability to drive a very fun car and still get the family around.