2020 Audi A6

Is the Audi A6 a Good Car?

Yes, the Audi A6 is a good car. It handles well, provides a comfortable ride, and offers two engine options that deliver ample power (the V6 more so than the four-cylinder). The posh cabin is spacious and quiet, and it looks great. There are plenty of tech features, including an easy-to-use infotainment system. This Audi’s main blemish is its subpar cargo space for the class.

Should I Buy the Audi A6?

As detailed above, the A6 has a lot going for it, but it's not the best value in the very competitive luxury midsize car class. You may want to see how the A6 stacks up against alternatives like the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

Compare the A6, 5 Series, and E-Class »

Should I Buy a New or Used Audi A6?

The 2020 A6 is part of a generation that began with the 2019 model year. The big update for 2020 is the debut of two new models. One is the all-new, performance-oriented S6, which features a 444-horsepower twin-turbo V6 engine. The other is the RS 6 Avant, which features a 592-horsepower twin-turbo V8 engine. Other changes for 2020 are minor. Lane departure warning and high-beam assist now come standard, and there's some shuffling of features between trims.

Audi fully redesigned the A6 for 2019 model year. In addition to updating the interior and exterior styling, Audi made changes to both the features list and what comes under the hood. The redesigned A6's powertrains consist of a turbocharged four-cylinder or V6 engine, a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, and standard all-wheel drive. The 2018 Audi A6 came standard with front-wheel drive, and its V6 option was supercharged. The other big change for 2019 was the addition of a new dual-screen infotainment system. It eschewed the central rotary controller that was a hallmark of earlier Audi systems, giving the A6's cabin a more high-tech and futuristic feel.

You can likely save thousands of dollars by going with a used Audi A6, but a pre-2019 model won't have the redesign's updates. If you're interested in a used model, check out our reviews of the 2018 A6 and 2019 A6. Also check out our Used Car Deals page to learn about the savings and discounts you can get on a used vehicle.

Compare the 2018, 2019, and 2020 A6 »

We Did the Research for You: 18 Reviews Analyzed

We don’t base our car reviews on our personal opinions. Instead, we combine the findings of professional test drivers with data such as reliability ratings and safety scores to give you a complete overview of every vehicle we rank.

This review uses applicable research and data from all model years of the current A6 generation, which launched for 2019.

Why You Can Trust Us

U.S. News Best Cars has been ranking vehicles since 2007, and our team has more than 75 years of combined experience in the automotive industry. Our car reviews are objective. To keep them that way, our editorial staff doesn’t accept expensive gifts or trips from automakers, and a third party handles all the advertising on our site.

How Much Does the Audi A6 Cost?

The A6 Premium carries a base price of $54,900. That's one of the highest starting prices in the class. The range-topping A6 Prestige starts at $64,800. The high-performance S6 starts at $73,900. Though some rivals have significantly more-expensive top trims, the S6’s starting price is more than you'll pay for some competitors' highest trim.

Check out our U.S. News Best Price Program for great savings at your local Audi dealer. You can also find excellent manufacturer incentives on our Audi deals page.

Audi A6 Versus the Competition

Which Is Better: Audi A6 or BMW 5 Series?

The BMW 5 Series is one of the highest rated cars in the class because it's virtually flawless. The 5 Series has dynamic handling, a comfortable ride, and a half-dozen engine options, including a few high-performance variants. The 5 Series has one of the biggest trunks in the segment and a long list of standard, user-friendly features. Finally, the 5 Series has an excellent predicted reliability rating. The A6 is a good car, but it can't match the standards set by this BMW.

Which Is Better: Audi A6 or Mercedes-Benz E-Class?

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class comes in sedan, coupe, convertible, and wagon body styles, and there are even a few performance-oriented AMG models. The E-Class has arguably the nicest interior in the class, ample engine power, and a controlled, comfortable ride. Of course, you can make many of the same points about the A6. Basically, choosing between these two will come down to your personal preference.

Compare the A6, 5 Series, and E-Class »

A6 Interior

How Many People Does the A6 Seat?

This Audi sedan seats five people. The front seats provide ample head- and legroom, even for tall people. The story is the same in the rear seats, so you'll be comfortable no matter where you sit in the A6.

A6 and Child Car Seats

The A6 has two complete sets of LATCH connections for the rear outboard seats and a dedicated tether anchor for the middle seat.

A6 Interior Quality

Anyone can appreciate the A6's sumptuous interior. It's sleek and stylish, with premium materials covering nearly every square inch. It's also quiet, even at highway speeds.

A6 Cargo Space

The A6 gives you 13.7 cubic feet of trunk space, which isn't much for a luxury midsize car. That said, the trunk’s opening is wide, and the rear seats collapse easily to expand cargo space when you need it.

The performance-oriented RS 6 Avant has a wagon body style with more cargo space, though exact figures aren't available as of this writing.

A6 Infotainment, Bluetooth, and Navigation

Standard features in the A6 include tri-zone automatic climate control, a panoramic sunroof, and an infotainment system with a dual-display touch-screen interface, Bluetooth, three USB ports, a 10-speaker audio system, satellite radio, navigation, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay.

The infotainment system's dual screens are easy to see and read, and they respond quickly to inputs. The interface is intuitive, so you can master it quickly.

Available features include quad-zone automatic climate control, proximity key entry, push-button start, a 16- or 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium audio system, wireless device charging, Audi's Virtual Cockpit, and a 10.1-inch upper infotainment screen.

Read more about interior »

A6 Performance

A6 Engine: You Don't Need the V6 (But You Might Want It)

There are a few engine options for this Audi sedan. A 248-horsepower turbo-four comes standard, while a 335-horsepower turbocharged V6 is available. Both get you from Point A to Point B with no problem, but the V6 is much more potent.

There are also two performance-oriented variants of this Audi, both of which are all-new for the 2020 model year. The S6 features a 444-horsepower twin-turbo V6, while the RS 6 Avant boasts a 592-horsepower twin-turbo V8. All engines are mated to a smooth-shifting seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

A6 Gas Mileage: Not Too Bad

A6 models with the turbo-four engine get good fuel economy for the class, earning 24 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway. For comparison, the BMW 5 Series gets 25 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway, while the Mercedes-Benz E-Class gets 23/32 mpg city/highway.

A6 Ride and Handling: Drive With Confidence

The A6 has poised handling through turns and light steering that translates to easy maneuverability. We wouldn't go as far as calling it a sports sedan, but you can have fun driving the A6. Ride quality is excellent over most surfaces. Audi's Quattro all-wheel drive is standard in every A6 model.

Read more about performance »

A6 Reliability

Is the Audi A6 Reliable?

J.D. Power gives the 2020 Audi A6 a predicted reliability rating of three out of five, which is about average.

Audi A6 Warranty

Audi covers the A6 with a four-year/50,000-mile basic warranty.

Read more about reliability »

A6 Safety

A6 Crash Test Results

The 2020 A6 has not yet been put through crash tests by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

A6 Safety Features

Standard driver assistance features include a rearview camera, front and rear parking sensors, lane departure warning, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking.   

Available active safety features include a head-up display, a 360-degree parking camera system, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, traffic sign recognition, intersection crossing assist (which uses sensors to help prevent accidents at intersections), blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, and a night vision assistant with pedestrian detection.

Read more about safety »

A6 Dimensions and Weight

The A6 is 16.2 feet long, and its curb weight ranges from 4,101 to 4,266 pounds.

Where Is the Audi A6 Built?

Audi builds the 2020 A6 in Germany.

Which Audi A6 Model Is Right for Me?

The Audi A6 comes in Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige trim levels. The Premium and Premium Plus trims come with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, with the option to upgrade to a turbocharged V6. The Prestige trim comes standard with the V6. Quattro all-wheel drive and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission are standard throughout the lineup.

The Premium Plus model is a great choice for most buyers. It's only a few thousand dollars more than the base trim, but it comes standard with several additional infotainment and driver assistance features.

Audi A6 Premium

The A6 Premium carries a base price of $54,900. Standard features include leather upholstery, heated and power-adjustable front seats, tri-zone automatic climate control, and a panoramic sunroof.

The A6's infotainment system features a dual-display touch-screen interface with an 8.8-inch upper screen and an 8.6-inch display beneath it. It also has Bluetooth, three USB ports, a 10-speaker stereo, HD Radio, satellite radio, voice-control navigation, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay.

Standard driver assistance features include a rearview camera, front and rear parking sensors, lane departure warning, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking.  

Audi A6 Premium Plus

The Premium Plus trim starts at $58,600. It adds a heated steering wheel, Audi's Virtual Cockpit, a 10.1-inch upper infotainment screen, a 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium sound system, wireless device charging, proximity keyless entry, push-button start, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, and a 360-degree parking camera system.

Audi A6 Prestige

The Audi A6 Prestige starts at $64,800. It comes standard with ventilated and 12-way power-adjustable front seats, heated rear seats, quad-zone climate control, a power trunk lid, a head-up display, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, and intersection assist.

Audi S6

The high-performance Audi S6 starts at $73,900. It features a 444-horsepower twin-turbocharged V6 engine and all-wheel drive.

Audi RS 6 Avant

The high-performance Audi RS 6 Avant comes in a wagon body style and features a 592-horsepower twin-turbocharged V8 engine.

Check out our U.S. News Best Price Program for great savings at your local Audi dealer. You can also find excellent manufacturer incentives on our Audi deals page.

See 2020 Audi A6 specs and trims »

The Final Call

The 2020 Audi A6 has the high-quality interior you expect from a luxury vehicle, with plenty of tech features to boot. It also provides solid handling and a cushioned ride. The A6 finishes in the middle of our luxury midsize car rankings only because this is one of the most competitive classes out there. This is a great car that many buyers should consider.

Don’t just take our word for it. Check out comments from some of the reviews that drive our rankings and analysis.

• "As a luxury sedan, the 2020 Audi A6 delivers with a refined ride, quiet powertrains, and a feature-packed cabin. What we're missing here is an athletic nature that would push the A6 into sports-sedan territory like its predecessor; its somewhat anonymous exterior styling will also blend in when luxury-car buyers may prefer something that stands out. A hefty load of standard equipment includes touchscreen infotainment with navigation, automated emergency braking, lane-departure warning, a panoramic sunroof, leather upholstery, genuine wood trim, and three-zone automatic climate control. If you're shopping for an under-the-radar sedan to upgrade your commute, the A6 is a solid choice." -- Car and Driver
• "Overall, the 2019 Audi A6 is a seriously good car. It is fast as all get-out, packed with state-of-the-art modern convenience and safety technology. It handles well and provides a comfortable, luxurious ride for driver and passengers alike without being ostentatious. Call it 'business class,' 'luxury class,' or anything else you like—as long as the A6 is around, the midsize luxury sedan won’t be ceding its place to SUVs quietly." -- Kelley Blue Book (2019)
• "The eighth-generation Audi A6 is primed to be the technological powerhouse of the midsize luxury sedan segment. That it also boasts attractive sheetmetal, competent handling chops and the ability to deliver supreme ride comfort should definitely have the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class on notice." -- CNET (2019)