Audi A6

Is the Audi A6 a Good Car?

The 2017 Audi A6 is a very good car. It delivers extraordinary overall performance, with a lineup of engines that make brute power, but it still drives like a smaller car, able to easily take on curvy roads. Its cabin is equally praiseworthy. It utilizes high-quality materials in a classic design, and passenger room is spacious all-around. The standard MMI infotainment system is one of the best on the market. Trunk capacity is average, and its base engine gets good fuel economy. One of the few criticisms is that the ride can be stiff at times, especially when driving over rougher pavement.

Should I Buy the Audi A6?

There are very few luxury midsize competitors that excel in all the ways the A6 does, and considering its only slightly above-average starting price ($47,600), you'd be hard pressed to make a better choice. It has a luxurious interior, excellent performance, and good fuel economy, and its infotainment system is one of the best around. Throw in its top safety scores and the Audi A6 is nearly irresistible.

We Did the Research for You: 48 Pieces of Data Analyzed

Car shopping can be tough. That’s where we come in. We want to help you find that perfect car, so we analyzed 48 different pieces of research about the Audi A6 to provide you with all the information you need. That research encompasses all manner of data, from crash test and reliability ratings to analysis of other professional reviews written by automotive journalists. Despite a midcycle refresh for 2016, the Audi A6 has seen few changes since it was last completely redesigned for the 2012 model year. As a result, this overview uses applicable research and reviews from the 2012 through 2017 model years.

Why You Can Trust Us

With 75 years of combined experience in the automotive industry and nearly a decade’s worth of car, truck, and SUV rankings under our belts, our team is uniquely equipped to provide the decision-making help that car buyers need. You can count on us to provide objective analysis of the vehicles we cover because we have no horse in this race; our editors do not accept expensive gifts or trips paid for by automakers, and any advertising you see on our site is handled by a third party.

How Much Does the Audi A6 Cost?

The Audi A6 has a starting price of $47,600 for its base Premium trim. This is slightly above average for its class. The highest A6 trim, Competition, starts at $67,600. The performance-oriented S6 model starts at $70,900. There are many a la carte items and packages you can add to each trim ranging from $350 to $4,900. They add things like a Bang & Olufsen sound system, night vision assistant, front massage seats, Audi Pre Sense Plus, and a heated steering wheel. A fully loaded Competition model can top $82,000, and a fully loaded S6 can easily surpass $98,000 and come close to a six-figure price tag.

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 was completely redesigned for the 2017 model year and has a starting price of $51,200. It has similar standard features as the A6, but the 5 Series slightly one-ups the A6 with more speakers, a larger display screen (10.2 inches compared to the A6's 7 inches), and front seats with more adjustability. However, the 5 Series costs more and still doesn't come standard with several of the A6's features like heated front seats or a rearview camera. Both cars have potent engine lineups with similar horsepower, but the Audi's high-performance S6 is slightly more powerful than the 5 Series' 550i xDrive Gran Turismo. You'll get 5 fewer horses and pay $1,600 more for the BMW. While both cars handle well, the A6 has better driving dynamics. The 5 Series may have just been redesigned, but the A6 is a superior all-around car for a better price.

Which Is Better: Audi A6 or Cadillac CTS?

The Cadillac CTS is a similarly well-regarded luxury midsize car, but it comes in at a lower starting price of $45,995. Despite the lower price tag, the CTS comes packed with features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a Teen Driver monitoring system, a rearview camera, three USB ports, an 8-inch touch screen, an 11-speaker sound system, and adaptive remote start. The CTS also comes standard with a slightly more-powerful engine than the A6, but it isn't as smooth as the A6's base engine. Like the A6, the CTS also offers more-powerful engines and has sharp handling and a comfortable ride. Its interior has high-quality materials and a nicely styled cabin, but it isn't quite up to the A6's standards. The A6 and CTS are very similar cars, and your decision may come down to style preferences.

Which Is Better: Audi A6 or Audi A4?

The Audi A4 starts at $34,900 and is very much like a smaller version of the A6. Its base engine makes the same horsepower as the A6's and it has quick acceleration, even with a car full of people. The A4 has a cushioned ride with agile handling and is composed on curvy roads. The A6, however, has incredibly sporty and athletic handling. Although the A4 is a luxury small car, it has a large trunk, which is just a bit smaller than the A6's. Both cars come with similar standard features, but the A4 also comes standard with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Audi Pre Sense Basic, which prepares occupants for an impending forward collision by rolling up windows and tightening seat belts, and Pre Sense City, which includes pedestrian warning and forward collision warning. The A6 does not come standard with these features, and it costs thousands to add them. If you can give up some cargo space and settle for a bit less athleticism, go for the A4. You'll get a car that's just as great as the A6 for a lot less money.

Compare the A6, 5 Series, and A4 »

A6 Interior

How Many People Does the A6 Seat?

The Audi A6 seats five on standard leather upholstery with eight-way power-adjustable and heated front seats. Available options include premium leather; front sport seats; 12-way power-adjustable, ventilated, and massaging front seats; front seat memory settings; heated rear seats; and a heated steering wheel.

Seating accommodations are generous no matter where you sit in the A6. Up front, the seats are inviting, and you'll enjoy plenty of support for daily commutes or road trips. The rear seats are incredibly spacious as well. They provide plenty of leg-and headroom and even taller adults will be comfortable, unlike in the Cadillac CTS, which has cramped rear seats that leave adults squished and uncomfortable. The Audi A4 is a spacious luxury small car with room for two passengers in the back.

A6 and Car Seats

Parents with small children should be happy with the A6's LATCH car-seat system, which is very easy to use. Unlike other cars that have the lower anchors buried in the seat cushion, the A6 has them in plastic recesses in the seats, tastefully covered by plastic flaps. This means they're easy to find, and you can quickly and effortlessly hook the straps without having to jam your hand down and maneuver around the anchors. The three top anchors are also easy to find and differentiate from other parts of the car.

A6 Interior Quality

The 2017 Audi A6 has one of the highest-ranked interiors in its class with craftsmanship that is quintessential Audi. It features impeccable materials and a handsome design. From trim pieces to little accents like dash controls, the cabin is designed to impress. The standard leather and available premium leather upholstery is of the highest quality and makes the A6 truly stand out.

A6 Cargo Space

The A6 has 14.1 cubic feet of storage in its trunk, which is about average for the class and big enough to carry a large rug. The rear seat can fold down to allow for longer items. However, the trunk opening is narrow compared to those of other cars, which can make it difficult to load some objects. The Cadillac CTS, BMW 5 Series, and Audi A4 all have similarly sized trunks.

A6 Infotainment, Bluetooth, and Navigation

Standard features in the 2017 A6 include tri-zone automatic climate control, a sunroof, a 10-speaker sound system, satellite radio, Bluetooth phone connectivity, a 5-inch driver-information display, a rearview camera, and the MMI infotainment system with a 7-inch display screen. Optional features include four-zone automatic climate control, a 14-speaker Bose surround-sound system, a Bang & Olufsen advanced sound system, Bluetooth streaming audio, HD Radio, navigation, an 8.3-inch infotainment display screen, a touchpad with handwriting recognition, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a 7-inch color driver-information system, proximity key entry, remote start, and Audi Connect services.

Audi's MMI infotainment system is regarded as one of the best systems on the market. In lieu of a touch-screen display, you control the system through a knob that is conveniently located on the center console. It's easy to reach without any lag time. If tactile engagement is your thing, though, you can upgrade to get touchpad capabilities on the controller, which recognizes handwritten inputs like letters and numbers.

Overall, the system functions well, and the display is bright and clear. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are also available and mimic the layout of your smartphone on the display screen. Both also allow you to access your favorite apps, media, contacts, and messages through the infotainment system.

Read more about interior »

A6 Performance

A6 Engine: Powerful Engine Choices

The 2017 A6 boasts a standard turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that puts out 252 horsepower. While that is about average for base models in the class, it’s a lot more impressive when put to the test on the road. This engine provides plenty of potent acceleration both from a stop and at full speed. The A6 comes standard with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. You can also opt for an eight-speed automatic transmission and Audi’s quattro all-wheel-drive system. Both transmissions shift quickly and have no problem finding the appropriate gear, maximizing the engine’s output.

Audi offers an even more formidable engine: a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 that produces 333 or 340 horsepower, depending on the trim. You won’t have a choice on transmission or drivetrain, though; the V6 only comes with the eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive.

For drivers who want all the luxury the A6 has to offer along with heart-racing performance, the high-performance S6 model should fit the bill. Under the hood is a turbocharged V8 engine that makes 450 horsepower. It also boasts all-wheel drive, larger brakes, a sport suspension, and four selectable driving modes.

A6 Gas Mileage: Average Mileage

With its base engine, the A6 gets 24 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway, which is good among luxury midsize cars, and it will cost you about $1,450 per year in gas. You'll have to pay a bit more annually with the Cadillac CTS, which only gets 22/30 mpg city/highway and costs about $1,600 per year. With the A6's V6 engine, fuel economy drops to 21/29 mpg city/highway, costing up to $1,700 per year on gas, and the high-performance S6 gets the lowest fuel economy with 18/27 mpg city/highway, hiking annual gas prices up to $1,900.

A6 Ride and Handling: Spry for Its Size

It may be a midsize sedan, but get behind the wheel of the A6 and you might think you’re in a smaller performance car. It confidently takes on twisty roads and moves deftly around corners.

The A6 comes standard with front-wheel drive and has excellent weight distribution that allows it to feel stable in most situations. If you want even better control, you can opt for one of the A6 variations with all-wheel drive.

Where the A6 doesn’t match up to some of its luxury competitors is in its ride quality. Sporty cars usually have a stiff ride, and the A6 is no different. When driving you can feel rough pavement and bumps in the road. You may have to pay closer attention to potholes, but otherwise, performance is exceptional. The Cadillac CTS, one of the models with better driving dynamics, manages to be athletic and comfortable at the same time, with adjustable suspension modes for different situations.

Read more about performance »

A6 Reliability

Is the Audi A6 Reliable?

J.D. Power and Associates gives the 2017 Audi A6 a 3.5 out of five rating for predicted reliability, which is a little above average compared with other vehicles on the road but slightly below average for the luxury midsize class. The BMW 5 Series receives the same rating, and the Cadillac CTS gets a below-average 2.5.

Audi A6 Warranty

The 2017 A6 is covered by a four-year/50,000-mile basic warranty. Cadillac covers the CTS with the same warranty.

Read more about reliability »

A6 Safety

A6 Crash Test Results

The 2017 A6 earns the highest possible crash test safety scores from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It gets a five out of five overall rating and five out of five in frontal and side crash tests and rollover tests. The Cadillac CTS gets the same perfect ratings from NHTSA. The A6 also receives a Top Safety Pick designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

A6 Safety Features

For 2017, the A6 now comes standard with a rearview camera, front and rear parking sensors, and Audi Pre Sense, which takes a number of precautions in the event of an impending collision, such as closing the windows, tightening seat belts, and preparing the brakes for emergency maneuvers.

You also get a wide range of advanced safety features as options with the A6. Upgrade to the Premium Plus and you'll get blind spot monitoring, which alerts you if you try to change lanes when another vehicle is in your blind spot. This a common available safety feature in class competitors such as the BMW 5 Series.

Features in the available Driver Assistance package include a 360-degree camera system, which allows you to see all-around the car. Automatic high beams dim when another car approaches, and lane keep assist can steer the car back between the lines if you start to drift. The car can also warn you of an imminent forward collision and apply the brakes automatically if you don't. With adaptive cruise control, the car monitors the following distance between the A6 and other vehicles on the highway and can automatically decrease your speed if the car in front of you slows down, even in stop-and-go traffic. The Cadillac CTS also has this feature.

Another cool available feature is Night Vision Assistant, which can detect people, animals, or objects outside the car's headlights using infrared technology. It shows any findings in the instrument cluster display screen. The BMW 5 Series also offers a night vision camera.

Read more about safety »

Which Audi A6 Model Is Right for Me?

The 2017 Audi A6 is available in Premium, Premium Plus, Prestige, and Competition trim levels. A turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, and front-wheel drive are standard. An eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive are optional for $2,200 in the Premium and Premium Plus models with the four-cylinder engine. A supercharged 3.0-liter V6 comes with the eight-speed transmission and all-wheel drive is optional in the Premium Plus and standard in the Prestige and Competition.

The base Audi A6 Premium starts at $47,600 and comes with plenty of standard features that will keep any driver happy. However, for those who want more smartphone integration capabilities, you'll have to add a $2,600 package to the base trim. This adds features like Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and a Wi-Fi hot spot. This should satisfy many, but if you want a more powerful engine you'll want to upgrade to the $58,500 Premium Plus trim. It comes with the more powerful V6 engine and adds safety features such as blind spot monitoring. Upper trims add features like ventilated front seats and upgraded premium leather upholstery, so unless you need to sit in the lap of luxury, you can probably overlook those.

Audi A6 Premium

The base Premium trim starts at $47,600, with standard features including leather upholstery, eight-way power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, tri-zone automatic climate control, a sunroof, a 10-speaker sound system, satellite radio, Bluetooth, a 5-inch driver information display, a rearview camera, front and rear parking sensors, and the MMI infotainment system with a 7-inch display screen. For an extra $500 you can get proximity key entry and remote start. Another option package will get you navigation, an 8.3-inch infotainment display screen, a touchpad with handwriting recognition, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, a color driver-information system, and Audi Connect services, which include emergency responder notification, roadside assistance, voice-control navigation, real-time traffic, and a Wi-Fi hot spot. Optional in all trim levels are heated rear seats and a heated steering wheel for $500.

Audi A6 Premium Plus

The A6 Premium Plus starts at $51,600 with the four-cylinder engine and $58,600 with the V6. It comes standard with lower trim features and adds four-zone automatic climate control, a 14-speaker Bose surround-sound system, HD Radio, navigation, real-time traffic, an 8.3-inch infotainment display, a touchpad with handwriting recognition, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Audi Connect, proximity key entry, remote start, Audi Pre Sense Rear, and blind spot monitoring. Options include LED headlights for $1,400 and the $2,550 Driver Assistance package, which comes with adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go sensing, automatic high beams, a 360-degree camera, lane keep assist, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking.

Audi A6 Prestige

Step up to the Prestige trim for $61,600, and you'll get lower trim features plus full LED headlights, a power trunk, 12-way power-adjustable front seats, ventilated front seats, driver seat memory settings, and a head-up display. You can add a Bang & Olufsen advanced sound system ($4,900) or Night Vision Assistant ($2,500) as options. The Comfort Seating package costs $3,350 and includes contoured seats, memory settings for both front seats, and a massage function. The Driver Assistance package is available as well for $2,550.

Audi A6 Competition

The Competition trim starts at $67,600 and includes lower trim features. It adds front sport seats, premium leather, a sport suspension, and other interior and exterior styling details. Options include the Driver Assistance package, Night Vision Assist, and the Bang & Olufsen sound system for the same prices as above.

Audi A6 S6

The high-performance model is the S6, which starts at $70,900. It comes with a turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine, all-wheel drive, and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Other performance features include larger brakes, a sport-tuned suspension, and more aggressive exterior and interior design details.

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 2017 Audi A6 specs and trims »

The Final Call

The 2017 Audi A6 excels in all areas you want a car to excel in: performance, style, and technology. It has a powerful lineup of engines with handling that allows it to take on twists and turns with confidence. Its cabin is full of high-end materials and it has a classic design. Additionally, there is plenty of room all-around for kids and tall adults. Last (but certainly not least), its MMI infotainment system is one of the best on the market and extremely easy to use. All of this – and more – makes the A6 worth its slightly above-average starting price of $47,600.

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

• "Perhaps one of Audi's most underappreciated sedans, the 2017 Audi A6 is really one of the better choices in the 4-door luxury-performance arena. Although the diesel model is dropped this year, Audi's turbocharged 4- and supercharged 6-cylinder gasoline engines deliver impressive performance and decent fuel economy. The midsize Audi A6 offers a more comfortable rear seat than the smaller A4 without the ponderous size, weight and price of the larger A8. The BMW 5 Series and Cadillac CTS may best the A6 in the turns, but when it comes to combining a comfortable ride, dynamic handling and a luxurious interior, the A6 is more opulent than a Lexus GS, handles better than a Lincoln MKZ and is more upscale than a Hyundai Genesis." -- Kelley Blue Book
• "With its classic styling, the 2017 Audi A6 could get by on looks alone. But dig deeper and you'll find a midsize luxury sedan with solid performance, a beautifully designed cabin and top-notch technology." -- Edmunds
• "The … Audi A6 is the perfect example of a midsize executive sedan, blending elements of luxury, sport and high style." -- Autotrader (2016)