Independent Reviews of Audi A6 New and Used Cars

‘A CLEANER WAY UP THE A6’

Added 13^th November, 2020

By Jonathan Crouch

Audi’s A6 looks appealing but potentially expensive in TFSIe plug-in hybrid form. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

‘SPACE AND SIX APPEAL’

Added 13^th April, 2018

By Jonathan Crouch

This, even BMW and Mercedes would reluctantly have to admit, is a beautiful piece of engineering. It always has been. The A6 Avant was, after all, the first cars in its class to offer things like bonded-in flush glazing, a galvanised bodyshell, V6 TDI power, four wheel drive and advanced twin-clutch automatic gearboxes. And in this post-2015 improved smart-suited fourth generation guise, the cleverness continued, an extra dose of visual charisma blended with high technology and premium quality unsurpassed in this sector. This car’s drawbacks, such as they are, shouldn’t bother many potential buyers. No it’s still not the most spacious large executive estate in its class - but it’s large enough for that not to matter. Yes, it’s true that the handling isn’t especially aimed at driving enthusiasts, though you can go a long way towards sharpening it by tweaking the ‘drive select’ dynamic handling system or even by choosing a car whose original owner specified the clever Sport differential. This then, is a very complete product. A thorough case, if ever there was one, of vorsprung durch technic.

‘S EXPRESS’

Added 6^th April, 2018

By Jonathan Crouch

It’s tempting to dismiss this fourth generation ‘Type 4G’ S6 model on a number of grounds. For Audi owners, it’s not as agile as an S4 that would save you plenty. And it’s not as fast as the kind of RS6 from this era that wouldn’t cost that much more. And that’s before you even start to think about the talented opposition. But as soon as you do, you begin to realise that within its little market niche, this car is something quite special. All its rivals are merely ordinary executive saloons with big petrol engines - there’s no bespoke motorsport development. In other words, you can’t have a proper M-powered BMW or AMG-developed Mercedes of this size for this kind of money. But you can have a fully-fledged S series Audi, purpose-designed by the performance specialists at quattro gmbh. And therein lies the appeal of this S6. Within its little segment, it’s the genuine article. It’s also a very clever car indeed. Nearly 30 to the gallon from a car that, de-restricted, would reach 190mph? That’s Active Cylinder Technology for you, technology that rivals currently can’t match. But efficiency doesn’t sell cars of this kind. No, you’ll buy this S6 because of the way it makes you feel. So what if an RS6 is faster? Or an M5 or an E63 come to that. Who cares if a BMW 550i or a Jaguar XFR are more overtly driver-orientated? This, in contrast, is the stealth bomber of the executive segment, the car that creeps in under the radar. In its era, it was the only one in its sector with 4WD. And the only one with Audi’s S-inspired ring of confidence. Four rings in fact.

‘SWEETER SIX’

Added 16^th March, 2018

By Jonathan Crouch

Did Audi do enough with the improved fourth generation version of this car? From new, many loyal buyers thought so. They valued this car for its quiet, understated professionalism, further marvelling in this guise at its mind-boggling technology and rather wonderful cabin. When it comes to efficiency figures, the returns here are top of the class, which in most cases enables this car to offer a small but significant fuel and CO2 advantage over rivals from this era. Enough in fact, to allow some buyers to get themselves the benefits of four wheel drive, a set-up rivals didn’t offer in this period, without diverting too far from a reasonable set of running costs. Yes, there are perhaps more characterful cars than this smart, efficient and perfectly mannered business conveyance - perhaps even some that feel sharper at the wheel. But it’s hard to think of a more complete or cost-effective choice in this sector. It’s all very vorsprung durch tecknik. And at the end of a very long day, you’re likely to feel that that’s what really matters.

‘ART OF THE ESTATE’

Added 13^th February, 2015

By Andy Enright

These cars are expensive for a reason. They’re extremely good. We’ve scoured around for underpriced examples but the market is strong for A6 Avants and although there’s been a slight softening in prices of cars just coming out of warranty, there just aren’t any weak links in the range. Just about the only thing you can take advantage of as a buyer is tracking down a car with an extended warranty that’s been priced the same as the three year old models. Sounds unlikely but it does happen. The S6 and RS6 Avant models are specialist vehicles that draw their own cult following, but the most impressive car in the mainstream range might be the niche BiTDi diesel. Even the base front-wheel drive 2.0-litre diesel is a class act though and wears its age well, at least to 150,000 miles. There’s really not too much to grouse about.

‘HIT FOR SIX’

Added 6^th February, 2015

By Andy Enright

This fourth generation A6 did all the right things. It was smaller and lighter than before and featured more efficient engines. Audi even stepped back from the brink by launching an S6 model with less power than its predecessor. Better built, with refined diesels and a slick hybrid, rapid sports models and the usual mix of saloon and estate variants, the A6 helped build the Audi’s market penetration in this segment, but by the end of 2013, it still only had half the UK market share of a Mercedes E Class and was languishing some way behind the BMW 5 Series. So was it an underperformer? Not really. Audi plays a very long game and progress in the right direction works for them. As a used buy, it’s a decent bet, despite strong residuals that’ll keep prices strong. Even S6s are retaining their value better than before thanks to today’s slightly more amenable fuel prices. Look for cars just coming out of warranty for the best bargains.