Audi A6 Review

2008 Audi A6 3.2 quattro Sedan Shown

Luxury-car shoppers who love value have long cheered the Audi A6. And in true Audi fashion, the midsize A6 gives you a lot for a very competitive price.

One of the A6's primary strengths is its deluxe cabin. Materials are first-rate, and the overall design is nothing short of class-leading. Its winter-weather capability is another plus. A6s are available with the Quattro all-wheel-drive system, which distributes power to all four wheels, making icy roads more manageable.

But the car's most compelling asset concerns value. In terms of overall quality, the Audi A6 is right up there with other midsize luxury cars, but it costs thousands less. A used A6 represents an even more affordable proposition.

There have been three generations of the Audi A6, and all are worthy selections. If there's a downside to the A6, it's that it hasn't been the most athletic choice in its segment. Its engines have been somewhat light on low-end torque over the years, and relative to other sporty sedans and wagons, handling is skewed more toward luxury than performance. But these quibbles pale in the face of this car's undisputable merits. Offering premium refinement at a respectable price, the A6 is an excellent choice.

Current Audi A6

With its clean lines and oversized grille, the current Audi A6 is one of the most distinctive midsize luxury cars on the market. It's available as both a sedan and a wagon. The A6 wagon -- called the Avant -- is one of the few midsize luxury wagons on the market, and with a 34-cubic-foot cargo bay behind its rear seat, it makes a practical yet elegant choice for families with a large dog or double stroller in tow.

Those who purchase the A6 sedan may choose between two trims: base 3.2 and top-of-the-line 4.2. Wagons are available only in the 3.2 trim. Standard equipment is generous, and as we've come to expect from Audi, the A6's interior is a case study in attractive design and quality materials. The options lineup includes a high-end audio system, voice-activated navigation system and Bluetooth phone connectivity. Most are accessed via Audi's easy-to-use Multi Media Interface (MMI) vehicle management system. It sounds complicated, but with its logical menus and ergonomically designed, all-in-one control knob, MMI is relatively easy to learn.

In terms of performance, the Audi A6 is available with either a 255-horsepower V6 or a 350-hp V8 engine. The engines are smooth and refined, though the V6 is taxed by the A6's 4,000-pound curb weight. Acceleration is certainly passable, but most other V6-equipped luxury cars are quicker. The A6 rides comfortably on the highway, and while it's not the most athletic car in its class, our editors like its predictable, nimble feel through the corners. As far as transmissions go, both a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and a six-speed automatic are offered. The A6 may be equipped with either front-wheel drive or Audi's Quattro system.

The current Audi A6 is representative of the third-generation model, which dates to 2005. Overall, the third-generation car represents by far the best package of attention-getting style, entertaining driving dynamics and opulent furnishings. Those considering used third-gen models should keep in mind that the car's V8 engine (offered on the 4.2 trim) got an upgrade a couple of years into the cycle. The A6's current 350-hp V8 didn't debut until 2007; prior to that, V8 models delivered 335 hp. Model year 2007 also marked the debut of the car's available iPod integration and a rearview camera.

Past Audi A6 Models

The second-generation A6 sedan arrived on the market in 1998 and benefited from a ground-up redesign; an all-new version of the Avant wagon debuted the following year. This was the first Audi A6 to ride on a stretched version of the highly regarded A4 platform. For the first two years, only a naturally aspirated V6 was available, but in 2000, Audi added a spirited twin-turbocharged V6 and a torque-rich V8 to the engine lineup for the sedan. Given that acceleration tended to be sluggish with the base V6, particularly on the hefty A6 Avant Quattro wagon, Audi began offering a larger, more powerful 3.0-liter six-cylinder in 2002. Transmission choices included a five-speed automatic and a CVT (which was introduced in 2002). In our editorial reviews, we praised the heavenly cabin and all-wheel-drive utility offered by the second-generation A6, and panned its somewhat nonlinear steering. Overall, it represents a solid choice for used-car shoppers.

The original A6 came to market in 1995 as a lightly revised version of the old Audi 100 sedan and wagon. Although prices on used A6 models from this era are convincingly low, consumers should be aware that only one engine -- a 172-hp V6 -- is available on these cars. With the lightest A6 sedan weighing in at 3,400 pounds, acceleration is modest at best. However, much like newer Audis, this A6 was nicely appointed and offered a choice of front-wheel drive or Quattro all-wheel drive.

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* Edmunds.com maintains vehicle data as far back as 1990.