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2022 Audi A6

Starting at $56,995

8.5/10 C/D RATING
Specs
2019 audi a6 30t side
Chris Doane Automotive|Car and Driver
8.5/10 C/D RATING

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  • Highs Optional turbo V-6 really hustles, every conceivable tech option is available here, high-quality cabin materials.
  • Lows Not as sporty as past A6 models, staid exterior design, interior storage cubbies aren't particularly voluminous.
  • Verdict The A6 sedan's looks don't draw much attention, but its comfortable, spacious, and well-equipped cabin should win it the affections of luxury buyers.
By Drew Dorian

Overview

As luxury sedans go, the 2022 Audi A6 is a smart choice that impresses with its high-tech features, high-quality cabin, and smooth-and-steady ride. These traits help it earn a spot on our Editors' Choice list. A pair of turbocharged engines are on offer here, with 45 models being powered by a four-cylinder and 55 models getting a powerful V-6; all-wheel drive is standard across the lineup. Enthusiast drivers may find the A6's dynamics to be too relaxed, but rivals such as the BMW 5-series and the Mercedes-Benz E-class don't deliver sports-sedan moves either. Instead, the Audi is set up to court modern buyers with its digital dashboard and plentiful driver-assistance features. Its styling presents as expensive and classy but sedate; more extroverted buyers may find the swoopier A7 sedan better satisfies their desire for sleek, sexy style.

What's New for 2022?

Audi has made more of its characteristic infotainment tech standard across the A6 lineup for 2022, including a larger 10.1-inch infotainment display and its Virtual Cockpit digital gauge cluster. All models now also come with rear side airbags and an upgraded tire pressure monitoring system. The Black Optic package (black exterior trim) is also now offered on entry-level 45 models and a new 20-inch wheel design has been added to the optional Sport package on 55 models.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

    We'd recommend the mid-range Premium Plus 55 trim level with its standard turbocharged V-6 engine. Besides the smooth strong engine, this model includes a lot of features that luxury buyers will find tempting, such as a Bang & Olufsen audio system, a wireless smartphone charging pad, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and a 360-degree exterior-camera system. On top of that, we'd suggest the Executive package, which includes a power trunk lid, multi-color ambient interior lighting, four-zone automatic climate control, heated rear seats, and ventilated front seats.

    Engine, Transmission, and Performance

    The A6's two powertrains—a 261-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder and a 335-hp turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6—are both more than enough to haul this mid-size sedan around town. Both powertrains employ hybrid technology with a 12- or 48-volt starter/alternator that runs the engine's stop-start system and other ancillary equipment. A seven-speed automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive are both standard. The V-6 delivers plenty of thrust for merging and passing on the highway. At our test track, it charged from zero to 60 mph in just 4.8 seconds. Despite this quick result, it's not quite enough to outrun its key rivals, the BMW 540i xDrive and the Mercedes-Benz E450 4Matic. The 540i managed a 4.5-second run, while the Benz did it in 4.6. Despite its impressive cornering ability and steady ride, the A6 performs better as a luxury sedan than a sports sedan. We enjoyed its balanced handling and precise steering but never felt totally engaged when attacking twisty sections of road.

    2019 audi a6 30t rearView Photos
    Chris Doane Automotive|Car and Driver

    Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

    The A6 earned decent fuel-economy estimates from the EPA, and opting for the V-6 versus the turbo four-cylinder isn't much of a compromise in the efficiency department. The four-cylinder A6 received a 32-mpg highway rating, which is only three more than the V-6. However, our V-6–powered test vehicle managed an impressive 32 mpg during the course of our 200-mile highway fuel-economy test. That result puts it ahead of the Benz (30 mpg) and the BMW (31 mpg) but behind the über-efficient Lexus ES350, which managed an incredible 39 mpg in the same test. For more information about the A6's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.

    Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

    The A6's interior design is sleek, modern, and nicely put together from excellent-quality materials. Soft leather adorns the seats and armrests, rich-looking wood and nickel-finished metal trim is tastefully applied to the dash and doors, and the majority of the A6's secondary controls—climate, drive mode, etc.—are handled by a large touch-sensitive panel underneath the main infotainment display. A similar system is used in the A8 luxury sedan and the Q8 crossover, and despite our usual griping about the takeover of touchscreen controls, it works well and provides satisfying haptic feedback. A large trunk and easy-to-fold rear seatbacks make the A6 great for hauling cargo. We fit six of our carry-on suitcases in the trunk, which ties both the E450 and the 540i. The Audi offered far more space than either of those two with the rear seats folded, managing to hold 20 cases; the Benz held 18 and the BMW 16.

    2019 audi a6 30t interiorView Photos
    Chris Doane Automotive|Car and Driver

    Infotainment and Connectivity

    Audi's familiar MMI infotainment interface gets a big revamp in this iteration of the A6. It no longer uses a click-wheel controller on the center console but offers reconfigurable menus so users can customize the layout of the home screen to suit their tastes. A 10.1-inch display, navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and onboard Wi-Fi are all standard; all models also feature Audi's Virtual Cockpit digital gauge display. A 10-speaker audio system is standard, but we'd recommend the 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen setup that comes standard on the Premium Plus and Prestige models.

    Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

    Overall Safety Rating (NHTSA)

    View Crash Test Results

    Audi offers quite a few standard and optional driver-assistance features, including a system that watches out for traffic to save you from stepping out of the car and into the path of a moving vehicle. For more information about the A6's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

    • Standard automated emergency braking
    • Standard lane departure warning
    • Available adaptive cruise control

    Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

    Audi offers an average standard warranty that, when compared with other premium brands, looks pretty basic. Jaguar offers more value here, with longer warranties and five years of complimentary scheduled maintenance.

    • Limited warranty covers 4 years or 50,000 miles
    • Powertrain warranty covers 4 years or 50,000 miles
    • No complimentary scheduled maintenance
    Arrow pointing downArrow pointing down

    Specifications

    SPECIFICATIONS

    2019 Audi A6
    3.0T Quattro Prestige

    VEHICLE TYPE
    front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan

    PRICE AS TESTED
    $78,340 (base price: $68,095)

    ENGINE TYPE
    turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve V-6, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection 

    Displacement
    183 cu in, 2995 cc 
    Power
    335 hp @ 6400 rpm
    Torque
    369 lb-ft @ 1370 rpm

    TRANSMISSION
    7-speed dual-clutch automatic with manual shifting mode

    CHASSIS
    Suspension (F/R): multilink/multilink
    Brakes (F/R): 13.3-in vented disc/13.0-in vented disc
    Tires: Pirelli P Zero PZ4, 255/35R-21 98Y AO

    DIMENSIONS
    Wheelbase: 115.1 in
    Length: 194.4 in
    Width: 74.3 in
    Height: 56.6 in
    Trunk volume: 19 cu ft
    Passenger volume: 99 cu ft
    Curb weight: 4345 lb

    C/D TEST RESULTS
    Zero to 60 mph: 4.8 sec
    Zero to 100 mph: 12.3 sec
    Zero to 130 mph: 26.6 sec
    Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 5.4 sec
    Top gear, 30–50 mph: 2.8 sec
    Top gear, 50–70 mph: 3.7 sec
    Standing ¼-mile: 13.4 sec @ 104 mph
    Top speed (governor limited): 131 mph
    Braking, 70–0 mph: 152 ft
    Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad*: 0.96 g
    *stability-control-inhibited

    C/D FUEL ECONOMY
    Observed: 21 mpg
    75-mph highway driving: 32 mpg
    Highway range: 610 miles

    EPA FUEL ECONOMY
    Combined/city/highway: 25/22/29 mpg

    DOWNLOAD TEST SHEET

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