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- Highs Smooth and powerful V-8 engine, plush interior, up-to-date infotainment system.
- Lows Styling might be too sedate for some buyers, handling lags behind some rivals, expensive.
- Verdict With its staid design and luxury interior, the Audi S6 may be the ultimate undercover performance sedan, but it lacks the driving dynamics of many competitors.
Overview
The S6 is Audi’s mid-size four-door sport sedan, based on the latest A6 sedan, which launched in the U.S. market for 2012. The S6 arrived one model year later, and while the A6 comes with front- or Quattro all-wheel-drive and four-cylinder or V-6 engines, the S6 is AWD and V-8 only. The S6 is aimed at drivers seeking a sumptuous interior and a relatively low-key look with fiercely quick acceleration. Visually, the S6 exterior differs from the A6 with its platinum-colored grille, horizontal elements in the front air intakes, aluminum mirror caps, rear lip spoiler, four exhaust outlets, and additional accent on the front air intakes.
What's New for 2017?
A smartphone interface is now available on S6 models equipped with MMI navigation. Red front and rear brake calipers are available with the Sport package. An available Audi Driver Assistance package adds active lane assist, adaptive cruise control, Audi Pre-Sense Plus, high-beam assistant, and top-view camera with distance sensor.
Pricing
Original MSRP:
- Premium Plus: $71,850
- Prestige: $75,050
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The only engine available in the S6 is a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8, with 450 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque distributed via a seven-speed automatic to all four wheels with a standard AWD system. An optional rear sport differential actively apportions torque between the rear wheels to mitigate understeer and oversteer in fast corners. The S6’s combination of a torquey twin-turbo V-8, longer wheelbase, and less front weight bias than the previous V-10-powered model makes it more of a driver’s car. Still, it’s not the most hard-edged of sports sedans, and some rivals will out-handle it for less money.
Fuel Economy
EPA fuel-economy testing and reporting procedures have changed over time. For the latest numbers on current and older vehicles, visit the EPA’s website and select Find & Compare Cars.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The S6's interior is typical of an Audi model, rivaling anything from Mercedes-Benz or BMW. Supple, tufted-leather sport seats, heavily bolstered in front, are worthy of an interior from Audi’s corporate sibling, Bentley. The S6 is a bit on the large end of the mid-size sedan segment, with a 114.6-inch wheelbase that provides ample space for four, plus a fifth who could be squeezed in the middle in back. Trunk capacity is decent 14.1 cubic feet.
Infotainment and Connectivity
The S6 features Audi’s updated MMI interface with an 8.0-inch retractable screen, and latest MIB-2 modular infotainment platform. This offers fast performance and high resolution and allows owners to upgrade regularly. There are two displays, with one in the instrument cluster complementing the retractable center stack. High-speed 4G LTE is available via Audi Connect, and Bose provides an optional premium audio system.
Safety Features and Crash Test Ratings
Overall Safety Rating (NHTSA)
For more information about the Audi S6’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.
Warranty
Some older vehicles are still eligible for coverage under a manufacturer's Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) program. For more information visit our guide to every manufacturer's CPO program.
