2021 Audi A6 Review

　　

2021 Audi A6 Review

byKurt NiebuhrSenior Vehicle Test Editor

　　Kurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of zzdcar' high-performance test drivers. He's driven and photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles all over the world, so Kurt's library of automotive experiences would certainly make for a good book. When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.

　　Audi enthusiasts might be familiar with the company's long-running global slogan of "Vorsprung durch Technik." Loosely translated, it means "advancement through technology." We mention this because the A6 is an ideal example of this design philosophy. Inside, there's a dual touchscreen setup along with an available fully digital instrument panel that gives the A6 one of the most tech-forward looks in the midsize sedan class.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Audi A6 Sport Premium 4dr Sedan AWD w/45 TFSI (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 7AM) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$178/mo  for A6 Sport Premium

　　A6 Sport Premium

　　Sport Premium 4dr Sedan AWD w/45 TFSI (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 7AM) - $54,900 MSRPPremium 4dr Sedan AWD w/45 TFSI (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 7AM) - $54,900 MSRPPremium 4dr Sedan AWD w/55 TFSI (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 7AM) - $59,800 MSRPPremium Plus 4dr Sedan AWD w/45 TFSI (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 7AM) (Most Popular) - $58,800 MSRPPremium Plus 4dr Sedan AWD w/55 TFSI (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 7AM) - $63,700 MSRPSport Premium Plus 4dr Sedan AWD w/45 TFSI (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 7AM) - $58,800 MSRPPrestige 4dr Sedan AWD w/45 TFSI (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 7AM) - $64,900 MSRPPrestige 4dr Sedan AWD w/55 TFSI (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 7AM) - $69,500 MSRP

　　vs

　　$197/mo

　　Avg. Large Car

　　For power, the A6 offers two engines. Both have mild hybrid electric assist systems that help smooth out power delivery and increase fuel efficiency. Naturally, the A6 has standard all-wheel drive too. The result is a subtle yet thoroughly modern sedan.

　　Only two years after its redesign, Audi hasn't changed much for the 2021 A6. It's given the base engine more horsepower and tweaked the standard features a bit in a bid to remain at the sharp end of what is a fairly Germanic class of cars. Competitors including the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class offer more traditional luxury with similar levels of cutting-edge technology, but the A6 remains a great choice for the discerning luxury sedan buyer. Will it meet your standards? Read our Expert Review below to learn more.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Great

　　8.2

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

9.0/10

　　How does the A6 drive? Because it's available with summer tires, the A6 can produce impressive grip and, when equipped with the turbocharged V6, rapid acceleration. Our test A6 sprinted from 0 to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds, which is among the quickest in the segment.

　　Precise controls are one of the A6's hallmarks. Our test car delivered linear braking response and stopped from 60 mph in only 103 feet. The A6 has astonishingly high handling limits for such a big car, especially considering it's the A6, not the S6. At high speeds, there's ample capability to get you around long sweeping corners. It copes well with quick changes of direction too.

　　

Comfort

7.5/10

　　How comfortable is the A6? While the A6 is certainly comfortable, our test car made some compromises for performance. The lowered sport-tuned suspension and 21-inch wheels gave it a fairly stiff ride and introduced some road noise.

　　Otherwise, the front seats are extremely comfortable and the climate controls work quickly. Small bumps that would normally be shrugged off made their way into the cabin, even though they weren't entirely harsh. Comfort levels are acceptable, but we'd recommend skipping the sport suspension and 21-inch wheels if comfort is a priority

　　

Interior

8.0/10

　　How’s the interior? The sheer number of screens in this cabin can be overwhelming, but the controls are intuitive after just a short time. Everything is at arm's length, with a few redundant controls for high-priority tasks. The ability to assign tasks to virtual buttons is a nice addition.

　　While the driver's seat can feel a bit low, the driving position gives you good access to all the relevant controls. The steering wheel adjustment range is plentiful, as is the adjustment from the Individual Contour front seats. Depending on the driver's height, it can take some effort to get out, but the door openings are wide in both front and back.

　　

Technology

9.0/10

　　How’s the tech? The dual-screen infotainment and climate system can seem daunting at first, but tech-savvy users willing to adjust to the lack of physical buttons will get the hang of it after a few days. Once that happens, everything inside the cabin becomes easy to use.

　　The available Virtual Cockpit configurable instrument cluster gives the A6 a futuristic look and is genuinely useful in putting maps as well as vehicle and engine speed data right where they're needed. It's augmented by the head-up display, which duplicates some of that information in the driver's field of view. Overall, the A6 looks and feels like the future.

　　

Storage

7.0/10

　　How’s the storage? The A6 gets average scores when it comes to utility. It's useful enough for a group of four adults or a small family, but the trunk is on the small side and interior storage is limited. Most car seats will fit in the rear without issue.

　　Small-item storage in the center console and door bins is limited, but that's typical for the class. With just 13.7 cubic feet of cargo space in the trunk, the A6 trails most competitors. The trunk is relatively deep, so long boxes or items should fit OK. A low liftover height helps when you're loading heavy items.

　　

Fuel Economy

7.5/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? The EPA estimates fuel economy at 26 mpg combined, an above-average figure for the midsize luxury sedan class. But our test A6 posted significantly lower fuel economy during our testing.

　　

Value

8.0/10

　　Is the A6 a good value? One of the Audi's most attractive character traits is its build quality. Interior surfaces are excellent to the eye and to the touch, and exterior panel gaps are consistent. Even up against rivals from BMW and Mercedes, the Audi feels top-notch. As for pricing, the A6 can end up being a pretty expensive car when you order the Prestige trim or a bunch of options. With that said, BMWs and Benzes in this class can be priced just as high depending on options. Audi's warranties are average for the class.

　　

Wildcard

9.0/10

　　The A6 feels sophisticated and elegant during daily driving, with plenty of power and a comfortable ride. But if you get the itch to tackle some high-speed corners, it's sporty and engaging. It's not loud or boisterous in any way, and from the driver's seat, it's an excellent experience.

　　The A6 is sleek and understated, giving it a feeling of sophistication. From the outside, it looks luxurious without being gaudy, but on the inside it feels truly refined. Its sharp driving characteristics give it a bit of an edge as well.

　　

Which A6 does zzdcar recommend?

We think the A6 is best represented in its Premium Plus trim with the 55 TFSI engine. This midgrade trim level includes more advanced driver aids, an upgraded audio system, wireless charging and upgraded headlights. The larger 55 TFSI engine also moves the A6 with more authority than the smaller 45 TFSI engine.

　　

2021 Audi A6 models

The 2021 Audi A6 is available in three trim levels: Premium, Premium Plus and Prestige. Two engines are available:

　　Turbocharged 2.0-liter four cylinder engine (261 horsepower, 273 lb-ft), labeled the 45 TFSI Turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine (335 hp, 369 lb-ft), labeled the 55 TFSIThe four-cylinder is standard on Premium and Premium Plus trim levels, while the six-cylinder is available on those trims and standard on the Prestige. All-wheel drive is standard, as is a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

　　Premium

　　Is well equipped with features such as:

　　19-inch wheels LED exterior lighting Gloss black exterior trim Leather upholstery Three-zone climate control Power-adjustable, heated front seats 8.8-inch infotainment touchscreen Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility Navigation Panoramic sunroof 10-speaker audio system Automatic emergency braking (warns if a front impact is imminent and applies the brakes if you don't respond in time) Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane) Parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking) Optional for the Premium trim is the Convenience package, which adds:

　　Wireless charging pad Heated steering wheel Rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle behind you is about to cross your vehicle's path while you're in reverse) Rear passenger safe-exit system (can prevent a rear passenger from opening a door into traffic approaching from behind) Digital instrument panel (Audi's Virtual Cockpit) Larger 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the A6 and its surroundings for tight parking situations)Premium Plus

　　Builds on the Premium with:

　　All the features in the Convenience package Upgraded LED headlights 16-speaker audio system Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front) Blind-spot intervention (automatically steers the car back into its lane if you try to change lanes while a car is in the vehicle's blind spot)The optional Executive package for the Premium Plus trim bundles:

　　Four-zone climate control Ventilated front seats Four-way power lumbar adjustment for the front passenger seat Heated rear seats Multicolor LED ambient interior lighting Power-operated trunkPrestige

　　Tops the range with:

　　Contents of the Executive package Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line onto the windshield) 12-way power-adjustable front seats Upgraded HD matrix headlights Dual-pane acoustic glass Four-wheel steeringFinally, you can add the Luxury package to the Prestige to get:

　　Upgraded leather upholstery Massaging front seats Memory settings for front passenger seatOther options for the A6 include:

　　Black Optic Sport package

　　Sport suspension with a lower ride height Special 20-inch wheels Gloss black exterior trim when equipped with the 55 TFSI engine

　　

2021 A6 Highlights

Trim: Sport PremiumPremiumSport Premium PlusPremium PlusPrestigeSport Premium

　　

Base MSRP	$54,900
Engine Type	Mild hybrid
Combined MPG	26 MPG
Cost to Drive	$178/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	13.7 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles