Used 2021 Audi A6

The 2021 Audi A6 is the German luxury brand’s midsize sedan. Redesigned just two years ago, the A6 still feels fresh and is a smart choice for executives who want to stand out in a sea of BMW and Mercedes-Benz models. The standard A6 offers the choice of a turbocharged 4-cylinder or V6 engine, both with supplementary mild-hybrid power. The performance-oriented S6 sedan comes with a twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V6 engine packing 444 horsepower and the ability to blast from 0-60 mph in just 4.4 seconds.

While one-time rivals like the Lexus GS are being discontinued, the A6 still faces formidable competition in the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Those German competitors outsell the A6, but the Audi attracts with its excellent – and standard – quattro all-wheel-drive system. The 2021 Audi A6 also boasts innovative technology and excellent driving manners that split the difference between the sportiness of the BMW 5 Series and plushness of the Mercedes E-Class. Also part of the A6 family are the ruggedized Allroad wagon and the fire-breathing, 591-horsepower RS 6 Avant wagon, both reviewed separately.

Based on our test of the Audi A6 55 with the turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine and quattro all-wheel drive (AWD), the A6 feels crisper and sportier than ever. Credit is due to its taut – yet not too taut — suspension, naturally weighted steering, and 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission (DCT) that shifts exactly when you want it to. The shifts are almost unnoticeable in easy around-town driving, but they’re more decisive when the A6 is driven aggressively or when Sport drive mode is engaged.

Unlike the 5 Series and E-Class that have rear-wheel drive (RWD) standard, all A6 models come with all-wheel drive. Audi’s traction-enhancing quattro system is particularly good and a natural for dealing with foul weather or just aiding grip overall. Regardless of road or weather, we’ve found Audi’s quattro unflappable.

The A6’s interior is handsome, quiet, and comfortable. Four adults fit with ease inside the luxurious cabin. In everyday driving, the Audi A6 sedan has an enviable level of civility, and the available 360-degree camera takes the challenge out of tight city parking lots. This is a sophisticated German sedan that is at home in the city or on the highway, where the quiet and smooth nature of the car masks its speed, making 70 mph feel more like 50 mph.

Audi has a knack for designing interiors that feel luxurious yet cutting-edge. That’s certainly the case in the 5-passenger Audi A6. Wood and leather materials are seamlessly interwoven with digital screens and controls that are literally among some of the best-feeling available.

In the center of the dash, Audi’s Multi-Media Interface (MMI) Touch Response system presents all primary controls through haptic-feedback, touch-sensing display screens. There’s a standard 8.8-inch touch screen at the top of the center stack, plus an additional 8.1-inch screen directly below it to operate the climate control and serve as the pad onto which text inputs are drawn with a finger.

Audi’s voice control system works similar to a phone or smart device. For example, via voice controls, if a driver says she’s cold, the MMI will ask what temperature she’d like the cabin to be. While the technology works fine, and the handwriting-recognition pad deciphers sloppy printing amazingly well, the previous Audi MMI rotary dial controller was much easier to use than the haptic screens. In our experience, the new approach creates more distraction and requires more glances away from the road.

We do love the A6’s optional (but recommended) 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit instrumentation complete with a navigation display powered by Google Maps.

The standard driver and passenger seats are comfortable, and upgraded variants are even better. Optional are excellent seats with heating, ventilation, and massage functionality.

In back, passengers are treated to supportive seats and appreciable legroom.

Audi touts the A6 as a high-tech and sophisticated design. We’d agree. From the front, the low and wide grille lends the car a sense of presence and athleticism, while distinct character lines running down the sides of the car serve to reduce the visual height of this attractive German sedan. Pronounced wheel arches emphasize the A6’s quattro powertrain, while a short trunk with a nicely curved edge aids vehicle aerodynamics.

The performance-oriented 2021 Audi S6 stands out with a unique single-frame grille, quad exhaust outlets, and newly standard 21-inch wheels with summer tires.

TOP-VIEW CAMERA WITH VIRTUAL 360 VIEW
Far more than merely a surround-view or bird’s-eye camera, this optional system creates a virtual 360-degree view of the car, allowing you to toggle around the vehicle (and zoom in or out) to help maneuver this Audi luxury sedan in tight city parking lots.

NIGHT-VISION ASSISTANT
Using a long-range infrared camera, the A6’s optional Night Vision Assistant reacts to thermal energy radiating from objects. This helps a driver to spot animals, pedestrians, and cyclists on the road ahead. A black-and-white image depicting the obstacle shows on the Audi Virtual Cockpit display.

The 2021 Audi A6 comes in three trims: Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige. The “45” designates the turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, while “55” denotes the more powerful V6. Both feature a 48-volt mild-hybrid electric vehicle (MHEV) system. The A6 is well-equipped, even in standard Premium 45 trim.

Inside, you’ll get features like leather upholstery, tri-zone climate control, heated 8-way power-adjustable front seats, keyless entry, and a 3-spoke power-adjustable steering wheel with shift paddles. Walnut inlays and ambient interior lighting give the A6 a properly luxurious atmosphere. The standard infotainment system includes twin-panel displays, navigation, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto integration

Standard safety features include Audi’s Pre Sense Front, which can automatically apply the brakes if it detects vehicles, pedestrians, or cyclists in the A6’s path. Additionally, lane-departure warning, front and rear parking sensors, and rain-sensing wipers are included on every A6.

Audi A6 buyers can upgrade to Premium Plus or Prestige trim, and from the 45 model to the 55 model that equips the car with a more powerful turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine. The performance-tuned Audi S6 is available in Premium Plus or Prestige trims, and includes a twin-turbocharged MHEV 2.9-liter V6 and performance enhancements.

One of our favorite options on the Audi A6 is Adaptive Cruise Assist, which helps the driver with acceleration and braking to maintain a correct speed and following distance during highway driving.

Other notable driver-assistance features include the top-view camera system with Virtual 360 view, which provides a 360-degree view around the A6, plus Intersection Assist, Traffic Sign Recognition, Audi Pre Sense Rear, Vehicle Exit Warning, and Rear Cross Traffic Assist. Those last two items are both part of Audi Side Assist.

You can also get a sport suspension, which lowers the car 20 millimeters and is part of a 20-inch wheel package. The top A6, the Prestige, is available with adaptive suspension damping, all-wheel steering, and a 1,820-watt Bang & Olufsen sound system with 19 speakers.

Three different engines are available in the 2021 A6 and S6, and they all employ mild-hybrid electric-vehicle (MHEV) technology to improve performance and efficiency.

The A6 45 has a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder complete with a 12-volt MHEV system. The engine makes 248 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, and accelerates the A6 45 to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds. Quattro Ultra AWD is standard, primarily powering the front wheels through a 7-speed S tronic DCT. When surface and driving conditions require it, more power flows to the A6’s rear wheels.

If the A6 45 isn’t quick enough, get the A6 55. It has a turbocharged V6 with a 48-volt MHEV system and produces 335 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. It also has quattro Ultra and a 7-speed DCT. This version of the car is one second quicker to 60 mph, getting to that speed in 5.1 seconds.

For maximum performance, step up to the 2021 Audi S6. Its twin-turbo V6 cranks out 444 horsepower and 443 lb-ft, zooming the S6 to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds. It uses the same 48-volt MHEV system as the A6 55 TFSI (turbo fuel stratified injection), but uses an 8-speed automatic transmission, a rear-biased version of quattro, and an electric compressor that eliminates turbo lag. A sport rear differential is an option, helping drivers to sling the S6 through S-curves.

The Audi A6’s MHEV technology uses a trunk-mounted lithium-ion battery powering a belt-driven starter/generator that provides silky-smooth automatic restarts. The only time the A6’s conventional starter is employed is at initial start-up. The battery recharges through recuperation during normal driving.

2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder (A6 45)
248 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
273 lb-ft of torque @ 3,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy 23/31 mpg

3.0-liter turbocharged V6 (A6 55)
335 horsepower @ 5,000-6,400 rpm
369 lb-ft of torque @ 1,370-4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy 22/29 mpg

2.9-liter twin-turbocharged V6 (S6)
444 horsepower @ 5,900 rpm
443 lb-ft of torque @ 2,700 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy 18/28 mpg