Audi A6 Saloon (04-11) - Review

Review by Simon Harris on
Last Updated: 29 October 2009
The 2004 Audi A6 saloon was the company's first model to adopt the now familiar bold radiator grille. Offering more interior space than its main rivals and with a broad range of efficient diesel engines the Audi is a good choice if you want a roomy, yet economical executive saloon. The interior finish is as close to perfect as it's possible to achieve and there is a huge range of options giving the A6 a hi-tech feel. However, as is often the case with Audi, the ride is overly-firm which the optional air suspension only partly resolves, while the steering is light offering very little feedback on the road. In October 2008 the range was facelifted with subtle exterior tweaks (including LED rear lights) and more efficient engines.
4 out of 5

Other Audi reviews

2.5 out of 5

Running costs

Used values are weaker than those of the BMW 5-Series, but Audi often offers new customers cut-price upgrades, such as switching from SE to S Line at a reduced rate and so on, which helps ensure well equipped cars are on the used market. Diesels are exceptionally frugal.

* based on most recent data

Estimated fuel cost for 10,000 miles per year

Unleaded

£1,659 - £2,668 *

Diesel

£1,209 - £1,942 *

The estimated fuel cost figure is a guide to how much this model will cost to fuel each year, so you can compare between cars. It's calculated by using the model's average mpg (calculated from both town centre and motorway driving) and the average fuel price. It's based on the following cost-per-litre: petrol 135p and diesel 141p. Prices are updated daily.

Summary Running Costs

Servicing period

Variable according to on-board computer

Warranty

Three years/60,000 miles

Road tax (12 months)

£120.00 - £475.00

Vehicle excise duty (VED) varies according to the CO2 emissions and the fuel type of the vehicle. For cars registered after March 1st 2001 VED or road tax is based on the car's CO2 emissions. For cars registered before March 1st 2001 it is based on engine size.

Full running costs data

3.5 out of 5

Green credentials

  • A
  • B
  • C
  • D
  • E
    139
  • F
  • G
  • H
  • I
  • J
  • K
  • L
  • M
    283

CO2 emission figure (g/km)

Fuel economy rating

The arrows indicate the best and worst CO2 bands for this model.

Emissions summary

When the A6 was facelifted in October 2008, Audi launched a new 'e' model. Powered by a 2.0 TDI engine it uses gearbox modifications, aerodynamic tweaks and a lower ride height to lower emissions and boost economy. As a result it emits 139g/km of CO2 - low for a car of this size, while returning a healthy 53mpg. It's still good to drove though with plenty of in-gear pace.

Find the exact engine and CO2