Audi A6 cars for sale

Frequently asked questions about the Audi A6

• What is the Audi A6?
• Five generations of cars have worn the Audi A6 badge since it replaced the 100 range in 1994, but the premise remains the same. Each is an upmarket range of large saloons and estates that compete directly against the likes of the BMW 5 Series, Jaguar’s XF, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Volvo’s S90 and V90 twins.
  
  Introduced in 2018, the current Mk5 incarnation of A6 shares much of its mechanical components and underpinnings with the more expensive Audi A7 and A8 line-ups, rather than the smaller A4 and A5 ranges.

• Which versions of the Audi A6 are available?
• Audi has a tendency to flesh-out its model ranges gradually over each one’s lifecycle, meaning that it took until spring 2020 before the current generation of A6 – known by brand aficionados by its C8 development code – was fleshed-out. First to appear was the four-door A6 Saloon, closely followed by its estate counterpart, the Audi A6 Avant. A replacement for the jacked-up Audi A6 Allroad – an Avant with an SUV-style makeover – arrived in summer 2019.
  
  Engines are all efficient, featuring mild-hybrid technology, or if badged TFSI e, a plug-in hybrid package. Front-wheel drive is standard on most A6s, but four-wheel drive versions, all marketed under Audi’s long-standing Quattro nameplate, are also available.
  
  As is usual in this segment of the market now, only automatic gearboxes are available, although the A6 is fitted with a pair of options: lower-powered ones have a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission called S Tronic, while the punchier models come with a conventional eight-speed automatic dubbed Tiptronic. Trim levels follow Audi's usual hierarchy, although they start at Sport in the A6 range, rather than SE; S Line remains the most popular.

• What are the Audi S6 and Audi RS 6?
• As sure as night follows day, 2019 saw the arrival of the higher performance Audi S6 in Saloon and Avant formats, but for the first time solely powered by a diesel engine - a 3.0-litre V6 with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system helping produce a total output of 349hp. However, greater interest surrounds the RS 6 Avant, which reached the UK in early 2020. Once again, no Saloon version is offered, but like the S6 it features mild-hybrid assistance, but here it's paired to a 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbo petrol generating an impressive 600hp and 800Nm of torque - enough to shove this mighty wagon from a standstill to 62mph in just 3.6 seconds.

• Is it good to drive?
• If you’re a keener driver, then a BMW 5 Series or Jaguar XF is still likely to sate enthusiastic types in a way that the A6 doesn’t. The difference between them is far from the chasm it once was, but similar to the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, the focus here is comfort, in spite of the sporty trim packages. From launch, this generation of A6 was available with four different suspension types, but we don’t expect all permutations to be available for the entirety of this model’s lifecycle.
  
  There’s a standard conventional set-up, along with a lowered, stiffer version on S Line models, together with two adaptive choices to vary the firmness. Despite Audi’s of yore riding with an unnecessary degree of firmness, these ones are much more compliant. Of the two adaptive versions – one uses variable-rate shock absorbers, the other is a full air-cushioned suspension system – we’d urge caution specifying the latter. It’s supremely comfortable at urban speeds, yet feels disappointingly unsettled when plying along smooth motorways. Additionally, there’s a boost for the A6 in terms of how manoeuvrable it is courtesy of four-wheel steering, both increasing high-speed stability and making the large Audi more nimble around town.

• Should I buy an Audi A6?
• It's easy to fall for the A6's charms, especially if you enjoy the slickness of its screen-laden interior, impeccable build quality and the sense of swift, unruffled progress that it offers. If it's excitement you crave, you'll have to look elsewhere unless your budget stretches to the supercar-slaying RS 6 Avant.
  
  Plug-in hybrid A6s are very attractive company car propositions, but if you pay for your own fuel and drive on motorways regularly, one of the smooth diesels would be a better bet.