2018 Audi A6

Picking out a fresh A6 for oneself would be a tough and confusing job as Audi offers the A6 with 5 trim levels spoiling its midsize luxury shoppers by giving them the freedom of a wide level of customisations and offers.

The standard Premium trim starts at $47,600 which goes all the up to the Competition prestige trim for $67,600. The initial 2.0T Premium and 2.0T Premium Plus trims are offered with a 2.0 L 4-cylinder turbocharged engine and a 7-speed automatic transmission. The A6 comes with a front wheel drive system for these 2 trims.

Whereas, A separate 3.0L V6 engine is set for the 3.0T Prestige, Premium Plus, and the competition prestige trim. The turbocharger is replaced with a supercharger and a new 8-speed automatic transmission replaces the older one. The engine enhancement boosts the upper 3 trims with an extra 80 hp of power. The front wheel drive might be grippy but it's nothing compared to the Quattro All-Wheel-Drive standard for the upper 3 trims.

Trim	2.0T Premium	2.0T Premium Plus	3.0T Prestige	3.0T Premium Plus	3.0T Competition Prestige
MSRP	$47,600	$51,600	NA	NA	NA
MSRP (Quattro)	$49,800	$53,800	$61,600	$58,600	$67,600
Key Features	MMI navigation plus with voice control system1	Audi adaptive cruise control with stop & go	INRIX XD Traffic4	Same as 2.0T Premium	Audi adaptive cruise control with stop & go
	MMI touch with handwriting recognition technology	Audi active lane assist6	SD card slot with 64GB operating capacity (dual slots)		Audi active lane assist6
	Audi connect with six-month trial subscription2	Audi pre sense plus6	Audi connect with six-month trial subscription2		Audi pre sense plus6
	7" color driver information system > HD Radio Technology	Top and corner view camera system	BOSE Surround Sound System with 14 speakers, AudioPilot noise compensation and 630 watts		Top and corner view camera system
	INRIX XD Traffic3	High-beam assistant	Audi drive select		High-beam assistant
	Audi smartphone interface including Apple CarPlay and Google Android Auto	Audi Sport 19" 10-spoke design wheels (Titanium-matte finish)	Audi side assist and Audi pre sense rear2
	BLUETOOTH streaming audio for compatible devices	255/40 all-season tires4	Parking system plus with rear view camera (front and rear acoustic sensors)
		Gloss Black Singleframe grille	18" 10-spoke-V design wheels with all-season tires1
		Gloss Black trim around exterior side windows

We Recommend

Audi has managed to certainly confuse its buyers by introducing a plethora of options and customisations on the car, but still we recommend between buying the 2.0 Premium plus and the 3.0 Prestige. What to choose between these 2 will certainly depend on your need and choice of engine and the performance you desire.

 

Engine and Transmission

The A6 is the vehicular equivalent of that friend you find mildly annoying at times because they're really good at everything, including the superb engine and its performance - cars.usnews.com

The base A6 comes with a turbocharged four cylinder engine that puts out just over 250 horsepower. Even though this much power still is enough to move this midsize sedan easily, but still there are larger engine choices for more power hungry car buying enthusiasts. While the higher trims feature a 340 horsepower supercharged V6, the performance oriented S6 comes with a turbocharged V8. These larger engines have the capacity to throw you back in your seat while accelerating and have the power to spare even during high energy driving maneuvers.

Models	Audi A6 2.0 TFSI Premium	BMW 530i	Volvo S90 T5 momentum	Cadillac CTS Turbo I4 sedan
MSRP	$47,600	$51,200	$46,950	$45,995
Engine	2.0 TFSI 4 Cylinder	2.0L 4 Cylinder Turbo	2.0L 16V Inline 4-Cylinder Turbo	2.0L Turbo, I4, DI, DOHC, VVT
Transmission	7-speed automatic	8-speed automatic	8-speed automatic	8-speed automatic
Horsepower	252 hp @ 5000 rpm	248 hp @ 5200 rpm	250 hp @ 5500 rpm	268 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque	273 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm	258 lb-ft @ 1450 rpm	258 lb-ft @ 1500 rpm	295 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm

Acceleration

Needless to say, the German manufacturer has made this car to cater to all needs in the market, from comfortable travel to high speed touring.

Speed lovers will love the sprinted acceleration from both the engines. The base 4-cylinder engine can propel the car from a standstill to 60 mpg in just 6.7 seconds. People looking for a higher dose will love the 5.2second acceleration from the V6 engine for the same. It surely is impressive but can be jerky for city maneuvers and start-stop traffic.

The standard A6 falls short on acceleration when compared with the beasts like BMW 530i, S9- T5 momentum, and Cadillac CTS Turbo. The A6 then catches up in the quarter mile run with its 14.7 sec performance, courtesy of the turbocharger.

Models	Audi A6 2.0 TFSI Premium	BMW 530i	Volvo S90 T5 momentum	Cadillac CTS Turbo I4 sedan
0-60 MPH	6.7 sec	6.0 sec	6.5 sec	6.0 sec
Quarter mile	14.7 sec	13.5 sec	15.3 sec	14.5 sec
Engine	2.0L	2.0L	2.0L	2.0L
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	6.3d]	6.5	6.5	7.0

Ride and Handling

Frankly, the A6 is more on the athletic side of the class. The steering is direct and nicely weighted, you will get that feeling of central control while driving this A6. Both the transmissions are light and free from any obstructions. Although you will get a better traction and feedback from the higher trims with Quattro All-wheel drive. Take your AWD A6 on a twisty, you will feel better control over the car then you have on your life.

Braking

The A6 comes with a standard 13.6-inch Front and 12.0-inch rear brakes. The pedal feel is strong followed by competitive braking dynamics. The car halts from the speed of 60mph to 0 in an impressive 117 feet. While the numbers are good the A6 won't stop with a light push, the driver would need some time to adapt to the new breaking habit.

The quickest car to brake amongst the 4 was the BMW 530i, followed by CTS Turbo with its panic stop of 115 feet. The Volvo S90 T5 took the longest to halt with a stopping distance of 120 ft.

Model	Audi A6 2.0 TFSI Premium	BMW 530i	Volvo S90 T5 momentum	Cadillac CTS Turbo I4 sedan
Brake Front (in.)	13.6	11.6	13.6	12.6
Brake Rear (in.)	12.0	11.7	12.6	12.4
Curb Weight (lbs.)	3858	3746	4012	3714
60-0 MPH (ft.)	117	106	120	115

The A6 is decent and efficient in the realm of fuel economy, its 24mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway mileage works ideally for the midsize section. What's surprising is the fact that bigger V6 engine is also a performer. The 21 mpg city and 24 mpg highway mileage charms the car enthusiast for buying higher trims.

Turns out the A6 is a true winner, after all, its fuel economy is better than any other car in the competition. While the BMW 530i works on the same efficiency its combined mileage is one step behind the A6's, similar case followed the Volvo S90 T5 momentum.

Model	Audi A6 2.0 TFSI Premium	BMW 530i	Volvo S90 T5 momentum	Cadillac CTS Turbo I4 sedan
MPG (city)	24	24	23	22
MPG (highway)	34	34	34	30
MPG (combined)	28	27	27	25

The 2018 Audi A6 has one of the best cabins in its class, with an attractive dash layout, excellent materials quality and solid fit and finish. The infotainment system controls a dizzying array of functions, utilizing a dash-mounted pop-up screen and a knob and buttons on the center console- Edmunds

Seating and Comfort

The A6 features a quality interior with layers of carbon, soft leather, and polished wood taking up the stage. Though the interior hasn't changed a lot since 2012, it still maintains the luxurious factor which Audi brings.

Model	Audi A6 2.0 TFSI Premium	BMW 530i	Volvo S90 T5 momentum	Cadillac CTS Turbo I4 sedan
Passenger capacity	5	5	5	5
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	37.2/57.5/41.3	38.8/58.7/41.4	38.7/57.5/42.2	40.4/56.9/45.7
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	37.8/56.3/37.4	37.5/55.9/36.5	37.8/55.9/35.9	37.5/54.8/35.4

There is a generous legroom and headroom space similar to what the competition delivers. The only backdrop is that the back-center console is an obstruction for comfortable seating for 5 passengers.

The A6 features a quality interior with layers of carbon, soft leather, and polished wood taking up the stage. Though the interior hasn't changed a lot since 2012, it still reminds the luxurious factor which Audi brings. The standard heated front seats are fully power adjustable in every trim.

Infotainment

The infotainment system is quick and intuitive. The system is responsive and consist of every luxury feature an Audi could deliver. The best part of the system is Audi's magic with the 6.5-inch retractable screen, which makes it a bit more upmarket than the competition. The entire menu is framed in a circular menu controlled by a nob.

• Apple CarPlay
• Android Auto
• Auxiliary Input
• Real-Time Traffic
• Voice Command
• Bluetooth connectivity
• USB port

Interior Features

• Three Zone Climate Control
• Dual Illuminating Vanity Mirrors
• Front And Rear Cupholders
• Electrochromatic Inside Rearview Mirror
• Front And Rear Door Pockets
• Front And Rear Parking Sensors
• Electric Power Steering
• Rear View Camera
• Tilt And Telescopic Steering Wheel
• Universal Remote Transmitter (For Garage Door, Security System, Etc.)
• Transmission, Cruise And Audio Controls On Steering Wheel
• Interior Air Filtration
• Keyless Ignition
• Four Zone Climate Control

Cargo volume

The cargo space of 14.1 cubic feet is pretty average for a midsize luxury sedan but enough to swallow 6 large suitcases. This space can be extended through the foldable back seats to accommodate large objects. Only the BMW 530i homes a bigger cargo space than the A6 among the competition.

Model	Audi A6 2.0 TFSI Premium	BMW 530i	Volvo S90 T5 momentum	Cadillac CTS Turbo I4 sedan
Cargo Volume (ft.3)	14.1	18.7	13.5	13.7

The A6's exterior features some bold elements, such as the recently upgraded headlights, grille, front bumper and LED taillights, but overall the shape and styling remain typically "Audi" conservative. Climbing up the trim ladder brings things like more aggressive side-skirts and badging to let your neighbors know you want to go fast- KBB

Dimension and Weight

While the 2016 Audi A6 might feature some detailed design alterations, it still requires a close eye to track them. There are significant changes in the grill, headlights, LED taillights and more but it retains the typical Audi look.

Model	Audi A6 2.0 TFSI Premium	BMW 530i	Volvo S90 T5 momentum	Cadillac CTS Turbo I4 sedan
Curb weight (lbs.)	3858	3746	4012	3714
Length(in)	194.2	194.6	195.4	195.5
Width(in)	73.8	73.5	74.0	72.2
Height(in)	57.8	58.2	56.8	57.2
Ground clearance (in)	6.6	6.2	6.0	5.9
Wheelbase (in)	114.6	117.1	115.8	114.6
Track width (in) F/R	64.1/63.7	63.0/63.9	64.1/63.7	61.4/61.7

The A6 share identical measurements with the BMW 530i, the overall length of 194.2 in. and width of 73.8 in. are similar to the A6. The Audi share a one tone character right from the front to the back, this change as you climb up the trim ladder which adds more aggressive side skirts.

Exterior Features

• Trapezoidal grille with its trademark interlocking-rings logo to its bright
• LED taillamps
• Dual exhaust openings
• Lip spoiler on the trunk
• Standard Sunroof

The 2018 A6 earned an all-star rating from the NHTSA and was named the top safety pick by the IIHS. To top it up Audi featured reliable safety features like anti-disc brakes, stability control, front and full-length side curtain airbags as standard amenities in the A6. For the safety-obsessed buyers, the A6 offers an array of optional safety features like Adaptive Cruise Control, Front Automated Emergency Braking, Blind Spot monitor, and more.

Safety Features

• Driver and front-passenger dual-stage airbags
• Front thorax side airbags
• Driver and front passenger knee airbags
• Sideguard head-curtain airbags
• Front passenger occupant detection for airbagswhere having high minimum order amounts to deliver food. As most aggregators did not do deliveries (apart from Scootsy, previously Meals on Wheels, in Mumbai), it was the restaurants who decided th
• Power central locking system with safety unlock feature if airbags deploy
• Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) in rear seats Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) in rear seats
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with secondary collision brake assist and traction control (ASR)
• Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-pressure Distribution (EBD) and brake assist
• Tire-pressure monitoring system Tire-pressure monitoring system

BMW 5 Series vs A6

The BMW 5 Series received a major redesign for 2018 and the car was brought up to $51,200. Where some areas in the infotainment section feature better specs than the A6, it still is a more expensive car. Also, features like rearview camera and heated front seats which comes standard in the A6 are optional on the BMW. Both cars share similar potent engines, but the Audi is a better performer which also comes a $3,600 less than the BMW.

Cadillac CTS Turbo I4 Sedan vs Audi A6

The A6 and the CTS Turbo are very similar cars. Both cars share similar infotainment features like Apple Carplay and Android Auto which comes standard in the CTS Turbo as in the A6. The CTS engine is slightly more powerful than the A6's but doesn't deliver the same smooth handling and style. Overall, the choice will come down on the buyer's preference, as they share a similar price range as well.

Volvo S90 T5 Momentum vs Audi A6

The Volvo S90 T5 Momentum is known for its luxurious factor overall midsize cars, where the A6 works on the same sense of luxury the S90 does it better. Another thing is the performance, with its higher power and smooth handling, the A6 is clearly the more performing car. Also, the brakes on the S90 are too touchy, although the driver will take time to adapt with the brakes on the A6, it's better than the S90. While both the cars come on a similar price, again it's the buyer's preference which accounts here. If you want more luxury to go for the S90 and if performance is what you want, the A6 is your car.

There\u2019s excellence aplenty in the new A6. From the beautifully carved exteriors to the innovatively designed exteriors. Featuring a host of tasteful features, the A6 has really stepped up the game in its segment, and now it's up to the buyers to decide who the clear winner is, in the market. With a cutting edge competition, the A6 for sure will make a mark with its plethora of trims and customisation options and make a difference in the 2018 model.