2019 Audi A6

There are two powertrain options and a slew of standard safety features across the spectrum, as well as a plethora of quality materials and an all-new virtual cockpit system. Its domestic rivals, the BMW 5-series and the Mercedes E-class sedan, are fierce competitors and provide a great alternative while the Jaguar XF is another contender in this segment.

2019 Audi A6 is available in three trims: Premium, Premium Plus, and the Prestige trim. You have 2 different powertrain options: a 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder or a turbocharged 3.0L V-6; the Prestige comes standard with the V-6. On the inside, wood trim details, leather, and soft-touch materials on the dash and seats, and a tranquil and quiet cabin surround all three trims. A trio of high-tech screens is available on the inside with the Premium Plus and Prestige getting bigger 12.3” inch and 10.1” inch screens while the base Premium is settled with an 8.8” inch screen. All three trims come with 7-speed DCT as standard and are supported by Audi’s all-new Quattro all-wheel drive.

The base Premium trim, which starts at $54,100, is packed with features. Audi's devotion to technology is evident, with one of the greatest infotainment systems in the segment even on the lowest trim. If you add $5,000 to your budget, you'll get a Premium plus model with a larger screen, Audi's virtual cockpit, and a slew of safety measures as standard. The Prestige model can cost upwards of $70,000 and is so well-equipped that you won't be able to complain.

Which Trim should you buy?

The 2019 Audi A6 Premium-Plus trim makes the most of every dollar you spend by providing you with more active safety features and a significantly enhanced infotainment system. Audi's Virtual Cockpit is included with the Premium Plus trim, as are larger 12-inch and 10-inch screens. Blind-spot monitoring and a surround camera vision system have also been introduced as safety features. Finally, the Matrix LED is a good luxury, and the Bang & Olufsen 16-speaker music system will enhance your whole experience.

In the 2019 Audi A6, a 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine is standard on Premium and Premium plus versions, and a performance-oriented 3.0L turbocharged V-6 engine is offered as an option on base trims and as standard on the Prestige variant. The 4-cylinder unit belts out 248 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, while the V-6 produces 335 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. Both the options are coupled to a 7-Speed DCT which does its job well. The car rides great with the DCT and is always on the higher and more efficient gears. A mild-hybrid system has been implemented beginning this year by including a 48-Volt starter/alternator. Although it doesn’t assist directly it helps the car in stop-and-go traffic and restarting the engine, it helps in improving peak power performance and to an extent even the efficiency.

With an all-wheel-drive system, the car manages to do 0-60mph in 5.6 seconds and does a quarter-mile in 13.2 seconds. The 2.0L engine feels quite refined and shows enough power to pass on the highways, while the V-6 is more vigorous and provides a lot more mid-range torque. Those who aren't satisfied with this performance can always upgrade to the V6.

When it comes to base powertrain options, the Audi and its competitors are neck and neck, with all three having identical powertrain options and similar torque and power ratings. Although RWD is standard on both the BMW and Mercedes-Benz, AWD is available as an option. When you look at the above chart, A6 is the fastest of the lot covering the 0-60MPH in just 5.6 seconds followed by the 2019 Jaguar XF, 2019 5-Series, 2019 E-Class taking 5.7, 6, and 6.3 seconds, respectively. In the quarter-mile run, however, the Jaguar and Audi fall below their competitors. 

How well does the 2019 Audi A6 Sedan handle?

With AWD as standard across the line-up, the 2019 Audi A6 handles almost all conditions very smoothly. In fact, Audi has put up a new feature from this year that disengages power to the rear wheels in order to save fuel when it’s not necessary. Other than that, the ride is very smooth like you’d expect from a luxury sedan; going through corners is sharp and bumps go unnoticed on the inside. 

To shorten the turning radius, Audi's rear-wheel steering system moves the rear axle in the opposite direction of the front axle. The "Quattro ultra," set up on the car can distribute torque to the front or rear wheels—or all four—depending on the demand and drive mode. In the comfort mode, the setup reduces throttle sensitivity and steering weight for a smoother ride while the sportier mode will send power to all wheels and has a tighter steering feel.

Braking Performance

Audi has installed 13.3-inch and 13-inch rotors at the front and rear, correspondingly, to bring this massive 4,101-pound car to a stop, and they do wonderfully. In less than 110 feet, the 2019 A6 comes to a complete stop from 60 MPH. The car feels safe and confident to navigate about thanks to standard safety measures such as ABS and an automatic braking system.

Despite being by far the heaviest of the bunch, the Audi isn't the slowest to come to a stop. Due to its bigger rotor size, it does, however, outperform both the BMW and the Jaguar that take 116 ft. The 2019 Mercedes-Benz E-Class takes the lead in the segment with a braking distance of 106 feet despite its small brake rotors that measure 12.7 and 11.8 inches at the front and rear, respectively.

The 2019 A6 provides decent fuel economy and the EPA estimates an average of 24MPG in the city, 32MPG on the highways, and 27MPG combined. The V-6 drops on the figures with 22, 29, and 25MPG for city, highway, and combined averages. However, fill the standard 19.3-gallons to the brim and the resultant range of 521 miles will leave you grinning from ear to ear. The 48-volt hybrid system does help improve efficiency, but a plug-in hybrid variant of Audi’s sedan could be the real game-changer

Audi provides comparable fuel economies to the rivals along with a big fuel tank. Both the 2019 Jaguar XF and the 2019 BMW 5-Series provide similar fuel estimates. While the former does feature the largest fuel tank and has a best-in-class range of 526 miles, the latter performs appreciably remaining only diminutively behind. On the other hand, the 2019 Mercedes-Benz E-Class performs underwhelmingly. Its combined efficiency of 24 MPG, when clubbed with its fuel tank of 17.4-gallons, bestows the lowest range of 411 miles in the segment. However, one aspect where Mercedes-Benz and BMW do lead is the availability of hybrid variants for their sedans, which make them rather frugal choices. 

The 2019 Audi A6 gets a revamped interior and in a good sense. The interior of the A6 is sleek, sophisticated, and well-crafted from high-quality materials. The dashboard and the cabin are all-new with the use of Premium materials all across. Leather Upholstery is made standard and both the front seats are heated and 8-way power-adjustable. Soft-touch materials can be seen everywhere along with wooden trims and nickel-finished metal trim on the doors and dash. 

The interior is largely covered by the two infotainment screens which sit at the center. Both the front row and the rear have plenty of headroom and legroom although the front seats feel more comfortable and warm. With options, you get 12-way power-adjustable seats with memory for driver seats, heated steering wheel and heated and ventilated front-row seats, and Valcona leather upholstery. The trunk space of the 2019 A6 is just average compared to the rest of its class, despite its wide opening and low load floor. The standard 13.7 cubic feet of trunk volume can be further improved by folding down the rear seats. While competitors perform better in the aspect, a smaller trunk allows for better front and rear row space.

The amount of space in the front and back rows of the 2019 A6 is better than its competitors and it best-in-class legroom. One of the greatest problems for the Audi is its cargo space, which is significantly less than that of the BMW and Jaguar that manage 18.7 and 17.8 cubic feet, respectively.

Standout interior features:

• Heated Front Seats
• 8-way front seats with 4-way power lumbar memory and driver memory
• Valcona leather upholstery
• 12-way power-adjustable front seats
• Ventilated front seats
• Heated rear seats
• Heated steering wheel
• Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control

What’s there to keep you entertained?

2019 Audi A6 gets a completely revamped and updated infotainment system, and this has to be the best Audi has ever done. If there’s one sole reason you’d buy this car, it would be Audi’s astonishingly well-made Virtual cockpit. In fact, it’s so good that you’d have to spend the first few weeks learning to navigate through screens. Say goodbye to all the knobs and physical buttons as all controls are to be navigated through the two touchscreens available. 

Standard set up comes with an 8.8-inch screen for infotainment needs and an 8.6-inch screen for climate control, vehicle settings, etc. On the Premium Plus and Prestige trims, you get an even bigger 10.1-inch screen. All the basic features are included with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, USB ports, Bluetooth, Radio and navigation, Wi-Fi, and 10-speaker stereo system being standard on the base trim. Optional features include 16-Speaker Bang& Olufsen stereo system, 12.3-inch screen, and wireless charging.

Standard Infotainment Features:

• Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
• Satellite Radio and Navigation
• 10-Speaker Audio System
• Dual Screen 8.8-Inch and 8.6-Inch Infotainment setup
• USB ports and Bluetooth Connectivity

The 2019 Audi A6 gets a new exterior design but the designers made sure that the changes aren’t bigger. The first change you’d notice is the wider and lower front grille and some pronounced bulges over the wheels to give it a more masculine look. The changes are subtle, and you'll have to look closely to notice them. We like those subtle changes because a more aggressive look could have mistaken it with the sportier A7.

On the Premium Plus and Prestige models, you get Matrix-designed headlights that illuminate roads further. On the sides, with precise body lines and a chrome-wrapped window line, the A6 remains as attractive as ever. Finally, 19-inch 10-spoke alloys are standard on the Premium model, with 21-inch available as an option. But they stiffen the ride.

The outside proportions of all cars in the competition are nearly identical, so there's little to compare. While it is the heaviest sedan in the segment at 4,101 lbs, it falls short on wheelbase and ground clearance that measure 115.1 and 4.2 inches, respectively. The brands' approaches to exterior styling are all distinct, with BMW and Jaguar opting for a more dynamic aspect, Mercedes for pure elegance, and Audi for a more executive appearance.

The 2019 Jaguar XF is the longest in the segment at 195 inches and is also the widest measuring 57.4 inches. While the Mercedes-Benz E-Class sports the highest clearance from the ground of 5.6 inches, the BMW 5-Series is the tallest in the segment at 58.1 inches. 

Standout exterior features:

• 19” 10-Spoke Dynamic Wheel Design
• Express Open/Close Sliding And Tilting Glass 1st Row Sunroof w/Sunshade
• Body-Colored Power Heated Auto Dimming Side Mirrors
• Programmable Projector Beam Auto-Leveling Daytime Running Lights 

The NHTSA awarded the 2019 A6 five stars for crash-test safety while the IIHS gave the new A6 high marks, naming it a Top Safety Pick+ for the 2019 model year. The Prestige and Premium Plus trims scored Good scores for a forward vision in headlamp testing, while the Premium trim obtained a Marginal grade. Standard safety features include a rear-view camera, front and rear parking sensors, Forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and Audi Pre Sense Basic Suite. Advanced safety features some of which are available on the Premium Plus and Prestige trims include auto emergency braking, Blind-spot monitor with Rear-cross traffic alert, lane keep assist, side-collision warning, and adaptive cruise control.

Standout Safety Features:

• Audi pre sense city Forward Collision
• Audi connect Emergency SOS
• Surround-view parking camera system
• Head-up display
• Automatic high-beam headlights
• Traffic sign recognition
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Adaptive cruise control
• Lane departure warning
• Lane keep assist
• Intersection crossing assist
• Night vision assistant with pedestrian detection

2019 Audi A6 Sedan vs. 2019 BMW 5-Series

In terms of performance, design, and even interiors, BMW is now on par with the Audi. In fact, because of its superior engine and rear-wheel drive, enthusiasts will favor the 2019 BMW 5-series over the A6. When you add the M Sport package, the car's performance skyrockets. In terms of the cabin, BMW has made such strides that it's difficult to recommend the A6 as a superior choice.

2019 Audi A6 Sedan vs. 2019 Mercedes Benz E-Class

The Mercedes-Benz E-class is a tough competitor for the Audi A6. It performs well in all sectors and offers decent safety features, just like the Audi. It offers plush and opulent interiors, as well as a high dynamic performance profile. The choice is largely a matter of personal preference, but there is one area where the Audi excels the Mercedes: fuel economy.

2019 Audi A6 Sedan vs. 2019 Jaguar XF

The Jaguar XF is yet another good candidate in the luxury midsize SUV segment, and it makes a compelling case. It has one of the best fuel economies in the industry, as well as a large load capacity. The cars are also pretty close in terms of performance, but the Audi may seem a little faster. It performs admirably in terms of cabin and infotainment amenities, but it falls short of Audi's lavishness.

The 2019 Audi A6 Sedan is one of the top luxury sedans and family cars available. It is initially expensive, but it is worth every penny. It provides one of the best cabin experiences, is packed with technology, and rides smoothly thanks to its refined powertrain and suspension. However, the segment's competition is so fierce that you'd prefer to pick one over the other. The BMW 5-Series appears to be a better alternative, and choosing between the two would be a matter of personal preference.