2021 Audi S6

The new Audi S6 is available in two trim levels. The base Premium Plus trim is offered at MSRP $74,400 and the top of the line Prestige trim will cost $81,100. Both trims are available with a standard Audi Quattro AWD system. You have up to 37 packages and options as add-ons. The 2021 S6 will compete with the likes of Mercedes-Benz AMG E 53, BMW M550i, and the Maserati Ghibli S.

The lineup of the 2021 Audi S6 starts with the base Premium Plus trim with a price of $74,400. With numerous customization options and features, you can load your car upto the brim. While the top-end Prestige trim costs $81,100, you get most of the features as standard. Both the trims offer similar mechanicals and performance.

Which trim should you buy?

The base Premium Plus trim is the best value trim at $74,400. You can avail yourself of top-notch features from the optional packages as needed. In terms of performance and comfort, both trims are identical. The Prestige trim offers standard features but costs an extra $7,000. Instead, you can get the Premium Plus and add optional packages to better equip the luxury sports sedan. The Premium Plus trim gets impressive features as standards such as Audi virtual cockpit, interior lighting package, comfort package, and four-zone automatic air conditioner.

The fifth-generation Audi ditched the 450hp V-8 engine. To change the game, both trims of the 2021 S6 are powered by a 2.9L Turbocharged V-6 that puts out 444 horses at 6,700RPM and 443 lb-ft at just 1,700RPM. The throttle response is very good and quick. The performance is not as great as the V-8, still good enough in terms of refinement.

The engine is mated to an 8-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission. Being an MHEV powertrain, the S6 has a 9.6Ah lithium-ion battery that provides electric assistance to the engine. The Audi Quattro AWD system in the S6 divides the torque into a ratio of 40:60 between the front and rear axle. With the dynamic all-wheel steering, the S6 is pretty capable as well.

With its starting MSRP of $74,400, the Audi S6 offers the most powerful and refined V-6 engine in its segment. However, the BMW M550i with its V-8 churns out much greater power but costs you a few thousand dollars more. All the vehicles offer standard AWD except for the Ghibli. Both S6 and AMG E53 reach 60 MPH of speed in 4.4 seconds whereas the Maserati Ghibli S takes 0.5 seconds more. On the other hand, the M550i is already a winner with a 3.6-second sprint. 

How does the 2021 Audi S6 handle?

The Audi S6 is one of the most advanced sport sedans in the market. With a five-link independent steel spring suspension both at the front and the back, the vehicle balances its massive weight well. The adaptive damping control makes the suspension stiffer as per the road ahead.

The S6 may not lean around the corners like some of its rivals. Still, the electro-mechanical progressive steering wheel makes it easier to handle the car better at high speeds. Moreover, it feels both sporty and firm at the same time and the intelligent system is dependent upon the vehicle's speed.

2021 Audi S6 Braking Performance

The Audi S6 is an executive sport sedan. With its V-6 engine, it weighs more than any other car in its class. Yet its braking performance is no less than the rivals. With its 4-wheel ventilated ABS brakes, you have 15.8-inch rotors at the front and 13.8-inch rotors at the back. It is capable of stopping safely in just 107 feet from 60 MPH. Also, the brakes are regenerative and are backed by brake assistance.

The S6 is beaten by the M550i in the braking department as BMW offers a lightweight construction and bigger rear brakes. Still, you can give it to Audi as it almost closed the gap. Rivals like Mercedes and Maserati take more than 110 feet to stop with their small brake rotors.

The mild-hybrid powertrain of the Audi S6 doesn't affect the performance. It can both go fast and deliver a fantastic economy. It offers 18 MPG in the city, 28 MPG on the highway, and a combined 22 MPG. With its 19.3 gallon tank, you can avail yourself of a maximum range of up to 540 miles on the highway.

The S6 offers a much better fuel economy than the BMW M550i and the Maserati Ghibli S do with their V8 engines. The Mercedes AMG E 53 is a tough contender, and with its EQ boost, it wins over segment-leading 25MPG combined. The S6 follows right behind with excellent efficiency.

No doubt, Audi cars have the most happening interiors. The luxurious, as well as spacious cabin on the 2021 S6, is wrapped in premium leather with carbon fiber, metal-look, and piano black accents. It also comes with interior ambient lighting making the interior more lively. The dashboard is attractive as well with this premium carbon fiber inlays. The simple-looking sports steering wheel is wrapped in leather and is paired with mounted controls and paddle shifters. You also get both metal-look and leather accents on the center console.

Comfort is the main concern in the Audi S6. That's why you get Valcona leather seat trim with diamond stitching. The front sports seats have 8-way power adjustment as standard which can be upgraded to 12-way adjustments and heating function with the optional S sport package. The rear bench seat is a 40-20-40 split-bench seat with a foldable seatback. Comfort features include Audi navigation plus, four-zone automatic air-conditioning with separate rear controls, memory settings for steering and door mirrors, power-adjustable heated steering wheel, 12V DC power outlets, and center armrests with storage in both rows.

The Audi S6 is similar in size to its rivals. Yet the cabin is spacious where you have best in the class front row seating comfort with heated seatbacks, lumbar, and bolster support. Likewise, the rear seat is quite comfortable with its massive legroom. With just 13.7 cubic feet of cargo area, you have limited cargo space. Space is better than the AMG E53 and slightly smaller than the M550i. On the other hand, the Ghibli S has the biggest trunk. Standout Interior features:

• Leather upholstery
• Interior lighting package
• Carbon fiber inlays
• Leather sports steering wheel
• 12-way power seat adjustments
• Foldable rear seatback
• Four-zone automatic climate control
• Audi Navigation plus

What's there to keep you entertained? 

Inside the 2021 S6, there's a one-of-a-kind dual-display infotainment setup. The dual-screen setup consists of a 10.1 infotainment screen powered by Audi MMI and the lower 8.6-inch screen is for climate control and seating comfort. Both the screens are conveniently placed within the reach of the driver. The intuitive infotainment can be operated through voice, touch, and even handwriting. You also have connectivity features such as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa.

There's Bluetooth and USB connectivity as well. You have entertainment features such as the SiriusXM radio subscription with a 3-month trial and an Audi Connect plus internet access for up to 6 months. To boom up the cabin, you have 16 premium speakers set up by Bang and Olufsen with surround sound. The gauge cluster gets a 12.3-inch all-digital display, known as the Audi virtual cockpit. It allows you to choose from different speedometer styles to stay connected to the drive. Standout Infotainment features:

• Dual infotainment display
• Audi MMI system
• Haptic feedback
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Amazon Alexa
• Bluetooth and USB connectivity
• SiriusXM radio subscription
• Audi Connect plus internet connectivity
• Bang and Olufsen premium speaker system

The 2021 Audi S6 got serious upgrades as compared to the previous generation. The visuals aren't that distinctive, still, the design is uplifted with new body lines, aerodynamics, and the available black optic and S sport package. The new S6 is comparatively bigger in terms of length and height, yet looks small with its sport sedan image. The center of attraction is the platinum slat grille. You have new LED matrix design headlamps with DRL and animation. 

The chrome accents are available with bumpers and side windows. The rear fascia is updated with sleeker LED matrix tail lamps, a lip spoiler, and quad chrome tip exhausts. The HD matrix lights are optional with the Prestige package. The S6 gets massive 20-inch 5 double-spoke V design wheels. There are 21-inch wheels standard with the Prestige trim. The optic package offers 21-inch 5 twin-arm titanium matte wheels with summer tires and black body accents. The S sport package adds red brake calipers and a sport exhaust that looks good and roars even better.

The Audi S6 has dropped a good amount of weight, still, it is the heaviest sedan as compared with the rivals. Even with the increase in length and height, the Audi S6 is the smallest sedan in the lot. Although it is the widest sedan in its range. The 4.6-inch ground clearance isn't the best on the S6. However, the adaptive steel suspension works fine with the Quattro AWD system. The 115.3-inch wheelbase is the smallest in the segment, thus we have a poor cornering ability. Standout Exterior features:

• LED matrix design headlamps
• Platinum slat grille
• Quad exhausts
• 21-inch aluminum wheels
• S sport package
• Black optic package

The 2021 S6 sits on the Volkswagen group C platform. With a reduced weight, the S6 now offers better structural integrity and strength. The available safety features on the Audi S6 are countless. Most of the features are provided to assist the driver on the road. The standard safety features of the S6 include Audi pre-sense basic and front, lane departure warning, Audi adaptive cruise assists with traffic jam assist, top view 360-degree virtual view camera, and a night vision camera. Standout safety features of the 2021 Audi S6:

• Audi pre sense basic and front
• Audi adaptive cruise assist with traffic jam assist
• Audi lane assist with emergency assist
• Lane departure warning
• Night vision camera
• Audi turn assist
• Audi parking system plus

2021 Audi S6 vs 2021 Mercedes AMG E 53

With similar power output, pricing, and performance figures, the Mercedes-Benz AMG E 53 takes down the S6 with its best-in-class economy as well. Surprisingly, the 2021 S6 can beat the AMG E53 in terms of comfort and convenience as it makes good use of technology. Hence, both cars have unique strengths.

2021 Audi S6 vs 2021 BMW M550i

The BMW M550i is way ahead in the segment with its 523 hp V-8 engine. It costs nearly the same and offers a much greater value than the S6. With its unmatched performance and handling, the M550i is a luxury barge as well. On the other hand, the 2021 S6 makes more sense with its MHEV powertrain and best-in-class cabin space.

2021 Audi S6 vs 2021 Maserati Ghibli S

The Maserati Ghibli S is all about luxurious comfort. It has a beautiful cabin. The S6 takes over in terms of cabin space, onboard technology, and performance. Moreover, the overall package of the S6 is quite impressive for its price. The Ghibli S showcases Italian craftsmanship whereas the 2021 S6 is a German precision vehicle.

The Audi S6 is getting better with each generation. The performance-oriented S6 now offers a more practical approach than ever. Against its rivals, the S6 is the clear choice in its segment, apart from the BMW M550i. The S6 is more feasible and appealing with its spacious cabin, advanced safety, interactive infotainment, and decent fuel economy. The value addition packages will make your first interaction with the S6 special as you have lots of personalization options.