2016 Audi A6: Fresh Car Review
2016 Audi A6: Fresh Car Review
Car News
Car Comparison
The two thousand sixteen Audi A6 is the ideal example of a midsize executive sedan, blending elements of luxury, sport and high style. With available all-wheel drive, the A6 is a bona fide driver’s machine. In contrast, the once-unrivaled BMW five Series has softened and the Lexus GS keeps improving, but a decently tooled A6 is arguably the best drive in its class.
The trump card might be the optional turbocharged diesel (TDI) V6. Developing two hundred forty horsepower and a breathtaking four hundred twenty eight lb-ft of torque, the A6 TDI can indeed stir, and with an estimate of thirty eight miles per gallon on the highway, this version rates as one of the best combinations of spectacle and efficiency.
Every A6 has a beautifully crafted interior with cutting-edge technology. The exterior’s clean, understated lines are another way of swaying a buyer.
What’s Fresh for 2016?
It’s subtle, but the A6’s styling has been refreshed for this model year with a fresh grille, headlights and taillights. The gasoline engines in the range receive bumps in power for more awesome numbers. The infotainment system has a swifter processor, 3D-animated graphics and Wi-Fi is updated from 3G to 4G LTE.
What We Like
The gorgeous V6 engines (regardless of the fuel they use); agile treating; top-notch interior materials and design; technology galore; ideal crash test scores
What We Don’t
Continuously variable transmission (CVT) abates enthusiasm; rear seat convenience could be better
How Much?
$46,200-$59,500 (plus $925 destination charges)
Fuel Economy
The entry level engine is a Two.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder making two hundred fifty two hp and two hundred seventy three lb-ft of torque. This comes with front-wheel drive and the S-tronic CVT, returning twenty four mpg in the city, thirty five mpg hwy and twenty eight mpg combined.
The same engine with all-wheel drive (Audi calls its system quattro) and the 8-speed conventional automatic transmission achieves twenty two mpg city/32 mpg hwy and twenty six mpg combined.
Next up is a supercharged Trio.0-liter V6, producing three hundred thirty three hp and three hundred twenty five lb-ft of torque. This has the 8-speed transmission and all-wheel drive as standard, using gasoline to the tune of twenty mpg city/30 mpg hwy and twenty four mpg combined.
There are no power switches to the two thousand sixteen TDI, but this turbodiesel, 8-speed auto and all-wheel drive combo makes a decent two hundred forty hp with a glorious four hundred twenty eight lb-ft of torque while hitting twenty five mpg city/38 mpg hwy and twenty nine mpg combined. It’s generally accepted that improving those Environmental Protection Agency figures is possible without too much effort.
Standard Features & Options
The two thousand fifteen Audi A6 comes in Premium, Premium Plus and Prestige trim levels. The Two.0T engine is suggested in Premium or Premium Plus, while the Trio.0T and TDI engines are suggested in Premium Plus or Prestige.
The Two.0T Premium starts with 18-inch alloy wheels, xenon headlights with LED accents, LED taillights, a sunroof, keyless entry with push-button ignition, Audi’s Drive Select system (featuring electronic adjustment for steering, throttle and transmission responses), leather upholstery, tri-zone automatic climate control (including separate rear controls), power front seats (heated in the Trio.0T) with driver lumbar adjustment, a tilt-telescopic steering wheel, Bluetooth, 10-speaker audio system and MMI Radio Plus (a basic version of Audi’s Multi Media Interface) that includes a 6.5-in power-retracting thin-film-transistor display, iPod integration, a console-mounted control knob and twin SD card slots.
The Two.0T Premium Plus adds front and rear parking sensors, upgraded 8-in color driver information display, Audi Connect online services (including mobile Wi-Fi), navigation with Google Earth compatibility and voice recognition software, plus an upgraded MMI interface with a handwriting recognition touchpad.
Both Two.0T trims come standard with a CVT and front-wheel drive; all-wheel drive is an option, bringing the 8-speed conventional automatic transmission with it.
Apart from the supercharged V6 engine, all-wheel drive and 8-speed automatic transmission as standard, the Trio.0T Premium Plus largely shares the inventory of the Two.0T Premium Plus, while the TDI Premium Plus substitutes the supercharged gasoline V6 for the turbodiesel V6.
The Trio.0T Prestige brings Audi’s S line chromed window frames and harass peak, LED headlights, cooled seats, power tilt-telescopic steering wheel, head-up display, quad-zone automatic climate control (including two sets of controls for rear passengers) and an upgraded Bose audio system. The TDI Prestige substitutes the turbodiesel V6.
Many features in the higher trims are available as options on lower trims. Also on suggest is a Bang & Olufsen audio system, adaptive cruise control, a Black Optic appearance package and a Sport package featuring a lowered suspension, a 3-spoke steering wheel with shift paddles and 19-in or 20-in wheels.
Safety
The two thousand sixteen Audi A6 comes with standard stability control and 4-wheel anti-lock disc brakes. Ventilated rear brake discs are fitted to Three.0T models; the Two.0T has solid rear discs. Eight airbags are standard (front, front-side, front-knee and full-length side-curtain), and rear-side airbags are optional.
Numerous advanced safety technologies are included with the optional Driver Assistance package, including Audi Pre-Sense Plus and a collision-mitigation system with autonomous braking.
In government crash tests, the A6 received a top 5-star rating in every category. Likewise, the independent Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the A6 its top rating of Good across the board.
Behind the Wheel
The A6’s cabin is a thing of beauty. Materials are exceptional, and practically every button, lever and knob trickles class. However, the rear seats are disappointing. The bottom cushion is rather low, so passengers with longer gams may notice a lack of under-thigh support. On the plus side, the rear section has separate climate controls, adding dual-zone functionality in Prestige models.
The entry level CVT is an imprecise device, albeit it does comeback solid fuel economy. The Two.0T’s optional 8-speed conventional automatic transmission, which comes with all-wheel drive, is preferable, imparting a crisper, sportier feel.
If spectacle is a priority, skip the Two.0T and go straight to the Three.0T or the TDI. The former is exceptionally refined and produces authoritative acceleration into illegal territory, while the latter is almost as swift and more fuel efficient. If we were being picky, we might ask for smoother gearshifts, particularly in manual mode, and providing the horses a chance to gallop.
Albeit the A6 uses a front-drive platform, its weight distribution has never been more balanced, and the all-wheel-drive system can send up to sixty percent of torque to the rear wheels for improved control. The result is a car that feels smaller and lighter than it indeed is, especially with one of the Sport packages. The rail isn’t as sleek as in some other luxury sedans, however, so stand against the temptation to order those gorgeous 20-in wheels.
Other Cars to Consider
2016 BMW five Series — The diesel-powered 535d competes well with the A6 TDI, and the 445-hp 550i would crush any A6 at a haul undress. On a winding road, the Audi regains the edge.
2015 Lexus GS — The GS comes with both V6 and hybrid options, and it’s as certain through the corners as any rival.
2016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class — E-Class driving dynamics are conservative in comparison to the A6, but the Benz has unquestionable quality in every aspect, and its powertrains are fully competitive.
Used Audi A7 — For the same price as a fresh A6, you could get a lightly used A7, which is essentially a sportier A6 with a sleek hatchback bod. Shop around for a certified pre-owned model and love the comprehensive warranty.
Autotrader’s Advice
Since there can only be one, earnestly consider the TDI for its incredible fuel economy and turbocharged punch. Yes, it’s the most expensive, but it’s also pretty special.
