Audi A6 Review

2008 Audi A6 3.2 Quattro Sedan Shown

Luxury-car customers who love value has long Hurray Audi A6. And in true Audi fashion, the medium-sized A6 gives you a lot for a very competitive price.

One of the A6's main strengths is its luxury cabin. Materials are first rate and the overall design is nothing less than class leaders. Its winter-weather capability is another plus. A6s is available with Quattro all-wheel-drive system, which distributes power to all four wheels, making icy roads more manageable.

But the car's most compelling asset value concerns. In terms of overall quality, the Audi A6 is right up there with other medium-sized luxury cars, but it costs thousands less. A used A6 represents an even more affordable proposal.

There have been three generations of the Audi A6, and all are worthy choices. If there is a disadvantage to the A6, it is that it has not been the most athletic choices in its segment. Its engines were a little light on low-end torque through the years, and compared to other athletic sports sedan and wagon, handling is skewed towards more luxury than performance. But these quibbles pale in the face of this car's undisputable merits. Offering premium refinement at a respectable price, A6 is an excellent choice.

Current Audi A6

With its clean lines and over dimensional lattice, the current Audi A6 is one of the most significant medium-sized luxury cars on the market. It exists both as a sedan and a wagon. A6 wagon - called Avant - is one of the few medium-sized luxury cars on the market, and with a 34-cubic-foot cargo bay behind its rear seat, it makes a practical yet elegant choice for families with a large dog or double stroll in tow.

Those who buy A6 sedan can choose between two trim: base 3.2 and top-of-the-line 4.2. Carts are available only in the 3.2 trim. Standard equipment is generous, and as we have come to expect from the Audi A6's interior is a case study in attractive designs and quality materials. LINEUP The options include a high-end audio system, voice-activated navigation system and Bluetooth phone connectivity. Most can be accessed via Audi's easy to use Multi Media Interface (MMI) vehicle management system. It sounds complicated, but with its logical menus and ergonomically designed, all-in-one control knob, MMI is relatively easy to learn.


As for performance, Audi A6 is available with either a 255-hp V6 or a 350-horsepower V8 engine. The engines are smooth and refined, though the V6 is taxed by the A6's 4000-pound curb weight. Acceleration is certainly acceptable, but most other V6-equipped luxury cars are faster. A6 rides comfortably on the highway, and while it is not the most sporting car in its class, our editors like its predictable, mobile sensor through the corners. As far as transmissions go, both a constant variable transmission (CVT) and a six-speed automatic are offered. A6 can be equipped with either front-wheel-drive or Audi's Quattro system.

The current Audi A6 is representative of the third generation model, which goes to 2005. Overall, the third generation car is by far the best package of weight-gain style, entertaining driving dynamics and opulent furnishings. They are considering use third-GEN models must remember that the car's V8 (available in 4.2 trim) got an upgrade a couple of years in the cycle. A6's current 350-hp V8 does not debut until 2007 and prior to that V8 models are delivered 335 horsepower. Model 2007 also marks the debut of the car available iPod integration and a rearview camera.


Former Audi A6 models

The second generation A6 sedan came on the market in 1998 and has benefited from a ground-up redesign, a new version of Avant wagon debuted the following year. This was the first Audi A6 to ride on a stretched version of the highly regarded A4 platform. For the first two years, only a naturally aspirated V6 was available, but in 2000, Audi added a spirited twin-turbo-charged V6 and a torque-rich V8 engine LINEUP sedan. Since the acceleration tend to be sluggish with the base V6, especially on hefty A6 Avant Quattro Wagon, Audi began offering a larger and more powerful 3.0-liter six-cylinder in 2002. Transmission choices included a five-speed automatic and a CVT (which was introduced in 2002). In our editorial reviews, we praised the heavenly cabin, and all-wheel-drive utility offered by the second generation A6, and nothing panned its nonlinear steering. Taken together a solid choice for used car shoppers.

The original A6 came out in 1995 as an easily revised version of the old Audi 100 sedan and wagon. Although prices on used A6 models from this era are convincing low, consumers should be aware that only one engine - a 172-hp V6 - is available on these cars. With the lightest A6 sedan weighing from 3,400 pounds, acceleration is modest at best. But much like newer Audi, the A6 was nicely appointed, and offered a choice of front-wheel-drive or Quattro all-wheel drive.

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