Audi A6 enters ninth generation with a lot to prove
The all-new Audi A6 sedan was fully revealed back in April. While the smaller A4 has been replaced by the new A5, the mid-size A6 lives on for a new generation, still in tight competition with the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class.
Not every detail of the A6 had been confirmed upon its release, but we now have new technical specifications and pricing for the luxurious Audi. Now in its ninth generation, the A6 has often flown under the radar in this market, but does the new one have what it takes to match or beat its BMW and Mercedes rivals? Let’s find out.
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V6 Audi A6 Cheaper Than Rivals, But No Other Engines Yet
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Audi made no mention of a return for the base four-cylinder engine, but such a model may be introduced in the future. There’s also no full hybrid or performance model yet, so until the lineup expands, the 5 Series and E-Class have an edge.
The 2026 Audi A6 range currently starts with a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 making 362 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque. A seven-speed dual-clutch automatic and the company’s quattro all-wheel-drive system are standard.
The new A6 starts at $64,100 for the Premium, going up to $67,500 for the Premium Plus and $71,400 for the Prestige. Here’s a look at how the A6 matches up to the six-cylinder 5 Series and E-Class.
|
Model |
Audi A6 |
BMW 5 Series (540i) |
Mercedes-Benz E-Class (E450) |
|
Engine |
3.0L Turbo V6 |
3.0L Turbo I6 |
3.0L Turbo I6 |
|
Horsepower/Torque |
362 hp/406 lb-ft |
375 hp/398 lb-ft |
375 hp/369 lb-ft |
|
0-60 mph |
4.5 seconds |
4.4 seconds |
4.4 seconds |
|
Combined EPA rating |
23 mpg |
28 mpg |
25 mpg |
|
Base MSRP |
$64,100 |
$67,100 |
$72,300 |
While the BMW and Mercedes are more powerful and fractionally quicker, these cars are all closely matched. The A6 is the cheapest, but the BMW is easily the most economical; the Audi’s EPA numbers are a bit disappointing by comparison. BMW and Mercedes both have four-cylinder versions of the 5 Series and E-Class; these start at $59,900 and $63,900, respectively.
An adaptive air suspension is standard on the Prestige, while an optional Sport plus package will add all-wheel steering and a sport rear differential, while replacing the air suspension with a steel sport suspension in the process. These dynamic enhancements were previously reserved for the high-performance S6. We have little doubt there will be a dedicated S6 to slot in below the fire-breathing RS6.
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Features And Practicality
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Starting with the exterior, the A6 has wheel sizes ranging from 19 to 21 inches. There are 11 color choices, from Floret Silver and Arkona White to more striking choices like Ascari Blue and Grenadine Red. The S line black optic package is optional, and adds more glossy black trim elements for a sportier look.
Inside, the A6 has a completely new dashboard design that Audi refers to as the business lounge. It includes a panoramic display with an 11.9-inch digital gauge cluster and 14.5-inch touchscreen. On the Prestige trim, there’s an additional 10.9-inch touchscreen for the front-seat passenger.
On the top two trims, there’s a new configurable head-up display that shows information like speed, navigation, and media. The top sound system is a Bang & Olufsen unit with 20 speakers and 810 watts of power. Three-zone climate control is standard, but the top two trims get a four-zone system.
In terms of space utilization, this should be a comfortable sedan for up to five occupants. Rear legroom is 37.2 inches, a fraction more than the 37 inches in the 5 Series. The A6 also has slightly more headroom. Behind the second row, cargo space works out to 13.2 cubic feet, more than the E-Class (12.7 cubic feet) but significantly less than the 5 Series (18.4 cubic feet).
Final Thoughts
The new Audi A6 continues to undercut its chief rivals on price, but offers comparable technologies, performance, and practicality. It also looks a lot less anonymous than before, so all that’s left to determine is whether it drives with more verve than its predecessor.
The A6 has always been comfortably and beautifully refined, but it has often failed to excite the way a 5 Series does. If Audi has made significant improvements in this area, there’s no reason the new A6 can’t challenge for class-best honors.
The new A6 will be available at local retailers from the fourth quarter of this year.
