2018 Audi A6 Review

Name: 2018 Audi A6 Review
Brand: Audi
Price: 15490 USD

2018 Audi A6 3.0 TFSI Prestige quattro Sedan Exterior. Options Shown.

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Audi A6 model years

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Edmunds' Expert Review

byJames Riswick^{Edmunds Contributor
James Riswick is an automotive journalist at Edmunds.}

Pros

Roomy interior finished in high-quality materials
Powerful engines that also achieve good fuel economy
Intuitive technology interface
Well-balanced ride and handling

Cons

Doesn't offer Audi's latest tech
Restrained styling verging on anonymous

What’s new

For 2018, every A6 now comes standard with navigation, the larger MMI display, and keyless ignition and entry. LED headlights are now included on the Premium Plus trim, while the Prestige gets a top-view parking camera. Every variant of the 3.0-liter V6 engine now produces 340 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque. That output had previously been exclusive to the now-discontinued Competition Prestige trim. There is a new Competition package, however, that essentially bundles the same features.

Vehicle overview

The 2018 Audi A6 should be suffering from diminished appeal. After all, it's been kicking around without a full redesign for six model years now while its prime competitors have been completely redone in the past year. It's old news. Well, that might be true in terms of attracting attention, but in the end, the A6's appeal has in fact diminished little. This well-rounded luxury sedan continues to deliver exactly what shoppers in this segment are seeking: room, features, luxury and performance in abundance.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2018 Audi A6 2.0 TFSI Premium 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.31 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

$185/mo

$213/mo

Avg. Large Car

Calculate my fuel costs

And for 2018, there's even more on offer. Not only does the available 3.0T V6 get more standard power, even the base Premium trim gets treated to the full gamut of previously optional tech equipment. You no longer have to pay extra for things such as a proper USB port or Bluetooth audio, while navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now standard in a segment where they are almost always optional.

The A6 still makes do with Audi's previous-generation MMI tech interface — the controller is of an older design and you can't get the nifty Virtual Cockpit gauge display available on Audi such models as the A4, A5 and R8. It's also less advanced than the interfaces of its newer Benz and Bimmer rivals. However, this version of MMI still works, and we wouldn't consider it a major demerit.

Indeed, the entire A6's age shouldn't be held against it. Maybe it could have a few extra features and maybe its conservative styling is getting stale, but in terms of checking off luxury car boxes, few do it as well without major drawbacks.

Notably, we picked the 2018 Audi A6 as one of Edmunds' Best AWD Sedans and Best Midsize Luxury Sedans for 2018.

Edmunds' Expert Rating

8.3 / 10

The current Audi A6 generation has been around for a long time now without a full redesign. In fact, virtually all of its competitors have received a thorough nip and tuck. Still, the Audi is so well-rounded that the 2018 A6 remains a top choice.

Trim tested

There are typically multiple versions of each vehicle, although many aspects are shared. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the 2016 Audi A6 3.0T Quattro Prestige (turbo 3.0L V6 | 8-speed automatic | AWD)

NOTE: Since this test was conducted, the current A6 has received some minor revisions, including more power for the V6 engine. Our findings remain broadly applicable to this year's A6, however.

Scorecard

Overall	8.3 / 10
Driving	8.5
Comfort	7.0
Interior	8.5

Driving

8.5

With even more power for 2018, the A6's 3.0T V6 remains a standout in the segment. The standard 2.0T engine is also more than sufficient. The A6's handling is also excellent, though driver engagement could be better.

Acceleration

9.0

In prior testing, the A6 3.0T reaches 60 mph in just a tick above 5 seconds, which is excellent for the class. Under normal acceleration, power delivery is remarkably smooth with undetectable shifts from the eight-speed automatic. It's also remarkably quiet.

Braking

8.5

Our test A6, fitted with summer-rated tires, stopped from 60 mph in 111 feet — a typical distance. During panic braking, the car remained very controllable and tracked straight with no drama.

Steering

7.0

The steering effort is very light at low speeds for easy maneuverability and increases only slightly at higher speeds. Switching to Dynamic mode gives it more appropriate weighting for spirited driving, but there's never much feedback.

Handling

8.5

The A6 tackles turns with confident aggression. This is one of those sedans that behaves like a smaller coupe when having fun on a twisting road. Newer German rivals really haven't topped it. Note that our test car came equipped with the sport-tuned suspension.

Drivability

8.0

The auto engine stop-start feature has a tendency to stumble when the driver demands a quick launch. Otherwise, the A6 is free of quirks and behaves exactly as you'd expect with minimal effort.

Comfort

7.0

The A6 is one of the sportier luxury sedans with some comfort-related compromises in the name of performance. We'd caution comfort-focused buyers against the optional Sport package, which drives the comfort score down with its stiffer suspension, bigger wheels and summer tires.

Seat comfort

8.5

The A6's seats are firm but well shaped for comfort after extended periods. The ventilated seats on the range-topping Prestige trim further enhance comfort on long road trips. The outboard rear seats are equally supportive and comfortable.

Ride comfort

7.0

With the optional sport suspension and 20-inch wheels, the suspension lacks initial compliance over smaller road imperfections but not to objectionable levels. If comfort is a priority for you, we recommend skipping these options.

Noise & vibration

6.5

Wind and engine noises are pleasantly silenced, but there's a noticeable amount of road noise. It's not tiresome, though, and may be a result of the summer tires that come with the optional Sport package.

Interior

8.5

The A6's interior gets high marks for its classy, understated design and high-quality materials. The wood trim is particularly attractive. We also like the roomy cabin.

Ease of use

8.0

The primary controls are thoughtfully placed, and Audi's MMI infotainment interface is intuitive and easy to use.

Getting in/getting out

9.0

The true sedan profile and large door openings mean getting in and out of the A6 is easy, even in tight spaces. Rear passengers won't need to stoop to gain access either.

Roominess

9.0

The front seats are spacious without feeling too big, and the armrests are well placed for big and small occupants alike. The rear seats comfortably accommodate adult-size outboard passengers with enough head- and legroom.

Visibility

7.0

Forward visibility is hampered slightly by thick roof pillars, and the short rear window forces heavy reliance on the standard rearview camera. The head-up display (standard on the Prestige trim) is easy to read and supplies navigation directions, too.

Quality

9.0

The materials and construction of the A6 are top-notch. The knobs and buttons have a satisfying heft, and all interior surfaces are attractive and pleasing to the touch. Yes, this Audi is getting on in years, but it gives up little (if anything) to newer rivals.

Utility

The A6's 14-cubic-foot trunk is smaller than those of rivals, and indeed most midsize sedans. It's still deep, wide and easily accepts bulkier items, but others are still better. The low liftover height is appreciated.

Technology

The A6 does not yet offer Audi's latest MMI interface, including the Virtual Cockpit all-digital gauge display. That's OK, though, for as impressive as that system is, the older version in the A6 is still feature-rich and easy to use.

2018 Audi A6 models

The 2018 Audi A6 is a midsize luxury sedan available in four trim levels: 2.0T Premium, 2.0T Premium Plus, 3.0T Premium Plus and 3.0T Prestige. The A6 2.0T has a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 252 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. Front-wheel drive is standard, and it utilizes a seven-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission. Optional all-wheel drive (Quattro) is available, and is paired with an eight-speed automatic. The 3.0T upgrades to a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 good for 340 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque. All-wheel drive is standard with that engine.

Highlights for the the 2.0T Premium and 3.0T Premium include 18-inch wheels, adjustable drive settings, xenon headlights, LED running lights, automatic wipers, auto-dimming mirrors, keyless ignition and entry, a sunroof, front and rear parking sensors, a rearview camera, tri-zone automatic climate control, eight-way power front seats (includes heating and driver four-way lumbar adjustment), driver-seat memory settings and leather upholstery.

Standard tech for the 2.0T includes Bluetooth, Audi's MMI electronics interface, an 8-inch display, navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Audi Connect (includes 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot capability) and a 10-speaker sound system with a CD player, satellite radio and media player interface. Also standard is Audi's Pre Sense Basic safety system, which senses when a collision is imminent and warns the driver, tensions the seat belts and closes the windows.

The Premium Plus (2.0T and 3.0T) trim adds LED headlights, a blind-spot warning system, power-folding mirrors, four-zone climate control, a power-adjustable steering wheel and a Bose surround-sound audio system.

At the top of the line is the 3.0T Prestige. It has the above equipment plus a top-view parking camera system, a power trunklid, a head-up display, ventilated front seats, front passenger adjustable lumbar, a power rear sunshade and manual rear side-window shades.

From here, Audi offers a variety of optional packages to further equip the A6. Keep an eye out for the Driver Assistance package (adaptive cruise control, the top-view camera system but with added front and rear corner views, lane departure warning and intervention, and forward collision warning and mitigation with automatic braking) and the Comfort Seating package (individually contoured and ventilated front seats with passenger-seat memory settings and massage function).

There's also the Competition package that comes with 20-inch wheels, a sport-tuned suspension, a high-performance rear differential, sport front seats, upgraded leather upholstery, and various sporty styling flourishes inside and out.

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

2.5/5Average

#33 out of 48 among Luxury Fullsize Cars

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Audi A6 from 2008-2022.}

$773/yr

vs. $729/yr
for Average Luxury Fullsize Car

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

2.4x/yr

vs. 1.74x/yr
for Average Luxury Fullsize Car

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

14.6%

vs. 14.7%
for Average Luxury Fullsize Car

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2018 Audi A6.

5 (87%)

4 (8%)

3 (2%)

2 (0%)

1 (3%)

4.8

39 reviews

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Most helpful consumer reviews

To get the most out of this car

Mr. C, 11/26/2018

2018 Audi A6 3.0 TFSI Premium Plus quattro 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl S/C 8A)

This car is amazing and if you want to get the best version of the C7 A6 you will need a 3.0T trim level that offers the sport suspension. With the V-6, Quattro and sport suspension package, the icing on this cake is the 19" wheels only because the 20" wheels create a harsh ride at times that you wouldn't notice with either the 18" or 19" wheels. The C7 seems to be the last A6 that has …

Best Car I Have Purchased

Phillip Rossignol, 11/05/2016

2017 Audi A6 2.0T Premium Plus quattro 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)

Great car but avoid the 20 inch summer tires if you want a comfort ride. The 20 inch handle much better when the car is pushed in the curves. But for everyday, the smaller tires are better overall. This is my third Audi and I am sold.

Not the newest German mid size but still great

Chicago Mark, 04/29/2017

2017 Audi A6 3.0T Premium Plus quattro 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl S/C 8A)

Looked at the 2016 BMW 5 series and the latest Mercedes E class (4 cylinder model). Ruled out the new 5 series for fear of 1st model year run reliability woes and the 6 cylinder E class is just too expensive. Just loved the ride and handling of the A6, it's the right combination of sport and luxury. Plus this is the only German midsize you can order with REAR side airbags and of …

Creamy ride

joe graham, 04/21/2018

2018 Audi A6 2.0 TFSI Premium Plus quattro 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)

2.0 turbo with 19” 10 spoke wheels. Bought just a few weeks ago. I’ve had an Audi in the past and just had to come back. Something about the way an Audi drives just works for me. So far very happy with the ride. Seats comfortable, teenagers are happy in back, wife loves the look of the car. I drive the 3.0t, and it is a much more refined delivery of power than the 2.0t. But I …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2018 Audi A6, so we've included reviews for other years of the A6 since its last redesign.

See all 39 reviews of the Audi A6

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2018 A6 Highlights

Trim:

2.0 TFSI Premium

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$49,700
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	28 MPG
Cost to Drive	$185/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	14.1 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the A6 models:

Audi Pre Sense: Senses when a collision is imminent and warns the driver, tensions the seat belts and closes the windows
Lane Keeping Assist: Warns you when you're drifting out of your lane and can subtly steer you back onto the straight and narrow.
Audi Connect: Helps with a variety of services, including summoning roadside assistance. In an accident, emergency responders are contacted automatically.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover5 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover9%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Not Tested
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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