Audi A6 review

n the past, the Audi A6 has struggled to match its biggest rival in the executive car class, the BMW 5 Series. However, the latest version is different. Soon after it launched, we named the A6 Best Executive Car at the Auto Express 2011 New Car Awards 2011, and although it missed out on the top spot in 2012 and 2013, the car won the crown again in 2014 and 2015.

Thanks to the introduction of the new Ultra spec, which boosts performance and efficiency, the A6 has set the class standard even higher. It's a great all-rounder with handsome looks, style and class to match that of its Jaguar XF arch rival. There are few compromises in the way it drives, and it’s a lot more entertaining than the Mercedes E-Class.

The A6 is available in four-door saloon and five-door Avant bodystyles – the latter offers 565 litres of boot space with the seats up and 1,680 litres when they’re folded. That's more than aBMW 5 Series Touring, but less than a Mercedes E-Class Estate. 

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Audi also sells an A6 Allroad, based on the Avant. This features rugged styling, a raised ride height, special body cladding and quattro four-wheel drive, and competes with the likes of the Volvo XC70.

In the standard A6 range, buyers get a choice of SE, S line and Black Edition trim levels, with six-speed manual or seven-speed S tronic automatic gearboxes. The regular model comes with diesel power only – only the high-performance S6 and RS6 feature petrol engines – and the entry point to the range is a 2.0-litre TDI. From there, customers can move up to a 3.0-litre TDI or a twin-turbo 3.0-litre BiTDI, both of which feature Audi’s quattro four-wheel-drive system.