Current Audi A6

Audi A6

With its clean lines and oversized grille, the current Audi A6 is one of the most distinctive midsize luxury cars on the market. It’s available as both a sedan and a wagon. The A6 wagon — called the Avant — is one of the few midsize luxury wagons 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 stroller in tow.

Those who purchase the A6 sedan may choose among three trims: base 3.2, midlevel 3.0T and top-of-the-line 4.2. Wagons are available only in the 3.0T trim. Furthermore, most A6s come with one of three equipment packages: Premium, Premium Plus or Prestige. Standard equipment is generous, and as we’ve come to expect from Audi, the A6′s interior is a case study in attractive design and quality materials. The options lineup includes a high-end audio system, voice-activated navigation system and Bluetooth phone connectivity. Most are 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.

In terms of performance, the Audi A6 is available with either a 255-horsepower V6, a 300-hp supercharged V6 (3.0T) or a 350-hp V8 engine. The 3.2 front-wheel-drive sedan has a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with driver-selectable shift points, while all other A6s come with a six-speed automatic transmission and the Quattro AWD system.

In reviews, we’ve found the engines smooth and refined, though the base V6 is taxed by the A6′s 4,000-pound curb weight. Acceleration is certainly passable, but most other V6-equipped luxury cars are quicker. The 3.0T, thanks to its broad range of torque and relative fuel efficiency, is our top pick. The A6 rides comfortably on the highway, and while it’s not the most athletic car in its class, our editors like its predictable, nimble feel through the corners.