2014 Audi A6 3.0t Premium Plus Review
The Auto Connection Expert Review
Editorial Managing director
Baronial 11, 2014
Likes
- Very fast (3.0T, S6)
- Keen fuel economic system (two.0T, TDI)
- Interior'southward strikingly finished
- The "wow!" moment of Google Earth maps
- Connectivity par excellence
Dislikes
- Audi's own A7 is amend looking
- Steering isn't communicative
- A v-seater for four people
- The CVT'south a skipper, we remember
Buying tip
features & specs
4-Door Sedan FrontTrak 2.0T Premium
4-Door Sedan FrontTrak ii.0T Premium Plus
four-Door Sedan quattro 2.0T Premium
Luminescence takes many forms in the Audi A6: the diesel-driven TDI, the supercharged A6, or the turbocharged S6 all stand up out in ways the sedate body doesn't quite match.
The Audi A6 battles information technology out for mid-size luxury buyers, but at times, the toughest fight comes from inside its own business firm. Of course, it's contest for the brilliant new Cadillac CTS, along with the BMW 5-Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Course--but it'due south likewise the slightly more than dowdy alternative to the sexy Audi A7 hatchback, or fifty-fifty the smaller and more than affordable Audi A4.
The A6 and the hot spin-off S6 are handsome, sporty sedans, with sleek sheet metal and finely drawn details. For years, we've put Audi design on a pedestal, especially the A6, simply to have it knocked off two years ago by the mechanically similar A7 hatchback. That A7 is one of the few to earn a perfect 10 from our editors for styling; the A6's more than conventional lines earn it a more conventional score. The A6'due south details even so win, only truth be told, we're non the biggest fans of Audi'south biggest grilles ever. The meliorate news is the cockpit of the A6 and S6 are clones of those in the A7 and S7, and that'south a relief: the rich materials are bundled perfectly in coordination with each other, and the plethora of cutlines never seems to make it the way of a good time.
Base of operations A6 sedans come up with front-bicycle drive and a 220-hp, ii.0-liter turbo-4 paired to a CVT. Opt for all-wheel drive, and the manual becomes an 8-speed automatic. With these drivetrains, the A6 can attain threescore mph in 7.five seconds, more than or less, and can elevation out at 130 mph. The paddle-shifted CVT tries, and struggles, to simulate a skilful automated, but our strong preference is for the 8-speed.
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For efficiency, we'd cull the turbodiesel 5-6 paired with an 8-speed automatic. It was rated at upwards to 29 mpg combined, initially. (In 2015 Audi disclosed that its turbodiesel models had flouted emissions rules. A recall has been announced, and repairs and buybacks are part of the plan.)
The A6 lineup keeps getting more powerful with other 5-6 and V-8 versions. A supercharged, 310-hp Five-6 pairs with an eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive for threescore-mph runs in 5.3 sec. It's a adequately muted, flexible drivetrain, just outstripped off-white and sqaure by the 420-hp turbo Five-8 found in the Audi S6. With a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and other performance additions, the S6 puts driving thrills at fingertip'due south attain.
All versions of the A6 family have fine treatment, no matter whether the front end wheels or all four wheels draw power. Understeer is its default treatment manner, even with the AWD system's rear power bias. Drive Select is Audi's drive-mode organization; it changes suspension, manual, throttle, and steering through a toggle switch from comfort to sport modes. Steering feedback isn't the A6's strong suit, though it'south meliorate on the S6, with its tauter responses and sweet maneuverability.
The A6 has a sleek shape with a long nose and a swept-dorsum roofline. The sharp silhouette cuts into back-seat room. Forepart-seat space is great, with nicely padded seats. In back, the A6 has less leg room than most rivals, and the center seat isn't actually useful. We'd opt for the A7 hatchback's cargo space, though it's tougher to make it thank you to smaller doors. The A6 has a fairly small 14.one-cubic-foot body, and the cargo flooring sits high.
Active safety combines with good crash test scores in the A6. Both the NHTSA and the IIHS give information technology top scores. Options include a rearview photographic camera, parking sensors, blind-spot monitors, night vision, and a head-up display.
Other features include standard power features, leather, and prowl control. On the options list are impressive tech touches like in-car wireless Internet and navigation with Google Globe maps, besides as premium audio.
It's not as sensual as Audi'due south own A7, only the A6 is handsome and appealing, within and out.
German automakers are famed for their styling philosophy for sedans: i shape, three lengths. Information technology tin can be a sore point for cars like the Audi A6, which looks a lot like its smaller A4 stablemate, while skipping the ultrafabulous curves of its A7 sibling.
The A6 is good-looking, no question. The sheetmetal's nicely contoured, the details are crisp, the profile is handsome. Information technology's merely a bit more ambivalent than those other Audis. With the A7, you get a styling statement; with the A4, you're co-opting more expensive cars. You lot're also getting a massive grille that looks out of place, and a signature curve in the side that'due south aped by a slew of cheap compact cars.
Inside, the A6 has Audi's atypical style. The buttons and switches are many, but Audi subdues them all with a blend of wood and leather and metallic trim. Concave door panels and a carved-out dash give the impression of greater interior infinite, and the overarching interior theme is pleasing.
That said, the myriad panels, pieces, trim bits and buttons in the A6 motel can get a little decorated. Clarity of layout helps keep it in check. The dash sits depression and is slim, so concessions accept to be fabricated. The pop-up screen for infotainment is i. We're also not totally on lath with the A6'due south red interior lighting; it's a touch too Peak Gun for silken treatments like Audi's gorgeous layered-oak trim.
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Skip the base model and its CVT--the Audi A6 is best in TDI or S6 grade.
If yous're only into the A6 for the Audi nameplate, there'southward a tepid base version for you lot. Only if you're seeking ultra-loftier economy or muscular performance, there are three other editions cued up, all with forced-consecration engines.
The base A6 is the dispassionate front-drive, CVT model. The powerplant isn't the fault. The 2.0-liter turbo-4 drops 220 hp with lots of low-stop grunt, but information technology can simply practice so much in the A6'south large torso and with the lackluster manual. Add together all-wheel drive and the A6 with the turbo-4 adopts an 8-speed automated with paddle shift controls. Information technology'due south a much better choice, and 0-threescore mph times autumn in the low 7-second range.
When it was launched, we strongly recommended the 240-hp turbodiesel Five-6. With a narrow powerband, an 8-speed automated and all-wheel drive, it turned in smart performance numbers and excellent fuel economy. Then VW Group was found to have cheated on emissions testing, and it all was rendered moot. If you own i of these vehicles, Audi has ready a web site for buyback and repair information.
From at that place, Audi ups the ante with a supercharged V-half dozen. The 5-6 puts out 310 hp through an 8-speed automatic and all-wheel drive, which is set to a fixed 40:60 power carve up. Its lx-mph times clock in around v.4 seconds, with a tiptop speed of 130 mph. It'south a happy co-conspirator in this form, with the automatic snapping off quick shifts past itself, or timed with the inputs on the shift paddles.
There's notwithstanding another version to consider. Audi drops its 420-hp, 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 in the A6 and calls it an S6. The S6 also gets a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, improve brakes, a stiffer interruption, and can be fitted with a torque-vectoring rear differential that tin shift power between the rear wheels. Capable of 60-mph runs in 4.v seconds, the S6 has supremely satisfying handling with reasonable ride quality even though it rides on summer tires and 21-inch wheels.
If possible, avoid Drive Select. It switches driving modes from comfort to sport, changing up the automobile's shift patterns, throttle delivery, steering weight, and damping. Its sport style dumps weight in the steering without adding precision, and at that place's no mode we think is programmed to show off the car'south best traits.
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There's somewhat less room in the A6'south dorsum seat than other mid-size luxury sedans, but fit and cease are excellent.
Practical car shoppers may expect at the Audi A6 and call up it'southward more useful than the sexy A7 hatchback. The reality may be a little more nuanced: the A6 has more head room, but it'southward not vastly more spacious. Like many other mid-size luxury sedans (the Jaguar XF, for example), the A6 doesn't put size above substance.
With an overall length of 193.9 inches, the A6 sits right in the middle of the mid-size sedan class. Interior space is slightly beneath par considering Audi gives it a curt body and a long nose, in an attempt to mirror classic sport-sedan proportions. That translates into slighted rear-seat and trunk space.
The A6's front seats are surrounded past fine caput and leg room. Knee space is cut into by a wide centre console. The seats are sculpted for long-distance comfor, and can be equipped with ventilation and heating. In back the A6 can tote two adults in reasonable comfort. Knee room is a bit shy for 6-footers, but it's better than in the related A7, which has small-scale doors and a low roofline.
In-car storage isn't great. The console is shallow, the glove box too small, and the cup and canteen holders have Europe in heed, non big-gulp America. The body, at 14.1 cubic feet, is slight compared to the ginormous storage bins in a Taurus, at twenty cubic feet. The fold-down rear seats don't fold completely flat.
Where the A6 excels is in fit and cease and racket suppression. The cabin is quiet, tightly assembled, and feels appropriate to a price tag that tin soar to $60,000 or more.
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The IIHS calls the A6 a Top Rubber Choice, and Audi now makes blind-spot monitors more widely available.
The Audi A6 has some of the all-time crash-test scores amidst sedans, of any price.
The IIHS hasn't put the A6 through its small-overlap front-impact exam as of even so, just in all other tests information technology gets "expert" ratings.
The NHTSA tested the A6 for the first time in more than a decade, and gave it five stars in all categories.
Forth with the usual rubber standards, the A6 comes with free Bluetooth, and most models have all-wheel drive. All A6s at Prestige trim and above have blind-spot monitors.
Active-safety options include a rearview camera, which really should be standard by at present; parking sensors; a head-up display; adaptive prowl control; and night vision.
Outward vision is fine in the A6, helped forth by large windows and a depression beltline. The short trunk makes the rearview photographic camera even more user-friendly, and a new corner-camera display helps in very tight parking situations.
Audi'south above-and-across features include Bang & Olufsen sound, in-machine wireless cyberspace, and Google Earth mapping.
No Audi A6 suffers for a lack of standard equipment--only many of them have hefty pricetags, thank you to the huge range of luxury and amusement options Audi makes available.
The A6 gets a long listing of standard gear, including ability features; cruise control; leather; power front seats; a sunroof; 17-inch wheels; automatic climate command; tilt/telescoping steering; AM/FM/XM/CD audio with a 6.5-inch LCD screen; keyless ignition; and LED taillamps. Heated front end seats are now standard, equally of the 2014 model year.
Audi'southward Multi Media Interface (MMI) too is included on every A6. Information technology's a roller-controller organisation that uses a knob and some hard keys to control navigation, phone, audio, and other functions. MMI's menus have been streamlined over the years, and the shortcut buttons are a welcome relief, just the organization still can be a formidable few hours of learning earlier information technology becomes familiar. Like other automakers, Audi blocks all touch input from the screen, but in that location's a touchpad chosen MMI Touch that allows some secondary input. MMI Touch is a panel that doubles equally both preset buttons for the sound organization, and every bit a Palm Pilot-style scratch pad, on which drivers tin can write out letters to enter destinations or choose from the phonebook.
The next step in A6 features consists of the Premium Plus package. It adds a seven-inch color display; eighteen-inch wheels and tires; a CD changer (for anyone who withal uses physical artifacts); HD Radio; existent-time traffic information; front and rear parking sensors; and Audi Connect, and an in-car wireless data service through T-Mobile. Audi Connect taps that data stream to enable Google Earth navigation maps and traffic data. Audi's arrangement also allows you to programme and transport up to 50 destinations to the motorcar'due south navigation system from a computer and Google Maps.
A6 Prestige models come at the top of the model line. And what's disruptive is that y'all can add a $half dozen,550 Prestige Bundle to them, which adds a lot of good stuff like distinct 18-inch wheels; four-zone climate control; adaptive headlights; LED interior lighting; a Bose speaker package; ventilated front end seats; a ability-adjustable steering column; cornering lights; and S-line cosmetic trim, including its own grille and bumpers. S6 models are merely offered in Prestige trim.
Other noteworthy options include a cold-weather bundle; a Sport parcel with nineteen-inch all-season tires and five-spoke wheels; a xenon headlight packet; and a Blackness Optic package with gloss black exterior trim and 20-inch wheels wearing summertime tires. The all-time option? An awesome 15-speaker, 1300-watt Bang & Olufsen with tweeters that rise on startup.
Beware that yous tin can easily load an A6 Prestige up toward the $70k marking--and that'due south about where the S6 Prestige starts.
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Audi's TDI diesel finally slots into the A6 hither, and it'due south capable of great fuel-economy numbers.
With either Audi's turbocharged iv-cylinder or its supercharged V-six, the A6 turns in competitive fuel-economy numbers. Can nosotros just phone call the wide span between the new TDI turbodiesel and the super S6 a launder?
With the 2.0T, the A6 earns its best gas mileage ratings. The catch? To become those 25/33-mpg figures, you'll take to put up with a continuously variable manual, a gearbox that seems out of melody with Audi'southward luxury niche. That's true just for front-drive models; with the all-wheel-drive turbo four, the manual's an viii-speed automatic, and fuel economic system registers at 20/29 mpg or 23 mpg combined.
Gas mileage isn't too bad with the 3.0T and quattro. The supercharged, straight-injected 5-6 powerplant and its standard all-wheel bulldoze deliver 18/27-mpg fuel economy, or 22 mpg combined.
For the all-time numbers of the lineup, look no farther than the A6 TDI, new this year and on deck with 24/38 mpg EPA ratings, or 29 mpg combined. That should more than commencement the S6'southward 17/27 mpg, or 20 mpg combined, given Audi's ambition for turbodiesel sales.
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2014 Audi A6 3.0t Premium Plus Review
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