Audi A6 Saloon

The large-executive favourite (as in the car, not the executives themselves), the Audi A6 remains a staple of the market. But the assembled crowds don’t seem to be gasping with admiration.

    Comfort

    Can be a bit stiff with sportier suspension set-ups, but generally nicely comfy. Plenty of space and a nicely ergonomic cabin make for relaxed cruising – we especially like the seats for taller drivers.    
Rated 11 out of 20
 
  Performance

    The range covers pretty much every performance need. There are loads of petrol engines – a 2.0-litre TFSI, 2.4 and 2.8FSI, 3.2 FSI, a 4.2-litre FSI V8 and a V10 in the S6 – and three diesels: a 2.0-litre four-cylinder TDI, 2.7 and 3.0-litre six-cylinder. The base petrol gets 170bhp and is fine, but the pick of the range is again that lovely 3.0-litre TDI.
    Rated 14 out of 20

    Cool

    Nope. Too average to be cool.
    Rated 8 out of 20
 
   Quality

    Generally good, but the wood in some variants has a suspicious whiff of plastic about it and if you look hard there’s not quite the attention to detail of some of the newer models.
    Rated 16 out of 20

   Handling

    As usual this is another big Audi with huge reserves of grip but a slightly divorced feel. It’s just not that interesting from behind the wheel although there’s plenty of solid cornering ability. Same goes for both front-wheel drive and Quattro versions.
    Rated 11 out of 20

   Practicality

    Three across the back seat can be a squeeze, but the A6 is respectably big for both front and rear bodies. The boot is vast, and you can fold the rear seats for IKEA transport if you have to.
    Rated 13 out of 20
   
  Running costs

    Resale values are strong on the A6 thanks to a rock-solid image, but be wary of the tax brackets if you’re a company car driver; the 2.0-litre is 20 pe rcent and the 3.0-litre whops out a massive 30 per cent.
    Rated 3 out of 20