2020 Audi A6 Review: The Low-Flying Exec
The understated A6 is the quiet guy in the corner whose actions have always spoken louder than his words, and for 2020, the recipe remains mostly unchanged; you get an athletic driving experience, more than enough power to get you around, a cabin bristling with tech and luxury features and class-leading build quality. The A6 is also one of the safest cars on the road and is competitively priced against its rivals, which arrive in the form of the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. 2020 models are powered by either a 2.0T four-cylinder or 3.0T V6 and both sport mild hybrid systems. Standard additions for 2020 include lane departure warning and auto high beam headlights. With a trim line up split into three distinct offerings, the A6 represents one of the best midsize executive sedans on sale at the moment, and if you're one for flying under the radar, then this car will be a solid bet.
What's the Price of the 2020 Audi A6?
Pricing on the 2020 Audi A6 is equal with that of its main competitors, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and BMW 5 Series. To get behind the wheel of the Premium turbocharged four-cylinder 45 TFSI, you'll have to fork over $54,900. That price excludes registration, tax, and a destination fee of $995. The Premium 55 TFSI with its more powerful turbocharged V6 engine will raise that price to $59,800. If you're looking for some added infotainment and safety tech, then the Premium Plus, starting at $58,600 for the 45 TFSI will be right up your alley. The more powerful 55 TFSI will cost you $63,500. At the top of the range, you will find the Prestige, which starts at $64,800 and rises to $69,700 for the 55 TFSI. The A6 goes toe to toe with the likes of BMW and Mercedes-Benz, so price should not play a major part in your purchasing decision.
2020 A6 Exterior
Dimensions
Length | Wheelbase | Height | Max Width | Front Width | Rear Width | Curb Weight |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
194.4 in | 115.1 in | 57.4 in | 74.3 in | 64.2 in | 63.7 in | 4,101.0 lbs |
2020 A6 Performance
Handling and Driving Impressions
We're impressed by the A6's ability to handle fast corners and quick direction changes: the A6, despite its significant curb weight, will follow the instructions of the driver to an impressive limit and offers surprisingly direct steering feel and turn-in response. The five-link front and rear suspension provide a good balance of stiffness and comfort. Although the A6 can be a rather athletic performer, it feels disconnected from the driver, and is by far and large happier to do the comfortable cruising thing. Let the A6's legs stretch on the open road, and the sublime balance of stability and comfort shines through, and even at low speeds and over harsh road surfaces, the A6 never feels too crashy. Go for the larger 20-inch wheels and sport suspension drop and things become slightly less refined, but not by much, while the optional all-wheel steering on V6-powered Prestige models makes the large sedan feel far nimbler. The large 13.3-inch front and 13-inch rear ventilated disk brakes put proceedings to a halt with impressive feel and force.
2020 A6 Interior
2020 A6 Trunk and Cargo Space
Warranty
Basic | Drivetrain | Corrosion | Roadside Assistance | Hybrid/Electric Components |
---|---|---|---|---|
4 Years / 50,000 Miles | 4 Years / 50,000 Miles | 12 Years / Unlimited Miles | 4 Years / Unlimited Miles | 8 Years / 100,000 Miles |
US NHTSA Crash Test Result
Overall Rating | Frontal Barrier Crash Rating | Side Crash Rating | Rollover Rating |
---|---|---|---|
5/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 |
Verdict: Is the 2020 Audi A6 A Good car?
The new decade has brought with it more drama and intrigue than the past couple of years combined, and with the pervasiveness of social media, and the exponentially growing love of pure vanity, humankind seems to be hooked on shocking events and immediate satisfaction, so it's good to see that some still appreciate the subtle and restrained qualities in life. The 2020 Audi A6 is a rare breed of car that goes against everything we seem to love and appreciate in the modern world; it doesn't shout and make a fuss, instead, it does what it does without fanfare, and it does it exceptionally well. Both the four-cylinder and V6 turbocharged engines deliver strong performance, and the exterior styling, while restrained, looks as good as ever. Inside the A6 you're greeted with class-leading build quality and tech features. On the road the A6 is athletic enough, but revels in transporting people at cruising speed. It's also one of the safest cars in its class and is priced well too. Is it a good car? If you can appreciate its below the radar personality, then it's one of the best executive sedans on the market right now.
What Audi A6 Model Should I Buy?
With quite a significant price and features gap between the 45 TFSI Premium, and the top of the range 55 TFSI Prestige, selecting the right A6 for your needs shouldn't be that difficult. All 2020 A6 cars are available with either a turbocharged four-cylinder or six-cylinder engine, the latter of which offers some serious performance without any significant gas mileage penalties. For that reason alone we would start off by going with a V6 model. After that, it boils down to how many features you're looking for. If it were our checkbook being torn apart, we'd have to go with the mid-range Premium Plus, which strikes an excellent balance between value, performance, and standard features. The 55 TFSI Premium Plus includes a 12.3-inch Audi virtual cockpit display with a banging 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system, as well as rear cross-traffic assist, vehicle exit warning, and a surround-view camera system. We would forgo any of the optional packages and just have it as is.
2020 Audi A6 Comparisons
2020 Audi A6 vs Audi A4 Sedan
The Audi A4 is the smaller but no less accomplished sibling of the A6 and has become a household name in its own right. The current A4 has been around in its current form since 2016, but constant updates have seen it sticking to the top of its class. Powering the Audi A4 is a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine in two states of tune; the 40 TFSI produces 188 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque, while the more powerful 45 TFSI kicks out a healthy 248 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. In its most fuel-efficient guise, the A4 will return a gas mileage figure of 27/35/30 mpg city/highway/combined, significantly more than the heavier A6. On the road, the A4 is a confident cruiser and can also be quite fun to hurl around corners, but the A6 is still the superior cruiser. Inside, the A4 offers the same build quality we've come to love about the A6, but interior space is limited by the A4's smaller dimensions. Trunk volume, on the other hand, is very similar. The A4 in base form can't match the A6 in terms of standard features but is almost as safe. Starting at $37,400, the A4 is a great option if you don't need the extra interior space.
2020 Audi A6 vs BMW 5 Series Sedan
The BMW 5 Series has been setting benchmarks in the executive sedan market for decades, and loyal fans love its blend of executive luxury and athletic driving dynamics. The 2020 BMW 5 Series is a serious machine that is available in varying states of tune and specification. Comparable to the 45 TFSI is the 530i xDrive Sedan, which is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-pot. This BMW produces 248 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, while the 55 TSFI's rival, the 540i xDrive Sedan, powered by a 3.0-liter turbocharged engine produces 335 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque. The 5 Series will deliver a best gas mileage figure of 25/33/28 mpg city/highway/combined, but only in RWD derivatives, marginally beating the A6. On the road, the BMW is an absolute pleasure to pilot through the bends and doesn't feel as disconnected as the A6. It is also a capable cruiser at higher speeds. Inside, the BMW offers a similarly futuristic interior with sleek surfaces and good quality materials, but the Audi offers more space. The BMW dominates in terms of trunk space with a total area of 18.7 cubic feet. Features are comparable, as are safety levels. The BMW starts at $53,900 and should be the choice of anyone who enjoys driving.