2022 Audi A6

The Audi A6 is an all-wheel-drive mid-size luxury sedan with a high-performance version called the S6. It’s also a rugged wagon called the Allroad, or a high-performance wagon dubbed the RS 6 Avant.

The everyday A6 uses a turbo-4 engine, with a twin-turbo V-6 available in a couple states of tune. The Allroad comes with the lower-output V-6, while the S6 uses the V-6 with more turbo boost. The RS 6 Avant is in a world of its own, a wagon with nearly 600 horsepower and the suspension to go with it.

For 2022 there are few changes. The striking Black Optic package is available on more models, which makes it less striking by being more common.

Sleek and trim in all its versions, the A6’s body slips into its most attractively tailored suit as an Avant wagon. The A6 cabin matches that executive appeal with touchscreens and digital displays wherever you look.

Every A6 needs premium fuel. The turbo-4 A6 sedan, called 45 TFSI, is EPA rated 23/31/26 mpg, while the V-6 in the 55 TFSI model gets 22 mpg city, 29 highway, 24 combined. The A6 Allroad, with its higher riding position and V-6, drops a bit to 20/26/22 mpg. The S6 sedan gets 18/28/22 mpg. The RS 6 Avant sinks to 15/22/17 mpg.

Truly brilliant are the safety scores, with five stars from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. Audi’s exceptional automatic emergency braking system is standard, of course, however adaptive cruise control and active lane control are optional.

Model Lineup

Made in Germany, the A6 in base trim with a 4-cylinder engine starts at about $56,000. Standard equipment includes leather seats that are heated in front, an 8.8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and 19-inch alloy wheels.

The Premium Plus starts at about $60,000, with the twin-turbo V-6 available for another $4,000, making it a 55 TFSI. It has a bigger touchscreen, Bang & Olufsen sound, a digital instrument cluster, and more active safety features.

The A6 Allroad is about $68,000 in Premium Plus trim, the S6 goes for $76,000, and the RS 6 Avant starts at about $118,000. With carbon-fiber trim and things like night vision, the RS 6 Avant can run to $153,000.

The A6 warranty is 4 years and 50,000-miles.

Exterior

In some ways the A6 is a sleeper because its styling isn’t as dramatic as the performance can be. The sedans have a sublime appeal, but wagons grab more attention: the Allroad has high ground clearance and blocky fender flares that accurately reflect its ability to go off-road, while the RS 6 Avant has a menacing look, riding low on a wide stance.

The Black Optic package brings some drama by getting rid of some of the chrome.

Interior

The fit and finish of the cabin is exceptional, and the standard real leather upholstery, not synthetic leather, raises the status of the A6. The seats are comfortable for hours behind the wheel, and they get grippier as the horsepower increases. By the time you get to 600 hp in the RS 6, the bolsters are tight, and the padding is firm.

The rear seat can’t be called exceptional, but it’s better than rivals. Two adults fit with ease, and a third won’t be unhappy for a short trip across town.

If you need utility, the Allroad is the choice, with about 30 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat. The sedan can’t compete, with its trunk holding less than half that.

Driving Impressions

Every A6 has all-wheel drive. Two different systems are used. The system in the 45 TFSI and 55 TFSI disengages the rear wheels to better the gas mileage, while other models have continuous all-wheel drive that varies the torque to each wheel.

The 45 TFSI uses a 2.0-liter turbo-4 engine making 248 horsepower, mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The acceleration is solid, 0-60 mph in 6.1 seconds. But the twin-turbo V-6 in the 55 TFSI delivers beautiful power from any speed, for an affordable increase in price–$4,000. The A6 Allroad comes with this engine.

The S6 uses a 2.9-liter V-6 making 444 hp, mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. This graceful sedan can blast to 60 mph in about 4.5 seconds.

The RS 6 Avant wagon is master of the universe, with a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 engine that makes 591 horsepower. It’s able to hit 60 in a mere 3.5 seconds and keep going to 190 mph with the right equipment. We suggest the ceramic brakes to get stopped.

Every A6 handles well, and there’s an available lower suspension with firmer springs; there are also optional adaptive dampers with Comfort and Sport modes. The suspension on the A6 Allroad can be adjusted for height. Even base cars have a poised feel, good road manners, and an absorbent ride with good control.

The S6 balances comfort and performance, with meatier steering and less ride compliance traded off for more precise steering and flatter cornering. It can be fitted with a rear differential that can take the application of its 444 horsepower at the rear end, without spinning the car out.

The RS 6 adds rear-wheel steering to make this super car nimble on turn-in.

Final Word

The 2022 Audi A6 offers scads of luxury, comfort, and performance for sedan and wagon fans alike. The Audi A6 Allroad has the best blend of style, comfort, and utility.

—by Sam Moses with driving impressions by The Car Connection