2025 Audi S6

It’s a good formula — take a perfectly fine Audi vehicle, give it more thrust and agility, then add a few additional features, and we have an S model. The S6 is the result when starting the process with an A6. We’ve said it before and we’ll no doubt say it again, but an Audi S is such a great package. We love the extra muscle and equipment, yet neither aspect is overly extravagant. We could drive an S6 every day, relishing each trip — but especially those that involve a few emptier and twistier roads. And by virtue of being a midsize luxury sedan, there’s plenty of occupant space and tech.

Sadly, this year looks like it will be the S6’s last. Well, the S6 as we know it. Audi is making the all-electric A6 e-tron, with a higher-performance S6 e-tron variant.

We’ve logged hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of midsize luxury cars, including the Audi S6.

The HomeLink remote garage door button is now integrated into the rearview mirror, and the free Audi Connect Nav trial subscription is increased from six months to three years. Road sign recognition becomes standard, while the Premium trim’s optional Convenience package gains the Interior Lighting Plus package. A Nardo Sport Edition package becomes available for the top Prestige trim, adding exclusive interior and exterior colors, plus carbon side mirror housings.

We recommend Premium Plus trim to gain more features, such as dual-pane glass, Bang & Olufsen audio, and a 360-degree audio system. That said, the Prestige trim is almost just as popular

The S6 does suffer from being much older than the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class, both of whose latest generations launched only last year. They’re less expensive as well. The BMW 540i xDrive with an M Sport package still comes in under the S6. As does the Mercedes-Benz E 450 4Matic.

Before buying a new S6 midsize luxury sport sedan, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying. Resale values are slightly below the class average. Recouping more money when selling a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on the next one.

The S6 develops 444 horsepower and will zip from a standstill to 60 mph in a respectable 4.4 seconds. That’s the same acceleration time as the 375-horsepower BMW 540i xDrive and the Mercedes-Benz E 450 4Matic (which has the same number of horses as its BMW rival).

A sport-tuned adaptive air suspension is standard across the S6 lineup, providing a range of settings that goes from “comfortable enough yet still composed” to “wow, this thing is a blast on a mountain road.” We’ve found Audi S cars to be precise and flowing, yet we could easily imagine driving them every day on the usual commute. The S6 is the kind of car we’d choose if we had to drive from one coast to the other. Not just for its power and ride quality, but also for its supportive seats.

One option we’d recommend is the S Sport package, offered with the Premium Plus and Prestige. It adds a sport rear differential and rear-wheel steering, which we’ve found enhances maneuverability and agility.

Fuel Economy

In combined city/highway driving, the 2025 S6 achieves 22 mpg. The newer, more efficient engines of the BMW 540i xDrive and Mercedes-Benz E 450 4Matic manage 28 mpg combined and 25 mpg combined, respectively.

The sportiness of the S6 is readily apparent even in the cabin. Those front seats with well-shaped bolstering at the sides and the stainless steel pedal caps are obvious clues. Yet this is still a luxury car, replete with diamond-stitched leather upholstery, quad-zone automatic climate control, and a power-adjustable steering column — all as standard.

Other aspects are typical Audi, like the honed interior design, high-quality materials, and exemplary build. Occupant space is ample, with a decent 37.4 inches of rear legroom. Trunk volume is 13.7 cubic feet, which we’ve found to be roomy enough.

Compared with the slightly humbler A6 sedan, the S6 has extra aerodynamic treatment (including a body-colored rear spoiler) and quad exhaust outlets. We think there’s a subtle sharpness to the overall look, as well as a certain elegance. Audi’s polished design approach has allowed its cars to keep a distance from the trends that might make others look dated before their time.

Virtual Cockpit
A standard fixture in most Audis these days, and copied by practically every other manufacturer, this digital instrument cluster can show a lot of information. We’ve found that it doesn’t take much time to learn.

Convenience package
We think buyers choosing the Premium trim should also consider spending an extra $2,250 on this bundle because it adds (among other things) adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and a 360-degree camera system.

Bang & Olufsen audio
One of the top audiophile brands and one of our particular favorites, B&O offers a superb 1,820-watt/19-speaker setup for the S6 in Premium Plus and Prestige trims.

Ventilated and massaging front seats
These are part of a Luxury package, for which the Premium Plus and Prestige trims are eligible. In addition to being super-comfortable, they emphasize the fact that the S6 can be a true luxury car as well as an excellent sport sedan.

S Sport adaptive steel suspension
Some drivers prefer a firmer ride quality in their sport sedans. This feature is optional in the top two S6 trims. It’s fun for those who are so inclined, but we suggest test-driving it before making the decision.

Night Vision
This is optional in the Prestige trim. It’s a cool piece of tech that sends images to the Virtual Cockpit display and could be invaluable for perceiving a pedestrian or animal in time to react.

The S6 has a twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V6 developing a substantial 444 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque. An 8-speed automatic transmission directs that energy to a standard all-wheel drive (AWD) system.

The regular 2025 Audi A6 and even more powerful 2025 Audi RS 6 Avant are each reviewed separately.

4-Year/50,000-Mile Warranty

Audi’s new vehicle and powertrain warranties last four years or 50,000 miles, whichever happens first. This is typical among European luxury car makers. Audi also throws in four years of roadside assistance.

Safety Ratings

Earlier model years of the A6 (on which the S6 is based) have been named a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It also took the top score of Good in an updated small overlap front test. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has given the A6 a maximum overall score of 5 stars.