Used 2015 Audi S6

The 2015 Audi A6 and Audi S6 midsize luxury sedans are designed to go head-to-head with the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and BMW 5 Series, and we’d say they do a fine job of it. The styling bears a strong resemblance to the smaller Audi A4 and the flagship Audi A8, but with those being two of the best-looking luxury sedans on the road, you won’t hear complaints from us about the family resemblance. Inside, the A6 takes most of its interior cues from the Audi A7, and again, we don’t object. Under the hood is your choice of turbocharged and supercharged gasoline engines or a TDI clean diesel model. The high-performance Audi S6 offers up a 420-horsepower V8 engine.

The Audi A6 midsize luxury sedan splits the difference between the performance-oriented BMW 5 Series and the comfort-oriented Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Where the BMW can feel too stiff around town, the Audi feels smooth. Conversely, where the Mercedes-Benz can feel too soft, the Audi stays controlled. Best of all, the Audi A6 retains its composure when the road begins to bend. We wish the electric power steering provided better feedback, a shortcoming it shares with many competitors, but it’s not a deal-breaker. The combination of the supercharged 3.0-liter V6 engine and 8-speed automatic is marvelously responsive. Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive favors the rear wheels, but proportions power evenly when the pavement’s slick. Diesel buyers will appreciate that their excellent fuel economy comes with virtually no performance penalty, while the S6, with its lusty 420-horsepower turbocharged V8 and firmer suspension, gleefully sacrifices some comfort for high performance.

If you like surrounding yourself with the finest automotive interior you can find, there’s a pretty good chance you already own an Audi A6. The 2015 Audi A6 interior is an unmatched mix of contemporary design, high-quality materials and impeccable build quality. It’s also brimming with high-tech. Dedicated Internet access enables Google-powered maps and location information, and turns the car into a Wi-Fi hot spot for up to eight personal devices. The center console-mounted volume knob, placed conveniently adjacent to the main MMI (Multi Media Interface) control, remains a favorite small touch.

Audi has created a small-medium-large styling language for its cars, with the 2015 A6 squarely in "medium" territory between the smaller A4 and larger A8. The clean and uncluttered look is fresh, athletic and purposeful, even though it’s been on our roads for a few years now. Exterior trim and different wheel packages offer customization options for A6 owners, while all A6 models benefit from Audi’s signature grille, bright LED headlight accents, and the low 0.26 drag coefficient, helping the car slide through the air efficiently. The S6 announces its sporty intentions with lower-body aero aids and a distinctive face.

3.0-LITER TDI CLEAN DIESEL ENGINE
The 2015 Audi A6 TDI offers up excellent fuel economy, estimated at 24 mpg city and 38 mpg highway. Yet with 240 horsepower, 428 lb-ft of torque, and a 0-60-mph time of just 5.5 seconds, you give up virtually nothing compared to the gasoline-powered supercharged V6.

STOP & GO CRUISE CONTROL
Traffic is a drag no matter what you drive, but the 2015 Audi A6 tries to make it as painless as possible with its low-speed cruise control. With a combination of video cameras and short- and long-distance radar sensors, the A6 maintains a safe following distance in stop-and-go traffic.

The 2015 Audi A6 2.0 starts lower than its primary competitors, including the Lexus GS and Cadillac CTS. However, you still get a very comprehensively equipped luxury sedan. Heated leather front seats, a sunroof, automatic headlights, and seat memory are all standard. Note that the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class both charge extra for leather seats. Plus many newer niceties are included, like keyless start (but not keyless entry), Bluetooth phone/audio connectivity and iPod/iPhone integration. Outstanding EPA fuel-economy ratings (25/33 mpg city/highway with front-drive) make the entry-priced A6 one of the best values going in the luxury class.

As expected in a modern luxury sedan, the 2015 Audi A6 can be equipped with a dizzying array of comfort, convenience and safety technologies. The Audi A6 offers adaptive cruise control that even handles stop-and-go traffic. Audi Pre Sense Plus monitors the road ahead to warn of a potential collision, while the Night Vision Assistant can detect nearby pedestrians on dark roads, and a color head-up display projects speed and navigation information onto the windshield, close to your field of vision. A Warm Weather package adds 4-zone climate control and manual window shades to Premium Plus models.

Front-wheel drive 2015 Audi A6 models get a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder with 220 horsepower connected to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Optional on the 4-cylinder, and standard with all other engines, is Audi’s signature quattro all-wheel drive, which comes with a conventional 8-speed automatic transmission. While the 4-cylinder is smooth and refined, we’re fans of the two V6 engines, either the supercharged 3.0 TFSI or the turbocharged 3.0 TDI diesel, available on Premium Plus and Prestige models. Both provide roughly the same acceleration performance, with the diesel returning much better fuel economy. On the Audi S6, there’s a 4.0-liter turbocharged V8 under the hood pumping out 420-horsepower, enough to launch this high-performance luxury sedan from a standstill to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds.

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4
220 horsepower @ 4,450-6,000 rpm
258 lb-ft of torque @ 1,500-4,300 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 25/33 mpg (CVT automatic, FWD), 20/29 mpg (8-speed automatic, AWD)

3.0-liter supercharged V6
310 horsepower @ 5,500-6,500 rpm
325 lb-ft of torque @ 2,900-4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/27 mpg

3.0-liter turbocharged diesel V6
240 horsepower @ 3,500-3,750 rpm
428 lb-ft of torque @ 1,750-2,250
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 24/38 mpg

4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8
420 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm
406 lb-ft of torque @ 1,400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/27 mpg