Used 2016 Audi S6

While other models like the all-new A3 or stalwart A4 stand in the spotlight, the 2016 Audi A6 is perhaps the automaker’s best-kept secret. With luxurious interior appointments and comfort, and a choice of four hyper-talented engines, the 2016 Audi A6 continues on with the midsize luxury sedan’s clandestine yet sterling reputation. Even with stiff competition from the likes of the BMW 5-Series, Mercedes-Benz E Class, Cadillac CTS, and Acura RLX, the Audi A6 is one of our favorites.

We had a chance to sample the 3.0-liter supercharged V6 engine, which had no trouble taking off when we kicked the spurs into it. Gear changes are silky-smooth courtesy of an 8-speed automatic transmission and there is no hunting or pecking no matter what type of driving conditions arise. Fuel efficiency does pay the price during spirited driving though, as the EPA rates this engine at 20 city/30 highway. In fact, for being a luxury midsize sedan, the 2016 Audi A6 actually feels smaller the faster you go and takes corners with the best of them, especially with help from the firm’s quattro all-wheel-drive system. Minus the entry-level version – which is front-wheel drive with all-wheel drive available – all A6 models come with Audi’s quattro all-wheel-drive system as standard equipment. Braking is easily modulated which is helpful if your commute regularly consists of stop-and-go traffic.

We’ve already waxed poetically about how much we enjoy the Audi A6’s interior but we still have some more to point out. For the 2016 model year, the A6 sedan saw its insides refreshed with things like a bigger dial to choose media and other inputs with. Audi’s industry-leading MMI infotainment and navigational system is updated for 2016, and it continues to astound with some help from Google Maps. Then there’s the available Beaufort wood trim and aluminum accents which do wonders for your sense of sight.

The obvious exterior changes, like the redesigned front- and rear-end, show that the new A6 has gone through a mid-cycle refresh. Features like new headlights, a redesigned bumper, and a menacing-looking grille give the A6 sedan a sharp, fresh look. From behind, the LED taillights boast a sleeker profile and are easy to pick out whether you’re behind one day or night. Climbing up the trim ladder brings things like more aggressive side-skirts and badging to let your neighbors know you want to go fast.

3.0-LITER TDI CLEAN DIESEL ENGINE
What’s better than a diesel engine that offers up 25 city/38 highway mpg? A diesel engine that offers a stellar 428 lb-ft of torque which is served up almost immediately.

QUIET, REFINED INTERIOR
At this price-point, the 2016 Audi A6 includes the nicest interior without a shadow of a doubt. The only interior we’ve come across that we enjoyed more was found in the $95,000-plus Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

All of the usual suspects you’ve come to expect in a luxury midsize sedan offering are found on the standard equipment list. This includes leather seats (heated up front), Bluetooth phone and audio capability, automatic headlights, and seat memory. BMW and Mercedes-Benz require you to check an extra box if you want leather seats in its offerings.

Beyond the 2.0-liter 4-cylinder, the two V6 engines and one V8 can go toe-to-toe with the best of them, mated 7- or 8-speed automatic transmissions that both handle gear changes in a timely manner. Audi’s optional equipment list can get a little overwhelming (and expensive) quickly but you’ll get what you pay for in terms of comfort and refinement. Things like the available MMI infotainment and navigational system, adaptive cruise control, and a wide array of safety systems help to make the new A6 a perfect candidate for that potential opening in your garage.

Audi added a bump in power to three of its four engine offerings in the latest A6. The 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 cylinder gains 32 additional horsepower over the 2015 model, while the S6’s V8 is now rated at 450 horsepower, up 30 from last year. The 3.0-liter supercharged V6 sees a climb of 23 horsepower to 333, while the 3.0-liter turbocharged diesel V6 remains unchanged at 240 horsepower for 2016. In the front-wheel-drive 2.0-liter A6, a 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission administers gear changes in models, while the available 8-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission is paired with the 2.0-liter’s all-wheel-drive configuration. That same 8-speed automatic serves with the 3.0-liter supercharged V6 and turbocharged diesel V6. The 4.0-liter V8 is mated to the 7-speed S tronic.

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4
252 horsepower @ 5,000-6,000 rpm
273 lb-ft of torque @ 1,600-4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 24/35 mpg (7-speed S tronic automatic, front-wheel drive), 22/32 mpg (8-speed automatic, all-wheel drive)

3.0-liter supercharged V6
333 horsepower @ 5,500-6,500 rpm
325 lb-ft of torque @ 2,900-5,300 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/30 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: 25/38 mpg

4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8
450 horsepower @ 5,800-6,400 rpm
406 lb-ft of torque @ 1,400-5,700 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/27 mpg