Used Audi A6 Avant 2011-2018 review

If a car sold on looks alone the Audi A6 Avant would have an easy head start. It belongs to a class of modern estate car that is more desirable than the saloon on which it's based.

The A6 Avant may not be as obvious a choice as the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E-Class, yet it's just as luxuriously appointed inside and can be excellent value as a used buy, considering the huge choice of engines and gadgets it has compared with rivals.

Engines: Most A6s can be found with a diesel engine, because this generation harks from a time when buyers were encouraged to choose diesel power for its lower CO2 emissions. The majority will have a 2.0-litre engine in either 175bhp or revised 187bhp Ultra form from 2014 onwards. There are also multiple 3.0-litre six-cylinder engines, in 201bhp and 242bhp guises (later uprated to 215bhp and 268bhp), as well as in 309bhp and 316bhp twin-turbo BiTDI forms.

Used examples that are powered by petrol are a bit thin on the ground; a short-lived 296bhp 3.0-litre V6 was available to begin with, but the range became diesel-only in 2012, until petrol returned to the price list in either 187bhp 1.8 or 248bhp 2.0-litre forms in 2018. On the not so sensible front, you could get three 4.0-litre V8-powered models in 444bhp S6, 552bhp RS6 and 597bhp RS6 Performance forms.

Trims and equipment: Entry-level SE models come with leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, sat-nav, front and rear parking sensors, cruise control, 17in alloy wheels and automatic lights and wipers all as standard. From 2014 onwards, the headlights were upgraded to brighter xenon alternatives.

S line adds larger (18in) wheels, sportier looks inside and out, sports suspension and upgraded leather. From 2012, a premium Bose sound system and a DAB radio became standard fitment, while further enhancements in 2014 brought four-zone climate control, LED front and rear lights with dynamic indicators. Black Edition models replace all exterior brightwork with black trim.

Ride and handling: On the road, the Avant performs with all the suavity of the saloon. The 2.0 TDI is smooth and refined at all speeds and offers plenty of punch. The more powerful versions feel even more muscular and are equally refined. The seven-speed automatic gearbox shifts smoothly, too, with just the occasional jerkiness betraying it on downshifts.

The ride on the standard SE (later SE Executive) cars is called Dynamic, and it’s smooth and comfortable, but seeking out an S line car means 18in alloy wheels and a Sports suspension setup that doesn’t do the ride quality any favours. However, some S line cars will have been specified from new with the softer Dynamic suspension, and these models are worth seeking out. Moving up to the Black Editions brings 20in wheels and an even firmer ride.

The good news is that even the entry-level front-wheel-drive cars with the 2.0 TDI engine feel grippy and secure. The steering of most versions is not the sportiest or most communicative, but it’s light and fairly direct. As far as handling goes, the A6 Avant is safe and predictable in most guises, even if it’s not as much fun to drive as one or two of its rivals.

The strong point for the A6 Avant is refinement, however. Wind and road noise are well muted, even at speed, and all the engines are quiet.

Interior and practicality: The interior is one of rare class and quality. The driving position is pretty much spot on, although the pedal layout is offset in the rare manual cars. The dashboard and surrounding areas are all of the highest quality, with everything laid out logically and feeling good to the touch. Visibility is good, and front and rear parking sensors are standard on all versions.

Every A6 Avant comes with Audi’s impressive MMI infotainment system, which is similar to the class-leading iDrive setup in the BMW 5 Series in that it consists of a central screen controlled by a dial between the front seats. The standard screen size is 6.5in, but you could pay extra to upgrade to an 8.0in display and an MMI rotary controller that can be ‘drawn’ on with your finger to enter letters and numbers.

There’s plenty of space up front and a good amount in the rear, so passengers should find it easy to get comfortable, even with three abreast on the rear seats. The boot is usefully shaped, a good size and easily accessible through the large tailgate.

If you're interested in buying a used Audi A6, or any of the other cars mentioned here, check out our used car classified site here.

You can pick up high-mileage A6 Avants for around £6000, but we’d recommend spending more than this to secure a late 2011 or early 2012 car with an average mileage for the year, and a full service history. Look to spend between £10,000 and £12,000 for a good, clean car that satisfies all of the above. Up the wedge to £14,000 or more for a facelifted 2015 car bought from a trader or an independent dealer, and £16,000 to £20,000 for good 2017 and 2018 models bought from a franchised dealer.

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MPG

The 2.0 TDI Ultra diesel version's official average fuel consumption figure is a highly respectable 62.8mpg. Even the 3.0 TDI isn't all that bad, at 55.4mpg for the front-wheel drive model and 44.8mpg in four-wheel drive, BiTDI form.

Opt for the best-performing petrol version, the 1.8 TFSI, and you’ll see an official 47.1mpg. However, it's not as bad as the 29.4mpg average for the S6 and RS6 models.

CO2 emissions

If you want to keep your road tax bill down, go for the 2.0 TDI Ultra, which produces a mere 124g/km of CO2, or the front-wheel-drive 3.0 TDI, which emits 136g/km. The most potent BiTDI model has the worst CO2 emissions of the diesel range at 169g/km.

All V8 petrol models emit 225g/km.

Road tax

Road tax for all models registered before 1 April 2017 will vary depending on the emissions the engine produces (see above for more information). Examples registered after this date attract a flat-rate fee, plus an additional charge for cars that cost more than £40,000 when new that applies between years two and six of the car's age. Current rates are £180 a year for the road tax and £390 a year for the luxury car tax. To find out more about the current road tax costs, click here.

Servicing

Examples that are more than three years old will qualify for Audi’s fixed-price servicing, which costs from £205 for a minor service and £365 for a major one, based on cars with a 2.0-litre engine or smaller. A6s with larger engines (although not the S6 or RS6) will cost £240 and £425 for the same level of work.

Insurance groups

Insurance groups for the A6 are slightly higher than the equivalent models from BMW and Mercedes, with 2.0-litre diesels starting in group 33. The more powerful 3.0 BiTDI is in group 44, followed by the most potent RS6 in group 50.

Engine

There isn’t an engine in the A6 range that feels out of its depth. Even the entry-level 2.0 TDI diesel has more than enough low-rev shove to haul along a fully loaded car, plus you can overtake at high speeds with confidence. In fact, it never feels remotely underpowered, making it our favourite A6 engine. If you're feeling flush, the 215bhp 3.0 TDI has all the power you’ll ever need, while the 268bhp and 316bhp twin-turbo versions are particularly swift.

Good luck finding an example powered by petrol, because the majority of A6 Avants sold were diesel. Of the few that are available used, go for the smooth and economical 1.8 TFSI that was added to the range in 2018.

Specification

We’d recommend that you go for the generously equipped entry-level SE trim; it comes with every feature you'll really need. There are plenty of S line examples out there, but the firmer suspension fitted to it can become tiresome on rougher sections of road.

It’s worth looking out for the Technology Pack, which brings an upgraded sat-nav system with a bigger screen and various online functions, and a large colour information display in the instrument binnacle. The Technology Pack Plus comes with additional safety features such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, blindspot monitoring and automatic emergency braking.

Our favourite Audi A6 2.0 TDI SE

The BMW 5 Series Touring is the A6 Avant’s chief rival. It’s comfortable and has loads of space plus a range of punchy, efficient engines. On top of that, the interior is lovely and the infotainment system easy to use.

The Mercedes E-Class Estate is excellent value for money used. It’s also quiet, refined and comfortable. On top of that, it has a huge boot – bigger than the 5 Series Touring's and A6 Avant’s – so it’s one of the star cars in this class.

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