Used Audi A6 2011-2018 review

The Audi A6 has always been a stylish and plush luxury car, and this 2011-2018 version does not buck that trend.

Moreover, it substantially improves on previous models by being lighter and therefore better to drive and to ride in, plus it's more efficient and easier on the pocket, too.

Engines & Performance: Most A6s can be found with a 2.0-litre diesel engine in either 175bhp or revised 187bhp Ultra form from 2014 onwards. There are also multiple versions of a six-cylinder 3.0 TDI: 201bhp and 242bhp guises (later uprated to 215bhp and 268bhp) and 309bhp and 316bhp twin-turbo BiTDI forms.

Used examples that are powered by petrol are a bit thin on the ground; this generation of A6 heralds from a time when buyers were encouraged to choose diesel power for its lower CO2 emissions. They are out there, though; on the sensible side, there are the 187bhp 1.8 and 248bhp 2.0-litre engines, followed by a short-lived 208bhp 2.0-litre hybrid model and 296bhp 3.0-litre V6. 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.

Ride & Handling: Under the sleek looks, the A6 is unusual in this class in being front-wheel drive, whereas its most obvious rivals from BMW, Mercedes and Jaguar are all rear-wheel drive. There are some who would see this as a potential sticking point; many say that rear-wheel-drive cars are more fun to drive.

The A6 offers the option of four-wheel drive (called quattro), though, and the truth is that, in everyday motoring, even the front-wheel-drive models are safe and secure and can be driven in difficult road conditions without any qualms. It may not set your hair on fire, even with its more powerful engines under the bonnet, but the A6 has plenty of grip, great balance and noticeably good poise.

The ride is better than that of Audi models of old; it's excellent almost all of the time. However, the four-wheel-drive S line models can fidget and thump occasionally at low speeds.

Interior & Practicality: Inside is a good driving position with plenty of adjustment and space in the back for two, although a high central floor hump restricts leg room for the middle passenger, even in the front-wheel-drive models.

However, the boot is large, and has a standard split-folding rear bench if you need to load longer items.

Trims & 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 the 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.

Interested in buying a used Audi A6? Visit our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at great prices.

You can buy an early A6 for just under £5500, at the time of writing, but this will be for a high-mileage example. We’d recommend spending a little more, maybe between £8500 and £9500, and seeking out a 2011-2012 car with an average mileage for the year, a full service history and bought from an independent dealer. Upping your dosh, £10,000-£13,000 will secure a good 2013/2014 car and £14,500-£16,500 a 2015 or higher mileage 2016 car. Expect to pay £19,500 for a late 2018 example.

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MPG: The 2.0 TDI Ultra diesel-engined version's claimed fuel consumption figure is an outstanding 65.7mpg. Even the 3.0 TDI isn't all that bad, at 64.2mpg 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 a claimed 47.9mpg. You'd hope the hybrid model would be even better, but its 44.1mpg figure is a tad disappointing. 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 113g/km of CO2, or the front-wheel drive 3.0 TDI, which emits 122g/km. The most potent BiTDI model has the worst CO2 emissions of the diesel range at 166g/km.

The greenest petrol engine is the 1.8 at 138g/km, followed by the hybrid at 145g/km. All V8 petrol models emit 225g/km.

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

Servicing: Examples that are over 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-litre BiTDI 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 vast majority sold were diesel. Of the few that are available used, go for the smooth and economical 1.8 TFSI unit that was added to the range in 2016.

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. 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 has long been the benchmark saloon in this class. It’s plush enough inside to compare with just about any other car on sale, has a spacious, well-appointed interior and is great to drive, with a refined and economical range of engines.

The Mercedes E-Class has a range of smooth and strong engines, a supple ride and a generous amount of standard equipment. It’s good to drive, too, if not up to the 5 Series’ exceptional level.

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