2008 Audi S6 Road Test Ratings

A powerful V10 engine, sporty good looks and a feature-laden cabin make the Audi S6 a car that fun to drive and elegant to arrive in.

A 5.2-liter V10 engine moves this car quickly and has a racy exhaust note. Handling is quite nimble, and the brakes are impressive. But the hefty stature of the S6 does become apparent in tighter corners. Steering, while precise and direct, is effort-wise a bit too light.

Body motions are flat. While impacts are well-controlled, the car does tend to follow road imperfections a bit and might be too stiff for soft-ride fans. The seats are comfortable and well-shaped for tall and small alike. Wind noise is minimal, but the performance-oriented tires do produce noticeable road noise. All in all, these characteristics are not out of character for a high-performance variant such as this.

The Audi S6 cabin is laid out quite logically, with most of the displays and controls very easy to use. Excellent features include the steering-mounted controls, headlamps, rear-vision camera, HVAC system and trunk space (standard and maximum). The one weak point is the MMI audio and navigation system, which is better used while parked. Still, this layout is better than those found in competing German brands.

Audi resisted the temptation to clutter the S6 body with obvious performance add-ons, resulting in a stealthy performance sedan that still maintains a gorgeous yet purposeful persona. The interior is very nicely-trimmed, including a carbon-fiber center console that is especially handsome and authentic-looking. Build quality is impeccable, even for this class.