1997 Audi A6 Review
1997 Audi A6 Review
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Used A6 for sale
Appraise This CarAudi A6 model years
Audi A6 types
- Wagon
- Sedan
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Roomy interior, luxurious appointments, smooth ride, communicative handling
Cons
- This car is sloooooooooow
What’s new
A new quattro Value Package is available with a power glass sunroof, larger alloy wheels, bigger tires and, of course, the quattro all-wheel-drive system. Selective unlocking capability expands to the remote keyless entry fob, and the alarm system now features interior monitoring. Jacquard cloth upholstery is new, and three new colors debut: Tornado Red, Volcano Black metallic and Byzantine metallic.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1997 Audi A6 2.8 4dr Sedan and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$222/mo for A6 2.8
A6 2.8
vs
$181/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
Vehicle overview
Despite a recent freshening, the A6 sedan and wagon are growing old. Sitting next to the outstanding A4 and the brand-new A8 in the showroom, the only Audi that looks more geriatric than the A6 is the Cabriolet. Still, this midlevel model is attractive, solid, roomy, and comfortable, with just the right amount of luxury and European flair to make it a viable alternative to other entry-level makes.
The A6's major shortcoming is its powerplant. A 172-horsepower 2.8-liter V6 engine, the same motor found in the lighter A4 2.8, is expected to motivate as much as 3,847 pounds when installed in an unloaded A6 Quattro Wagon. This just isn't enough power, and performance can be called leisurely at best. Handling is another matter. Steering is crisp with excellent feel, though too light with overboosted power assist. Brakes are outstanding, bringing the heavy A6 to a stop smoothly and surely.
Passengers in an A6 are certain to be comfortable, perched on Audi's traditionally supportive seats. Jacquard cloth upholstery is new for 1997, and Kodiak leather remains optional. Interior ambiance is rich with burled walnut inserts and a no-nonsense gauge layout that features soothing red backlighting at night. Some controls are difficult to figure out at first, but owners quickly adapt.
Audi's quattro all-wheel drive system is available on both wagon and sedan as a stand-alone $1,600 option or as part of a new Quattro Value Package that includes a power glass sunroof, larger wheels, and bigger tires for less than $900 more. Currently, Audi is pitching the A6 Quattro Wagon as an alternative to truck-like luxury SUVs. The marketing doesn't seem to be working. Sales through October, 1996, appeared to be on target to match 1995's tally, while Subaru sales skyrocket, thanks to all-wheel drive station wagons.
A completely redesigned A6 sedan is expected to debut in 1998, with a wagon variant following a year later. Styling will fall in line with the A4 and A8, and a more powerful engine choice will be available. Unless you're dying for an all-wheel drive German luxury car and find the A4 too small inside, we suggest consumers wait for the new A6.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1997 Audi A6.
5 star(44%)
4 star(50%)
3 star(2%)
2 star(0%)
1 star(4%)
36 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.75 out of 5 stars
1997 Audi A6 Review
Al Strohmaier, 06/29/2006
1997 Audi A6 2.8 quattro 4dr Sedan AWD
This has been the best car I have ever owned. I live in NE Ohio in "snow belt" country, and the A6 eats snow and ice and slush as well as my F-250 4x4. I don't get tired driving it, whether it's my short commute or occasional multi-hour trip. Great ergonomics. I'm a car nut, and every time I think about buying a new car I hold it up to the A6 for comparability. Most are found wanting. … New Audis aren't cheap, but my experience with the car makes me want to look at low-mileaged used A6s for $27k rather than purchase a new Honda Accord or Toyota Camry with a lot of their bells and whistles.
4 out of 5 stars
300K Miles and Still Going
milo65, 01/25/2012
1996 Audi A6 2.8 quattro 4dr Sedan AWD
Well maintained and still running!
Timing belt every 90K, heating core at 280K, otherwise just brakes, belts, and tires.
3.38 out of 5 stars
1997 Audi A6 Quattro
burnedByAudi, 04/26/2005
1997 Audi A6 2.8 quattro 4dr Sedan AWD
Every car has lemons so take this review for what it is. See suggested improvements for electrical problems. My 1997 Audi A6 quattro Sedan drives smoothly and has moderate to good acceleration at highway speeds (none to speak of off the line -- low end torque simply isnt there). The steering is unrivaled compared to all other cars I've driven, if only there wasn't this nagging … hydrolic problem every winter that makes a very loud noise and stiffens the power steering. Unfortunately I cannot recommend this car. I don't like it and it ended up costing me a great deal of money in the end.
4.88 out of 5 stars
Wow! Nice Car!
NMiller, 02/09/2005
1997 Audi A6 2.8 quattro 4dr Wagon AWD
I picked up my 1997 Audi A6 with 93,000 miles on it. I changed the timing belt and water pump (now ready for 75,000 more miles or whatever Audi recommends), rear calipers (hand brake portion rusted), popped in 6 CDs in the CD changer, and thats it. The sun roof needs to be rebuilt ($500), but it works OK if you don't go all the way to the rear. This car screams in snow! Wow! I went … over 105,000 miles on recent trip to the Appalichian Mountains, got a flat tire, and didn't even know it on the hard turns, etc., for about 25 miles (not recommended). Afterwords, the tire was ok. Highly recommend HS Michelin all season tires. They are a great match!
We have a limited number of reviews for the 1997 Audi A6, so we've included reviews for other years of the A6 since its last redesign.
1997 A6 Highlights
Wagon
2.8
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 19 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $222/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 33.9 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriverNot RatedPassengerNot Rated
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRolloverNot RatedDynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original0
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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