2018 Audi A6 Review

Name: 2018 Audi A6 Review
Brand: Audi

Price Range: $17,999 - $31,990

2018 Audi A6 3.0 TFSI Prestige quattro Sedan Exterior. Options Shown.

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Audi A6 model years

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Edmunds' Expert Review

by James Riswick^{Edmunds Contributor
James Riswick has been testing cars and writing about them for more than 20 years. He was the senior reviews editor for Autoblog and previously served multiple editor roles here at Edmunds. He has also contributed to Autotrader, Car and Driver, Hagerty, JD Power and Autoguide Magazine. He has been interested in cars forever; his mom took him to the Toronto Auto Show when he was 18 months old and has attended at least one every year since (OK, except in 2020). He owns a babied 1998 BMW Z3 in James Bond blue and a 2023 Kia Niro EV.}

Pros

Roomy interior finished in high-quality materials
Powerful engines that also achieve good fuel economy
Intuitive technology interface
Well-balanced ride and handling

Cons

Doesn't offer Audi's latest tech
Restrained styling verging on anonymous

What’s new

For 2018, every A6 now comes standard with navigation, the larger MMI display, and keyless ignition and entry. LED headlights are now included on the Premium Plus trim, while the Prestige gets a top-view parking camera. Every variant of the 3.0-liter V6 engine now produces 340 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque. That output had previously been exclusive to the now-discontinued Competition Prestige trim. There is a new Competition package, however, that essentially bundles the same features.

Vehicle overview

The 2018 Audi A6 should be suffering from diminished appeal. After all, it's been kicking around without a full redesign for six model years now while its prime competitors have been completely redone in the past year. It's old news. Well, that might be true in terms of attracting attention, but in the end, the A6's appeal has in fact diminished little. This well-rounded luxury sedan continues to deliver exactly what shoppers in this segment are seeking: room, features, luxury and performance in abundance.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

For sale nearby

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2018 Audi A6
3.0 TFSI Premium Plus quattro Sedan
$14,996
great price
$2,920 below market
- 99,733 miles
- 2 accidents, 2 owners, personal use only
- 6cyl automatic
- Cars2us Of Fairfax (403 mi away)
- AWD/4WD
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Leather Seats
Close
Located in Fairfax, VA
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: No
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
23 Combined MPG (20 City/29 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: WAUG3AFC8JN003971
Stock: CU5804
Certified Pre-Owned: No
2018 Audi A6
3.0 TFSI Premium Plus quattro Sedan
$22,995
good price
$1,481 below market
- 30,633 miles
- No accidents, 1 owner, personal use only
- 6cyl automatic
- Auto Trademark (394 mi away)
- AWD/4WD
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Leather Seats
Close
Located in Manassas, VA
2018 Audi A6 3.0T Quattro Premium Plus Call 703-361-6882, Local Trade In, 1 Owner, Clean Carfax, Navigation System, AWD, ABS Brakes, Air Conditioni...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
23 Combined MPG (20 City/29 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: WAUG3AFCXJN052508
Stock: AT17655
Certified Pre-Owned: No

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And for 2018, there's even more on offer. Not only does the available 3.0T V6 get more standard power, even the base Premium trim gets treated to the full gamut of previously optional tech equipment. You no longer have to pay extra for things such as a proper USB port or Bluetooth audio, while navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now standard in a segment where they are almost always optional.

The A6 still makes do with Audi's previous-generation MMI tech interface — the controller is of an older design and you can't get the nifty Virtual Cockpit gauge display available on Audi such models as the A4, A5 and R8. It's also less advanced than the interfaces of its newer Benz and Bimmer rivals. However, this version of MMI still works, and we wouldn't consider it a major demerit.

Indeed, the entire A6's age shouldn't be held against it. Maybe it could have a few extra features and maybe its conservative styling is getting stale, but in terms of checking off luxury car boxes, few do it as well without major drawbacks.

Notably, we picked the 2018 Audi A6 as one of Edmunds' Best AWD Sedans and Best Midsize Luxury Sedans for 2018.

Edmunds' Expert Rating

8.3 / 10

The current Audi A6 generation has been around for a long time now without a full redesign. In fact, virtually all of its competitors have received a thorough nip and tuck. Still, the Audi is so well-rounded that the 2018 A6 remains a top choice.

Trim tested

There are typically multiple versions of each vehicle, although many aspects are shared. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the 2016 Audi A6 3.0T Quattro Prestige (turbo 3.0L V6 | 8-speed automatic | AWD)

NOTE: Since this test was conducted, the current A6 has received some minor revisions, including more power for the V6 engine. Our findings remain broadly applicable to this year's A6, however.

Scorecard

Overall	8.3 / 10
Driving	8.5
Comfort	7.0
Interior	8.5

Quality

9.0

The materials and construction of the A6 are top-notch. The knobs and buttons have a satisfying heft, and all interior surfaces are attractive and pleasing to the touch. Yes, this Audi is getting on in years, but it gives up little (if anything) to newer rivals.

Utility

The A6's 14-cubic-foot trunk is smaller than those of rivals, and indeed most midsize sedans. It's still deep, wide and easily accepts bulkier items, but others are still better. The low liftover height is appreciated.

Technology

The A6 does not yet offer Audi's latest MMI interface, including the Virtual Cockpit all-digital gauge display. That's OK, though, for as impressive as that system is, the older version in the A6 is still feature-rich and easy to use.

Compare 2018 Audi A6 trim levels

Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart

2018 Audi A6 models

The 2018 Audi A6 is a midsize luxury sedan available in four trim levels: 2.0T Premium, 2.0T Premium Plus, 3.0T Premium Plus and 3.0T Prestige. The A6 2.0T has a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 252 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. Front-wheel drive is standard, and it utilizes a seven-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission. Optional all-wheel drive (Quattro) is available, and is paired with an eight-speed automatic. The 3.0T upgrades to a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 good for 340 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque. All-wheel drive is standard with that engine.

Highlights for the the 2.0T Premium and 3.0T Premium include 18-inch wheels, adjustable drive settings, xenon headlights, LED running lights, automatic wipers, auto-dimming mirrors, keyless ignition and entry, a sunroof, front and rear parking sensors, a rearview camera, tri-zone automatic climate control, eight-way power front seats (includes heating and driver four-way lumbar adjustment), driver-seat memory settings and leather upholstery.

Standard tech for the 2.0T includes Bluetooth, Audi's MMI electronics interface, an 8-inch display, navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Audi Connect (includes 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot capability) and a 10-speaker sound system with a CD player, satellite radio and media player interface. Also standard is Audi's Pre Sense Basic safety system, which senses when a collision is imminent and warns the driver, tensions the seat belts and closes the windows.

The Premium Plus (2.0T and 3.0T) trim adds LED headlights, a blind-spot warning system, power-folding mirrors, four-zone climate control, a power-adjustable steering wheel and a Bose surround-sound audio system.

At the top of the line is the 3.0T Prestige. It has the above equipment plus a top-view parking camera system, a power trunklid, a head-up display, ventilated front seats, front passenger adjustable lumbar, a power rear sunshade and manual rear side-window shades.

From here, Audi offers a variety of optional packages to further equip the A6. Keep an eye out for the Driver Assistance package (adaptive cruise control, the top-view camera system but with added front and rear corner views, lane departure warning and intervention, and forward collision warning and mitigation with automatic braking) and the Comfort Seating package (individually contoured and ventilated front seats with passenger-seat memory settings and massage function).

There's also the Competition package that comes with 20-inch wheels, a sport-tuned suspension, a high-performance rear differential, sport front seats, upgraded leather upholstery, and various sporty styling flourishes inside and out.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2018 Audi A6 2.0 TFSI Premium 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) 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 $3.56 per gallon for premium unleaded in South Carolina.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in South Carolina

$153/mo

$176/mo

Avg. Large Car

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Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

2.5/5Average

#33 out of 48 among Luxury Fullsize Cars

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Audi A6 from 2008-2022.}

$773/yr

vs. $729/yr
for Average Luxury Fullsize Car

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

2.4x/yr

vs. 1.74x/yr
for Average Luxury Fullsize Car

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

14.6%

vs. 14.7%
for Average Luxury Fullsize Car

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Audi A6 Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.8

39 reviews

5(87%)

4(8%)

3(2%)

2(0%)

1(3%)

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

To get the most out of this car

Mr. C, 11/26/2018

2018 Audi A6 3.0 TFSI Premium Plus quattro 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl S/C 8A)

This car is amazing and if you want to get the best version of the C7 A6 you will need a 3.0T trim level that offers the sport suspension. With the V-6, Quattro and sport suspension package, the icing on this cake is the 19" wheels only because the 20" wheels create a harsh ride at times that you wouldn't notice with either the 18" or 19" wheels. The C7 seems to be the last A6 that has …

Best Car I Have Purchased

Phillip Rossignol, 11/05/2016

2017 Audi A6 2.0T Premium Plus quattro 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)

Great car but avoid the 20 inch summer tires if you want a comfort ride. The 20 inch handle much better when the car is pushed in the curves. But for everyday, the smaller tires are better overall. This is my third Audi and I am sold.

Not the newest German mid size but still great

Chicago Mark, 04/29/2017

2017 Audi A6 3.0T Premium Plus quattro 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl S/C 8A)

Looked at the 2016 BMW 5 series and the latest Mercedes E class (4 cylinder model). Ruled out the new 5 series for fear of 1st model year run reliability woes and the 6 cylinder E class is just too expensive. Just loved the ride and handling of the A6, it's the right combination of sport and luxury. Plus this is the only German midsize you can order with REAR side airbags and of …

Love my A6 - If you're going to buy one, go all in

Kevin McCarron, 06/12/2018

2018 Audi A6 3.0 TFSI Prestige quattro 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl S/C 8A)

I've had guys who work at the dealership I bought my 2018 A6 remark that it's the nicest A6 they've seen. I bought the Prestige trim - 3.0T, driver assistance package, comfort seating package, and cold weather package - with florett silver metallic exterior and atlas beige (valcona) interior. I previously owned japanese cars - toyota or honda - that were progressively higher end trim …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2018 Audi A6, so we've included reviews for other years of the A6 since its last redesign.

See all 39 reviews of the Audi A6

Write a vehicle review

2018 A6 Highlights

Trim:

2.0 TFSI Premium

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$49,700
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	28 MPG
Cost to Drive	$153/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	14.1 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the A6 models:

Audi Pre Sense: Senses when a collision is imminent and warns the driver, tensions the seat belts and closes the windows
Lane Keeping Assist: Warns you when you're drifting out of your lane and can subtly steer you back onto the straight and narrow.
Audi Connect: Helps with a variety of services, including summoning roadside assistance. In an accident, emergency responders are contacted automatically.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover5 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover9%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Not Tested
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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2018 Audi A6 Review

Price & Payment

Edmunds' Expert Review

Pros

Cons

What’s new

Vehicle overview

For sale nearby

2018 Audi A63.0 TFSI Premium Plus quattro Sedan

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

2018 Audi A63.0 TFSI Premium Plus quattro Sedan

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

Edmunds' Expert Rating

Trim tested

Scorecard

Driving

Acceleration

Braking

Steering

Handling

Drivability

Comfort

Seat comfort

Ride comfort

Noise & vibration

Interior

Ease of use

Getting in/getting out

Roominess

Visibility

Quality

Utility

Technology

Which A6 does Edmunds recommend?

2018 Audi A6 models

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2018 Audi A6 2.0 TFSI Premium 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) 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 $3.56 per gallon for premium unleaded in South Carolina.

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Audi A6 Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

To get the most out of this car

Best Car I Have Purchased

Not the newest German mid size but still great

Love my A6 - If you're going to buy one, go all in

2018 A6 Highlights

Safety

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2018 Audi A6
3.0 TFSI Premium Plus quattro Sedan

2018 Audi A6
3.0 TFSI Premium Plus quattro Sedan

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2018 Audi A6 2.0 TFSI Premium 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) 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 $3.56 per gallon for premium unleaded in South Carolina.}