The Audi A6 Is New for 2026 and Now Comes Standard with a V-6 Engine

Posted on August 10, 2026 in auto

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2026 Audi A6 Quattro

Marc Urbano|Car and Driver

2026 Audi A6 Quattro

Marc Urbano|Car and Driver

2026 Audi A6 Quattro

Marc Urbano|Car and Driver

2026 Audi A6 Quattro

Marc Urbano|Car and Driver

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Marc Urbano|Car and Driver

MSRP

HIGHS

Refined and quiet ride, surprisingly engaging to drive with the right options, subdued good looks.

LOWS

Sporty upgrades only available for top trim level, overabundance of screens and touch controls.

VERDICT

The new A6 picks up where the old one left off, introducing new tech and offering S6-esque handling with the Sport Plus package.

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EPA MPG

23 Combined

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Seating

5 Seats

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Powertrain

Gas

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Drivetrain

All-Wheel Drive

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Limited Warranty

4 Years/50,000 Miles

By Drew Dorian

Overview

The Audi A6 has long been the choice for buyers seeking a conservatively styled, well-honed luxury sedan that avoids flash but still delivers a premium experience. The 2026 model has been completely redesigned but Audi has stayed true to its playbook. A turbocharged V-6 engine is standard, as is all-wheel drive. A host of luxury and convenience features elevate Audi’s mid-size sedan to better compete with rival executive four-doors from BMW, Genesis, and Mercedes-Benz. Big, digital display screens cover the dashboard and provide modern connectivity features while driver-assistance tech evolves with more standard offerings. An electric A6 e-tron is also offered, but we review that model separately.

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What's New for 2026?

The A6 is all-new for 2026, and it wears new styling that blends modern Audi design cues with a traditional sedan body shape.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

A 362-hp turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 is standard and comes with all-wheel drive and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Models equipped with the Sport Plus package come with a sportier suspension with a slightly reduced ride height; an adjustable air-spring suspension system is also optional and features ride height adjustments as well as adaptive dampers. You can also equip the A6 with a rear-wheel steering system for more parking-lot maneuverability. When we drove the A6, we found it to offer a refined and energetic driving experience, with responsive steering and a quiet cabin. The Sport Plus package is even more agile and turns this luxury sedan into more of a driver's car.

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0–60-MPH Times

The A6 delivered a swift 60-mph time of 4.3 seconds in our testing.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The EPA estimates that the 2026 A6 should deliver 20 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined. On our 75-mph highway fuel economy route, it overachieved in a big way, delivering a result of 38 mpg. For more information about the A6's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The A6’s cabin looks spacious in both rows of seats and materials appear to be top-notch. Most everything is wrapped in cloth, faux leather, faux suede, or real hides while ambient lighting throughout the interior adds a premium appearance. A large glass roof floods the interior with light and can be adjusted to be transparent or opaque. A four-zone automatic climate control system is optional, as is an air purification system. The 14 cubic-foot trunk held 6 carry-on suitcases in our testing with the seats up, and 15 cases with the rear seats folded.

Infotainment and Connectivity

A massive bank of displays dominates the A6’s dashboard. All models come with a 14.5-inch central touchscreen and an 11.9-inch digital gauge display. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both standard. An optional 10.9-inch front passenger display is available and allows the passenger to stream video content that can’t be seen by the driver. A head-up display is also optional. Two different premium stereo systems are available, both tuned by Bang and Olufsen, with either 16 or 20 speakers. The 20-speaker setup includes two speakers in each of the front-seat headrests.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Audi offers many standard and optional driver-assistance features, including adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. For more information about the A6's crash test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

Standard automated emergency braking with forward-collision alert
Standard lane departure warning with lane-keeping assist
Standard adaptive cruise control

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Audi offers an average standard warranty that looks unremarkable when compared with other premium brands. Genesis offers more value here with much longer warranty terms.

Limited warranty covers 4 years or 50,000 miles
Powertrain warranty covers 4 years or 50,000 miles
Complimentary scheduled maintenance is covered for 3 years or 30,000 miles

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Specifications

Specifications

2026 Audi A6 Quattro
Vehicle Type: front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan

PRICE
Base/As Tested: $65,395/$84,970

ENGINE
turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve V-6, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 183 in3, 2995 cm3
Power: 362 hp @ 6300 rpm
Torque: 406 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm

TRANSMISSION
7-speed dual-clutch automatic

CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: multilink/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 14.2-in vented disc/13.8-in vented disc
Tires: Bridgestone Turanza LS100 RFT
255/40R-20 101H M+S RE0

DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 115.1
Length: 196.8
Width: 73.8
Height: 56.6
Passenger Volume, F/R: 55/45 ft3
Trunk Volume: 14 ft3
Curb Weight: 4434 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 4.3 sec
100 mph: 10.9 sec
1/4-Mile: 12.9 sec @ 108 mph
130 mph: 20.0 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.2 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 5.3 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 2.7 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 3.3 sec
Top Speed (gov ltd): 132 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 171 ft
Braking, 100–0 mph: 348 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.87 g

Interior Sound
Idle: 38 dBA/3 sone
Full Throttle: 71 dBA
70-mph Cruising: 67 dBA/20 sone

C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 24 mpg
75-mph Highway Driving: 38 mpg
75-mph Highway Range: 730 mi

EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 23/20/29 mpg

More Features and Specs

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