Audi A6
22 model years from 2005 to 2026, compared on size, efficiency, safety and reliability.

- Model years
- 2005–2026
- Class
- Midsize Station Wagons, Midsize Cars
- Latest engines
- 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
- Best MPG
- 19–30 combined, by year
- Latest rating
- ★★★★★ (2021)
- Recalls
- 33 campaigns, all years
- Most complaints
- 2019 (114)
- Fewest problems
- 2023
- Interest
- 24,694 Wikipedia views / 30 days
The 2026 A6 in brief
The 2026 Audi A6 is a midsize station wagon offered with a 3.0L 6-cyl turbo engine, including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 197 inches long and 74 inches wide on a 115-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,319 lb (4dr Sedan).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 24 MPG combined (21 city / 30 highway), 7% worse than the 2026 midsize station wagon average of 25.7 MPG, for an estimated $3,400 a year in fuel.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 9 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.
The Audi A6 has 22 model years in our data, from 2005 to 2026, classed as Midsize Station Wagons, Midsize Cars.
Its most efficient year was 2016 at 30 MPG combined; across all years the best version ranged from 19 to 30 MPG.
Owners most often report problems with the air bags (249), electrical system (179), engine (115).
Buying used? 2024 has the fewest problems in our data, and 2019 is the year to avoid.
2021 has the most recalls (12); all years together count 33 campaigns and 688 owner complaints.
How the 2005 A6 compares
The 2005 Audi A6 is a midsize car offered with a 3.1L 6-cyl engine and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.
It measures about 194 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 112-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,957 lb (3.2 4dr Sedan AWD).
About the Audi A6
The Audi A6 is an executive car manufactured by the German company Audi since 1994. Now in its sixth generation, the successor to the Audi 100 is manufactured in Neckarsulm, Germany, and is available in saloon and estate configurations, the latter marketed by Audi as the Avant. Audi's internal numbering treats the A6 as a continuation of the Audi 100 lineage, with the initial A6 designated as a member of the C4-series, followed by the C5, C6, C7, C8 and the C9. The related Audi A7 is essentially a Sportback (liftback) version of the C7-series and C8-series A6 but is marketed under its own separate identity and model designation.
From the Wikipedia article "Audi A6", licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
2026 A6 pros & cons
Full 2026 details →What's good
- Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
- Lots of standard safety tech4 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Best and worst years to buy used
2024 A6
3 owner complaints · 1 recall
Year to avoid2019 A6
114 owner complaints · 7 recalls · 1 fire report · 2 crash reports
Most reported: Electrical System
NHTSA recalls and complaints for 10 model years since 2015; use it alongside a pre-purchase inspection. How we calculate this →
Compare head to head
A6 changes by model year
- 2026
- New body dimensions: 2.4 in longer — most likely a redesign or new generation
- Engine dropped: 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
- Best combined MPG down from 26 to 24
- 2019
- New hybrid version
- Engine added: 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
- Engine dropped: 3.0L 6-cyl
- Lightest version 309 lb heavier
- 2018
- Now crash-tested by NHTSA: 5 stars overall
- 2017
- No diesel version any more
- Engine dropped: 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
- Best combined MPG down from 30 to 28
- 2014
- New diesel version
- Engine added: 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
- 2013
- Lightest version 154 lb lighter
- 2012
- New body dimensions, wheelbase +2.8 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
- Engine added: 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
- Engines dropped: 3.2L 6-cyl and 4.2L 8-cyl
- Best combined MPG up from 24 to 28
- 2011
- Best combined MPG up from 22 to 24
- Lightest version 265 lb heavier
- 2010
- Engine added: 3.2L 6-cyl
- Engine dropped: 3.1L 6-cyl
- Lightest version 176 lb lighter
- 2009
- Engine added: 3.0L 6-cyl
- 2006
- Engine added: 4.2L 8-cyl
- Best combined MPG up from 19 to 21
Years without a measurable change are left out.
Show all 22 model years side by side
| Year | Latest engines | Best MPG / range | Length | Weight | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 24 MPG | 196.9 in | 4,319 lb | Not rated | 1 | 9 |
| 2025 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 26 MPG | 194.5 in | 4,266 lb | Not rated | 3 | 9 |
| 2024 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 26 MPG | 194.5 in | 4,266 lb | Not rated | 1 | 3 |
| 2023 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 27 MPG | 194.5 in | 4,266 lb | Not rated | 1 | 3 |
| 2022 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 26 MPG | 194.5 in | 4,266 lb | Not rated | 5 | 4 |
| 2021 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 26 MPG | 194.5 in | 4,266 lb | ★★★★★ | 12 | 27 |
| 2020 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 27 MPG | 194.5 in | 4,266 lb | ★★★★★ | 9 | 34 |
| 2019 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 27 MPG | 194.5 in | 4,266 lb | ★★★★★ | 7 | 114 |
| 2018 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl | 28 MPG | 193.7 in | 3,957 lb | ★★★★★ | 2 | 11 |
| 2017 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl | 28 MPG | 193.7 in | 3,957 lb | Not rated | 3 | 20 |
| 2016 | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl | 30 MPG | 193.7 in | 3,957 lb | Not rated | 3 | 51 |
| 2015 | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl | 29 MPG | 193.7 in | 3,957 lb | Not rated | 4 | 22 |
| 2014 | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl | 29 MPG | 193.7 in | 3,957 lb | Not rated | 4 | 35 |
| 2013 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl | 28 MPG | 193.7 in | 3,891 lb | Not rated | 6 | 49 |
| 2012 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl | 28 MPG | 193.7 in | 4,046 lb | Not rated | 8 | 51 |
| 2011 | 3.2L 6-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl, 4.2L 8-cyl | 24 MPG | 193.7 in | 4,123 lb | Not rated | 3 | 18 |
| 2010 | 3.2L 6-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl, 4.2L 8-cyl | 22 MPG | 193.7 in | 4,123 lb | Not rated | 3 | 13 |
| 2009 | 3.0L 6-cyl, 3.1L 6-cyl, 4.2L 8-cyl | 21 MPG | 193.7 in | 4,035 lb | Not rated | 4 | 19 |
| 2008 | 3.1L 6-cyl, 4.2L 8-cyl | 21 MPG | 193.7 in | 4,035 lb | Not rated | 3 | 55 |
| 2007 | 3.1L 6-cyl, 4.2L 8-cyl | 21 MPG | 193.7 in | 4,035 lb | Not rated | 3 | 37 |
| 2006 | 3.1L 6-cyl, 4.2L 8-cyl | 21 MPG | 193.7 in | 4,012 lb | Not rated | 3 | 47 |
| 2005 | 3.1L 6-cyl | 19 MPG | 193.7 in | 3,957 lb | Not rated | 3 | 57 |
Alternatives to the 2026 A6
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 BMW 5 Series | 31 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Mercedes-Benz E-Class | 28 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Mercedes-Benz C-Class | 29 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Lexus LS | 21 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Tesla Model S | 410 mi | Not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Audi A5 | 26 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Most common owner-reported problems
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Audi. How we calculate this →





