DecodedCars2017 Audi A6
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2017 models.
- Class
- Midsize Cars
- Body styles
- 4dr Sedan 2.0 Tfsi Quattro, 4dr Sedan 3.0 Tfsi Quattro
- Engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl
- Horsepower
- 252–340 hp
- Transmission
- automatic
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 28 combined · 24 city / 34 hwy
- Length
- 193.7 in
- Curb weight
- 3,957–4,101 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 3 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 41 similar 2017 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2017 Audi A6 is a midsize car offered with 2 engines (2.0L 4-cyl turbo and 3.0L 6-cyl) and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 194 inches long and 74 inches wide on a 115-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,957 lb (4dr Sedan 2.0 Tfsi Quattro).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 28 MPG combined (24 city / 34 highway), 4% better than the 2017 midsize car average of 26.9 MPG, for an estimated $2,950 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 20 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.
What changed for 2017
- No diesel version any more
- Engine dropped: 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
- Best combined MPG down from 30 to 28
Compared with 2016; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2016 A6 →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Built in: Neckarsulm, Germany
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2017 A6 configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr Sedan 2.0 Tfsi Quattro | 193.7 in | 73.6 in | 57.5 in | 114.6 in | 64.2 / 63.8 in | 3,957 lb | 55/45 |
| 4dr Sedan 3.0 Tfsi Quattro | 193.7 in | 73.6 in | 57.5 in | 114.6 in | 64.2 / 63.8 in | 4,101 lb | 55/45 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A6 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S7) | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 / 34 / 28 | +4% | $2,950 | 317 |
| A6 quattro | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 22 / 31 / 25 | -7% | $3,300 | 353 |
| A6 quattro | 3.0L 6-cyl | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 21 / 29 / 24 | -11% | $3,400 | 376 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2017 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2017 Audi A6.
Similar 2017 midsize cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Audi A6 (this car) | 28 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2017 BMW 5 Series | 27 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class | 25 MPG | ★★★★★ | 0 |
| 2017 Lexus IS | 26 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2017 Audi A4 | 31 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz C-Class | 30 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2017 Tesla Model 3 | 310 mi | Not rated | 16 |
Recalls (3)
Fuel System, Gasoline › Fuel Injection System › Fuel Rail · Jan 16, 2019
NHTSA campaign 19V035000 · 74,881 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Q7, A6 and A7 vehicles, and 2015-2018 Audi A8 vehicles. The left and right fuel rails may leak fuel.
- Risk
- A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Audi has notified owners, and dealers will replace the left and right fuel rail, free of charge. The recall began February 28, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 24DP.
Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification · Jun 4, 2018
NHTSA campaign 18V370000 · 139,249 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Audi S6 and S7, 2012-2018 A7 and A6 Sedan, and 2014-2018 RS7 vehicles equipped with basic seats (with or without heating). Stress or wear of the body-sensing mat within the front passenger seat may cause the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) control module to malfunction.
- Risk
- If the PODS module malfunctions, the front passenger air bag may not deploy properly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a PODS system repair kit, free of charge. The recall began November 29, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 74D5.
Seat Belts › Pretensioner · Dec 29, 2016
NHTSA campaign 16V955000 · 5,947 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2017 Audi A7, A4, A6, Volkswagen Golf and Tiguan vehicles and 2016 Volkswagen e-Golf vehicles for driver frontal air bags, passenger frontal air bags or head air bags that may not deploy properly. Additionally, certain 2017 Audi Q7, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, and 2018 Audi Q5 vehicles are being recalled because the seat belt pretensioners may not activate properly.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash, if the air bags and/or the seat belt pretensioners do not inflate or function properly, the vehicle occupants have an increased risk of injury.
- Fix
- Volkswagen and Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected air bags and seat belt pretensioners, free of charge. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Not every 2017 Audi A6 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2017 Audi A6 buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Air Bags — 5 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Steering — 5 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
- Engine — 4 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 20,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2017 Audi A6. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other A6 years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 A6 | 24 | 196.9 in | Not rated | 1 | 9 |
| 2025 A6 | 26 | 194.5 in | Not rated | 3 | 9 |
| 2024 A6 | 26 | 194.5 in | Not rated | 1 | 3 |
| 2023 A6 | 27 | 194.5 in | Not rated | 1 | 3 |
| 2022 A6 | 26 | 194.5 in | Not rated | 5 | 4 |
| 2021 A6 | 26 | 194.5 in | ★★★★★ | 12 | 27 |
| 2020 A6 | 27 | 194.5 in | ★★★★★ | 9 | 34 |
| 2019 A6 | 27 | 194.5 in | ★★★★★ | 7 | 114 |
| 2018 A6 | 28 | 193.7 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 11 |
| 2016 A6 | 30 | 193.7 in | Not rated | 3 | 51 |
| 2015 A6 | 29 | 193.7 in | Not rated | 4 | 22 |
| 2014 A6 | 29 | 193.7 in | Not rated | 4 | 35 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Audi. How we calculate this →