2019 Audi A6 Saloon Review -

Audi has been on a serious roll for the past year and the company seems to be shifting up a gear in 2018/19, which is great for car lovers and a problem for the competition. We had a chance to try out the new 2019 Audi A6 Saloon in the beautiful Douro Valley in Portugal – here’s our thoughts.

Now in its fifth generation, the Audi A6 has evolved into one of the most attractive prospects in the luxury sedan car segment. Aimed at business types who want to tackle both the commute and family trips in style, the A6 never looked better.

Price: Starts at £33,165 Availability: June 2018

Click here to configure the 2019 Audi A6 Saloon

Pros

Modern design
Spacious interior
Innovative technology and safety features
Comfortable driving at long distances

Cons

Adaptive Cruise Control can be intrusive at times

2019 Audi A6 Saloon – Design and Cabin

Similar in physical size to its predecessor (12mm wider, 7mm longer), the new Audi A6 Saloon has a more modern and refined exterior. At launch it will be available in 11 finishes in the UK. We especially loved the metallic Glacier White and the pearl effect Misano Red (pictured above). With its aero-efficient contoured lines, optional chrome trimmings, and slightly more exaggerated wheel arches it has an attractively sporty look, think Federer, rather than Nadal.

We also like the almost iron-man like face of the car, thanks to its trademark grill, multiple sensors and angular Audi Matrix LED headlights. There are also twin exhaust outlets on the rear, giving it a turbo look. However, these are just for show with the actual exhaust pipes hidden below the bumper.

In the cabin, the A6’s improvements are more pronounced. It’s more spacious, modern and luxurious this time around, especially with the optional ambient lighting installed. Obviously we opted to test out the Technology/MMI Navigation Plus pack, with Audi lane assist. Borrowed from the updated A7 and A8, the 10.1-inch touch-sensitive multimedia interface offers a comprehensive suite of features, including a detailed 3D topographical map display, media playback, radio, car status and “bird’s eye” 360 camera of the vehicle, which is especially useful when parking. The smaller 8.6-inch second screen that sits below the main display provides access to the vehicle’s climate controls.

Audi’s latest 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit vehicle instrument display is also included, tucked behind the steering wheel. All of the car’s screens are crisp, clear, with the infotainment and climate screens offering haptic feedback. Navigating the car’s displays can be done from the steering wheel, via the control panel in the central arm rest or via the touch screens. For features and ease of use, we found the in-car system of the A6 to be head and shoulders above the current nearest competition from BMW and Mercedes.

The tech pack also gives you a 36-month subscription to the Audi Connect infotainment system, offering you greater in-car entertainment options, Qi wireless mobile phone charging and high-speed Wi-Fi in the car. Oh, and quality Bang & Olufsen sound, with sleek speakers that slowly pop out from either side of the dash when the car is powered on. It’s the little things. We had the electronically adjustable sport seats with perforated Valcona leather, which come as standard, and they were comfortable for long periods of driving.

Passengers in the new A6 will enjoy 17mm more legroom and up to 11mm more room above their heads. All five belt buckles in the car are illuminated as well, another nice touch. You can store up to 530 litres of luggage in the boot of the A6 and the opening is a metre wide, so it should be plenty of room for family staycations or equipment, if like us, you often have a lot of camera gear to schlep around.

2019 Audi A6 Saloon – Engine and drive

Audi is offering both petrol and diesel options in the UK with both front-wheel and Quattro drive available. We had the pleasure of driving one of, if not, the tastiest model in the range; the hefty 3.0 litre TDI V6 engine with up to 286 hp that can get you from 0-62mph in 5.1 seconds. This model is ideal for long-distance commuters, rather than strictly city dwellers. When you put your foot down, there’s a distinct gruff as it climbs through its 7-speed S Tronic automatic transmission, and it feels agile considering its class. The sensation of grip and dynamic control is also due to its Quattro drivetrain with Sport differential. At speeds exceeding 37 mph the rear wheels turn with the front train, for superior control. While at lower speeds each set turns in the opposite direction, greatly reducing the car’s turning circle.

Packed full of innovation, the A6 also uses a 48-volt Lithium-ion battery to store energy generated during dynamic drive mode and braking. It’s not a full-blown hybrid system, but the A6 does harness the power of electricity to run more efficiently. Switching intermittently to battery power while driving for up to 40 seconds at a time (between 34 and 99 mph) and restarting the engine when it senses the vehicle in front begin to move when in traffic. The A6 can save fuel and reduce its emissions.

Depending on which package you select the A6 can be armed with no less than 12 ultrasonic motors, five cameras, five radar sensors and a laser scanner. With the ability to “see” its environment in real time the A6 provides a comprehensive driver assistance capability, which can do everything from tightening your belt and self-parking, to autonomous braking and ensuring that drivers maintain their lane discipline, while practically driving itself during adaptive cruise control.

It was a little disconcerting at times to actively feel the car taking over steering and nudging us back on track while driving, but on a controlled private road we actually took our hands off the steering wheel and lo and behold, the car kept going and took three consecutive wide turns by itself. The future is upon us friends. We wouldn’t recommend you do the same, but knowing the car is smart enough to perform so intelligently is a brilliant demonstration of Audi’s latest safety features.

2019 Audi A6 Saloon – Verdict

Built like a mini Audi A8, the 2019 Audi A6 Saloon is a luxury commuter vehicle that is leading the way in its sector and price point in terms of innovation. Driving a truly smart car that can see more than its driver can is a revelation. Audi’s intelligent vision systems make driving safer and more efficient and although it took a little bit of time to get used to adaptive cruise control, it’s reassuring to know that the car is covering your six at all times.

We also enjoyed the heads-up display that projects your speed and directions onto the windscreen, enabling you to keep your eyes on the road more of the time. And the Virtual Cockpit does a great job of accurately indicating changes in speed limitations from road-to-road.

If you looking for luxury, reliability and comfort (and you’re not the type to scrimp on options) the new 2019 Audi A6 is currently second to none in its class.