Audi A6 Avant TFSI e Plug-in Hybrid Review

Introduction

Now that the current Audi A6 generation is six years old, the German giant has ushered in a few tweaks to claw back any advantage lost as time ages the car.

In its current guise, it's the A6's last hurrah because a new A6 e-tron - an all-electric replacement - is also now available.

Naturally, the handsome and practical A6 Avant (estate) and the super-powered S6 and RS6 models will still be available.

Of course, being an Audi, expectations are high – but the A6 has faced criticism, particularly for its poor handling.

However, Audi has now tweaked the recipe slightly, so let’s see if it's worked.

Mild-hybrid technology features in some of the powertrains, too – while there’s a fully-fledged plug-in hybrid (PHEV) Audi A6 Avant TFSI e, which is the one we're behind the wheel of.

At a Glance

The A6 retains virtually the same looks as before.

The hexagonal grille dominates the front, with thinned-out headlights and grey air intakes at each side.

Around the side, bulges beneath the window add definition to its shape and a sizeable indentation at the bottom of the doors.

One notable absence is the fake quad exhaust, marked out on the rear bumper. However, a silver outline still mimics two wide exhausts despite the actual tailpipes being hidden behind it.

If anything, although stylish, the A6 looks a little restrained – possibly because Audi doesn’t want to undermine its performance-focused S6 and RS6 models.

Key Features

To simplify things, the A6 is now available in just three trims – and basic equipment levels have been updated to include more kit as standard.

The entry-level Sport comes with 18-inch alloys, matrix LED headlights, dynamic indicators, heated electrically adjustable front seats, 10.1-inch and 8.6-inch touchscreens with SatNav, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, DAB radio and Amazon Alexa voice control, keyless entry/go, dual-zone climate control, and ambient interior lighting.

The mid-range S-Line adds larger 19-inch alloys, sports suspension, leather Dinamica upholstery, rear privacy glass, and brushed aluminium inlays.

Finally, the top-of-the-line Black Edition gets 20-inch black metallic rims and Audi’s Black styling package, which darkens the car in every way imaginable. It also includes Audi Beam, carbon twill inlays, and a leather flat-bottomed sports steering wheel.

There are four power options to choose from, all being 2.0-litre engines.

The petrols – 40 TFSI and 45 TFSI – produce 204PS and 265PS respectively, while the diesel, 40 TDI, delivers 204PS.

The 40 TFSI is front-wheel drive, whereas the 45 TFSI and 40 TDI – both mild-hybrids – come with Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive system.

Alternatively, there’s the PHEV – the 50 TFSI e – which combines with an electric motor, outputting 299PS, also with quattro all-wheel drive.

Range & Batteries

The PHEV does 38-42 miles on electric power alone, depending on the trim.

Its electric motor is powered by a 17.9kWh (14.1kWh usable) battery.

Performance & Drive

We are testing the PHEV – the 50 TFSI e – in top-of-the-range Black Edition trim.

With 299PS on tap, we'd perhaps expect the 0-62mph time to be a little quicker than 6.3 seconds.

Nevertheless, it feels brisk, partly thanks to an instantaneous burst of torque off the line care of the electric motor.

It gets its power down well, with lots of traction, while the PHEV's gearbox seems superior to its fossil-fuelled equivalents.

Although it’s not the quickest A6 Avant available, this responsiveness from a standstill makes it feel like it is – and, as a result, it’s arguably the most pleasurable to drive.

The fastest (excluding the performance-focused S6 and RS6 variants) is the petrol 45 TFSI, which, despite having 265PS compared with the PHEV's 299PS, manages the 0-62mph run 0.2 seconds quicker.

That isn't a problem, but the difference is due to the weight of the electric motor and battery in the PHEV, which has stiffened suspension to cope with the extra mass.

The result is a less absorbing ride – further aggravated by our test car's large 20-inch alloys.

There is stiff competition from the other engines in the range, too, as they're all smooth and well-refined.

Despite diesels having more torque than their petrol counterparts, the 40 TDI diesel mill in the A6 is a fraction slower than the equivalent petrol, the 40 TFSI.

The diesel’s 0-62mph time is 7.4 seconds, compared with the petrol’s 7.3 seconds. However, if someone brags over minutia at the golf club, you can tell them the diesel’s top speed is 153mph -1mph more than the petrol.

Both can feel sluggish off the line, partly because Audi's seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission seems hesitant. Still, the acceleration is adequate once underway, and the gear changes are smooth.

If you want more, the 45 TFSI takes 6.0 seconds to 62mph and arguably feels better suited to a car of this size.

The entry-level petrol is still a good pick if you're cost-cutting. But, if you're bothered about 0-62mph times, look at the 3.0-litre diesel S6 (available in saloon or Avant versions) or the 4.0-litre twin-turbo petrol RS6 (only available as an Avant), which can make the sprint in 5.0 and 3.4 seconds, respectively.

The PHEV could be more elegant in terms of handling, but as estate cars aren’t generally built for raw agility around corners, this is the best the A6 has been in defying its fairly hefty size.

It grips the road well, and the steering weights up nicely as your speed increases. However, there still needs to be more feedback through the wheel.

Inevitably, the back-end steps around if you push things too hard, but there's very little body lean in the bends, which helps with stability.

The handling is notably aided by the sports suspension on the S-Line and Black Edition trims, with a 2cm lowered ride height compared with the entry-level Sport, creating a lower centre of gravity.

That said, unless you like testing cars to their limits, you’re unlikely to feel the benefit – and the firmer suspension in the S-Line compromises the ride comfort, albeit only slightly.

The PHEV gains similar improvements, but corner entry is noticeably more lean and resistant when you take things quickly.

No version of the A6, regardless of trim or powertrain, produces an uncomfortable car. Still, the Sport will be more absorbing - helped by its 18-inch alloys, compared with the 19 and 20-inch rims of the S-Line and Black Edition trims.

However, this should all be taken in context, as the A6 has never felt more comfortable.

Previous models felt firm and springless, whereas Audi has enhanced this area and, in doing so, has improved both ride and handling, which is no mean feat.

Happily, the PHEV has followed suit. Although it's the firmest due to having stiffer suspension to cope with the extra weight, the differences aren’t particularly noticeable.

Nevertheless, without doubt, the least comfortable option is what we're testing – the PHEV in Black Edition, with its big wheels.

All versions of the A6 are very quiet, thanks to Audi’s aerodynamicists’ expertise in minimising wind and road noise.

Charging

The PHEV will charge at a maximum rate of 7kW.

A 0-100% charge on a 7kW home wall box will take around two and a half hours, but a public charging point capable of much higher speeds will be slower.

You could even use a regular three-pin household plug for around seven hours to get from empty to full.

Running Costs & Emissions

Unsurprisingly, the PHEV is the most economical A6 in the range, returning up to 217.3mpg and emitting 34g/km of CO2. However, to reach these figures, you must keep the battery charged.

It is the obvious choice for a company car because the savings in the Benefit In Kind tax, thanks to its low emissions, make anything else unviable.

Also unsurprisingly, next comes diesel, which returns 50.4mpg and emits 148g/km of CO2.

The entry-level petrol gets 38.7mpg and 165g/km of CO2 emissions, while higher-powered petrol produces 37.2mpg and 173g/km of CO2.

Audi could perform better these days regarding reliability, and the A6 has sometimes had a more dependable reputation.

Interior & Technology

Audi interiors have been class leaders for years – and the A6 doesn’t disappoint.

Everywhere is a sea of premium quality and luxury.

The steering wheel looks bold and inviting, while the infotainment system appears flush with a curved panel that runs along the entire dashboard, bathed in piano black with a silver surround.

Sadly, the highly convenient rotary dial in the old A6 has been replaced by a touchscreen with haptic feedback, which is less convenient to use, especially as the screen is lower than in many cars.

The system is responsive, though, with high-resolution graphics – and it comes with various useful features.

A second screen beneath it controls the air conditioning using haptic feedback, although this is quite fiddly and distracting to use on the move.

Thankfully, the entire system uses voice control, making operating it on the move easier.

Beneath the climate control screen, the gear selector appears to have been designed with extreme precision and is surrounded by more silver and piano black décor.

There are numerous interior colours and patterns, with sports seats on the Sport and Black Edition trims.

Behind the steering wheel, the 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit replaces conventional analogue dials, providing clear readouts and good customisation to display your desired information.

It will also fully display the SatNav map across the screen so you can follow directions more easily.

Overall, the A6's interior is yet another step forward for Audi.

The materials feel wisely chosen and look fantastic, especially when lit up at night. The build quality matches the superb aesthetics.

Space & Practicality

Finding a comfy driving position in the A6 Avant is easy, as the seat and steering wheel can be adjusted to a great extent.

Electric seat adjustment and lumbar support are standard on all models, including the entry-level Sport grade.

Driver visibility is also good, too, with relatively thin windscreen pillars at the front.

And, although they're thicker at the back and the gap filled by the rear windscreen is relatively shallow due to the glass being angled, the side windows stretch back as far as possible, which mitigates the problem.

Besides that, front and rear parking sensors and a reversing camera are all standard across the A6 range, with a 360-degree camera offered as an optional extra.

There is plenty of headroom and legroom in the front. Also, the cabin is pretty broad, so you shouldn't bang shoulders with a front-seat passenger.

Although it can't compete with its bigger sibling, the A8, there's still plenty of space in the rear, with an impressive amount of legroom for a mid-size estate. The headroom isn't quite as generous due to the sloping roofline towards the rear.

If you need to fit three adults comfortably in the back, consider an A8 or explore Audi's SUV range. A trio of people will fit, but the A6’s middle seat is much smaller than the outer seats, so longer journeys may be uncomfortable for the person seated there.

The Avant has 405 litres of boot space - although you'll get 160 litres more in the non-PHEV models - roughly on par with the BMW 5-Series Touring and the Mercedes E-Class Estate.

This expands to 1,535 litres (1,680 litres in non-PHEV models) with the rear seats folded down in a convenient 40:20:40 split.

Various storage spaces are inside the cabin, although the climate control screen prevents access to the handy tray in front of the gear lever. h2>Safety

The Audi A6 Avant was put through its paces by Euro NCAP in 2018, earning a five-star rating. However, crash-testing experts have raised the bar a couple of times to make testing regimes even more stringent.

Nevertheless, the A6 scored 93% for adult occupants, 85% for kids and 76% for safety assists.

Audi cars have an impressive array of safety gadgets, including automatic emergency braking, Audi pre-sense front, lane departure warning, front and rear parking sensors, a rear-view camera, and camera-based traffic sign recognition.

All this gadgetry is included as standard on the A6. However, Pre-Sense Basic is an optional extra, which automatically shuts the windows and (if fitted) the panoramic sunroof and activates the hazard warning lights.

The City Assist Pack adds front cross traffic assist, pre-sense rear and lane change assist, and is also available as a bolt-on.

Options

One thing you might regret if you lease an Audi A6 Avant is looking at the options list.

What’s on there is expensive.

The Technology Pack Pro includes a 360-degree camera, a Bang & Olufsen premium sound system, a multi-coloured extended LED interior lighting pack and parking assistance plus. You also get Audi pre-sense basic (mentioned in the Safety section), front and rear heated seats, USB ports with charging function in the rear, a panoramic glass sunroof, and an 'advanced' key.

You can opt for the cheaper Technology Pack, which includes a camera, premium sound system, LED interior lighting, remote Parking Assistant Plus, and a head-up display.

A synthetic leather pack, rear cupholders, tow bars, and various styling tweaks are also available.

Rival Cars

There are three main competitors to the A6 Avant.

The BMW 5-Series Touring is excellent, while the Mercedes E-Class Estate is the one to choose if ride comfort is your priority.

However, interestingly, if your only desire is to maximise handling, you’ll be quite taken aback by how well Jaguar has done with the XF Wagon (below).

If you don’t need an estate, then you could consider saloon versions of all the above – and that also brings a couple of less apparent options into play.

They include the Lexus ES and the strikingly opulent Genesis G80, which could be better in practice but is also available as an all-electric car.

Verdict & Next Steps

Overall, the latest tweaks to the Audi A6 have made it more desirable than ever.

It has a good range of engines, is quiet, well-refined, and comfortable, and has a spacious, practical, and superb interior.

Regarding trim levels, the Black Edition merely adds cosmetics and little else – and there's little reason to go for anything above Sport anyway. However, those who want a degree of extra agility may wish to consider the S-Line for its sports suspension.

There needs to be more to choose between powertrains in terms of quality or refinement. However, with the diesel or entry-level petrol performing similarly well, we’d likely pick the diesel for its extra economy.

Those seeking extra performance may select the higher-powered petrol, although you could opt for the PHEV for even more clout at the expense of handling.

Those looking for a company car should lease the PHEV due to the tax savings.

But, if you’re all about the driving experience, we’d look elsewhere.

The BMW 5-Series and Jaguar XF offer superior handling, while the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, despite Audi's improvements to the A6, provides an even more sumptuous interior and exceptional ride comfort.

Nevertheless, the A6 is very competitively priced compared with its German rivals, making it an even more tempting leasing.

Where to next?

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**Score based on Select’s unique meta score analysis, taking into account the UK’s top leading independent car website reviews of the Audi A6 Avant estate.

**Correct as of 09/05/2024. Based on 9 months initial payment, 5,000 miles annually, over a 48 month lease. Initial payment equivalent to 9 monthly payments, or £4,643.91 (Plus admin fee) Ts and Cs apply. Credit is subject to status.