AUDI

2026 Audi A6

The A6 is now available in two variants: a gasoline model bearing Audi’s TFSI designation and an electric version with the e-tron badge. The Audi A6 e-tron—which utilizes a different platform than its gasoline counterpart—was a finalist for last year's Car of the Year award and garnered significant praise from the judges. This raises an obvious question: does the gasoline-powered Audi A6 stand out as much as its electric sibling? And does it have what it takes to compete with the 5 Series and E-Class?

The A6 is entering its sixth generation, and Audi has used this transition to implement significant changes. In 2025, the A6 lineup consisted of three variants: the A6 45, A6 55, and S6. The "45" and "55" trim level designations have been discontinued; however, the 2026 model effectively takes the place of the "55," delivering a substantial boost in standard horsepower and torque—albeit at a considerably higher price point than the former entry-level "45" model.

Even so, the new A6 slots in between the BMW 530i and the Mercedes-Benz E350 in terms of pricing, while offering over 100 additional horsepower and torque compared to its German rivals. Therefore, although the starting price has risen since last year, the value proposition is significantly improved.

The 2026 Audi A6 now starts at $65,395 and comes standard with a 3.0L TFSI V6 engine producing 362 hp and 550 Nm of torque—a major upgrade over the 255 hp and 400 Nm offered by the Mercedes E350 and BMW 530i. It also represents a notable step up from the base model of the previous A6, which produced 261 hp and 370 Nm, and a significant improvement over the previous A6 55, which delivered 335 hp and 500 Nm.

But it’s not just about the numbers. The 2026 A6 utilizes Audi’s new Premium Platform Combustion—an evolution of the older MLB Evo architecture that now also underpins the recently redesigned A5 and Q5. The new A6 is an impressive 17 cm longer than its predecessor, thanks in part to a 3.3 cm increase in wheelbase. Together, these changes elevate the A6 above the previous version; when combined with updated technology and powertrain improvements, it appears Audi has put the A6 back on the right track—at least on paper.

Autonews