2008 Audi A6

*Est. $42,950 to $72,350

High-quality construction and materials
Capable handling
Strong safety features and crash-test results
Available quattro all-wheel-drive (AWD) system

Firm ride
Lack of availability of manual transmission
Overly complicated systems control

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Our Analysis

Reviews indicate that the 2008 Audi A6 and its performance variant, the Audi S6, are well-engineered, comfortable and competent luxury sports sedans. The A6 comes with either a 255-horsepower V-6 or a 350-horsepower V-8, while the S6 performance variant is powered by a 435-horsepower, 5.2-liter V-10. Neither model offers a manual transmission, which many critics say is a disadvantage. Several reviews say the Audi A6's ride is too firm and bumpy, especially at low speeds. Performance is rated at good overall, but is still deemed to fall short of Audi's European competitors. Some reviewers find the Audi's Multi-Media Interface (MMI) control system complicated, but others say it is superior to BMW's similar iDrive system. Overall, the Audi A6 sedan, which boasts top crash-test results, is acknowledged to be worthy of consideration against higher-priced rivals. No reviewer, however, recommends the A6 or S6 over the BMW 5 Series (*est. $44,600 to $83,900), the Mercedes-Benz E-Class (*est. $51,200 to $85,300) or the 2009 Jaguar XF (*est. $49,200 to $63,700).

Edmunds.com pits the Audi A6 4.2 against its primary competitors and provides solid reviews of both the A6 and S6. Consumer Reports provides a general review of the Audi A6 along with historical reliability data. Comprehensive, well-organized road-test reviews of the Audi A6 and S6 are available at TheCarConnection.com, Cars.com and KBB.com (Kelley's Blue Book). In addition, ConsumerGuide.com evaluates several variations of the Audi A6.

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2008 Audi A6

Our Sources

1. Edmunds.com

Edmunds.com compares the BMW 550i, the Jaguar XF Supercharged, the Audi A6 4.2 and the Mercedes-Benz E550. Test-drivers rate each car based on daily driving experiences and performance track testing. The Audi A6 ties with the Mercedes E550 for third place. Editors are generally unimpressed with the Audi's performance, which they say is weak overall.

Review: Comparison Test: 2008 V-8 Luxury Sport Sedans, Ed Hellwig, May 11, 2008

2. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe

Editors of Consumer Reports base the review of the Audi A6 on a 2005 3.2 quattro model that is not significantly different from this year's model. Consumer Reports provides helpful data on historical reliability, as compiled from large owner surveys.

Review: 2008 Audi A6 Review, Editors of Consumer Reports

3. Edmunds.com

Editors at Edmunds.com summarize the Audi A6, noting its strengths and weaknesses. In general, they like the A6 and take note of the fact that its base price clearly undercuts its German competitors. The A6, however, is said to be less entertaining than the BMW 5 Series and to lack the cachet of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

Review: 2008 Audi A6 Review, Editors of Edmunds.com

4. TheCarConnection.Com

This descriptive review is based on the author's own test-driving as well as other published reviews (which are not identified). The A6's "graceful look and feel" is said to "set it apart from more brutal German and more clinical Japanese iron."

Review: 2008 Audi A6 Review, Marty Padgett

5. Cars.com

Cars.com includes the Audi A6 on its annual "Best Bet" list, which for 2008 features more than 30 vehicles. The A6's pros and cons are listed as part of a broad overview that includes brief driving impressions. Separate reviews of a 2007 A6 model and an S6 model provide additional details.

Review: 2008 Audi A6, Editors of Cars.com, Aug. 6, 2007

6. ConsumerGuide.com

ConsumerGuide.com does not give the Audi A6 a recommended endorsement, but the model lineup is called "a must-see for any luxury-car shopper." Editors test and rate an A6 3.2 and 4.2, an S6 and an Avant (wagon) and summarize their individual attributes. Though Audi scores higher than the average of all the other premium midsize cars, the audio and climate controls (MMI) and the fuel economy of the A6 4.2 and S6 are criticized.

Review: 2008 Audi A6 Full Review, Editors of ConsumerGuide.com, June 25, 2008

7. Kelley Blue Book

This Kelley Blue Book review describes the Audi A6 in detail as editors list their favorite features, vehicle drawbacks, notable equipment and similarly priced vehicles. Included are specifications, photos, safety features, predicted resale value and more. The A6's sophisticated control system, MMI, is described as "a sleek solution for the control of in-cabin technology. "

Review: 2008 Audi A6 4-door 3.2 Sedan Review, Editors of Kelley Blue Book