2008 Audi A6 Avant Review

What the reviewers like:
Lots of luxury touches, more rear legroom and more power set the 2008 Audi A6 Avant station wagon apart from the less expensive Audi A4 Avant wagon, reviewers say. Critics like the Audi A6 Avant's upscale interior, impressive traction and handling, and well regarded Audi safety.

What the reviewers don't like:
Although the 2008 Audi A6 wagon's reliability has improved in recent years, it's still just average, critics note. The Audi A6 Avant's fuel economy is middling for its class. Some testers found the complex stereo, navigation and climate controls irritating.

EPA fuel economy estimate: 17 mpg city, 25 mpg highway

2008 Audi A6 Avant review highlights

Although reviewers don't recommend the 2008 Audi A6 Avant wagon as often as its less-expensive sisters -- the Audi A4 Avant wagon (*est. $32,000 to $39,400) and the smaller, sportier Audi A3 wagon (*est. $25,930 to $34,915) -- they generally like the Audi A6 Avant. It's truly a premium car, reviewers note, with one of the nicest interiors on the market and lots of luxury touches – and some practical ones, such as standard electronic stability control. In fact, road-testers say 2008 Audi's A6 Avant's traction and handling are quite impressive. Crash tests rank the A6 models, along with other Audi wagons, as some of the safest wagons on the road. Acceleration is ample, testers say, as is passenger and cargo room – which is nearly identical to that of the Audi A4 Avant, except rear passengers in the Audi A6 Avant get two and a half inches more leg room. Reliability has improved to average lately for the Audi A6. But for up to $17,000 less and better fuel economy, reviewers tend to favor the similar Audi A4 Avant wagon. Although the Audi A6 Avant's 20 mpg mixed fuel economy is about on par with the BMW 3-Series wagon (*est. $34,200 to $36,100) and better than the Mercedes-Benz E-Class wagon (*est. $55,700 to $85,800), the A6 Avant is not recommended nearly as often as those top-rated luxury wagons.

Although it is brief, the Kiplinger's Personal Finance review of the 2007 Audi A6 Avant station wagon is quite useful because it compares the Audi A6 Avant with other wagons and minivans, and then goes on to provide detailed information car buyers need: fuel economy, price, expected resale value and the expected cost of service and insurance over time. Since the 2008 Audi A6 is little-changed from the 2007 model year, this article is still applicable. About.com's ranking of Top 10 Cars for Moms includes the Audi A6 Avant wagon, listing its best mom-friendly features and some drawbacks (though reviewer Aaron Gold doesn't tell us which model year he's reviewing). Reviews at the Institute for Consumer Automotive Research and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rank the entire 2008 A6 line against other cars, but they don't specify the wagon version. ConsumerGuide.com provides a detailed road-test report on the 2008 Audi A6 line, and CarCritic.com's brief report provides the most salient details about the Audi A6 line and concludes with buying advice.

Also see full report: Station Wagons

*In order of credibility (see our Ratings Criteria).

1. Kiplinger Personal Finance
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Honorable Mention: Audi A6 Avant Quattro
Editors of Kiplinger.com

The Audi A6 Avant Quattro earns an honorable mention on Kiplinger.com's list of the top 2007 wagons and minivans. The review calls the Audi A6 Avant wagon "elegant" and admires its many luxury touches. Editors also provide data on prices, cost of service and insurance, expected resale value and fuel economy.

2. About.com
Top 10 Cars for Moms
Aaron Gold

The Audi A6 Avant wagon earns a spot on this top 10 list by About.com's Guide to Cars by Aaron Gold. Gold says that all Audi wagons embody many elements that make a car ideal for moms: space enough for gear, exceptional safety, luxury and hip styling. Like other reviewers, Gold finds the Audi A6 Avant wagon's stereo and navigation controls too complex. However, we're not sure which model year Gold is recommending here. (Note that ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but is not related editorially.)

3. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
Top Safety Picks 2008
Staff of IIHS

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is a nonprofit organization focused on minimizing injuries, property damage and other losses due to vehicular accidents. The Audi A6 series is one of its Top Safety Picks for 2008, with good performance in front, side and rear crash tests and standard electronic stability control.

4. Consumer Guide.com
2007 Audi A6 Full Review
Editors of ConsumerGuide.com
Nov. 14, 2007

Unlike Audi's less-expensive A3 and A4, the Audi A6 line doesn't win a place in ConsumerGuide.com's top picks. Testers here do like the Audi A6 wagon's acceleration, all-wheel-drive, passenger and cargo room, handling and build quality. However, the 2008 Audi A6's ho-hum fuel economy drags down its numeric score in this review, as do audio and climate controls that annoy testers.

5. CarCritic.com
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2008 Audi A6 Avant Review
Don Vorderman

The one-page write-ups at CarCritic.com focus on quick and salient details about each car (trucks are not reviewed). Reviewer Don Vorderman calls Audi's A6 line "a fine choice now," noting that its reliability has improved to average.

6. IFCAR.net
IFCAR's Picks for Best-In-Class
Editors of IFCAR.net

Editors at the Institute for Consumer Automotive Research recommend cars they consider to be the best in class. IFCAR.net recommends Audi's A6 line in the luxury car category (there is no separate category for luxury wagons).

Also see full report: Station Wagons