2016 Audi A6 and S6: First Drive Review

Audi never leaves its cars alone for too long. They keep nipping and tucking between major revisions with different changes and improvements, massaging and retouching. The company's midsize sedan, the 2016 Audi A6, and its sporty variant, the S6, have received a midcycle refresh of late, and it's not a full-blown makeover -- it's more of a spa visit. But the net effect keeps the A6 and S6 at the center of the discussion when talk turns to premium midsize sedans.

A Wide Range of Premium

The 2016 A6 is available in three trim levels (Premium, Premium Plus and Prestige) combined with three engine choices (a new 2.0-liter gasoline 4-cylinder, 3.0-liter gasolineV6 and 3.0-liter diesel V6) in six possible configurations. The base-model A6 Premium 2.0 TFSI starts at $46,200 (add $2,200 for Audi's famous quattro all-wheel-drive system) with a nice set of luxury features. The Premium Plus 3.0 TFSI will run you $57,400 with quattro all-wheel drive and the V6 (add $2,100 for diesel power), along with more standard luxury. Step up to the Prestige, and choose between the gas V6 ($61,600) or diesel V6 ($63,700). Just for fun, we checked all of the options and packages boxes and came up with an A6 Prestige 3.0 TDI priced at $83,550 -- almost double the price of a base A6. That's some range. Our as-tested A6 2.0T quattro Tiptronic priced out at $55,775.

The 2016 S6 starts where the A6 leaves off and amps it up. You like the turbocharged V6 in the A6 3.0? Well, the S6 comes with a turbocharged and supercharged V8. You like the available wood and aluminum inlays in the A6? Well, the S6 has available threaded carbon-fiber inlays. S6 prices start at $70,900 ($81,275 as tested) for Premium Plus and $75,300 for Prestige.

Interior Improvements

The new A6 sees some upgrades in material quality but retains the same layout it has had since 2011. That's a good thing. Audi impresses with a selection of inlays that cater to every taste, ranging from natural to man-made materials. Tech-savvy buyers will find a treasure trove of new electronic features in the newest version of the MMI, Audi's telematics interface, which makes its debut in the A6. Seamless integration of the Google Maps satellite view is smoother than ever, and Audi has also finally disposed of the proprietary Audi music interface in exchange for two standard USB charging and control ports. Bravo, Audi.

S6 benefits from all of the A6 improvements and then some. You'll find S6 badging on the flat-bottom steering wheel with shift paddles, stainless-steel door-sill inlays, and front and rear floor mats. The seats get Valcona leather (whatever that is) with contrast diamond stitching, and the front ones are heated 12-way power sport contoured buckets. The combination of small details adds up to a big difference in sportiness and feel.

Ordinary and Extraordinary

The A6 is a fine performer on the road with its new 2.0-liter TFSI engine -- but not more than fine. If we'd never driven the S6, though, we might sound more enthusiastic about the A6. Its merits are many. Dual-layer windows and excellent sound management deliver a whisper-quiet ride, and a supple suspension and steering system give the driver a smooth, controlled feel.

Then there's the S6. Numbers don't always tell the story, unless they're big numbers, but 450 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque, in case you don't know, are big numbers. The S6 romps like a hooligan and provokes juvenile driving in a way that the 2.0-liter, 252-hp 4-cylinder A6 never will.

There's a price for fun, just like your mother told you. The fuel economy penalty on the S6 is significant. The Environmental Protection Agency rates the S6 at 18 miles per gallon in the city and 27 mpg on the highway, good for 21 mpg in combined city and highway driving. Good luck with that, because you'll need maturity and restraint for a good output, which you obviously don't have if you bought a high-flying S6 in the first place. Sensible buyers, however, will appreciate the 24 mpg city/35 mpg hwy/28 mpg combined rating of the basefront-wheel-drive A6. The V6 diesel does even better (25 mpg city/38 mpg hwy/29 mpg combined), and the gasoline V6 doesn't do badly, either (20 mpg city/30 mpg hwy/24 mpg combined).

Moving on Up

A few years ago, the choice for the best midsized premium sport sedan was easy and obvious: the BMW 5 Series and M5. The answer's not so easy and obvious any longer, though. The BMW entries are still excellent and formidable, but everyone else has gotten better and the gaps are much smaller. Buyers would be wise to consider the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and AMG E63 S, the Infiniti Q70 (formerly dubbed the M) or the Cadillac CTSand CTS-V. No doubt: Any buyer who overlooks the Audi A6 and S6 in this class is doing themselves a disservice.

Finding the right premium midsized sedan should involve deciding what's most important to you and finding a vehicle that excels in that area of choice. The 2016 Audi A6 has become a leader in integrated technologies and interior design, and the S6 has become a leader in fun per gallon. Not everyone will agree on which car is best in this class, which is what makes the premium midsize sedan group one of the most vital and exciting ones to consider right now.