Preview: The 2026 Audi A6 Is One Sleek Sedan

Sedan sales continue to wane, and luxury brands such as Jaguar, Infiniti, and Volvo have abandoned the segment entirely. But a new A6 shows that Audi remains committed to the sedan. We approve of its new streamlined look, although we’re concerned about its overreliance on complex touchscreens instead of physical controls. Regardless of how well the A6 performs in Consumer Reports’ tests, it will likely remain a niche car: Audi only sold a little over 8,500 A6s in the U.S. in 2024. By comparison, the automaker sold more than six times as many Q5 SUVs. Those in the market for an Audi sedan might also opt for the smaller but less-expensive A5, which will likely have more usable cargo space than the A6 thanks to its hatchback design. On top of that, some of the A6’s most interesting options worldwide—including attractive interior trims made from recycled materials, adaptive headlights, and a turbocharged four-cylinder engine—aren’t available in the U.S.

Audi says that the A6’s new design makes it remarkably aerodynamic. We think the styling is both stately and elegant, like a toned-down version of the gorgeous E-Tron GT EV. It’s instantly recognizable as an Audi from every angle, and it adopts a rear-end that’s similar to the updated A5. Buyers can choose from 19-, 20-, and 21-inch wheels. There’s no word on whether the wagon versions of the A6 that are on sale in Europe will eventually make their way to the U.S. 

The A6 has a version of Audi’s Digital Stage setup. For drivers, that means nearly all controls will be through a giant touchscreen. We’ve tried out a version of the Digital Stage in our Q6 E-Tron and found it overwhelming at first. It took some actual training to get used to. We hope the rest of the A6’s interior is constructed better than the Q6’s, which feels cheaper than it should considering the price. A 10.9-inch display for the front passenger is optional, as is four-zone climate control and a 20-speaker sound system.

Only one engine choice is available in the U.S. Unusually for 2025, it’s a V6—an updated version of the turbocharged 3.0-liter that’s under the hood of the current A6 in “55” trim. It’s now good for 362 hp, a 27 hp increase from 2024, and Audi says it can help the A6 sprint from 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds. Although turbocharged four-cylinder engines are increasingly the power plant of choice for gas-powered cars, Audi no longer offers one in the A6. The only transmission choice is a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Every A6 comes standard with all-wheel drive. Fuel economy figures haven’t been released, but we expect overall mpg to be in the high 20s.

Two optional suspensions are available: A lowered sport suspension rides 0.8 inches lower than the standard suspension, and an optional adaptive air suspension. The air suspension is standard on the Prestige trim, although buyers can opt for a Sport plus package for the lower suspension, all-wheel steering, and a sport differential that can actively send more torque to the outer wheel during cornering.

The A6 packs a full suite of safety systems, including blind spot warning and rear cross traffic warning.

Audi’s “driving and parking” assistance package comes standard on every A6. It includes adaptive cruise control (ACC) and various parking assistance features. Audi’s “adaptive driving assistant plus” system is optional. It combines ACC and lane centering assistance (LCA) and uses map data for assisted driving. Outside the U.S., this system can communicate with other vehicles. However, that feature isn’t available here.