Audi A6 (1997-2001) Review

Category: Executive

Summary of the Audi A6 (1997-2001)

Assets

Distinctive, ultra-modern styling, build quality and refinement. Diesel TDi extremely thrifty, 2.5 TDi sportily brisk. One of the best interiors you'll find anywhere.

Drawbacks

Not the most satisfying car in its class to drive.

Verdict

A good all-rounder - for temperate drivers.

Audi A6 Avant Review

On the road

Front or back the A6's seats are excellent and everyone should be able to find a good driving position behind the adjustable wheel. The controls are fairly light and easy to use, there's power steering of course, and the view out is relatively unrestricted behind the adjustable wheel - but some may find the seat height adjuster, which simultaneously tilts the cushion, unsatisfactory. Quattro four-wheel-drive version aside, the front-drive A6 can't challenge the standard-setting BMW 5 series here with its over-light steering, rubbery gear change and slightly detached feel.

Slippery shape and low weight compared to rivals mean that no A6 will hang about - Diesel 115 bhp will brush 120 mph, 2.5 TDI is positively rapid, the 2.8s break 140 mph and the base 1.8T (for Turbo) is one of the quicker accelerating cars in its class. The engines are smooth and subdued too.

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Latest Readers' Drives About the Audi A6 Avant

ThwartedEfforts
wrote on 03 01 2008

Test-drove an A6 diesel alongside the equivalent 5-Series before deciding on a Citroen C6. I'm not s...

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Audi A6 Avant On the road Statistics

Power Range: 136bhp@4000rpm (2.0 TDIe 4dr) to 290bhp@4850rpm (3.0T FSI quattro SE)
Torque Range: 206lb ft@1800rpm (2.0T FSI 4dr) to 368lb ft@1400rpm (3.0 TDI quattro SE)
Acceleration 0-62mph range: 5.9sec (3.0T FSI quattro S line 4dr) to 10.7sec (2.0 TDIe SE)
Top Speed Range: 127mph (2.0 TDIe Avant) to 155mph (3.0T FSI quattro SE)
Driven Wheels: AWD, FWD