Audi A6 Sedan COTY Review: Proving the Brand’s on the Road to Redemption

The 2026 Audi A6 arrived at Car of the Year with plenty to prove. It has ditched its four-cylinder engine, making the V-6 the only powertrain available. It’s also longer with a roomier cabin, and it features Audi’s latest technology, including a new infotainment system and augmented reality experience, both of which earned MotorTrend Best Tech awards.

Once we got behind the wheel, it was easy to see the A6 moving forward as a finalist. We evaluate each contender against six key criteria: advancement in design, engineering excellence, performance of intended function, value, safety, and efficiency. The A6 scored well in most of those areas, with judges praising its exterior and interior design, its handling around the proving ground, and the Top Safety Pick+ award it received for 2026, which employs stricter criteria than before.

“The A6 shows Audi is on the correct path to a comeback,” Detroit editor Alisa Priddle said. After years of feeling behind the competition, the A6 is stronger, more tech-savvy, and simply a better product than it was before.

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Judges liked the Audi’s ride quality, whether equipped with the sportier steel-spring suspension or the available air springs. The former delivers a firmer yet comfortable ride, while the latter prioritizes overall refinement. Our main criticism, however, was the lack of power at medium throttle inputs. The 3.0-liter turbo V-6 makes 362 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, which is plenty, but the powertrain didn’t respond as well as we expected. There’s noticeable turbo lag, along with some hesitation from the seven-speed transmission when you ask it to aggressively downshift.

“The engine has plenty of power, but the computer won’t give it to you until you’re almost flooring it,” features editor Scott Evans said.

Step inside the cabin, and you’re greeted by a collection of screens, including a panoramic glass panel that merges the infotainment and driver displays, along with a separate screen for the front passenger depending on spec. Audi’s decision to avoid using one continuous glass panel across the entire dashboard was something judges appreciated, as it gives the interior a more crafted feel. The center console, which houses two cupholders, a small shifter, and a wireless charger, feels airy and sophisticated, though some judges wished for more tactile, physical buttons. In the back seat, legroom is decent, though taller passengers may find headroom a bit tight.

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As expected, the A6 made a strong impression at the proving ground, where it earned a spot in the finalist round, represented by the steel-suspension A6 during our finalist looping, but after driving it on public roads in and around Tehachapi, California, we noticed some shortcomings. The ride proved to be less comfortable over rough pavement, and the throttle-response issue grew more pronounced.

“If this was my cushy, luxury executive car today, I’d like it to be a little less stiff, especially because this is not the S6,” Evans said.

There’s no denying the A6 is helping to put Audi back on the right path, marking a new beginning for the four-ring brand’s midsize luxury sedan. At around $80,000 as equipped, both of our test cars offered adequate value considering their generous optional equipment levels and technology.

Is that enough to make the Audi A6 Car of the Year? Stay tuned.

This review was conducted as part of our 2027 Car of the Year (COTY) testing, where each vehicle is evaluated on our six key criteria: efficiency, design, safety, engineering excellence, value, and performance of intended function. Eligible vehicles must be all-new or significantly revised.