The Audi A6 Avant is actually a saloon that has somehow achieved more fame as an estate down the years, which is certainly not something you can say about a lot of other cars. There is, of course, the Subaru Legacy and the Volvo 850, but perhaps one of the reasons why the Avant and its two aforementioned rivals have proved to be so popular is that other competitors – such as the Mercedes E-class and the BMW 5 Series are predominantly seen as saloons only.
The A6 Avant is classy in both saloon and estate incarnation, with the latest eversion being lighter and more efficient than ever before. Let’s take a closer look at what it offers with our estate review.
Audi A6 Estate Test Drive
The great Colin Chapman once said that the only way to improve a car was by simplifying them before making them lighter. This is what the Audi engineers have done here, simplifying a somewhat complex machine while adding lightness to the proceedings. The 2.0-litre TDI diesel is a case in point; it’s the engine most consumers plump for, and it shaves off some 70kg of weight from the Audi A6 Avant estate’s predecessor.
There are four engines to choose from in total. As well as the aforementioned 2.0-litre TDI, there is also a 202bhp 3.0-litre diesel, as well as a more muscular 234bhp 3.0-litre V6 unit that comes available with quattro 4WD. It is also paired with the brand’s popular 7-speed S-tronic transmission and can race from rest to 62 mph in just 6.1 seconds.
The car is better to drive this time around. In the past, Audi really struggled to get their suspension systems to harmonise with their run-flat tyres, but such nuances have been ironed out this time around. Aluminium components have now been added to the suspension system, while controlled damping is optional.
Audi A6 Interior, Design And Build
The Audi A6 Avant has a much better design than its A6 saloon cousins. Whereas the 4 door comes with a somewhat aggressive frontal stance, the Avant instead aims for balance. It comes with a very steep rear window that suggests the German brand are focusing on aesthetics as opposed to space, but there is still plenty of room inside, largely thanks to a hugely extended wheelbase.
The boost comes with a default capacity of 565-litres of space which can be improved to 1,680-litres when you fold back the rear seats. The load bay comes equipped with everything from a dirt-resistant tray to bag hooks and lashing eyes. If you’ve got a lot of heavy bags to dump inside, you can now open the luggage compartment simply by waving your fait in front of rear bumper sensors. Nice!
Even the base-level Avant comes equipped with leather upholstery which adds a touch of class to the interior. If you opt for the pricier S-line range, you’ll be treated to Valcona leather upholstery, as well as what Audi refer to as their “S-line interior styling treatment.”
Audi A6 Saloon Price And Running Costs
Prices for the Audi A6 Avant start out from around £34,345 and rise to £58,545. There are two diesel engines in the range; the base-level 2.0-litre TDI ultra power unit is the preferred choice of many buyers who enjoy the fact that it emits around 109g/km of CO2 while returning 60mpg if you drive it sensibly. It is the only engine that can be paired up with a manual stick, though you also get the option of a rather brilliant 7-speed automatic.
The top of the range 3.0-litre BiTDI twin-turbo variant is doesn’t fare too badly on the numbers game, either, returning 53mph while emitting around 145g/km of CO2.
This in spite of the fact that it has enough power to propel you from rest in a mere 5.7 seconds before maxing out at 155mph. Basically, you could get from London to Prague on one tank of fuel.
There is only one petrol variant in the range, and it returns a thrifty 30mpg while emitting almost 224g/km of CO2.
The Audi A6 S-Line Avant: Final Thoughts
There is no doubt that this is an expensive, car but pricey cars like this always justify their tag.
How does the Avant justify it? By being very good. Its rivals are similarly priced, and it’s really hard to find an elephant in the room because they’re all masterful vehicles. What helps the Avant stand out might just be its BiTDI diesel unit. If you can afford it and have need for it, the Audi A6 Avant is not a bad choice at all.
If you want to get hold of the new Audi A6 Avant don’t hesitate to leave us a message on our contact page, or give us a call on 01903 538835 to find out more about our Audi A6 Avant lease deals.
