2023 Audi A6

When it comes to mid-size luxury sedans, three names spring to mind: the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, the BMW 5 Series, and the Audi A6. The undeniable kings of the segment, these German manufacturers do battle for the title of top executive cruiser, and each has a character trait that stands out above the rest. While the E-Class is sumptuous, and the 5 Series strives to deliver an engaging drive, the A6 Sedan focuses on delivering a relaxing, fuss-free driving experience. That's not to say it doesn't lean into other important segment requirements; the A6 is tech-rich and comes with many standard and optional goodies to make the overall experience a pleasant one. From under the hood, there are two options to choose from, with the base 45 TFSI inline-fr making 261 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, and the 55 TFSI putting out a more substantial 335 hp and 369 lb-ft. The latter ensures the sizable sedan needs around 5.1 seconds to get from 0 to 60 mph - but that's hardly the point of the A6. Those who want spice and excitement should look at the S6, which we review separately from the Audi A6; the standard sedan is here to make your life easy, not thrilling - and that's not a bad thing at all.

The price of the Audi A6 isn't particularly affordable, but shoppers aren't in this segment because they're interested in saving as much money as possible. If you are a penny-pincher, it'd be best if you look at a drama-free compact hatchback. The Premium has a starting MSRP of $56,900 with the 2.0-liter turbo equipped, while the 3.0-liter V6 will up the sticker price to $60,800. The Premium Plus will cost $60,800 with the base engine and $64,700 with the V6. If you're after the pinnacle spec, the Prestige, which is exclusively available with the V6, will set you back $70,500. The aforementioned cost of the Audi A6 excludes a $1,095 destination fee.

Executive sedans should have some verve, but if we had to place the 2023 Audi A6 on the driving experience spectrum, it would lean towards the comfortable and plush side of things. This is absolutely fine if you're looking for a serene machine that cradles its occupants in luxury and refinement, because that's what it does best - this is no sport sedan. But despite its size and curb weight, the 2023 A6 still reacts impressively to quick steering inputs, and its nose will dutifully follow wherever you point it. The car's quattro AWD system and chassis setup keep it impressively flat through sharp turns, but the steering is too soft to inspire real confidence when driven spiritedly. In the city and on uneven road surfaces, the A6 delivers a beautifully cushioned ride that ignores most road imperfections, and on the highway, it's a bullet train. For a leisurely drive with enough power to speed you to your next meeting, the A6 is ideal.

The new Audi A6 doesn't pretend to be anything it's not: the chassis is set up for cruising and easy city driving, not for canyon carving and track days, and we don't mind - the plush and unruffled cruiser also has a place in the market. Both engines on offer are relaxed, too, although the 335-hp V6 offers good punch. It's still no performance car, with some competitors leaving the Audi A6 in the dust in terms of driving thrills. But the Audi sedan claws back points in other areas. Firstly, this car is a dream to drive on the open road: it's quiet, well-built, and superbly refined. The level of tech is impressive, as passengers will have to nitpick about not having enough nooks and crannies to store their bits and pieces, because it's truly hard to fault the interior. Sure, some may label the A6's exterior as bland, but if you're looking for a spacious family car or a sleek sedan to get you to work without stressing you out, the A6 is close to ideal. With loads of features on the standard and optional spec list, there's also enough room for customization to ensure you feel at home whenever you slip behind the wheel. The A6 Sedan is priced similarly to its rivals, but opting for top-tier models can set you back around $70k to start with.

With luxury lineups, it's almost always best to go for the mid-level trim and add a few extras. This is especially true for the A6 because the top-tier trim is vastly more expensive. We'd opt for the Premium Plus with the 55 TFSI because the added power is a major improvement over the base engine. We'd also opt for the Executive Package for the added luxury, resulting in a total price payable of $68,640, including destination - this is still $1,860 shy of the top-spec Prestige with almost all the same equipment.