2026 Audi A6: It’s Not Just About the Electric Variant, Of Course
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Porto, Portugal—The Audi A6 is a true luxury car even though it slots below the full-size A8 in the German automaker's portfolio. Now built on the Premium Platform Combustion (PPC), it continues to be available in four-door sedan and five-door wagon (Avant) body styles in Europe and other markets around the world.
Alas, the Ingolstadt-based company will only ship the sedan to North America, because executives in the U.S. don’t really see the point of offering the long-roof variant—despite the relative success of the latest RS 6 Avant and A6 Allroad. That’s a shame.
- Also: Audi to Go Back to Old Naming System to Avoid More Confusion
- Also: 2025 Audi S6 e-tron: Comfortably Powerful
Anyhow, Audi invited us to test drive the new 2026 A6 Avant on the other side of the Atlantic, and the following review would apply to the sedan just the same since the two cars are fundamentally identical. Harsh weather conditions created by Storm Martinho in Portugal and Spain didn’t seem to bother the A6 Avant, which remained imperially stable and comfortable on the highways around Porto even under heavy rain.
A6 e-tron Has a Gas-Powered Sibling
If you’ve read the news about Audi in the past few months, then you know about the launch of the battery-equipped A6 e-tron as well as the next-generation A4 that became the new A5. The company’s plan was to use even numbers for electric models and odd numbers for conventionally powered ones.
However, Audi did an about-face in February, opting to go back to its old naming system in order to avoid confusion among shoppers. The numbers currently ranging from 1 to 8 will once more refer to a model’s size and position within the lineup. That’s why the new A6 offers both electric and gas variants. Isn’t it simpler this way?
Incidentally, three engines are available globally including a pair of turbocharged four-cylinder engines (gas and diesel) and a turbocharged gasoline V6, the latter producing 362 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. In Europe and other markets, the A6 can be specified with either front-wheel drive or quattro all-wheel drive, depending on the engine.
In a somewhat surprising move, only the V6 will be offered in North America, paired with the quattro system. However, three types of suspension are available: a traditional suspension with steel springs, a sport suspension with steel springs and an air suspension (as tested, with optional four-wheel steering).
Similar to the latest A5 and S5, the combustion-powered A6 is built on a new architecture, featuring revised suspension geometry and progressive steering. Handling is enhanced, and the car precisely goes where the driver wants to when cornering—provided that lane-keeping assist is turned off, otherwise steering adjustments are a common occurrence. By default, the system is always on when you start the car, so if you don’t want to deal with an intrusive electronic nanny, you have to remember to deactivate it every time.
The A6 is equipped with Audi Drive Select, and there’s now more separation between the Comfort and Dynamic modes, as we found out during our first experience with the car. The tester rode on 21-inch alloy wheels, but other wheel options ranging from 18-20 inches are available. When attacking corners in Dynamic mode, the A6 proved to be very sharp and agile. That being said, we were even more impressed with its level of refinement, particularly the smooth and quiet ride.
As for the interior, just like the A6 e-tron, Q6 e-tron, A5 and Q5, the new A6 greets drivers with what Audi calls the Digital Stage, a panoramic display combining the instruments and infotainment system. Optionally, there’s a third screen facing the front passenger, plus a head-up display for the driver. All of them boast crisp, high-quality graphics.
What's Next?
The 2026 Audi A6 will inevitably be followed by the sportier S6 sometime in the near future. Although unconfirmed, an A6 Allroad wagon is also expected to debut within a year.
In addition, Audi has already announced that plug-in hybrid models are coming, sharing their powertrains with the recently unveiled A5 PHEV. Will these PHEVs be sold in Canada? It’s not immediately clear.
And then there’s the RS 6, which we bet is in the pipeline, as well. Keep following The Car Guide for more updates and reviews about the new A6 lineup.
