Audi A6 long term review, 7,200km report

The first time we drove this generation of the Audi A6 (C8) in India was for our exclusive review that was the cover of the October 2019 issue of Autocar India. It was also the last time we drove it, which is crazy when you think about it. I know SUVs have overwhelmed the collective consciousness of our market, and that Mercedes, and more recently BMW, stole all the headlines (and sales) with their long-wheelbase offerings, but there’s no reason a capable sedan like this should have been left out of the spotlight the way it was. Luckily, now, six-and-a-half years later and approaching the end of its life, it has found its way into our long-term fleet, and boy had we been missing out.

The best example of this is that the A6 got a facelift sometime in 2024, and none of us actually noticed. There was no launch event; not even a press release. And this was more than just your average nip and tuck, as I discovered when this car was dropped off to us a few months ago. It’s subtle; the new front bumper looks sportier, as do the chunky black elements that replace the horizontal chrome slats inside the grille. But more impressive still is that Audi quietly moved up from 18- to 19-inch wheels (something I pointed out in the aforementioned review), and still managed to give it possibly the best ride quality in the segment. 

A bit more poking around led me to find other additions – soft-close doors, a fragrance that spritzes through the AC vents ever so often, and a duller shade for the open-pore wood trim. Oh, and 20 more horsepower. Yes, the badge still says 45 TFSI, but the EA888 2.0-litre engine is here in 265hp spec now, making it the most powerful four-cylinder in its class. It’s like an Octavia RS, only plusher.

As such, it’s turned my commute into the best kind of drive – equal parts performance and relaxation, as and when I choose. In any petrol car, I usually default to Eco mode – for the daily grind at least – so that the fuel bills can be kept in check. But the A6 has something called ‘Auto’ mode, which adapts in real time to your inputs, and though it sounds a little gimmicky, it is shockingly effective. Halfway through a press of the throttle, you’ll feel a subtle adjustment under your foot as the car cracks the whip on its engine. Conversely, like James Bond adjusting his tuxedo after clearing a room of armed guards, it can just as quickly and quietly settle back into a classy cruise.

I don’t usually spend any time in the back seat of any of my long-termers, but this time I did, and I’m glad for it. Apart from being colleagues, Sergius and I are also neighbours, so we often split driving duties, and on a few occasions, with more than just the two of us onboard, I’ve taken the opportunity to slip into the back seat. There’s nothing quite like a sedan for being driven in, and the A6 absolutely nails the brief. Rivals may have longer wheelbases, but this one still has a solid 2,924mm, and there’s more than enough space here. The seats are comfy, there’s four-zone climate control, and there are blinds for both the rear windows and rear windscreen.

As you may know, this car’s replacement is already on sale globally, which means this one is starting to show its age. Ironically, its vintage is the reason for some of our favourite things about it. A dashboard that’s trimmed in wood, metal and leather, not plastic. Some handy physical controls (although the touch AC panel remains a faux pas). A proper gear lever instead of a toggle switch. Clean and legible Virtual Cockpit dials; something Audi was the pioneer of. And ambient lighting that’s subtly integrated, rather than poking out of every possible crevice.

It feels like the last bastion of the last generation of properly built luxury cars, and saying goodbye to this long-termer feels like a farewell to an entire era. It felt good to see it parked up in my driveway every morning, better still to hear the almost sportscar-like starter motor whir to life, and all things considered, it was a soothing yet engaging car to drive. They won’t make ’em like this anymore.