Search

Audi A6 Saloon 2.0 TDI road test report

2.0 TDI

The 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine in the Audi A6 is the core model of this executive range and accounts for around 75% of all sales in the UK. This is the key model for fleet drivers, but private buyers will also be attracted to the new A6 with the small diesel thanks to its generous power and economy and emissions to rival its key competitor, the BMW 520d.

Road Test Reports Says 4 star rating
A front-facing image of the Audi A6 Saloon 2.0 TDI

Print

Image number 2 of the Audi A6 Saloon 2.0 TDI Image number 3 of the Audi A6 Saloon 2.0 TDI Image number 4 of the Audi A6 Saloon 2.0 TDI
ALISDAIR SUTTIE SAYS

Performance Performance - 4 stars

The Audi A6 2.0 TDI is the heartland of this new executive saloon model and tackles rivals from BMW and Mercedes head on. With 174bhp on tap, the A6 gives away 10bhp to the BMW 520d, but Audi’s use of lightweight aluminium for around 20% of the A6’s sheet metal, the A6 is lighter. This means 0-62mph comes up in 8.7 seconds for the six-speed manual A6, while the seven-speed dual-clutch multitronic automatic gearbox covers the same sprint in just 8.2 seconds. The auto is quicker thanks to swifter changes and is also the gearbox more likely to be specified by most customers, so just as well it’s a great choice. Go for the manual and the gear shift is light, but its feel is not a patch on the BMW’s. With 280lb.ft of shove delivered between 1750- and 2500rpm, the 2.0 TDI A6 is not short on overtaking oomph and it also makes it very easy to pilot through town or on the motorway without the need for constant gear changes. Audi fits its Start-stop system as standard to both the manual and multitronic versions of the 2.0 TDI A6 and it works seamlessly to save fuel and emissions.

Ride & Handling Ride & Handling - 3 stars

Competent is the best way to describe the way the A6 2.0-litre turbodiesel drives. It’s a front-wheel drive model rather than using Audi’s Quattro all-wheel drive. This makes little difference to the grip and poise of the A6 2.0 TDI, but nor does it offer any benefits. There’s plenty of grip from the tyres and the suspension works as it should to keep body lean at bay and let the A6 plot an undeterred course round corners. However, unlike the BMW 5 Series or Jaguar XF, the driver has no feeling of connection to what it going on. The A6’s steering has the right amount of weight and assistance at any speed, but it always feels artificially operated rather than the more fluid and sensitive sensation you get with, especially, the Jaguar. The ride quality of the A6 also manages to be able but underwhelming. Most bumps are dealt with in an efficient manner, but there’s no element to its operation where you can smile and think, yes, that’s better than the opposition’s. There are, however, times where the A6 falls short of the expected standard of this class, notably on the pothole-battered back roads of Britain. A saving grace is the A6 is very quiet and the 2.0-litre turbodiesel keeps its own counsel at all speeds to make the A6 an ideal long distance cruiser.

Build Quality & Reliability Build Quality & Reliability - 5 stars

Five stars, what did you expect? This thing is built like bank vault and has that same feeling of indestructibility. The doors thunk shut, all of the switches work with gentle click that lets you know an engineer has considered every action at great length. As for the engines and gearboxes, these are all known quantities from Audi’s catalogue, so no nasties are lurking there.

Safety & Security Safety & Security - 5 stars

The A6 comes with all of the expected safety kit you’d want in a car of this class. Six airbags are standard and customers can also order rear side airbags. An ESP stability and traction control system is fitted to all A6s, as is a tyre pressure monitoring system. For security, there’s an alarm, immobiliser, deadlocks and tow-away protection to help prevent this Audi from being dragged on to a trailer. Options include a lane departure warning system to help prevent the car wandering out of lane by sounding a warning to the driver and gently vibrating the steering wheel.

Space & Practicality Space & Practicality - 5 stars

If you need to carry adult passengers on a regular basis, the Audi A6 is one of the best executive cars you could wish for. The rear seats offer massive room for legs, while rear occupants’ heads and shoulders are equally well catered for. In the front, it’s even better news for the driver and other passenger as the A6 is massive. There’s also plenty of adjustment in the steering wheel and driver’s seat to make finding the ideal driving position only a matter of finessing the seat and wheel. The main dash is also a paragon of clarity, but we’d like to see a few less buttons dotted around the MMI(multi media interface) rotary control, though the simple ‘back’ button makes it easy to revert to a previous screen. Around the back, the A6 has an enormous boot and the only problem you might have here is reaching all the way to the back for that last shopping bag. A 60/40 split and tip rear seat is standard for the A6 saloon.

Ownership & Value Ownership & Value - 4 stars

With average economy of 57.6mpg for the 2.0 TDI engine and manual gearbox, and 56.5mpg for the multitronic auto, the A6 is one of the most frugal cars in its class. The manual also manages a BMW 520d-equalling 129g/km of carbon dioxide emissions with the manual gearbox, while the multitronic is not far off at 132g/km. This makes the A6 2.0 TDI very attractive to company users and private buyers conscious of road tax costs and showroom tax. In SE trim, the A6 2.0 TDI comes with 17in alloy wheels, climate control, parking sensors, cruise control, a 6.5in screen for the MMI (multi media interface) display, satellite navigation, Bluetooth connection and leather upholstery. Go for the S Line and you get 18in alloys, front sports seats, sports suspension that lowers the car by 20mm, Xenon headlights and LED rear lights. Residual values should be solid for the A6, as they are for the outgoing model, but the Audi is a little more expensive than its key rival from BMW.

Submitted: 06/05/2011 09:04:07

Executive Cars comparison road tests

Audi road tests

Other people need your help

Your review will help others decide which vehicle to buy. By spending just a little bit of time filling out a review you can share your experiences with other drivers, giving information only owners will talk about, no marketing spiel, just the real thing. We publish all reviews, whether you rate the vehicle high or low. We are impartial. We are independent. We are committed to 100% real reviews. Please give others the benefit of your advice: give them your review.

Your review will be checked for offensive language within the next few days and then put on RoadTestReports.co.uk and all of our partners websites.

Have your say!

Submit your own review

Lease Buy

* Required

^ Back to Top