If you’re looking for a smooth ride, off the line power, excellent gas mileage, and European styling, look no further than Audi’s A6 TDI. Compare this with our 2014 Audi S6 review to figure out which Audi is best for your home. Or, for an upgrade, read our 2015 Audi R8 Spyder review. Or, just for fun, read our review of the best luxury cars.
Honestly, I haven’t driven, or really ridden in a diesel powered car since I was a kid. We owned a diesel Mercedes and the engine noise and vibaration was more analogous to that of a freight train than a car. Speaking of Mercedes, you might also like our Mercedes e63 AMG 2014 review. The diesels of today, and in this case Audi’s TDI, are nothing like the ones of decades before. Gone is the obnoxious vibrations echoed through the car, as is the boring and beleaguering churn of the engine note when the windows are rolled down. If you want to upgrade your vehicle, take a look at our Honda Civic Si 2018 review, adaptive suspension at 23900.
Sending power to the Audi A6 TDI’s wheels is a turbo V6 diesel mated to a silky smooth 8-speed gear box. Total output is 240 horses, but the real spec to pay attention to is the torque; 428 lb-ft. Factor in Audi’s all wheel drive (aka Quattro) and the German auto maker says it rockets this ship to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds, maybe faster. Read our 2017 Audi Q7 review to compare this 2014 to a newer model. If you’re really into cars, you might also be interested in reading our Honda Odyssey Review
But the real story here is the fuel economy. That and how silky smooth and wonderful it is to drive the Audi A6 diesel. Fuel economy is spec’d at 30 mpg combined, with city achieving 26 and highway 38. Perhaps to better illistrate my point: I drove family around for 6 days on a single tank for the Audi A6 review. We covered just under 300 miles and just barely pushed over the center line of the fuel gauge. And while we’re looking at the dashboard, also check out how the BMW EnLighten App lets drivers see countdown to traffic light changes on its tech dashboard.
Related: Also check out our review of the best cars.
Aside from the interior being outfitted with a football pigskin brown (not a recommended color), the fit and finish is top tier. But I didn’t expect anything less. Keyless entry, push button start, heated seats, dual zone climate control and a full nav with Google everything we’re all part of the package. The only things missing we’re a hud and a motorized trunk. Two things I can live without, but would have easily pushed my A6 to another tier of opulence.
Albeit marginally, the petrol based engine is smoother. However, the average consumer would be, and will be hard pressed to discern between the two when seated inside of the cabin. And I suppose if I had to nit pick, my A6 TDI didn’t have Audi’s Driver Select modes, which when available allows one to influence the steering feel, suspension and transmission/accelerator sensitivity (switching into S or Sport mode by pulling down on the stick achieves this, though).
So would I buy the A6 TDI? For the gas mileage yes. But I’m a performance hog that loves a stiff ride, which this car is not. It’s smooth and a bit soft through the corners…as it’s intended to be. In short, diesel is no longer a compromise; performance sacrificed in the name of fuel economy.
* All of the pictures I capture we’re lost. So, the above is a stock image of an A6 that might be a TDI.
