One of Audi’s longest-running models, the A6 sedan drives less like a true sports sedan and more like a well-heeled luxury vehicle with power to spare and features for days. Standard gear includes automatic emergency braking, a touchscreen nav-equipped infotainment system and a panoramic sunroof, and a minor trim upgrade gets you Audi’s stunning virtual cockpit digital gauge display.

2019 Audi A6 sedan
Now in its fifth generation, the A6 continues to offer luxurious environs wrapped in attractive if understated sheet metal. Audi

The S6 ups the performance ante with all-wheel drive, an eight-speed automatic gearbox, and a 444-horsepower twin-turbo 2.9-liter V6 that incorporates a 48-volt mild hybrid system, replacing the model’s previous V8 powerplant. The result is a vehicle that adheres to the core tenants of Teutonic 4-door sedan playbook: zero to 60 mph in a claimed 4.4 seconds, and a car that hides capable handling, a refined interior and raw acceleration under its relatively unassuming exterior.

The long list of various safety features, which now include optional traffic sign recognition, active lane departure control, and intersection assist are seamlessly woven into the vehicle’s operation, so much that you might indeed forget they’re there.

The A6’s interior seamlessly blends technology and modern features with classic details and materials. Audi

The 48-volt electrical system in the V6 variant (the four-cylinder model doesn’t have it) makes for smoother stop-start functionality, saving fuel but not feeling obtrusive or annoying as some systems are. The Virtual Cockpit system presents an elegant and dynamic collection of vehicle, navigation, and driving data. In contrast, the new MMI infotainment system integrates a high-quality Google Earth map that displays terrain and roads. It’s also fully touchscreen-enabled, with haptic feedback to make the interactions feel as tactile and real as possible. 

That system is particularly noteworthy—it allows for drag-and-drop organization of the tiles and functions based on your preferences, in a fashion that echoes our smartphone interactions, and you can deploy up to 32 shortcut buttons. These can be radio stations, streaming services, frequent contacts or navigation destinations. You can also craft routes and destinations both via your smartphone app and your onboard vehicle system, and it will seamlessly continue the guidance once you transition from vehicle to foot or public transport. Finally, it uses natural-language voice control to interpret driver or passenger commands, both from an onboard database and through persistent cloud connectivity—say you’re cold, for instance, and it warms up the cabin for you. 

Whether you choose the four-cylinder or the V6 pictured here, a seven-speed automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive are standard. The S6 gets a twin-turbo V6 and an eight-speed automatic transmission. Audi

Of course, the barrier of entry is relatively high—the V6 variant starts at $60,795, though the four-cylinder model is nearly $5k less expensive but has somewhat fewer features. (Though it still has the essentials, including the MMI interface.) But the A6 worth the price of admission, especially if you spend a great deal of time commuting, shuffling clients and colleagues around, or road-tripping for pleasure. The A6 is a compelling ride and a straight-up cornucopia of technology and innovation.