2012 Audi A6

What do the Guide Rating stars mean?

Larger photos: Front - rear - interior - all photos

Of all the vehicles I drive, luxury cars are probably the most difficult to review, because different people want different things from a luxury vehicle. Some want to be isolated in a cocoon of leather-lined silence; some want a sports car in a nice suit; still others want a badge on the grille that will impress all and sundry. What I see as the ultimate luxury car, others may regard as merely mediocre.

The all-new 2012 A6 is Audi's attempt to appeal to all luxury buyers. Now, in my experience, any car that tries to be all things to all people is doomed to failure -- but I'll be darned if those geniuses at Audi haven't pulled it off. No matter what your taste in luxury cars may be, you're bound to be pleased by the Audi A6. I know I was.

Let's start, as I so often do, with the styling: Even if looks aren't important to you, it's difficult not to admire the new A6. Gone is the melty-blob look of the old A6; the new A6 is about the same size and shape, but it looks more chiseled and defined, with a front fascia that looks angry and aggressive. (The old car looked a bit dumbfounded.) And praise be, Audi hasn't sacrificed function for form: The A6's shape leaves plenty of room for big, easy-to-enter back doors and a proper trunk (link goes to photo).

Larger interior photos

In years past, I've complained that Audi interiors were too drab and dreary; Audi has been making steady improvements, and the new A6 is their nicest effort yet yet. My test car's predominantly black cabin was brightened up with just the right proportion of wood and metal trim, and everything reeked of quality. Leather upholstery comes standard -- Mercedes and BMW charge extra for genuine cowhide -- and the back seat offers a lavish amount of space, even when the front seats are moved to their fully-aft position.

Audi has gone to great lengths to simplify their Multi Media Interface (MMI), which uses a dial controller on the console and a flip-out screen on the dash to control the navigation, stereo, telephone and air conditioning systems. The A6's navigation system is particularly noteworthy: Using a built-in TMobile wireless data connection (free for 6 months, $25-30 per month thereafter), the nav system overlays the map with overhead satellite imagery from Google Earth -- fantastic if you're piloting a helicopter but not particularly useful for a vehicle that drives on the ground. However, the data connection also provides great local area information and allows you to search for everything from nearby landmarks to pet-friendly hotels, plus it serves as a WiFi hot spot for up to 8 devices. If it weren't for the annoying nag screen that warns you of data charges every time you activate the system, it'd be perfect.

Equally annoying is the MMI's touch-pad, which can be used to spell out entries by tracing them with a finger. It's a very cool bit of technology and it works really well; the problem is that it also controls the radio presets, and it's located right next to the transmission shifter. Every time I rested my hand on the center console, my hand would brush against the touch-pad and the radio station would change. Augh!

My favorite part of the A6 is the one bit that isn't new: The 3-liter supercharged V6, introduced in the 2009 A6. Though rated at a modest 310 horsepower, it scoots the two-ton A6 along as if there were an extra hundred horses under the hood. Partial credit is due to the new 8-speed automatic, which provides a gear ratio for nearly every situation. EPA fuel economy estimate are 19 MPG city/28 MPG highway; at the end of my test week, which was a little heaver on city driving than my usual routine, the A6's trip computer showed 21.9 MPG -- very impressive for a car this big and quick, let alone one with all-wheel-drive.

Audi is also offering the 2012 A6 with a four-cylinder engine, the 211 horsepower/258 lb-ft two-liter turbocharged engine from A4, packaged with a continuously-variable automatic transmission and front-wheel-drive. I haven't driven it yet, and my first reaction was "No way." But after seeing how well the V6 works with just 310 hp, and having experienced the 2.0T engine in the A4 Avant, I'm confident the A6 2.0T will be just fine -- thanks to extensive use of lightweight aluminum, it's not much heavier than the A4 wagon.

The A6's suspension is designed for comfort, not speed; the ride is quiet, smooth and serene, every bit as peaceful as a Mercedes E-Class. The Audi "Drive Select" system allows the driver to tighten up the steering feel and throttle response, but not the suspension. The A6 hustled through the About.com Top Secret Curvy Test Road at an exceptionally rapid clip, but if you're looking for tail-out sports-car action, that's not the A6's forte -- it just grips and goes.

Next page