Review: C9 Audi A6

Essentially similar to the Audi A5 Sedan in many ways, the A6 struggles to differentiate itself but offers more space.

The A6 looks sharp and athletic.

I’ve had the privilege to drive the A5 Sedan extensively in Singapore and Malaysia, and being the first Audi model on the PPC platform, it offered valuable insight into future Audi ICE models. 

The elegant roofline stretches over the boot almost like a fastback.

The A6 is the second PPC car to debut in Singapore, and I’ll cut to the chase - it’s brilliant to drive, just like the A5 Sedan. 

The PPC is Audi's best ICE platform yet.

The problem is, it drives very similarly to the A5 Sedan, which is ~$70-80k cheaper. Even the interior looks the same. Identical. It’s the new generation Audi approach, which has attracted a fair bit of consternation, but I do like what they’re doing. Yes, quality may have dropped a notch versus previous Audis, but it is still very much on par with the competition. 

The TFSI engine is familiar, but in this it feels extra punchy.

As in the A5 Sedan, the A6 is primed for sporty driving with its excellent engine and gearbox combination. It’s not very powerful, but just enough to have fun. The steering is light but precise, while the chassis is taut and loves corners. Yet, the suspension is tuned so satisfyingly to resist roll while offering exceptional comfort. It’s one of those cars that can do sport and a refined gait very well. 

The interior may not suit everybody's tastes, but it's ergonomically sound.

Among its peers, the BMW 5 Series and the Mercedes E-Class, the A6 feels the sportiest of the lot even though it is the only front-wheel drive model. Yet it also feels like it has the most sophisticated suspension setup. That says quite a lot. 

Rear seats are comfy, if a tad spartan.

Looks wise, the A6 is very identical in front to the A5 Sedan. But it does have a very distinct rear end which is the best way to differentiate it. It’s a good looking design overall, if a bit bland. Edition 1 specification does spruce things up a bit. 

The rear design is the main way to differentiate from the A5 Sedan.

I really like the C9 A6 and I do think it is the best car among the German trio. So let’s not shortchange the qualities of the A6. I think it’s the sportiest A6 I’ve ever driven. But I’d say, drive the A5 Sedan with the A6 before making a commitment to purchase. The main justification I can see for getting the A6 is that it offers more space. 

Photos by Sean Seah

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