By Paul, Automotive Expert at What Car?, Published: April 09, 2025

G’day, car enthusiasts! I’m Paul, your go-to gearhead with years of road-testing experience, and I’ve just driven the 2025 Audi A6—Audi’s latest petrol and diesel-powered saloon and estate (Avant). Not to be confused with the electric A6 e-tron, this beauty starts at £44,000 (approx.), undercutting rivals like the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E-Class. After hitting Portuguese mountain roads and motorways in both petrol and diesel variants, I’m breaking down the top 10 reasons to buy the 2025 Audi A6. From sleek design to luxe tech, here’s why it’s a contender in 2025’s executive car game—subscribe for more reviews like this!

1. Sleek, Aerodynamic Design: Slippery and Stylish

The 2025 A6 evolves the old A6’s look with a sharper, more slippery vibe—Audi claims it’s their most aerodynamic combustion car yet. The Avant boasts a 0.25 drag coefficient (saloon’s even better), beating the BMW 5 Series Touring (0.26) and Mercedes E-Class Estate (0.27). Slimmer LED headlights, a bold grille (silver on Sport, dark grey on S-line), and a split rear light bar scream sophistication. It’s practical yet posh—perfect for execs who want style without shouting.

2. Versatile Body Options: Saloon or Avant, Your Call

Choice is king—get the A6 as a sleek saloon (unveiled April 15, 2025—check whatcar.com) or the Avant estate I tested. The Avant’s long boot and 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats make it a family hauler, while the saloon’s sharper lines suit city slickers. Both share the PPC platform (Premium Platform Combustion), a tweaked carryover from the old A6, blending practicality with Audi’s signature polish, rivaling the 5 Series’ flexibility.

3. Punchy Engine Options: Petrol, Diesel, and Future Hybrids

Powertrain variety shines:

• 2.0L TFSI Petrol: 201 hp, 0-60mph in 8.1s, £4,300 cheaper than diesel—smooth cruising, though coarse when pushed.
• 2.0L TDI Diesel (Mild Hybrid): 201 hp, Quattro AWD, 53+ MPG—torque-rich, quiet, tows 2,000kg (vs. petrol’s 1,800kg).
• Coming Soon: S6 (400hp+ V6), RS6 (700hp+ PHEV), and plug-in hybrids (295hp/362hp).

The diesel’s my pick—better low-end grunt and economy. Company car drivers? Wait for PHEVs to slash tax bills.

4. Luxurious Interior Tech: Screens Galore

Step inside, and it’s a tech haven:

• 11.9-inch Virtual Cockpit: Crisp driver display.
• 14.5-inch Touchscreen: High, responsive, intuitive—beats most rivals’ layouts (sorry, no BMW rotary dial).
• Optional 10.9-inch Passenger Screen (Edition 1): Movies for them, polarized so you focus on driving.

No physical AC controls irk me—small touchscreen icons need voice assist (temperamental: “Hey Audi, 22°C” works… sometimes). Still, it’s a cockpit that wows—Q6-inspired and premium.

5. Spacious and Supportive Cabin: Comfort Meets Class

Rear space? Stellar—I’m 6 ft+, and with the front seat set for me, there’s ample knee, head, and foot room back there. Supportive seats make long hauls a breeze, though the massive transmission tunnel cramps the middle passenger—best for two adults. Up front, the driving position’s spot-on, adjustable seats and steering align perfectly. It’s not perfect (hard plastics sneak in), but it’s comfier than a 5 Series and rivals an E-Class for luxury.

6. Smooth Ride Quality: Suspension Options for All

I tested three setups:

• Standard Suspension (Sport Trim): Silky at 70mph, controlled on bumpy roads—20-inch wheels didn’t faze it.
• Sport Suspension (S-line): 20mm lower, stiffer—fine, but overkill for this crowd.
• Air Suspension (Edition 1, £1,755 extra): Diesel-only, 21-inch alloys—Dynamic mode tightens it up, comfort matches standard.

Even on Portugal’s patchy mountain roads, it’s plush air suspension’s worth it if you’re splurging.

7. Practical Boot Space: Big, But Not Biggest

The Avant’s boot holds 503L (petrol) or 465L (diesel, due to the hybrid battery)—down 10% from the old A6. Rivals top it: 5 Series Touring (570L), E-Class Estate (615L). Still, it’s long and versatile—fold the seats (via boot levers) for bulky loads. Gesture-controlled tailgate (foot-wave activated) is handy, if finicky. Family holiday? No worries—just pack smart.

8. Fuel Efficiency and Range: Diesel Wins

The diesel’s 53+ MPG (WLTP) trumps the petrol’s 39 MPG—crucial for long trips, especially with petrol’s smaller tank (frequent stops to France, anyone?). Mild hybrid tech boosts diesel efficiency, cutting emissions too. Petrol’s cheaper upfront, but diesel’s range and economy make it the marathon champ—ideal for high-mileage drivers.

9. Competitive Pricing: Undercuts the Big Boys

Starting at £44,000 (est.) for petrol Sport trim, the A6 beats the 5 Series (£47,000+) and E-Class (£50,000+). Diesel’s £48,300-ish still offers value—Quattro, hybrid tech, and towing heft included. S-line adds flair, Edition 1 piles on luxe (air suspension, passenger screen). It’s not cheap, but for a premium exec, it’s a steal—especially against pricier electric e-tron siblings.

10. Future-Proof Performance: S6, RS6, and Beyond

Wait a year, and the A6 gets wild:

• S6: 400hp+ V6—next-level pace.
• RS6: 700hp+ PHEV, possibly Porsche’s 4.0L V8—BMW M5 killer.
• PHEVs: 295 hp/362 hp—tax-friendly power.

The base 201 hp engines are tame now, but Audi’s cooking up performance beasts. Buy today for practicality, upgrade later for thrills—it’s a lineup with legs.

Ownership Experience: Driving Impressions

I drove both engines across Portugal—petrol’s quiet at 70mph but gruff under load; diesel’s smoother, stronger, and hushed. Handling’s sharp—steering’s precise, body lean’s minimal (air suspension shines in Dynamic). Interior quality? Solid, not stellar—BMW’s 5 Series edges it with fewer hard plastics. Boot’s a tad small, voice control’s iffy, but comfort’s king. Service? Audi’s network is reliable—expect £300-£500 annual costs.

A6 vs. Rivals: Where It Stands

• BMW 5 Series: Bigger boot (570L), better interior feel—pricier, less aero (0.26 Cd).
• Mercedes E-Class: Roomiest (615L), plush—higher cost, softer ride.
• Audi A6 e-tron: Electric, pricier—different beast, not this A6’s vibe.

The A6’s price, tech, and diesel punch give it an edge for value-driven buyers.

Verdict: Should You Buy the 2025 Audi A6?

The 2025 Audi A6 blends style, tech, and comfort—diesel Avant’s my pick for its grunt and economy, though petrol’s a budget gem. Boot space lags, plastics disappoint, but it’s a practical, premium ride undercutting rivals. Want luxe with a twist? This is it—S6/RS6 loom for speed freaks. Thoughts? Drop ‘em below—subscribe for more!

Specs Snapshot

• Price: £44,000-£55,000+
• Power: 201hp (base), 400-700hp+ (S6/RS6)
• Boot: 503L (petrol), 465L (diesel)
• MPG: 39 (petrol), 53+ (diesel)

👨‍💼 Author Section

Written by Paul | Automotive Expert at What Car?
Paul is a seasoned road tester with a keen eye for detail and a passion for premium cars. From saloons to estates, Paul delivers honest, experience-based insights that help you buy with confidence. You’ll find his expert reviews regularly featured on What Car?, the UK’s most trusted automotive authority for over 40 years.

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