The new 2026 Audi A6 TFSI proves the traditional luxury sedan isn’t dead yet. Built on Audi’s new Premium Platform Combustion architecture, this ninth-generation A6 sticks with Audi’s proven formula- a turbocharged 3 -liter V6, quattro all-wheel drive, and a classic four-door layout. Gen 9 but layers in more performance, a quieter, more refined ride and modern tech.
In this first-drive review in Newport Beach, CA, I cover pricing, trims, driving dynamics, interior tech, cargo space, and how the new A6 stacks up against rivals like the BMW 5 Series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, and Genesis G80.
Shopping for a luxury midsize sedan? I’ve got your real-world impressions without the fluff. Let’s go!
Tom attended an Audi sponsored event to produce this video. Opinions remain his and his alone.
Expanding on the mentioned changes that will happen mid-2026, A6 updates will include an all-new MMI design, an updated multifunction steering wheel which physical controls, an optional contoured seat, new Audi Drive Select functionality, an optional integrated dashcam, expanded driver assistance features, upgraded voice control capabilities, and extended connectivity. If this is important to you, wait for the upgrades since many features can’t be updated with software alone.
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2026 Audi A6, all new Audi A6, Audi A6 review, 2026 Audi A6 TFSI, Audi A6 sedan, Luxury sedan review, Audi PPC platform, Audi Quattro AWD, Audi A6 vs BMW 5 Series, Audi A6 vs Mercedes E-Class, Audi A6 vs Genesis G80, Luxury car review, Gas luxury sedan, Audi interior technology, Audi Digital Stage, Audi A6 first drive, Tom Voelk, Tom Volk, Car Reviews, Driven Car Reviews, Driven
About Tom: Tom Voelk is an award-winning automotive contributor to The New York Times. His podcast was the first to win an Emmy Award (and he’s won for photography, editing, producing and reporting).
00:00 2026 Audi A6 TFSI Review
1:04 Pricing
2:08 A6 e-tron Confusion?
2:35 Cargo
3:45 Powertrain
5:14 Driving Dynamics
7:40 Efficiency
7:55 Interior / Interface
10:32 Back Seat
11:35 Design
12:30 Summary
4:18 You got that backwards and the video even confirms the orientation of the shifter: Pull DOWN for Drive and push UP for Reverse.
My 2019 A6 TFSI 55 Premium Plus + Executive Package + Sports Package was about same price as this new A6 PP. so I’m glad they really didn’t blow up the cost of the A6 after 7 years.
Why on earth do they have to make it look like an electric car. WTF is wrong with new audis
Wife and I test drove a A6 Prestige (no Sport package). Reminded me of my Mercedes S600 when it was new. It’s that good. We had also been test driving C and E class and EQE Mercedes, too. Those were noisier and buzzer drives, except for the EQE in the front seats (not so much in the rears). Very disappointed in Mercedes. Seem to be assuming their customers won’t notice.
For those saying the design is not as top shelf as Audi once was…I think they are right. “Back in the day” Audi design was simple in an elegant yet purposeful way. The new A6 has its share of needless origami decorations. (For the industry in general it’s 1959 all over again, with gaudy, exaggerated, meaningless design choices.) The interior is cheapened by the proliferation of propped up screens. The hepatic controls felt plasticky cheap. The control panel on the arm rest rocks when you press the imaginary buttons. The only way to feel good about it is to compare it to Mercedes or BMW. Those feel cheaper, and the touch sensitivity is more hit and miss with them. None of them can compare to the tight fit and finish of the Lexus ES350, but that car (which is primitive tech-wise), is no more, and we have yet to see what the new generation of only-EV ES class cars will hold. I imagine they will be a step down in design and fit and finish as Lexus tries to catch up tech-wise.
To conclude, the A6 Prestige without a Sport package is an ultra comfy and quiet cruiser. We intend to buy one with 19” wheels to get it as comfortable as possible, knowing it will still be competent on the occasional twisty roads (trips to Big Bear for those of you familiar with Southern California).
Not too impressed with the interior. As a cruiser, I prefer my Lexus ES 350 Ultra Luxury. No piano black interior, cheaper, creamy V6 and 8 speed automatic.
Looks like baked ass.
AUDI expensive to buy with guaranteed expensive repairs
You lost a camera? Oh, there goes some $$.
This Audi is. Looks like trash.
Oh, wow! Finally, they put back the V6. Is S6 coming back with a non-hybrid V8? Yea, right… I wish..
I had this car as a loaner for about a week while my A6 etron sports back was on the shop. The 26 A6 is a very nice car. Fast comfortable. But the etron is better. Am I bias? Sure. I have owned and drive many cars through out the years. The etron is my second EV. It would be hard to go back to ICE.
Tom review is just perfect
Love your work, Tom, but how honest can you be when Audi put you up and paid for your travel?
Sedans aren’t dead yet but this current generation views sedans as grandma and grandpa vehicles thus too boring for them.
Sedans? Wagons? All are doing well.
Americoids just buy fat polluting bricks on wheels
A little to big and the whole car looks to plastic – ish for that Money 😔
Young guy says the audio system is bad, old guy says it's top notch, dunno who to believe
I had an 2019 A6 premium sport- loved it. This gen body -emmm, no, I’ll pass.
Tom, thanks for the review. I have appreciated the Audi styling for years, however, most recently it seems they have taken the day off. This new model is … better, but lacks pop. While I do like the sleekness and simple lines, there is a cheapness about it. Perhaps it is the recycled plastic food tray, cheese grater, looking grill. Even the Audi rings look like a cheap knock off. It sort of looks like a older generation Camry. Piano black and haptic controls are a serious miss, especially a car at this price point. A suggestion … won't it be cool if you would actually make a decibel reading as one of your signature measurements? I think so.
Without a doubt one of the ugliest dashboards in the industry today
You are so luck to get to see/drive with the bright trim on the outside (ridiculous that the A6 badge still blacked out) and has some wood trim in the interior that is not gray/black…. All that seen all have the dreaded black optic package (makes the wheel center caps look like cheap plastic plugs) and white, gray (dark) and black. The only one in the state of Ks that was not blacked out sold in 3 weeks…the others (mostly) still sit on the on lot collecting the dead leavers and berries (why there are trees that have berries on car dealer lot is beyond me) all over the exteriors. I wish the passenger screen are was not a screen ever (it just looks so bland) and the roof was steel (that glass is still going to let in heat and no shade now). But, I want a car and am very tired of seeing more SUV's. The colors: you'll never see them where I live. I don't know how far I'd have to search to find one.
Looks nasty in and out.. facelift C7.5 for me!
Always a pleasure. Thanks.
Tom you have good taste in Music my brother !!
Tupac, Destiny's Child and Luther Vandross ❤👌😅
I don’t understand why they don’t make all sedans as a hatchback. The styling is almost identical, but would allow for much better utility.
Tom, thanks for a great review. The lease (my first time leasing a car) on my '24 A6 45 TFSI (the 4 cylinder model) expires in December so I'm very interested in this new model A6. The V6 is a definite plus, although the 4 cylinder in my '24 has been fine. I sat in a '26 A6 in January when I had my current car in for normal service and I thought the interior was much better than the YouTube and Reddit haters have described it. I've been following you since your New York Times days and I think your car reviews are the best on the web. Your review of the '14 Cadillac CTS encouraged me to go look at it and I ended up buying one. It must have been the right fit for me as I drove it for 9 almost trouble free years. I just can't get myself to join the SUV crowd (my wife has a '23 Lexus RX350 when I need the carrying capacity), although as I've gotten older I do appreciate the higher seating position of them for entry and exit.
Unless you have a young child, that backseat is only for 2 people. No adult wants to straddle the middle
Very Nice! I purchased a Used A6 V6 top trim( luxury) with very low mileage at less than half price of brand new! Love it, total luxury ! It came with extended warranty ! I have another A4 for over six years, no issues at all, hopefully A6 will give me no problems! Purchasing used is cheaper than leasing for four years!!! 60% depreciation in four years lease!!
Someone beat the new A6 with an ugly stick. To me it looks like a Hyundai Sonata from Ingolstadt, Deutschland.
Great review of a great vehicle. Thanks, Tom!
How did this car get so fat? Anyway, I’ve decided to keep my 2018 (B9) S4 well past its use-by date since it’s had zero mechanical issues over 76,000 miles and the interior is leagues better than anything Audi is offering now.
no more six piston front brakes! just like the new S5 and SQ5 this is using a single piston caliper from the VW GTI, this is beyond cheap and unacceptable
The exterior may be classic and acceptable and even the engine and powertrain. Inside, Audi used to have the best interiors. Now it is just looking like any other Chinese car interior. Where are the knobs and buttons? Very sad interior. Pass.
Those screens! 🤮. The exterior looks nice, but that interior is a no.
Glad they are bringing back the three spoke steering wheel along with some physical buttons.
That S-line exterior Ascari blue ilmetalic is stunning. ❤
So much New, yet same self destructing Engine, now even more stressed to produce more power. Brilliant !!
If you are lucky 50k till it starts burning oil. So what? Oil burning Clogs Catalytic converters, and intakes (Via EGR).
So in short, effed.
I'm sorry, but I'm not feeling Audi's new design language. It looks cheap and not as high end as it used to….
I stopped watching after you showed the VWesque door and steering wheel controls – Absolutely Unacceptable crap. And you mentioned all the things that can keep you distracted – those things shouldn't be there !!!!! In any car; just because they can doesn't mean they should. Lastly the damn glass roof 👎
The terrible interior outweighs the handsome exterior. Cheap and tacky looking. The Audi passenger screen is one of the worst looking design features today