Audi A6 Saloon / Avant (C8 “first facelift” – MY 2025)
For its final refresh before the all-new generation arrives, Audi’s business-class staple gains reshaped bumpers, a wider, flatter Singleframe grille, HD-Matrix LED headlights with selectable signatures, OLED rear lamps and the latest 11.9-inch MIB 3.5 infotainment. The longitudinal MLB-evo platform, Saloon (4 939 mm) and Avant (+7 mm) bodies, and the full S / RS family remain intact. Boot space is 530 L (Saloon) or 565 L Avant – up to 1 680 L with the rear seat folded.
| Engine (EU 6e) | Power / Torque | 48 V M-HEV | Drive | Gearbox |
|---|
| 40 TDI 2.0 L | 204 hp • 400 Nm | yes | quattro | 7-sp S tronic (wet) |
| 45 TFSI 2.0 L | 265 hp • 370 Nm | yes | quattro | 7-sp S tronic |
| 50 TDI 3.0 V6 | 286 hp • 620 Nm | yes | quattro | 8-sp Tiptronic |
| 55 TFSI 3.0 V6 | 340 hp • 500 Nm | yes | quattro | 7-sp S tronic |
| 50 TFSIe PHEV | 299 hp • 450 Nm | EV 78 km WLTP | quattro | 7-sp DSG PHEV |
| 55 TFSIe PHEV | 367 hp • 500 Nm | EV 71 km WLTP | quattro | 7-sp DSG PHEV |
| S6 3.0 V6 TDI | 353 hp • 700 Nm | yes | quattro | 8-sp Tiptronic |
| RS 6 Avant 4.0 V8 TFSI | 630 hp • 850 Nm | mild 48 V | quattro | 8-sp Tiptronic |
Four-cylinders use twin-scroll turbos and GPF; V6 TDIs adopt twin-dose SCR. PHEVs carry a 17.9 kWh net battery (11 kW AC, ≈ 2 h 15 min full).
Strengths
| PRO | Why it convinces |
|---|
| Executive-lounge cabin | Black-panel dash, Valcona perforated leather, open-pore ash, 30-colour ambient light – class-leading perceived quality. |
| Motorway serenity | Double seals, acoustic glass and DCC: 65–67 dB measured at 130 km/h (Avant 50 TDI). |
| Real fuel thrift from M-HEV | 40 TDI averages 5.0 L/100 km; 45 TFSI about 6.5 L while coasting up to 160 km/h and harvesting 12 kW under braking. |
| Usable plug-in range | 50/55 TFSIe deliver 60–65 km electric in mixed driving; recharge in <3 h on an 11 kW wall-box. |
| quattro ultra & optional sport diff | Axle decouples in cruising for economy, re-engages within 250 ms for grip; active rear diff available on V6 models. |
| Comprehensive ADAS | Lane-centring, stop-and-go ACC, traffic-jam pilot (<60 km/h) and remote parking via app. |
| Strong residual values | Avant 50 TDI S line holds ~70 % after three years; RS 6 tops 80 % in sought-after colours. |
Weaknesses
| CON | Reported detail |
|---|
| Hefty platform | 55 TFSI starts at 1 850 kg, 50 TFSIe hits 2 030 kg – less agile than the lighter BMW 5-Series G60. |
| Pricey option list | HD-Matrix, B&O 3D, rear-wheel steering and full leather add €9–11 k. |
| Bulky transmission tunnel | Middle-rear seat compromised, worse on PHEVs with rear battery. |
| Cold-start DSG shunt | Some 45 TFSIs jerk below 25 km/h; software update softens but doesn’t remove it. |
| Oil consumption (EA839 / EA888) | About 0.4–0.6 L every 4 000 km accepted as normal. |
| Occasional MMI reboots after OTA | 12-s reset plus dealer patch cures most cases. |
| AdBlue heater stalling (TDI) | Very cold climates saw limp-mode; MY 25 gets stronger heaters and software fix. |
Indicative running costs
| Service | Parts (€) | Labour (€) | Interval |
|---|
| 0W-30 oil + filter | 200 | 120 | 30 000 km / 24 mo |
| DSG oil (DQ381) | 240 | 170 | 60 000 km |
| Tiptronic oil + filter | 340 | 230 | 80 000 km |
| Brake fluid + Haldex | 130 | 140 | 3 yr |
| PHEV HV battery check + coolant | – | 120 | 30 000 km |
| Front discs + pads (50 TDI) | 380 | 180 | ~70 000 km |
| AdBlue top-up (TDI) | 8–10 L / 12 000 km | – | – |
Known issues & fixes
| Issue | Remedy |
|---|
| NOx-sensor failure (TDI) | ECU update and sensor replaced under extended warranty. |
| Dashboard creak, driver side | Felt-strip kit and reinforced clips. |
| Steering vibration 110–140 km/h | Wheel balance + lower-arm bush check (factory TPI). |
| MMI OTA update loop | 12-s hard reset + SW 2860_12 flash; head-unit replaced if persistent. |
| Matrix-lamp condensation | New venting on MY 25; lamp swapped if moisture remains >24 h. |
Price guide (OTR)
| Model | Engine | Drive / Gearbox | Price |
|---|
| A6 40 TDI quattro Business | 204 hp | AWD / 7-DCT | €58 900 |
| A6 45 TFSI quattro S line | 265 hp | AWD / 7-DCT | €62 800 |
| A6 50 TDI quattro S line | 286 hp | AWD / 8-AT | €69 600 |
| A6 50 TFSIe quattro | 299 hp PHEV | AWD / 7-DSG | €69 900 |
| S6 TDI quattro | 353 hp | AWD / 8-AT | €85 300 |
| RS 6 Avant | 630 hp | AWD / 8-AT | €132 200 |
Avant adds €1 800 (RS 6 is Avant only). MY 22-23 Avant 50 TDI quattro S lines with ~50 k km retail around €50 k.
Verdict
The 2025 facelift keeps the A6 near the top for perceived quality, comfort and tech, even if the underlying chassis is older than its newest rivals. Mild-hybrids sip fuel, the plug-ins handle daily commutes on electricity and quattro remains a safety benchmark.
High-mileage motorway drivers seeking status and strong resale will find the A6 50 TDI or 50 TFSIe Avant hard to fault. Shoppers chasing cutting-edge interiors, lighter platforms or sharper dynamics might prefer the latest BMW 5-Series, Mercedes E-Class or an all-electric option such as the Tesla Model S.
