2022 Audi S6

Overview

Although it's based on—and looks quite similar to—the standard A6 sedan, the 2022 Audi S6 brings the heat in the form of a 444-hp twin-turbocharged V-6 engine and a sportier suspension. Depending on who you ask, the S6's sober styling is either a good thing or a bad thing, as it doesn't draw unwanted attention on the road. The S6's somewhat anonymous styling also suits its driving demeanor; it's capable and fun but also unflappable to a fault. Rivals such as the BMW M550i and the Mercedes-AMG E53 offer the kind of sports sedan drama that puts smiles on enthusiast drivers' faces. Luckily, there's also plenty of luxury inside the S6's spacious cabin, with impeccable build quality, plentiful legroom front and rear, and just about every technology feature you can imagine.

What's New for 2022?

Not much has changed for the S6 for 2022, but rear side airbags are now standard and buyers can choose a carbon twill interior trim option. Those who order the Black Optic appearance package will receive a new 21-inch wheel design.

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Pricing and Which One to Buy

Upgrading to the Prestige model costs a little more but it unlocks a lot of the S6's best features, including a semi-autonomous driving mode, a head-up display, matrix-design LED headlamps, automatic high-beams, soft-close doors, a power-operated trunk lid, a leather-wrapped dashboard and center console, an in-cabin fragrance diffuser, and heated rear seats. We'd add the 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo system and the cool night vision feature that helps identify animals and pedestrians in the dark.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

While the last-generation S6 was powered by a throaty 450-hp 4.0-liter V-8, the newest iteration uses a more complex powertrain. The standard 2.9-liter V-6 is twin-turbocharged and uses a 48-volt hybrid system to power an electric supercharger for additional boost. Altogether, the system pumps out a robust 444 horsepower. An eight-speed automatic and Audi's Quattro all-wheel-drive system are standard. At our test track, the car leapt to 60 mph in 4.0 seconds; the S7—the S6's shapelier counterpart—managed to blast to 60 mph in just 4.1 seconds. On curvy roads, the S6 proves to be a lovely partner. It disguises its size and feels sportier than we anticipated, especially with the optional rear-wheel-steering system.

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Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

As expected, the S6's fuel economy has improved over the outgoing model's. The new car earned EPA estimated ratings of 18 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined—an increase of 2 mpg, 4 mpg, and 4 mpg, respectively, over the old V-8-powered S6. We haven't had the chance to put this car through our 200-mile highway fuel-economy test, but the mechanically similar S7 delivered a 28-mpg result. For more information about the S6's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

Like that of the A6, the S6's interior serves to highlight Audi's tech-driven luxury ethos. The design is sleek and modern, highlighted by fine materials, soft leather, and genuine wood trim. Four-zone automatic climate control is standard, as are a power-adjustable heated steering wheel, adjustable ambient lighting, diamond-stitched leather upholstery, and 12-way power-adjustable heated front seats. Going with the top-spec Prestige model adds the Extended Leather package, which wraps the dashboard, armrests, and center console in supple leather. Though we haven't tested the S6's cargo capacity yet, we expect it will hold the same amount of stuff as the A6—that is, six carry-on suitcases inside the trunk and a total of 20 cases with the rear seats folded.

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Infotainment and Connectivity

The S6's dashboard is dominated by digital displays. The main 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen rests above a secondary 8.6-inch display. The upper screen handles functions such as navigation, audio controls, and other entertainment features while the lower one provides access to vehicle settings, climate control, and the like. All S6 models come standard with Audi's Virtual Cockpit digital gauge display and an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration are also included.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Like the A6, the S6 offers a host of standard driver-assistance features with more high-tech ones available as options. For more information about the S6's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

• Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
• Standard lane-departure warning
• Available adaptive cruise control with semi-autonomous driving mode

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

If Audi's standard warranty seems a little basic, that's because is it. Rivals such as the BMW 8-series Gran Coupe and the two-door Lexus LC offer more value in the form of a complimentary scheduled maintenance program or longer powertrain warranty.

• Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
• No complimentary scheduled maintenance

Specifications

Specifications

2020 Audi S6

VEHICLE TYPE
front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan

PRICE AS TESTED
$79,990 (base price: $74,895)

ENGINE TYPE
twin-turbocharged, supercharged, and intercooled DOHC 24-valve V-6, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection
Displacement
177 in³, 2894 cm³
Power
444 hp @ 6700 rpm
Torque
443 lb-ft @ 1900 rpm

TRANSMISSION
8-speed automatic

CHASSIS
Suspension (F/R): multilink/multilink
Brakes (F/R): 15.8-in vented disc/13.8-in vented disc
Tires: Pirelli P Zero PNCS, 255/35R-21 98Y A0

DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 115.3 in
Length: 195.0 in
Width: 74.3 in
Height: 56.9 in
Passenger volume: 99 ft³
Trunk volume: 14 ft³
Curb weight: 4472 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 4.0 sec
100 mph: 9.8 sec
130 mph: 17.3 sec
150 mph: 26.2 sec
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 4.9 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 2.9 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 3.5 sec
1/4 mile: 12.5 sec @ 112 mph
Top speed (mfr's claim): 155 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 153 ft
Braking, 100–0 mph: 319 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.90 g
Standing-start accel times omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.

C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 23 mpg

EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/city/highway: 22/18/28 mpg

More Features and Specs