Yahoo Autos 2019 Audi A6 Avant Review: Wagon Not Sold in US, But We Want It
While station wagons have fallen almost entirely out of favor in the United States, they remain immensely popular in Europe, especially in the case of mid-size luxury models such as the Audi A6. And manufacturers take great pains to make them at least as attractive as their sedan counterparts.
When it comes to the new Audi A6 Avant, that mission has been accomplished-in spades. This handsome wagon features an almost coupe-like rear end inspired by Audi's recent concept cars; it's also reminiscent of the Audi 5000 Avant. Looks are subjective, but the A6 Avant's appearance is so sporty that we'd be tempted to choose it over the Audi A7 Sportback, with which it shares its underpinnings and interior.
At 20 cubic feet, the A6 Avant's cargo hold, accessed through the large liftgate, is cavernous, and its size can be expanded by folding down the rear seats. Beyond that, it drives just like an A6 sedan (or an A7 Sportback), which means its road manners are impeccable.
The A6 Avant features Audi's latest cockpit and infotainment system, the graphics of which have been overhauled to reflect the style of the interior. With its large dual touchscreens and metallic trim, it's easily the most futuristic interior in the segment, decidedly more forward-looking than the conservative style that prevails in the BMW 5-series, its closest competitor. For Audi newcomers, it may take a bit of getting used to, but once you get the hang of it, the system is intuitive and easy to use.
In Europe, the A6 Avant offers three diesel engines: a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four with 201 horsepower and a pair of turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6s with either 228 or 282 horsepower. We spent time in the most powerful V-6 diesel, which is quiet, smooth, and ultra-torquey. It moves the A6 Avant with remarkable authority. But the single-turbo engine takes a bit of time to spool up, and the eight-speed automatic often hunts for the ideal gear. Turbo lag is alive and well in this model, and it's a good thing that an even more powerful twin-turbo V-6 diesel is in the works, which may address the lag issues.
There are also two gasoline engines: a 245-hp turbo 2.0-liter inline-four and a 335-hp turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6. The well-proven V-6 is a strong performer, but we tried the new turbo four mated to Quattro all-wheel drive. Its 245 horses are well-fed, pushing the A6 Avant to 62 mph in a claimed 6.8 seconds and onward to a governed top speed of 155 mph. The soundtrack is silky-smooth, and unlike in the V-6 turbo-diesel, there's little turbo lag. The shifting action of the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic is noticeably crisper than the performance of the V-6 TDI’s eight-speed automatic.
Audi offers several chassis configurations on the A6 Avant. Fitted with the optional adaptive dampers and four-wheel steering, its agility is impressive and belies this wagon's size. Steering effort is on the lighter side, and the car remains neutral to the limits of adhesion, which are so high that they don't exactly come with generous warning.
The level of comfort in the A6 Avant matches that of the A6 sedan, meaning that it's smooth, refined, and quiet-despite the larger resonance space. This is a perfect long-distance cruiser, with even more room than the A7 Sportback, and, subjectively, even better looks. In Europe, it's priced about $2300 more than the A6 sedan-and significantly less than the A7. Come on, Audi, bring it to America.
('You Might Also Like',)
