The Audi A6 sedan is getting a makeover for 2026
The German luxury marque has just unveiled the latest iteration of its long-running mid-size four-door. It isn’t just a minor refresh, either. The executive car features a sleeker exterior, a tech-packed interior, and more power under the hood.
We got our first look at the sixth-generation A6 last month when the company unveiled the A6 Avant wagon. The sedan and longroof look almost identical to the C-pillar, but that’s a good thing. The new A6 has a more aggressive front end, the highlight of which is a pair of razor-sharp headlights, and a smoother shape than before. Thanks to the latter, the sedan has a drag coefficient of 0.23 (compared to 0.25 for the wagon), making it the most aerodynamic gas-powered Audi in history.
These changes also ensure that the vehicle stands out from its electric equivalent, the A6 E-Tron. The two models are clearly related, but the battery-powered four-door lacks the athleticism and grace of its new ICE counterpart despite being more aerodynamic (it has a drag coefficient of 0.21).
The design of the sedan’s interior has also been reworked. Like that of the A6 Avant, the front is dominated by a trio of displays, including an 11.9-inch instrument cluster, a 14.5-inch infotainment screen, and an optional 10.9-inch passenger display. There’s also better sound insulation, which results in a 30 per cent quieter cabin, along with a panoramic glass roof with adjustable opacity levels, and an optional Bang & Olufsen speaker system. Trunk space comes out to 0.5 cubic metres, which isn’t that far off from the 0.5 cubic metres offered by the A6 Avant, though that number grows to 1.53 cubic metres when the wagon’s rear seats are folded down.
The new A6 is built on Audi’s new Premium Platform Combustion platform and will be available with either a two-litre turbocharged four-cylinder or a three-litre turbocharged V-6 with mild hybrid tech. Only the latter will be available in the U.S. and it will make 362 hp, which represents a 27 hp boost, that is sent to all four wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. In addition to more pep, the sedan also features an improved base suspension. There’s also an optional adaptive air suspension that can be controlled via voice commands.
The new A6 will launch as part of Audi’s upcoming 2026 model year lineup. The sedan is set to go on sale later this month in Europe, with a starting price of €55,500.
This story was first published on Robb Report USA. Featured photo by Audi