Audi A6 45 TFSI quattro S line 2021 Review

The 2021 Audi A6 45 TFSI quattro S line is priced from $106,000 plus on-road costs, but adding dealer delivery charges, luxury car tax and other regulatory charges, before you even think of dipping into the list of options, will set you back around $120,000.

The sporty-looking all-wheel drive model is a mid-spec entrant in the Audi A6 range, sitting above more affordable variants including the non-S line A6 45 TFSI quattro (from $96,900) and base-grade front-wheel drive A6 40 TFSI (from $84,900).

Audi has gone to great lengths to improve the value of its core premium vehicles like the A6, and on price and spec it compares favourably to its Mercedes-Benz E-Class (from $96,900) and BMW 5 Series (from $97,900) rivals – those aforementioned Stuttgart and Munich ‘issues’ the Ingolstadt brand must contend with.

So why would you steer towards the mid-spec Audi A6? Apart from the usual reasons – quietness, refinement, luxury, prestige – it’s got a very sharp look. It’s the difference between buying a standard wool suit at half price and getting a tailored European suit that looks and feels special, but costs more…

The subtle but sporty S line body kit and 21-inch alloy wheels create a classy and confident image for the Audi A6. The black highlights on the front and rear bumpers contrast nicely with the Ibis White exterior paint, too.

Equipment levels are generous with LED headlights, a digital instrument panel (virtual cockpit), wireless phone charger, sat-nav and an excellent touch-sensitive dual-screen infotainment and heating/cooling set-up.

Adaptive suspension is part of the package, as is a head-up display. Our test vehicle also features the optional ($9800) premium plus package that adds clever (and ultra-bright) HD Matrix LED headlights, tinted windows, a panoramic glass sunroof, electrically adjustable steering column, electric boot, colour interior LED lighting package and a thumping Bang & Olufsen audio system.

Wide, comfortable power-adjustable and heated leather front seats are included too, complete with ‘S’ logos.

The leather quality is suitably plush, and while Lexus offers slightly softer-feel cowhide, it must be said the overall look and feel of the cabin – not to mention the infotainment system and its ease of use – are streets ahead of Lexus.

It’s all very tidy, very ordered, with closable storage areas creating a neat finish. Together with nicely integrated air vents and one of the fanciest gear shifters you’ll find in a European luxury car, the cabin design has loads of appeal.

The minimalist design that blends pared-back luxury and tech to great effect is, for me, more appealing than the BMW 5 Series or Mercedes-Benz E-Class. It’s integrated so well, particularly the way the virtual cockpit is moulded into the instrument cluster and how the touch-screens flow across the dashboard – it’s design driven, not just a case of ‘let’s install the biggest screens we can’.

The ambient LED lights across the dashboard look sensational too, one of the best implementations yet, and the LED lights around all seat belt plugs makes finding them easier at night.

Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are offered and again their integration is gorgeous and there’s even the option of having Audi menu elements on the main screen, which means you don’t always have to swap between the two operating systems.

It’s not all dollop cream and lamingtons, though. When making phone calls via the wireless Apple CarPlay set-up, when in the charging cradle, there was a lot of voice lag, almost like making an international phone call. This is not just an issue with Audi; we’ve noticed it on other wireless Apple CarPlay systems, such as in the BMW 8 Series.

Another omission is the lack of real-time traffic sign detection, something that BMW and Mercedes do very well at the moment.

If you’re looking for a high-tech German luxury car, the Audi A6 45 TFSI quattro S line has you covered.

Altogether it has five cameras, five radars and 12 ultrasonic sensors, all of which make driving, parking and living with the vehicle rather relaxing, and the infotainment system looks and feels very futuristic.

For starters, semi-autonomous acceleration, braking and steering via adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist make commuting and long-distance cruising far more relaxed as you can pay a little more attention to conversations, whether in the car or on the telefunken.

Unlike some vehicles, the driver aids are fairly proactive (and actually work as intended), especially the lane keep assistant. It can keep the car in its lane for quite some time and isn’t wishy-washy in its steering response.

Parking the Audi A6 and extricating it from car parks is easy thanks to front and rear cross traffic detection (where snout/bumper sensors can ‘see’ perpendicular vehicles approaching before you can), plus parking sensors and a 360-degree surround view.

From this writer’s perspective, the infotainment system is a highlight, the twin-touch screen set-up both efficient and seamless, the haptic feedback pretty spiffy and the menu systems proving to be less complex and confusing to navigate than we’ve experienced with other brands.

There’s also the excellent virtual cockpit, a configurable digital instrument display that can show the usual stuff like road speed and engine revs, but also fuel consumption, Google Earth maps, navigation and more.

If a buddy told me back in 2005 that I’d be looking at close to $120,000 for a large luxury German sedan powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, I’d would surely have said he’s dreaming.

But in 2021, the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine that propels the Audi A6 45 TFSI quattro S line is a smooth, refined and indeed fitting propulsion system.

The mid-spec Audi A6 from 2004 was powered by a much larger (and thirstier) 3.0-litre naturally-aspirated V6 producing 160kW/290Nm. It took 8.7 seconds to accelerate from 0-100km/h.

This smaller turbo-four completes the benchmark sprint in just 6.0 seconds, and while it’s used in many other Volkswagen Group vehicles, it feels smoother and more luscious in this application.

Pumping out 180kW at 6000rpm and 370Nm of torque at 1600-4300rpm, the 2.0-litre turbo generates plenty of thrust in the Audi A6 and even at freeway speeds you can still overtake other cars with ease.

The seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (S tronic in Audi-speak) is similar in execution to a Volkswagen DSG but feels smoother and seems to have fewer annoying idiosyncrasies in this application. The paddle shifters provide exacting control over the available power whenever you need it, and left to its own devices it’s quite frugal.

After a week in the saddle, we managed fuel economy of 9.2L/100km which isn’t anywhere near the claimed 7.3L/100km but is still pretty good for a large sedan such as the Audi A6. If driven very conservatively, this variant could get around 750km from its 63-litre fuel tank (which requires 95 RON premium unleaded petrol).

It’s easy to get used to driving a large German luxury car. The amount of development and testing that goes into ensuring the suspension, powertrain and cabin acoustics are as good as they can be is mind-boggling – and it makes the everyday drive a reward.

From engine ignition to the flick of the indicator stalk and the way in which it blocks out external noise makes driving the Audi A6 45 TFSI quattro S line an enjoyable experience on short and long trips alike.

The adaptive suspension gives the car excellent ride comfort in cruising modes and good roadholding in dynamic modes. Despite its huge 21-inch alloy wheels and sporty tyres, it delivers a balanced ride that smooths out bumpy roads with finesse.

It’s not perfect, and can be caught out over harsh pot holes, but the drive experience overall is quantifiably pleasant.

Add in all the clever driver assist technologies and you’re looking at semi-autonomous computer-on-wheels that makes almost all driving scenarios rather peaceful.

Tested in isolation, the Audi A6 45 TFSI quattro S line does a lot of things very well.

It’s beautifully engineered, with almost every mechanical operation perfectly balanced, every button press perfectly damped, creating a cocoon of comfort and refinement – all of which makes time spent inside the A6 delightfully soothing.

Buyers who choose this car are not going to be disappointed.

That said, the latest BMW 5 Series is a much-improved vehicle, and while it’s more expensive and not as well equipped as the Audi A6 as you move through the model range, potential buyers would be foolish not to take it for a test drive and see how it compares.

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is the other primary option, and while it’s getting long in the tooth and due for a refresh, it’s still a very competent large luxury car.

If you’re seeking a quiet, efficient, safe, high-tech but sporty executive car, the Audi A6 will fit the bill.

How much does the 2021 Audi A6 45 TFSI quattro S line cost?
Price: $106,000 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 180kW/370Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel: 9.2L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 166g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2018)