New 2026 Audi A6 e-Hybrid Review

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BwyQIXs8YU

Is the quiet executive now the underdog?

Exterior – Front

So, starting with the design of the new A6 and it hasn’t what I would say grown up much. You see the older model did always look business like and that it rivalled the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E Class. But with this new one it has looks of the previous generation A4 and the new A3 front end. Now this is no bad this but I’m not sure it suits this class of car. You see, we get this huge grill that dominates the front end which I will admit does look a bit too big, but you do know it is an Audi though. Next to this are some huge and tall side vents just like what the new A5 has and any other new Audi these days. We do get some sporty looking headlights though where you can change the graphic in them again just like every other Audi, but the whole front end doesn’t really stand out like it should and where it does stand out it isn’t for good reasons. I have to admit that I think the A5 does it better.

Exterior – Side

Moving round to the side and we do get a very interesting design. To start with the greenhouse glass stretches to the far corners of the roof making the car look longer and sleeker than it actually is. We also get these huge haunches over the front and rear wheels to give it a wider look. I can’t wait to see what the RS6 would look like. We do get some creases lower down and some hidden door handles which I do quite like. I also quite like that there is black elements on them too, so you still know where they are. Wheel designs are decent with the usual Audi designs.

Exterior – Rear

Moving round to the back of the new A6 and it seems that everyone is on the same design trend at the moment. Now, when you think of a modern saloon or a saloon style hatchback or even a coupe you expect a rear boot spoiler but just like the BMW 5 Series it doesn’t. now I’m not sure it looks the best, but it has grown on me slightly. We do get some sleek looking taillights though and this light bar lower down as well as this blade design which I do quite like. Now I do wish that this coloured bar was black or chrome depending on model you have as it just makes the taillights look a bit silly separated. The bumper design is very good, and it does draw a lot of attention to it. We also get real exhausts again which is great. I just with there was a little spoiler up top. The A6 Avant does wear this design better because of the shooting brake design it has. What do you think, let me know in the comment section below and whilst you are at it don’t forget to like and subscribe. Right then, let’s have a look and see what engine and gearbox options you can have with the new Audi A6.

Car and engine specs and price

So, the Audi A6 has 3 engine options to choose from. A Petrol, a diesel and a Plug in Hybrid. Let’s start with the Petrol model first. This uses a 2.0 litre turbo petrol with 198 bhp. This can do 0-62 within 8.2 seconds which isn’t too bad and is mated to a 7 Speed S-Tronic gearbox powering the front wheels which is quite rare. The diesel version again uses a 2.0 litre turbo unit with the same 198 bhp but this time the 0-62 time has been reduced down to 6.9 seconds thanks to it being a diesel but also because this uses the Quattro 4-wheel drive system with the power going through a 7 speed S-Tronic Automatic gearbox. The final version is the one we have on test today and this is the e-Hybrid plug in hybrid system. This uses a 2.0 turbo petrol unit and an electric motor making a combined power output of 295 bhp. 0-62 is delt within 6 seconds which isnt too bad too. The battery size is 21 kWh useable which gives to about 60 miles of driving which is about the industry standard now. Power is sent through a 7 Speed S-Tronic automatic gearbox to all 4 wheels which is good and charging speeds is also good for a hybrid at 40 kW. The price of the new Audi A6 starts at £52,785. Right then, lets have a look and see what the interior is like.

Interior – Design

So, moving inside the new Audi A6 and whilst we do get this very modern looking design that we have seen in another Audi’s, but I do have to say I’m not a huge fan of it. To start with we get this new 14.5-inch infotainment system which is angled towards the driver on this panel. Now it is fairly easy to use but the climate controls are on the screen which is a shame. The only upside is that for the 2026 model year Audi has updated its infotainment system, so it is made a lot easier to use which is good. On this panel we also get a digital instrument cluster which again isn’t as customisable as it was on older Audi’s, but this has changed as part of the 2026 update. What has also changed is the steering wheel. Whilst we do still get touch sensitive buttons which I’m not a fan of, Audi has added some physical functionality back to it. It’s basically a start. One good thing though is that we do get some proper indicator stalks which is nice. On the driver’s door we do get some touch sensitive controls for your lights and mirrors, but it is fairly easy to use and once it is set you shouldn’t need to touch it again. In the centre console we get a lot of piano black material as well as some buttons and your gear selector toggle and even some storage. The seats are new and taken straight from the A5 which means they are supportive but comfy and also look the part too which I like. What im not sure about though is the passenger screen. Now I would recommend specing this option as it just has a piano black panel making the interior look like a poverty spec car which on this type you don’t want. There are manufacturers that have done this properly like the Smart #5 but unfortunately Audi hasn’t figured that out yet. Anyway, with that small rant over with, lets have a look and see what the back seats are like.

Practicality

So, climbing into the back of the A6 and considering it has a sloping roof, headroom isn’t too bad and we also get a very good amount of legroom too. Now there is a huge hump in the floor which means sitting 3 people in the back won’t be easy but there are quite a few creature comforts like your own dual zone climate control, heated rear seats, air vents, USB C Ports and an arm rest. It does feel quite executive although I do think BMW does it better as the quality of Audi has dipped slightly in this generation of cars. Right, lets have a look and see what the boot space is like.

Boot Size

So, opening the boot to the new A6 and we get a few size differences. If you go for a front wheel drive model of car, then you get 492 litres of space which isn’t class leading but it isn’t bad. If you have a quattro model, then this does decrease down to 452 litres, but it gets even worse on this model that we have today which is the e-Hybrid model, and this only gets 354 litres because of where the batteries are. Really you would be better going for an A3 or a Golf hybrid which is more practical with its hatchback opening and you get the same amount of space. We don’t have the amount with the seats down yet, but we can say that it still isn’t class leading but the seats do fold 40:20:40 split which is nice.

Summary

So, in summary then, what do I think of the new Audi A6. Well, the A6 was always a bit of an unknown car especially in its last generation with it being overshadowed by the 5 Series and E Class. To me, it feels that the E Class is starting to be the one over shadowed but the A6 isn’t far behind. Don’t get me wrong this is a brilliant car but there are quite a few areas that do need improving in terms of its practicality mainly but also with its design. Now it may age quite well but it hasn’t got that sporty feel that some other Audi’s have and that’s where I think Audi has missed a trick. I believe they had a good recipe to make such a great car just like its electric counterpart but to me it just seems like they haven’t wanted to bother to make a great one to force people onto the electric version therefore reducing the budget on the petrol one. Not everyone wants an electric car yet. So, if you are in the market and are looking at the A6, I would advise you and see what you actually want and if you want space then avoid the plug-in hybrid model.

Exterior 4/5

Interior 4/5

Practicality 3/5

Total 11/15

Model	Audi A6 Edition 1 e-Hybrid
Engine	2.0l Turbo Plug-In Hybrid, 295bhp, 0-62 = 6.0 Seconds, Four Wheel Drive, 21kWh Battery, 60 Mile Electric Only Range
Transmission	7 Speed S-Tronic Automatic
Price	£68,750
On Sale	Now