If you thought the wagon era was over, think again. Audi has unveiled a new generation of the A6 Avant, and it’s here to take on the BMW 5-Series Touring and Mercedes E-Class Estate. The ICE-powered sibling to the also new electric A6 E-tron sports sharper looks, packs the latest tech, and promises to deliver a “first-class” travel experience—whether or not you’re lucky enough to sit in the driver’s seat.
At first, Audi was dead set on calling this generation the A7 Avant, to make it crystal clear that it was a different animal from the A6 E-Tron. But after some frantic last-minute soul-searching (and probably a few boardroom tantrums), they decided to stick with the classic A6 name. It’s the automotive equivalent of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” even if that means confusing anyone who thought the A7 was going to be the go-to sporty wagon.
Now that we’ve cleared that up, let’s dive into the highlights of the new A6 Avant, which Audi is touting as an “important model” in their lineup.
1. The Most Aerodynamic ICE-Powered Audi Avant Ever
One thing you can’t deny about the A6 Avant is that it’s got a seriously smooth profile. This isn’t your average boxy wagon; Audi has made sure that the new A6 Avant is the brand’s most aerodynamic ICE-powered long-roof model ever, boasting a drag coefficient of 0.25 cd. For context, the only Audi wagon that beats it is the electric A6 E-Tron Avant, which goes down to a still-impressive 0.24 cd.
More: This Is The New Audi A6 E-Tron Sedan And Avant
The sleeker shape isn’t just for looks (though, it does look pretty sharp, even if Audi can’t seem to escape its habit of heavily borrowing design cues from its own range). Features that contribute to the low drag include air curtains, active bumper intakes, a sizable diffuser, a roof spoiler, and aero-friendly trim on the rear glass, which is now more inclined than before. The new A6 Avant is also 60 mm (2.4 inches) longer than its predecessor, stretching to 4,990 mm (196.5 inches).
Besides boosting efficiency, the redesigned silhouette of the A6 Avant makes it more visually appealing, with sculpted rear shoulders and aggressive LEDs featuring digital lighting technology. The only downside? People might confuse it with the smaller A5, itself replacing the A4, thanks to the front-end design that’s almost a carbon copy. That could be a problem, but we’re sure Audi will just chalk it up to “brand synergy” or some other corporate-speak.
2. Audi Promises “First-Class” Travel
Audi is making some bold claims about the A6 Avant, saying it’s offering “first-class travel like no other vehicle in its class”, a phrase that definitely sounds like marketing fluff. However, they’ve actually packed in some legitimate luxury features to support the claim, though you might have to pay extra for the full experience.
The new A6 Avant is built on the PPC (Premium Platform Combustion) architecture, which made its debut in last year’s A5 family. It offers an optional adaptive air suspension, described as combining sportiness with comfort by adjusting body height and shock absorption. In addition to this “cutting-edge” suspension tech, the platform can be equipped with all-wheel steering and a quattro sport differential (on AWD versions).
More: 2025 BMW i5 And 5-Series Touring Debut With Big Boot And Up To 593 HP
Additionally, all trims come standard with progressive steering, said to offer more direct feedback than before. Combined with the stiffer chassis and slightly increased camber on the front axle, this setup promises improved steering response and more engaging feedback.
Another key element of the “first-class travel experience” is the tech-laden and spacious cabin. Highlights include a digital cockpit with up to three screens, an adjustable panoramic glass roof, a premium Bang & Olufsen sound system, and four-zone automatic climate control.
3. It Offers Mildly Electrified Gas And Diesel Engines
In line with VW Group’s renewed commitment to combustion engines, the new A6 Avant will offer a choice of gasoline and diesel powertrains. These include the 2.0 TFSI four-cylinder gasoline and the 2.0 TDI four-cylinder diesel, both producing an identical 201 hp (150 kW / 204 PS). There’s also the more powerful 3.0 TFSI six-cylinder gasoline engine, cranking out 362 hp (270 kW / 367 PS). Interestingly, despite sharing the engine with the S5, this version doesn’t earn the S6 badge.
More: VW And Audi Could Keep Selling ICE Models In Europe Beyond 2033
All of these engines benefit from a mild-hybrid setup. The MHEV Plus system includes a 48-volt battery, belt-alternator starter, and an electric motor/generator. At full throttle, the electric motor can provide an additional 24 hp (18 kW / 24 PS) and 230 Nm (170 lb-ft) of torque, while also using braking energy to recharge the small battery. According to Audi, this setup allows the A6 Avant to drive solely on electric power during low-speed maneuvers, like parking or crawling through city traffic.
While Audi hasn’t announced other powertrain options yet, it’s expected that plug-in hybrid versions of the A6 will be available in the future.
4. A6 Sedan, A6 Allroad, And RS6 Coming Soon
Audi may have kicked things off with the A6 Avant, but the A6 family is about to get a lot bigger. The traditional four-door sedan will still be part of the lineup, continuing its rivalry with the BMW 5-Series and Mercedes E-Class.
More: 2026 Audi A6 Allroad Is An Old-School Luxury Crossover
Furthermore, the wagon will gain an A6 Allroad version with a raised stance and crossover styling cues. Last but not least, the performance-focused RS6 Avant will return for another generation, although it might drop the V8 engine in favor of a plug-in hybrid V6.
Our spy photographers have already caught camouflaged prototypes of all these upcoming models, so we have a good idea of what’s coming down the road.
5. It’s Actually Cheaper Than Its Predecessor
Audi has started accepting orders for the new A6 Avant in Europe. In Germany, the base model with the mild-hybrid gasoline engine is priced from €58,000 ($61,200), which is €1,900 ($2,000) cheaper than the starting price of the outgoing A6 Avant. For comparison, the smaller A5 Avant starts at €46,850 ($49,300) in the same market.
More: New Audi A5 Costs $3,600 More Than The A4 It Replaces
The first deliveries of the Audi A6 Avant are scheduled for the end of May. Unfortunately, for those of us who appreciate a good wagon, it doesn’t look like this model will be making its way to North America. Instead, Audi’s closest alternatives here are the Q5 and Q5 Sportback. Here’s hoping Audi at least brings the upcoming RS6 to the U.S., just like they did with the previous generation.
