2020 Audi A6

MotorTrend (opens in a new tab) says that, for buyers who want more performance than the regular A6 offers, the new 2020 S6 sedan is the alternative, and that power-folding, heated, auto-dimming side mirrors are new for 2020 and standard on all trims. Every A6 trim, MotorTrend notes, includes 19-inch wheels, with a 10-spoke design on models with the 2.0-liter four-cylinder 45 TFSI engine. On this site's EPA data the A6 is all-wheel drive with a mild-hybrid 2.0-liter or a mild-hybrid 3.0-liter six and returns 22 to 27 mpg combined.

NHTSA lists nine recalls, most shared with other Volkswagen Group models. 20V153 covers 2019 to 2020 A6 models with mild-hybrid technology and 2.0 TFSI engines where moisture can affect the starter assembly. 20V274 covers a 2020 A6, A6 Allroad and A7 passenger air bag that may not properly deploy, and 21V159 covers an air bag issue on a group of Audi models. 21V295 covers rear axle parts on S6 and other models, 23V601 concerns a brake fluid problem on 2019 to 2021 A6 sedans, and 22V861 and 22V155 cover electrical faults, one involving liquid spills and one the instrument panel. 22V034 is a tire campaign shared with the A4 and A5.

CarFactBase (opens in a new tab) counts 25 owner complaints on the 2020 A6, and NHTSA's own data shows 17 of them about the electrical system, with five each unclassified and about forward collision avoidance. Kelley Blue Book (opens in a new tab) rates a 2020 A6 with 72,000 to 84,000 miles as a medium risk of major repair and defines a repair over $864 as major for this model. Electrical faults are the pattern, so check every window, mirror and screen function on a test drive.

Kelley Blue Book (opens in a new tab) says used 2020 A6 prices run from $19,550 for the 45 TFSI Premium to $24,900 for the 55 TFSI Prestige at a dealership, against a base price of $55,895 including destination for the least expensive Premium 45 when new. The EPA rates the 2020 A6 at 22 to 27 mpg and $2,850 to $3,500 a year in fuel on fueleconomy.gov (opens in a new tab), compared with 25 to 28 mpg ($2,750 to $3,100) for the 2020 BMW 5 Series and 18 to 26 mpg ($3,000 to $4,300) for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class.