Model research hub
Audi S6
Car and Driver reports the gas-fed Audi S6 sedan is dead for 2026 and probably forever, after a company spokesperson confirmed the S6 wouldn't return to Audi's U.S. lineup for the 2026 model year, following Audi's decision to offer a Sport Plus package for the new 2026 A6 sedan instead. Carscoops says an Audi spokesperson confirmed to The Autopian that there will be no S6 model for 2026, coinciding with Audi launching an updated version of the standard A6 for the U.S. market. The last available S6, for 2025, used the same twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V6 as the Audi RS5, producing 444 hp and 443 lb-ft, with EPA ratings of 19 city/26 highway mpg.
Discontinued for 2026
Car and Driver (opens in a new tab) reports the gas-fed Audi S6 sedan is dead for 2026 and probably forever, after a company spokesperson confirmed the S6 wouldn't return to Audi's U.S. lineup for the 2026 model year, and that Audi's decision to offer a Sport Plus package for the new 2026 A6 sedan seemed to suggest the end of the high-performance S6 version, which is true for now.
Confirmation and context
Carscoops (opens in a new tab) says an Audi spokesperson confirmed to The Autopian that there will be no S6 model offered for the 2026 model year, coinciding with Audi launching an updated version of the standard A6 in the US for 2026, following recent model-year updates to the 2026 Audi A5, Q6, A6 e-tron and Q6 e-tron models.
The last S6's specs
MotorTrend (opens in a new tab) says the 2025 S6 used the same engine as the Audi RS5, a twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V6 producing 444 hp and 443 lb-ft, with EPA ratings of 19 mpg city, 26 mpg highway per Car and Driver (opens in a new tab), and rivals including the BMW i5 M60, Mercedes-AMG E53 and Lucid Air.
Questions buyers ask
Is the Audi S6 discontinued?
Yes — Car and Driver (opens in a new tab) and Carscoops (opens in a new tab) both confirm no S6 for the 2026 model year.
How much horsepower did the last Audi S6 have?
MotorTrend (opens in a new tab) says 444 hp from a twin-turbo 2.9-liter V6 shared with the RS5.
Research map
Every major decision path.
The 2025 Audi S6 is built around 2.9L twin-turbo V6, rated at 444 horsepower across its midsize performance sedan body style.
Explore this topic →02Trims and equipmentThe 2025 U.S. lineup has 3 trims.
Explore this topic →03Towing and capabilityThe 2025 S6 seats 5 and is a Midsize performance sedan.
Explore this topic →04Safety and ownershipNHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2025 S6.
Explore this topic →Current model year
2025 Audi S6
Every S6 trim shares the same 444-horsepower twin-turbo V6, 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds; the three trims separate by audio and comfort equipment.
Read specifications, trims, answers and sourcesModel-year archive
1 indexed Audi S6 model years.
| Model year | Trims | Open record |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Audi S6 | 2025 record → |
Background and safety record
What public sources say about the Audi S6.
The Audi S6 is a high-performance variant of the Audi A6, an executive car produced by German automaker Audi. It went on sale in 1994, shortly after the "A6" designation was introduced, replacing the "100" nameplate. The original S6 was largely identical to the outgoing Audi S4 (C4) (Often referred to as the Ur-S4), with the only visible differences being new body-cladding and badging.
Source: Audi S6 (Wikipedia); safety and recall figures from NHTSA.
Audi S6 at a glance
- Production
- 1994–1997, 1999–2003, 2006–2025
- Assembly
- Germany: Neckarsulm
- Class
- Executive car (E)
- Body style
- 4-door saloon/sedan, 5-door Avant (estate/wagon)
- Layout
- Front engine, quattro permanent four-wheel drive
- Platform
- Volkswagen Group C platform series
- Related models
- Audi A6, Audi RS6
Recent recalls (1 campaign across the latest model years)
- December 2025, Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2026 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply… Consequence: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Year by year
The Audi S6 across 10 model years.
| Model year | Combined MPG/MPGe | EPA annual fuel cost | EPA records | NHTSA recalls | NHTSA complaints | NHTSA overall rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Audi S6 | 22 | $3,650 | 1 | 1 | ||
| 2024 Audi S6 | 22 | $3,500 | 1 | 1 | ||
| 2023 Audi S6 | 22 | $3,500 | 1 | 1 | ||
| 2022 Audi S6 | 22 | $3,500 | 1 | 4 | ||
| 2021 Audi S6 | 22 | $3,500 | 1 | 10 | 0 | |
| 2020 Audi S6 | 22 | $3,500 | 1 | 6 | 2 | |
| 2018 Audi S6 | 18 | $4,300 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 stars |
| 2017 Audi S6 | 21 | $3,700 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 5 stars |
| 2016 Audi S6 | 21 | $3,700 | 1 | 2 | 19 | 5 stars |
| 2015 Audi S6 | 20 | $3,900 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 5 stars |
Year-to-year changes
What changed in the Audi S6, one model year at a time.
| Step | Combined MPG/MPGe, midpoint | Added | No longer listed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 to 2023 | Drives: All-Wheel Drive | Drives: 4-Wheel Drive | |
| 2021 to 2022 | Drives: 4-Wheel Drive | Drives: All-Wheel Drive | |
| 2018 to 2020 | 18.0 to 22.0 | Engines: 2.9L 6-cyl SIDI; Mild Hybrid; Transmissions: Automatic (S8) | Engines: 4L 8-cyl SIDI; Transmissions: Automatic (AM-S7) |
| 2017 to 2018 | 21.0 to 18.0 | ||
| 2015 to 2016 | 20.0 to 21.0 |
Buying used
What the Audi S6 recalls and complaints are about.
| Model year | Campaigns | Systems recalled | Warnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | back over prevention (sensing system) | None |
| 2024 | 1 | back over prevention (sensing system) | None |
| 2023 | 1 | back over prevention (sensing system) | None |
| 2022 | 4 | electrical system (instrument panel); equipment (electrical); electrical system; 1 more | None |
| 2021 | 10 | air bags; suspension (rear); seat belts (rear/other); 7 more | None |
| 2020 | 6 | air bags; suspension (rear); tires; 3 more | None |
| 2018 | 1 | air bags (sensor) | None |
| 2017 | 2 | air bags (sensor); engine and engine cooling | None |
| 2016 | 2 | air bags (sensor); engine and engine cooling | None |
| 2015 | 2 | air bags (sensor); engine and engine cooling | None |
| System | Complaints | Share of all complaints | Worst model year |
|---|---|---|---|
| engine | 21 | 60% | 2016 (13) |
| unknown or other | 7 | 20% | 2016 (4) |
| electrical system | 6 | 17% | 2016 (2) |
| power train | 4 | 11% | 2016 (3) |
| steering | 3 | 9% | 2018 (2) |
| fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 9% | 2015 (1) |
| Model year | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| 2017 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| 2016 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| 2015 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Trim by trim
Every 2025 Audi S6 trim side by side.
| Trim | Drive | Engine | Horsepower | Torque (lb-ft) | Curb weight (lb) | Max towing (lb) | Combined mpg | Base price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premium | AWD | 2.9-liter V6 (MHEV, Turbo) | 444 | 442 | 4,486 | – | 22 | $77,195 |
| Premium Plus | AWD | 2.9-liter V6 (MHEV, Turbo) | 444 | 442 | 4,486 | – | 22 | $81,495 |
| Prestige | AWD | 2.9-liter V6 (MHEV, Turbo) | 444 | 442 | 4,486 | – | 22 | $85,395 |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications for the 2025 model year; base price is KBB's national base price where its list carries the trim by the same name. A dash means KBB lists no figure.
Specifications by year
Power, weight and towing for every Audi S6 model year.
| Model year | Trims | Engines | Horsepower | Curb weight (lb) | Max towing (lb) | Fuel tank (gal) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 2.9-liter V6 (MHEV, Turbo) | 444 | 4,486 | – | – |
| 2024 | 3 | 2.9-liter V6 (MHEV, Turbo) | 444 | 4,486 | – | 19.3 |
| 2023 | 3 | 2.9-liter V6 (MHEV, Turbo) | 444 | 4,486 | – | 19.3 |
| 2022 | 2 | 2.9-liter V6 (Twin Turbo) | 444 | 4,486 | – | 19.3 |
| 2021 | 2 | 2.9-liter V6 (Twin Turbo) | 444 | 4,486 | – | 19.3 |
| 2020 | 2 | 2.9-liter V6 (Twin Turbo) | 444 | 4,486 | – | 19.3 |
| 2018 | 2 | 4.0-liter V8 (Turbo) | 450 | 4,398 | – | 19.8 |
| 2017 | 2 | 4.0-liter V8 (Turbo) | 450 | 4,398 | – | 19.8 |
| 2016 | 2 | 4.0-liter V8 (Turbo) | 450 | 4,486 | – | 19.8 |
| 2015 | 1 | 4.0-liter V8 (Twin Turbo) | 420 | 4,398 | – | 19.8 |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications for each model year. A range covers every trim KBB lists that year; a dash means KBB lists no figure.
Model-year recall record
Audi S6: which model years carry more or fewer federal safety recalls.
Fewer recalls than this model’s own average
- 2025 Audi S6 : 1 recall on file (average across published years is 3.0).
- 2024 Audi S6 : 1 recall on file (average across published years is 3.0).
- 2023 Audi S6 : 1 recall on file (average across published years is 3.0).
- 2018 Audi S6 : 1 recall on file (average across published years is 3.0).
More recalls than this model’s own average
- 2021 Audi S6 : 10 recalls on file, most commonly affecting electrical system and backup camera.
- 2020 Audi S6 : 6 recalls on file, most commonly affecting electrical system and tires.
| Model year | Federal recalls on file | Complaints on file | Recalls most commonly affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | ||
| 2025 | 1 | not available | backup camera |
| 2024 | 1 | not available | backup camera |
| 2023 | 1 | not available | backup camera |
| 2022 | 4 | not available | electrical system, equipment, backup camera |
| 2021 | 10 | 0 | electrical system, backup camera, seat belts, tires |
| 2020 | 6 | 2 | electrical system, tires, airbags, suspension |
| 2019 | 0 | ||
| 2018 | 1 | 4 | airbags |
| 2017 | 2 | 5 | airbags, engine cooling |
| 2016 | 2 | 19 | airbags, engine cooling |
| 2015 | 2 | 5 | airbags, engine cooling |
Method: recall counts and their affected components come from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: Recalls API, queried by exact make, model and model year. Complaint counts come from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: Complaints API, same query pattern. Data pulled 2026-09-04.
Known gap: the NHTSA complaints API did not return data for Audi S6 model years 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 when queried for this page: the request itself failed upstream, not returning a genuine zero. Those years are marked "not available" above instead of shown as clean; recall counts for those years are unaffected and come from the separate recalls API, which returned data for every year listed.
Check open recalls by VIN for one particular vehicle.
Q01Is there a best year to buy a Audi S6?
Recall count alone can't answer that: it says nothing about a specific vehicle's price, mileage, accident history or maintenance record. What federal data can say: 2025, 2024, 2023, 2018 carried fewer recalls than this model's own average, while 2021, 2020 carried more. See the model-year table on this page for the exact counts and what they cover.
Q02Which Audi S6 model years should I watch for recalls?
The 2021 Audi S6 has 10 federal recalls on file, most commonly affecting electrical system, backup camera, seat belts; The 2020 Audi S6 has 6 federal recalls on file, most commonly affecting electrical system, tires, airbags. Always confirm the open/completed status of every campaign for the specific VIN: a recall on this list may already be repaired on the vehicle in front of you.
Q03Which Audi S6 model years have the cleanest federal recall record?
The 2025 Audi S6 has 1 recall on file; The 2024 Audi S6 has 1 recall on file; The 2023 Audi S6 has 1 recall on file; The 2018 Audi S6 has 1 recall on file: below this model's own average of 3.0. A shorter list on file as of this page's data pull is not a guarantee against a future recall.
Q04What are common recall-related problems on the Audi S6 by model year?
2025: backup camera. 2024: backup camera. 2023: backup camera. 2022: electrical system, equipment, backup camera. 2021: electrical system, backup camera, seat belts, tires. 2020: electrical system, tires, airbags, suspension.
Q05Why do some Audi S6 model years show "not available" for complaints?
The NHTSA complaints API did not return data for Audi S6 model years 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 when queried for this page: the request itself failed upstream instead of the count genuinely being zero. Recall counts for those years are unaffected; they come from a separate NHTSA endpoint that returned data for every year listed.
Diagnosing one of these symptoms? The recalled systems above map to this site’s own ownership desks: general, evidence-first guidance that applies regardless of whether the specific vehicle in front of you was ever part of a recall campaign: Buying, records and recalls, Engine and cooling, Climate and electrical, Brakes, tires and steering.
2021 Audi S6 owners specifically: see Climate and electrical and Buying, records and recalls and Brakes, tires and steering.
2020 Audi S6 owners specifically: see Climate and electrical and Brakes, tires and steering and Buying, records and recalls.
Compared with
Models this Audi S6 is most often compared with.
Nearest Audi models
Other Audi models.
Frequent questions
Answers with their conditions intact.
Q01How many trims does the 2025 S6 come in?
The 2025 Audi S6 (midsize performance sedan) comes in 3 trims: Premium, Premium Plus, Prestige.
Q02What are the 2025 S6 trims?
The 2025 Audi S6 trims are Premium, Premium Plus, Prestige, listed from the entry Premium up to the top Prestige.
Q03What engine or powertrain does the 2025 S6 use?
The 2025 Audi S6 is built around 2.9L twin-turbo V6, rated at 444 horsepower across its midsize performance sedan body style.
Q04How much horsepower does the 2025 S6 have?
The 2025 Audi S6 is rated at 444 horsepower (2.9L twin-turbo V6).
Q05Is AWD or 4WD available on the 2025 S6?
The 2025 Audi S6 is offered with Standard AWD.