What is it?
Despite its ever-growing line-up of SUV and crossover offerings, Audi still offers two conventional estate cars – the A4 Avant and this, the all-new A6 Avant.
Though it’s hard to deny the appeal that the four-wheel-drive market is currently experiencing, the everyday estate car is still there for those who want space, practicality and ease-of-use wrapped up in a more road-friendly body style.
Audi’s new A6 boasts more technology than ever before, along with a pair of efficient diesel engines too. We’re testing it here in range-topping S Line specification.
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What’s new about the Audi A6 Avant?
It was no small task to replace the old A6 Avant. The previous car had proved immeasurably popular, with sleek, elegant and understated styling somehow managing to defy time. So when it came to revealing the new one, there was a fair amount of expectation mounted on to it.
Fortunately, we needn’t have worried. The new A6 Avant arrived with the same classy approach to exterior design and interior layout. There are improved materials, a good amount of standard equipment and, as before, a brilliantly large boot.
How does it look?
As mentioned earlier, the A6 Avant’s design still toes on the understated side of things and, for most, that won’t be a bad thing at all. Yes, the front grille is almost obscenely large and there’s all manner of chrome accents dotted across the exterior car, but it’s not an ostentatious design – far from it.
It’s a big car, too, but somehow Audi has managed to disguise its sheer size with a variety of cut lines and trim pieces. It’s been quite successful in hiding the car’s overall bulk, and it means that the A6 Avant looks more dynamic than other estates.
What’s the spec like?
Our car, as mentioned, came in top-spec S Line trim. It means you get a full sports styling kit with a dynamic front splitter design. As well as that, you get a lowered sports suspension setup, and Audi’s excellent Matrix LED headlights paired with scrolling rear indicators.
You also get 19-inch alloy wheels as standard, though the ones on our test car had been upgraded to larger 20-inch units which were accompanied by a fearsome £1,550 price tag.
S Line cars get a full navigation system, though we’d argue that it’s worth adding the technology pack for £1,495. This brings with it a ten-inch top screen system, accompanied by a nine-inch screen underneath it to control heating and ventilation functions. You also get the 12-inch virtual cockpit system, which replaces the traditional dials and looks fantastic.
Continued on next page: Interior, drive and our verdict
