2021 Audi S6 Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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Critics complain that the Audi S6 looks too understated, forgetting that some people don’t want to be noticed for what they’re driving. After all, there’s a reason a gray suit is still a classic. And with the 2021 S6 adding Audi’s Virtual Cockpit as a standard feature, there’s another reason to fall in love with this modest machine.
Virtual Cockpit isn’t the only addition this model year. The S6 now gets 21-inch wheels with summer tires as standard equipment, and some carbon-fiber trim to jazz things up a bit. Plus, if you go for the Premium Plus trim level, the optional Executive Package adds adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist to its list of features.
But don’t let that standard safety features allow you to get complacent behind the wheel. Though many will lament the loss of the old 4.0-liter V8, the 444 horsepower you get from the twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V6 in today’s S6 is nothing to sneeze at. A 48-volt mild-hybrid system fills in any power gaps and helps propel the not-so-svelte sedan from zero to 60 in a claimed 4.4 seconds (though real-world numbers will likely end up even lower). With an eight-speed automatic transmission, you can expect fuel economy to come in at an estimated 18 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined—a significant improvement over the old V8.
Audi’s Quattro all-wheel-drive system keeps things composed, sending power to all four wheels, and if things aren’t nimble enough for you in standard form, you can upgrade the adaptive air suspension with an optional rear-wheel-steering system to help liven things up when the road gets twisty. Still not enough? The S Sport suspension will dial things in even further.
The Premium Plus is the entry-level trim, offering a nice list of standard features including four-zone automatic climate control, sunroof, ambient lighting, leather, heated front seats with 12-way power adjustment, a power-adjustable heated steering wheel, and 20-inch wheels wrapped in sport tires. A 10.1-inch touchscreen handles tech duty, while audio is managed through a 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo.
Standard safety features include parking sensors front and rear, a 360-degree camera, lane-departure warning, and forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking. To get fully equipped, the aforementioned Executive Package should round things out nicely.
Physically, there’s no difference between the S6 and the A6, so you’ll enjoy the same room and cargo capacity—13.7 cubic feet in the trunk—things will just look a bit sportier here. And if you’re looking to lose a bit of that understated reputation, a Black Optic Package will get you blacked-out trim and 21-inch wheels. However, it’s the S Sport Package where a lot of people will find themselves, with its rear-wheel steering, sport exhaust and differential, and the holy grail of performance—red brake calipers.
And while it may not be as fast as a BMW M550i, The S6’s A6 stablemate was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), as long as you click all the safety boxes, that is. In all, the S6 offers a classic alternative to the competition, with a no-muss-and-no-fuss approach that’s kept it popular.
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2021 Audi S6 Pricing
Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Air filtration: ionizing · Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones · Rear air conditioning: with independent controls · Dual rear air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Voice recognition audio system · Memory card slot auxiliary audio input · IHeartRadio internet radio · Premium Brand: Bang & Olufsen · HD radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Surround audio: 5.1 · Total Number of Speakers: 15 · 705 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Electronic parking brake: auto off · Front brake diameter: 15.8 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 13.8 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center with cupholders · Center console trim: carbon · Dash Trim: Leatherette · Dash trim: carbon · Door sill trim: stainless steel · Door trim: carbon · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Foot pedal trim: stainless steel · Shift knob trim: alloy · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Assist handle: front · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: side mirrors · Multi-function remote: keyless entry with panic alarm · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): USB front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: rear · Rear power outlet: 12V · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: front seatback · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: 4-way power · Power adjustments: 12
Drivetrain
4WD Type: full time · Axle ratio: 2.85
Engine
Battery: lithium ion · Hybrid Gas Engine HP: 444 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP@RPM: 5700 · Hybrid Gas Engine Torque: 443 · Hybrid gas Engine Torque@RPM: 1900
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: quad exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: chrome · Mirror color: aluminum · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: lip · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: power operated · Window trim: aluminum
Headrests
Front headrests: integrated · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
Hybrid
Starter Type: starter/belt alternator
In Car Entertainment
Connected in-car apps: Amazon Alexa · Infotainment: Audi MMI Connect · Infotainment screen size: 8.6 in. and 10.1 in. (dual) · Smartphone integration: wireless Apple CarPlay
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: range · Instrument cluster screen size: 12.3 in. · Warnings and reminders: lamp failure
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: LED · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: auto-dimming
Passenger Seat
Power adjustments: 12
Rear Seats
Type: 40-20-40 split bench
Roof
Moonroof: one-touch open/close
Safety
Automatic emergency braking: front pedestrian · Camera system: surround view · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Impact sensor: post-collision safety system · Parking sensors: front · Pre-Collision Warning System: audible warning · Pre-collision warning system: pedestrian detection · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front and rear · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: sport bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: contrast stitching
Security
Power door locks: anti-lockout
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Steering ratio: 15.8
Suspension
Driver Adjustable Suspension: ride control · Front Arm Type: lateral links · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: pneumatic springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: strut · Leveling: self leveling suspension · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: pneumatic springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front · Suspension control: electronic
Telematics
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Electronic messaging assistance: with read function · Navigation app: INRIX Traffic · Navigation system: with voice recognition · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Smart device app compatibility: myAudi with Audi connect · Smart device app function: lock operation · Wifi: hotspot
Tires
Type: summer performance
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Wheels
Wheel spokes: 5
Windows
Front wipers: speed sensitive · Power windows: remote operation
Air Conditioning
Air filtration: ionizing · Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones · Automatic climate control rear air conditioning · Dual rear air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Voice recognition audio system · Memory card slot auxiliary audio input · IHeartRadio internet radio · Premium Brand: Bang & Olufsen · HD radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Surround audio: 5.1 · Total Number of Speakers: 15 · 705 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Electronic parking brake: auto off · Front brake diameter: 15.8 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 13.8 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center folding with storage and pass-thru · Center console trim: leather · Dash trim: carbon · Door sill trim: stainless steel · Door trim: carbon · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Foot pedal trim: stainless steel · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Adaptive stop and go cruise control: semi-automatic · Ambient lighting: color-adjustable · Assist handle: front · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cruise control: adaptive · Cupholders: rear · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Footwell lights: color-adjustable · Memorized settings: side mirrors · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): USB front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Rear power outlet: 12V · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: multi-function screen controls · Storage: grocery bag holder · Sunshade: power rear window · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: 4-way power · Power adjustments: 12
Drivetrain
4WD Type: full time · Axle ratio: 2.85
Engine
Battery: lithium ion · Hybrid Gas Engine HP: 444 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP@RPM: 5700 · Hybrid Gas Engine Torque: 443 · Hybrid gas Engine Torque@RPM: 1900
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: quad exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: chrome · Mirror color: aluminum · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: lip · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: sensor-activated · Side door type: soft close · Window trim: aluminum
Headrests
Front headrests: integrated · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
Hybrid
Starter Type: starter/belt alternator
In Car Entertainment
Connected in-car apps: Google POIs · Infotainment: Audi MMI Connect · Infotainment screen size: 8.6 in. and 10.1 in. (dual) · Smartphone integration: wireless Apple CarPlay
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Instrument cluster screen size: 12.3 in. · Warnings and reminders: low oil pressure
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: Auto on/off · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: reverse gear tilt
Passenger Seat
Power adjustments: 12
Rear Seats
Type: 40-20-40 split bench
Roof
Moonroof: power panoramic
Safety
Automatic emergency braking: intersection/junction turn · Camera system: surround view · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Cross Traffic Alert: front · Crumple zones: front · Impact sensor: post-collision safety system · Parking sensors: front · Pre-Collision Warning System: visual warning · Pre-collision warning system: intersection/junction turn · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: sport bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: contrast stitching
Security
Power door locks: anti-lockout
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Steering ratio: 15.8
Suspension
Driver Adjustable Suspension: ride control · Front Arm Type: lateral links · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: pneumatic springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: strut · Leveling: self leveling suspension · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: pneumatic springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front · Suspension control: electronic
Telematics
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Electronic messaging assistance: with voice recognition · Navigation app: INRIX Traffic · Navigation system: with voice recognition · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Smart device app compatibility: myAudi with Audi connect · Smart device app function: maintenance status · Wifi: hotspot
Tires
Type: summer performance
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Wheels
Wheel spokes: 5
Windows
Front wipers: rain sensing · Laminated glass: acoustic · Power windows: with safety reverse