Audi A6 vs Honda Accord

The 2019 Audi A6, with its subtle yet effective design cues from the Prologue Concept, was unmistakably an Audi at first glance. It featured a crisply creased and tailored appearance, with a wider single-frame grille design and subtle fender swells inspired by the original Audi Quattro. The new LED lighting with animated illumination and turn-signal sequences added a distinctive visual flair, especially after dark. The A6's design changes, including a short front overhang, rakish roofline, and horizontal themes for the taillights and exhaust outlets, maintained the bloodlines of past A6 models, resulting in a technical and modern-looking Audi that remained comfortably familiar.

In contrast, the 2020 Honda Accord was recognized as one of the most stylish Accords in history, despite some mixed opinions on its front styling and rounded roofline. It was a mainstream family sedan with an upscale appearance, especially when equipped with the 19-inch wheels available on the Sport and Touring trims. The Accord's design was both sleek and practical, with 17-inch wheels offering a more economical choice for long-term value. The Accord's interior, particularly in the Touring trim, featured a luxurious look with Radiant Red paint and Ivory interior, complemented by a black dashboard and carpets. The quality of materials and attention to detail inside the Accord were impressive, making it a standout in its class.

The 2019 Audi A6 delivered a sublime driving experience, powered by a creamy smooth turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine producing 335 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. This setup allowed the A6 to accelerate to 60 mph in just 5.1 seconds. Paired with a 7-speed S tronic automated manual transmission and Quattro Ultra all-wheel-drive system, the A6 offered robust acceleration and impressive handling. The mild hybrid system with a 48-volt electrical system further enhanced fuel efficiency, although the test loop returned 22.9 mpg compared to the EPA's 25 mpg estimate. The A6's steering, brakes, and adaptive damping suspension contributed to its dynamic performance, making it a joy to drive on twisty roads.

The 2020 Honda Accord offered a range of powertrains, including a standard turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 192 horsepower and a 212-horsepower hybrid powertrain for maximum fuel economy. The standout option was the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, generating 252 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission. The Accord 2.0T was quick and fun to drive, with Economy and Sport driving modes enhancing its versatility. During testing, it achieved 27.4 mpg, surpassing the EPA's estimate of 26 mpg. The Accord Touring's adaptive dampers provided excellent handling and ride comfort, while the steering was accurate and well-weighted. However, the brakes showed some signs of wear during extended use.

The 2019 Audi A6 offered a comfortable interior, especially with the optional 18-way multi-contour front seats featuring massage programs. However, the cabin felt snug, with limited room for spreading out. The rear seats were similarly confined but comfortable, with features like 4-zone automatic climate control and heated rear seats. Interior storage space was minimal, and the trunk, housing the 48-volt electrical system's battery, measured just 13.7 cubic feet.

In contrast, the 2020 Honda Accord provided a spacious interior, with significantly more rear-seat legroom and cargo space compared to competitors like the Toyota Camry. The Accord Touring's 12-way power driver's seat offered excellent comfort, while the rear seats were exceptionally comfortable with ample thigh support. The trunk boasted an impressive 16.7 cubic feet of space, making it ideal for family road trips. The Accord's cabin featured plenty of storage space, clear instrumentation, and ergonomic controls, creating a pleasant environment for occupants.

The 2019 Audi A6 excelled in technology, featuring the latest version of Audi's Multi-Media Interface (MMI) with two touchscreen displays. The system offered quick loading times, haptic feedback, and lush graphics. Highlights included a navigation system with Google Earth imagery, handwriting recognition, and a surround-view camera with 360 Virtual View technology. Audi's Virtual Cockpit digital instrumentation and Bang & Olufsen premium sound systems further enhanced the A6's tech offerings.

The 2020 Honda Accord's 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system was praised for its user-friendly design, featuring volume and tuning knobs, main menu shortcut buttons, and sensible steering wheel controls. It included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a ten-speaker premium sound system. The Touring trim added HondaLink subscription services, a Wi-Fi hotspot, navigation, and wireless device charging. However, the Accord's infotainment system lacked natural voice recognition, requiring specific prompts for accurate responses.

The 2019 Audi A6 offered a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance and collision-avoidance systems, with advanced features available on Premium Plus and Prestige trims. Pre Sense systems, adaptive cruise control with traffic-jam assist, active lane assist, and intersection assistant were among the highlights. The A6's safety features worked subtly, integrating seamlessly into daily driving routines.

The 2020 Honda Accord was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS and received five stars from the NHTSA. Honda Sensing, standard on all trims, included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was available on higher trims. While Honda Sensing was commendable, some systems required refinement, with occasional false alerts and less smooth adaptive cruise control.