Audi A6 vs Toyota Corolla

The 2025 Toyota Corolla maintained its familiar design, having not undergone a redesign since 2020. Despite its age, the Corolla continued to appeal with regular updates, including the introduction of a larger 10.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system and the FX special edition. Positioned between the SE and XSE trims, the FX aimed to evoke nostalgia for the 1987 Corolla FX16 hatchback, though it mostly reminded enthusiasts of the 2022 Apex Edition. The FX featured a lowered ride height, 18-inch wheels, and blacked-out emblems, giving it a stealthy appearance. Inside, the Moonstone-color interior provided a refreshing departure from typical sporty black cabins, offering a light and airy atmosphere. However, the infotainment system's lack of physical knobs required some adjustment.

The 2026 Audi A6, while not visually striking, presented a handsome design with its trademark "singleframe" grille and Quattro-inspired fender flares. The A6's LED headlights featured a pixelated effect with programmable signatures, and the taillights incorporated programmable lights for different icons. Available in Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige trims, the A6 offered a range of features, including an S Line Black Optic Package for a sportier look. The interior, however, was criticized for its bland materials, even in the top-spec Prestige models. Despite these shortcomings, the A6's design and lighting features added a touch of sophistication to its overall appearance.

The 2025 Toyota Corolla FX distinguished itself with a lowered sport suspension and sport-tuned steering, sharing its mechanical hardware with the SE and XSE trims. Powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, it delivered 169 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 151 pound-feet of torque at 4,400 rpm. While not class-leading, the Corolla's Dynamic Shift CVT provided quick acceleration and a quieter ride, though hard acceleration produced some undesirable noise. The Corolla's ride and handling were generally sound, but the lowered suspension struggled with potholes and speed bumps. Despite these challenges, the Corolla FX offered an engaging driving experience, with good grip, predictable handling, and trustworthy brakes. It averaged 32.2 mpg in daily driving, slightly below the EPA rating of 34 mpg.

The 2026 Audi A6 featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, producing 362 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and standard quattro AWD. This setup allowed the A6 to achieve a 0-60 mph time of 4.5 seconds, outperforming base models of the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E-Class. However, the transmission exhibited hesitation under heavy throttle. The A6's handling was enhanced by brake-based torque vectoring and an optional sport rear differential, though the latter only made a difference when pushed hard. The Sport Plus Package included a lower ride height and rear-axle steering, but the ride quality suffered. Overall, the A6 excelled on highways but was less suited for spirited driving on twisty roads.

The 2025 Toyota Corolla FX offered a comfortable driving position with good forward visibility, thanks to its manual driver's seat height adjuster and fabric upholstery. Rear seat occupants enjoyed firm cushions and fabric-wrapped front seatbacks, though headroom was limited. The Corolla's trunk provided 13.1 cubic feet of cargo space, with a 60/40-split folding rear bench seat for added versatility. However, practical storage space was limited, particularly in the center console.

The 2026 Audi A6, despite being 2.4 inches longer than its predecessor, did not offer increased passenger space. The panoramic glass roof improved front-seat headroom, but rear-seat headroom and legroom remained unchanged. Rear-seat occupants benefited from climate controls and USB-C ports, with heated rear seats available on higher trims. The A6's trunk offered 13.5 cubic feet of cargo space, slightly more than its competitors, with 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats for added flexibility.

The 2025 Toyota Corolla FX featured a new 10.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, though its placement on the dashboard could obstruct visibility for some drivers. The system lacked physical knobs, requiring drivers to use steering wheel controls or voice commands. Toyota's connected services included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with trial subscriptions to Safety Connect, Drive Connect, and Remote Connect. However, the Corolla's six-speaker sound system was subpar, with a JBL premium option available only on the XSE trim.

The 2026 Audi A6 introduced the Digital Stage setup, with an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.5-inch touchscreen. An optional 10.9-inch front-passenger touchscreen addressed the main screen's driver-focused tilt. The MMI infotainment system was criticized for its oversimplified layout, though voice recognition and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto helped. Audi planned to update the interface mid-year, adding features like an integrated dashcam. The optional Bang & Olufsen 3D audio system featured headrest speakers for navigation directions.

The 2025 Toyota Corolla came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering a comprehensive suite of driver assistance systems. However, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were optional on all but the XSE trim. The Corolla received five-star ratings from the NHTSA and was named a 2024 "Top Safety Pick" by the IIHS, though updated ratings for 2025 were unavailable.

The 2026 Audi A6 included standard driver-assist features such as adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and blind-spot monitors. Premium Plus and Prestige trims added park-assist, adaptive cruise assist, and a 360-degree camera system. The lane-centering feature allowed some lane wobble, but robust driver monitoring helped prevent misuse. Crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were unavailable at the time of writing.