Audi A4 B9 vs Audi A6 C8

Audi A4

B9 · 2015 – 2024

The fifth-generation A4 (B9), on the longitudinal MLB Evo platform.

Audi A6

C8 · 2018 – 2025

The fifth-generation A6 (C8), on MLB Evo.

First car

Second car

Pick this one if…

Audi A4

Pick the A4 for class-leading interior quality, a quiet ride and efficient engines in a premium compact executive sedan.

Best engine: The 40 TDI (190 hp diesel) or 40 TFSI (190 hp petrol).

Read the full guide

Pick this one if…

Audi A6

Pick the A6 for a tech-forward interior, a hushed ride and efficient engines in a premium executive sedan.

Best engine: The 40 TDI (diesel) or 45 TFSI (petrol).

Read the full guide

Performance

EA888 40 TFSI · Petrol vs EA888 45 TFSI · Petrol

	Audi A4	Audi A6
Power	190 hp	245 hp Winner
Torque	320 Nm	370 Nm Winner
0–100 km/h	7,3 s	6,0 s Winner
Top speed	240 km/h	250 km/h Winner
Power-to-weight	129,3 hp/t	148,5 hp/t Winner
CO₂ emissions (WLTP)	137 g/km Winner	160 g/km
Consumption (WLTP)	6,0 L/100km Winner	7,1 L/100km

Dimensions & space

	Audi A4	Audi A6
Boot	480 L	530 L Winner
Boot (seats folded)	—	—
Wheelbase	2,82 m	2,92 m Winner
Length	4,73 m	4,94 m
Ground clearance	13,0 cm	12,0 cm
Turning circle	11,6 m Winner	12,2 m
Towing capacity (braked)	1.700 kg	2.000 kg Winner

Powertrain & tech

	Audi A4	Audi A6
Platform	MLB Evo (longitudinal)	MLB Evo (longitudinal)
Drive	Front-wheel drive · All-wheel drive	Front-wheel drive · All-wheel drive
Engine family	EA888 2.0 TFSI · EA288 2.0 TDI · 40/45 TFSI e PHEV	EA888 2.0 TFSI · EA839 3.0 TFSI · EA288 2.0 TDI · 55 TFSI e PHEV
Transmission	7-speed S tronic	7-speed S tronic
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Euro standard	Euro 6d-TEMP	Euro 6d-TEMP
LEZ access	Unrestricted access (compliant under current legislation)	Unrestricted access (compliant under current legislation)

Reliability & watch-outs

Known issues

Audi A4

S tronic (DSG) mechatronics on early 2.0 TDI
AdBlue/SCR issues on EA288 diesels
MMI (MIB2) infotainment can reboot or freeze

Audi A6

48V mild-hybrid system
MMI software (early cars)
AdBlue/SCR on diesels

Pros

Audi A4

Class-leading interior quality & finish
Efficient, quiet EA288 diesel
Composed ride with optional quattro

Audi A6

Dual-screen MMI cockpit
Quiet, refined ride
Strong mild-hybrid diesels

Cons

Audi A4

Firm ride on S line + big wheels
Less engaging steering than the 3 Series

Audi A6

Touchscreen-heavy controls
Pricey options

Driving experience

Audi A4

What defines the B9 is how quietly it gets on with the job. The cabin is hushed, the ride composed, and quattro ultra shuffles torque between the axles without ever letting on, giving a planted, almost understeer-free security. Steering is accurate but deliberately light and never asks much of you. Engines are the real story: the 2.0 TFSI is brisk and tractable, the 2.0 TDI the sensible long-distance choice, and the 3.0 TDI V6 pulls like a locomotive with the manners of a far larger car. The S tronic snaps through gears crisply; the tiptronic simply dissolves them. What you give up in steering feel you win back in effortless progress.

Audi A6

Comfortable, quiet and genuinely refined. The A6 rides with excellent isolation, steers accurately with light weighting, and cruises with the calm composure expected of a large executive saloon. Front-drive versions are efficient; quattro adds traction and security. The 2.0 TFSI is smooth, the 3.0 TDI V6 is the long-distance workhorse, and the 55 TFSI e plug-in covers short trips on electric power. The S tronic is quick, the tiptronic smooth. It is a tech-heavy, comfort-first executive car that does long distances with little effort.