Audi A6 C8 vs Mercedes-Benz C-Class W206
Audi A6
C8 · 2018 – 2025
The fifth-generation A6 (C8), on MLB Evo.
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
W206 · 2021 – 2026
The fifth-generation C-Class on the MRA2 platform.
Audi A6
Pick the C8 for the 55 TFSI e plug-in hybrid and quattro — ideally a car with the MIB3 software updates applied.
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Pick the C-Class for an S-Class-inspired interior, a hushed ride and efficient engines in a premium compact executive sedan.
Performance
EA888 45 TFSI · Petrol vs M254 C 200 · Petrol
| Audi A6 | Mercedes-Benz C-Class | |
|---|---|---|
| Power |
245 hp
Winner
|
204 hp
|
| Torque |
370 Nm
Winner
|
300 Nm
|
| 0–100 km/h |
6,0 s
Winner
|
7,3 s
|
| Top speed |
250 km/h
Winner
|
246 km/h
|
| Power-to-weight |
148,5 hp/t
Winner
|
129,5 hp/t
|
| CO₂ emissions (WLTP) |
160 g/km
|
140 g/km
Winner
|
| Consumption (WLTP) |
7,1 L/100km
|
6,2 L/100km
Winner
|
Dimensions & space
| Audi A6 | Mercedes-Benz C-Class | |
|---|---|---|
| Boot |
530 L
Winner
|
455 L
|
| Boot (seats folded) |
—
|
—
|
| Wheelbase |
2,92 m
Winner
|
2,87 m
|
| Length |
4,94 m
|
4,75 m
|
| Ground clearance |
12,0 cm
|
13,0 cm
|
| Turning circle |
12,2 m
|
11,1 m
Winner
|
| Towing capacity (braked) |
2.000 kg
Winner
|
1.800 kg
|
Powertrain & tech
| Audi A6 | Mercedes-Benz C-Class | |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | MLB Evo (longitudinal) | MRA2 (rear-wheel-drive base) |
| Drive | Front-wheel drive · All-wheel drive | Rear-wheel drive · All-wheel drive |
| Engine family | EA888 2.0 TFSI · EA839 3.0 TFSI · EA288 2.0 TDI · 55 TFSI e PHEV | M254 petrol · OM654 diesel · plug-in hybrid |
| Transmission | 7-speed S tronic | 9-speed 9G-TRONIC |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Euro standard | Euro 6d-TEMP | Euro 6d |
| LEZ access | Unrestricted access (compliant under current legislation) | Unrestricted access (compliant under current legislation) |
Reliability & watch-outs
Known issues
- 48V mild-hybrid (BSG): belt-starter-generator needs checking on early cars
- MMI touch (MIB3): software bugs and reboots on early C8 cars
- AdBlue/SCR on 2.0 TDI diesels with mainly short trips
- Early OM654 diesel: rocker arm / camshaft concerns
- 9G-TRONIC: fluid changes recommended earlier than official intervals
- MBUX software glitches (mostly fixed via updates)
- M254 (48V mild-hybrid): electrical issues possible
Pros
- Dual-screen MMI touch cockpit
- 55 TFSI e plug-in hybrid does ~50 km electric
- 3.0 TFSI (55) has 340 hp
- MBUX dual-screen and modern S-Class-inspired styling
- Efficient OM654 2.0 diesel (C 220 d: 200 hp / 440 Nm, ~4.6 L/100 km)
- MRA2 rear-wheel-drive platform with optional 4MATIC
- C 300 e PHEV: 313 hp and 550 Nm, ~100 km electric range
Cons
- 55 TFSI e plug-in hybrid cuts saloon boot space down to 360 litres
- Gloss-black interior plastics and dual touchscreens show fingerprints easily
- OM654 diesel: AdBlue/DPF watch-points with lots of short trips
- PHEV (C 300 e) shrinks boot space
- 9G-TRONIC needs earlier-than-official fluid changes
Driving experience
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.
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Serene, refined and quietly effortless to drive. The W206 puts comfort first: the ride is supple and isolating, the 9G-Tronic shifts are seamless, and the cabin stays hushed at speed. Steering is light and precise rather than talkative, and the body rolls a little more than a 3 Series in corners, but it never feels unsettled. 4MATIC adds all-weather traction without changing the relaxed character. Every engine is a 48-volt mild hybrid, so the petrols are smooth and eager, the diesels pull strongly and stay quiet, and the C 300 e plug-in glides on electric power around town. Overall a calm, tech-rich executive saloon that trades ultimate sportiness for effortless long-distance comfort.
Belgian taxes & LEZ
For sale at dealers
Audi A6
30 for sale · from € 7.990
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Mercedes-Benz C-Class
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