Audi A6 C8 vs Mercedes-Benz E-Class W212

Audi A6

C8 · 2018 – 2025

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

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

W212 · 2009 – 2016

The fourth-generation E-Class.

First car

Second car

Pick this one if…

Audi A6

Pick the C8 for the 55 TFSI e plug-in hybrid and quattro — ideally a car with the MIB3 software updates applied.

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

Read the full guide

Pick this one if…

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Pick the E-Class for space, comfort and efficient engines in a premium executive sedan.

Best engine: The E 220 CDI / E 250 CDI (diesel) or E 200 (petrol) — the sweet spot.

Read the full guide

Performance

EA888 45 TFSI · Petrol vs M274 E 200 · Petrol

	Audi A6	Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Power	245 hp Winner	184 hp
Torque	370 Nm Winner	300 Nm
0–100 km/h	6,0 s Winner	7,9 s
Top speed	250 km/h Winner	235 km/h
Power-to-weight	148,5 hp/t Winner	119,5 hp/t
CO₂ emissions (WLTP)	160 g/km	138 g/km Winner
Consumption (WLTP)	7,1 L/100km	5,8 L/100km Winner

Dimensions & space

	Audi A6	Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Boot	530 L	540 L Winner
Boot (seats folded)	—	—
Wheelbase	2,92 m Winner	2,87 m
Length	4,94 m	4,87 m
Ground clearance	12,0 cm	13,0 cm
Turning circle	12,2 m	11,3 m Winner
Towing capacity (braked)	2.000 kg	2.100 kg Winner

Powertrain & tech

	Audi A6	Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Platform	MLB Evo (longitudinal)	Rear-wheel-drive base (related to the C-Class W204)
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	M271/M274/M276 petrol · OM651/OM642 diesel
Transmission	7-speed S tronic	7-speed 7G-TRONIC
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Euro standard	Euro 6d-TEMP	Euro 6
LEZ access	Unrestricted access (compliant under current legislation)	Unrestricted access (compliant under current legislation)

Reliability & watch-outs

Known issues

Audi A6

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

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

OM651 diesel: timing chain and AdBlue/NOx issues possible
OM642 V6 diesel: oil cooler / intake manifold issues
7G-TRONIC: judder or delayed engagement if fluid is neglected
AIRMATIC air suspension can leak at high mileage

Pros

Audi A6

Dual-screen MMI touch cockpit
55 TFSI e plug-in hybrid does ~50 km electric
3.0 TFSI (55) has 340 hp

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

540 L boot (Estate: 695 L) — roomy for an executive sedan
Proven OM651 2.1 diesel (E 250 CDI: 204 hp / 500 Nm)
Comfortable long-distance sedan with optional 4MATIC
V6/V8 options (E 350 / E 500) for smooth performance

Cons

Audi A6

55 TFSI e plug-in hybrid cuts saloon boot space down to 360 litres
Gloss-black interior plastics and dual touchscreens show fingerprints easily

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

OM651 diesel: timing chain and AdBlue/DPF need checking
7G-TRONIC needs earlier-than-official fluid changes
Early M271 petrol: timing chain risk reported

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 E-Class

Comfortable, quiet and built for long distances. The W212 rides with a soft, absorbent gait, especially on AIRMATIC, steers lightly with little feedback, and cruises with the calm composure of a large executive saloon. Rear-drive is standard and gives a classic balance; 4MATIC adds traction. The OM651 diesel is the sensible distance choice and stays quiet, the M276 V6 petrol is smooth and strong, and the 7G-Tronic shifts unobtrusively. It is a genuinely comfortable, dependable executive car that does motorway miles with little effort.