Audi A6 C8 vs Mercedes-Benz E-Class W213

Audi A6

C8 · 2018 – 2025

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

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

W213 · 2016 – 2023

The fifth-generation E-Class on the MRA platform.

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 d (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	7,7 s
Top speed	250 km/h Winner	240 km/h
Power-to-weight	148,5 hp/t Winner	114,6 hp/t
CO₂ emissions (WLTP)	160 g/km	138 g/km Winner
Consumption (WLTP)	7,1 L/100km	5,9 L/100km Winner

Dimensions & space

	Audi A6	Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Boot	530 L	540 L Winner
Boot (seats folded)	—	—
Wheelbase	2,92 m	2,94 m Winner
Length	4,94 m	4,92 m
Ground clearance	12,0 cm	13,0 cm
Turning circle	12,2 m	11,6 m Winner
Towing capacity (braked)	2.000 kg	2.100 kg Winner

Powertrain & tech

	Audi A6	Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Platform	MLB Evo (longitudinal)	MRA (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	M274/M264 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-TEMP
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

Early OM654 diesel: rocker arm / camshaft concerns
9G-TRONIC: fluid changes recommended earlier than official intervals
AIRMATIC air suspension can leak at high mileage
Electronics/software: MBUX and driver-aid glitches (mostly fixed via updates)

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: 640–670 L) — roomy for an executive sedan
Efficient OM654 2.0 diesel (E 220 d: 194 hp / 400 Nm, ~4.6 L/100 km)
MRA rear-wheel-drive platform with optional 4MATIC
E 300 e PHEV: 320 hp system output and 700 Nm, company-car friendly

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

OM654 diesel: AdBlue/DPF watch-points with lots of short trips
PHEV (E 300 e) shrinks boot space
Complex electronics and air suspension need dealer maintenance

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

Serene, isolating and effortlessly luxurious. Steering is light and accurate, the ride hushed and composed, and the E-Class swallows motorway miles without a trace of stress. 4MATIC adds all-weather security, though the character stays comfort-first rather than sporting. AIRMATIC air suspension, where fitted, irons out rough roads beautifully. The petrols are smooth and eager with 48-volt assistance, the OM654/OM656 diesels pull strongly and stay quiet, and the E 300 e plug-in glides on electric power. The 9G-Tronic shifts seamlessly, rarely drawing attention to itself. Overall a calm, tech-rich executive saloon built for distance, not drama.