Audi A6 vs Audi A7: Performance, Tuning, and Reliability

We’ve written about many different Audi comparisons, such as the Audi A3 vs A4 & the Audi A4 vs A5, but we wanted to tackle the bigger Audi sedans: the Audi A6 vs A7. To start this off, there won’t be very many differences between the two. However, we will be going into size, performance, price, reliability, and more for both models. The A6 is positioned between the A5 and A7, while the A7 is positioned between the A6 and A8.

Audi A6 vs A7 – The Basics

The Audi A6 was introduced in 1995 and is still being introduced today. The Audi A6 is an executive sedan. Since its inception, there have been 5 different generations. The first generation through the third generation A6, was built on the Volkswagen Group’s C platform. The fourth generation was built on the MLB platform, while the fifth generation was built on the MLB Evo platform. The new A6 have 3 other different body styles: S6, A6 Allroad, and, our favorite Audi to date, RS 6 Avant. There are three different trims for the A6: Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige.

The Audi A7 was introduced a decade and a half later than the A6 and is still being introduced today. The Audi A7 is an executive coupe car. Since its inception, there have only been 2 generations: 4G8 and 4K8. The first generation was built on the MLB platform, while the second generation was built on the MLB Evo platform. The new A7s have 2 other different body styles: S7, and RS 7. There are three different trims for the A7: Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige.

Audi A6 Generations

• C4 A6 (1995-1997)
• C5 A6 (1998-2004)
• C6 A6 (2005-2011)
• C7 A6 (2012-2018)
• C8 A6 (2019-Present)

Audi A7 Generations

• 4G8 A7 (2010-2018)
• 4K8 A7 (2019-Present)

Audi A6 vs A7 Price

In this portion, we will be going over brand new 2022, as of this writing, model prices and used prices for the A6 and A7. Probably one of the biggest differences when it comes to these models.

New Audi A6 Price

In this portion, we will be going over the new A6 2022, as of this writing, model year prices. There are 2 different engines for the A6: 40 TFSI, and 45 TFSI. A Premium A6 45 TFSI quattro® starts at $55,900, and a Premium Plus A6 45 TFSI quattro® starts at $59,800. While a Premium A6 55 TFSI quattro® starts at $59,800, a Premium Plus A6 55 TFSI quattro® starts at $63,700, and lastly, a Prestige A6 55 TFSI quattro® starts at $69,500. As seen above the Prestige trim only offers the 55 TFSI engine. The A6 Allroad also only features one engine and it is a 55 TFSI. A Premium Plus A6 allroad starts at $66,900, and a Prestige A6 allroad starts at $72,400. If you’re wanting to elevate your A6 performance experience, the S6 starts at $74,800, and the RS 6 Avant starts at $116,500.

New Audi A7 Price

In this portion, we will be going over the new A7 2022, as of this writing, model year prices. There are 2 different engines for the A7: 55 TFSI, and 55 TFSI e Plug-in hybrid. A Premium A7 55 TFSI quattro® starts at $69,200, a Premium Plus A7 55 TFSI quattro® starts at $74,350, and lastly, a Prestige A7 55 TFSI quattro® starts at $78,350. While a Premium Plus A7 55 TFSI hybrid quattro® starts at $75,900, and a Prestige A7 55 TFSI hybrid quattro® starts at $81,250. If you’re wanting to elevate your A7 performance experience, the S7 starts at $84,600, and the RS 7 starts at $118,500.

If you are curious about the trim differences with Audi’s, here is an article we wrote about the different Audi trims.

Used Audi A6 & A7 Price’s

When it comes to used Audi A6s vs A7s, pricing is pretty much consistent with new prices. With that, we mean that since the A7 is a larger model and a higher number, it tends to be a bit more expensive. Since the A6 and A7 have been around for a decade, we will be basing prices on similar generations. A used C7 A6, price ranges from $8,800 – $44,998* with an average price overall of $26,899, depending on model year and mileage. A used 4G8 A7 price ranges from $12,795 – $55,999* with an average price overall of $34,397, depending on model year and mileage. The A7 is not only more expensive on the new side, but also on the used side. Therefore, is the Audi A7 worth the extra money?

*At the time of writing this article, we believe we are in a market where used vehicles are inflated, so consider that when seeing the used prices above. 

General A6 & A7 Topics

A6 vs A7 Size

Below are some basic details about the size and weight differences seen between the 2022 Audi A6, the 2022 Audi A6 allroad, and the 2022 Audi A7.

Since the A7 is bigger than the A6, most dimensions are bigger, except for height. But the A7s have a more coupe look which explains the shorter height. We wanted to include the A6 allroad because if you are a consumer that needs more cargo space than 13.7ft³, the allroad is a viable option with 30ft³. All models have a seating capacity of 5 and have very similar cabins.

Audi A6 vs A7 Performance

For consistencies sake, we will be using the 2022 A6 and 2022 A7 performance specs.

Engines, Drivetrain, & Fuel Economy

A6 Performance

As stated above, the A6 has two different engine options: a 45 TFSI (2.0T TFSI), and a 55 TFSI (3.0T TFSI). The 45 TFSI engines can only be found in Premium, and Premium Plus. However, the 55 TFSI can be found in all trims. Also, Quattro®, Audi’s AWD system, and a 7-speed S Tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission come standard on both engines. The 45 TFSI quattro® engine puts out 261hp and 273 lb-ft of torque while the 55 TFSI quattro® engine puts out 335hp and 369lb-ft of torque. The 55 TFSI in the A6 sedan, is the same engine found in the A6 allroad.

The 45 TFSI engine gets 23mpg in the city and 32mpg on the highway for a combined mpg of 26 with a 19.3gal fuel tank. And lastly, the 55 TFSI engine gets 21mpg in the city and 30mpg on the highway for a combined mpg of 24 with a 19.3gal fuel tank.

A7 Performance

As stated above, the A7 also has two different engine options: a 55 TFSI (3.0T TFSI), and a 55 TFSI e Plug-in hybrid (2.0T TFSI + electric motor). The 55 TFSI engine can be found on all Audi trims. While the hybrid engine can only be found on the Premium Plus, and Prestige. Also, Quattro®, Audi’s AWD system, and a 7-speed S Tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission come standard on both engines. The 55 TFSI quattro® engine puts out 335hp and 369 lb-ft of torque while the 55 TFSI e Plug-in hybrid puts out 362hp and 369lb-ft of torque.

The 55 TFSI engine gets 21mpg in the city and 30mpg on the highway for a combined mpg of 24 with a 19.3gal fuel tank. Lastly, the 55 TFSI hybrid engine gets 27 combined mpg with a 13.7gal fuel tank and 410 total miles on the electric motor.

A6 & A7 Reliability and Common Problems

Audi A6

Is the Audi A6 reliable? The A6s overall reliability is surprisingly above average RepairPal rated the A6 3.5 out of 5, which is above the average 2.5 out of 5 luxury full-size car reliability rating. This positions the Audi A6 8th out of 30 in all luxury full-size vehicles. A6 model years we advise avoiding are 2000, 2003-2006, 2011, 2013-2016, and 2019. The average annual maintenance cost for an A6 is about $913, which happens to be below the average $976 cost for other luxury full-size vehicles.

Common problems seen in A6s are as followed: premature water pump or thermostat failure, ABS control module failure, CV boot/joint failure, faulty torque converter, instrument cluster failure,  and common oil leaks. If maintained properly, we’ve seen A6s last up to 150,000 and others even last up to 300,000 miles. Once an A6 hits 100,000 miles, preventative maintenance is crucial for longevity purposes.

Audi A7

Is the Audi A7 reliable? Unlike the A6, The A7s overall reliability is below average, according to RepairPal. They have the A7 rated at 2 out of 5, which is below the average luxury fullsize car reliability rating of 2.5 out of 5. This positions the Audi A7 27th out of 30 luxury full-size cars. If you are in the market for a used A7, the 2017 model year is the best out there. Average annual repair/maintenance costs for an A7 are about $1,251, which happens to be far from the average cost of $976 for all luxury full-size vehicles.

Common problems that are seen in A7s are as followed: common fuel leaks, defective start-stop system, premature timing chain failure, defective airbags, electrical bugs, steering issues, and unexpected coolant loss. If maintained properly, we’ve seen A7s last on average from 150,000 to 200,000 miles. Just like the A6, once the A7 hits 100,000 miles, preventative maintenance is crucial for longevity purposes.

A6 vs A7 – Which is Better?

Now the question we’ve all been waiting for: which is better between the Audi A6 vs A7. Unfortunately, we feel this is rather subjective because different models suit consumers better than others. Therefore, it all comes down to the consumer’s lifestyle and vehicle needs. Personally, we feel the A6 provides the biggest value for your money. Both models offer similar interiors. Both have the same safety and technology features. To us, the A7 has a sportier and more aggressive look. Both models have a 5-star safety rating. As far as differences, the A7 offers a hybrid engine and is a little larger than the A6, but the A6 seems to be more reliable.

Audi A6 vs A7 Conclusion

In conclusion, we hope the information provided above assists anyone in their purchasing decision. We understand that purchasing a luxury vehicle can be a daunting task, so we’re here to help. To quickly summarize, the A7 is slightly larger and sportier, while the A6 provides the biggest bang for your buck. Lastly, if you have had first-hand experience with either model, please let us know your experience in the comments below. This will not only assist our research but also will help future readers in their purchasing decision.