Introduction to the 2025 Audi A6 Avant
For decades now it hasn't really been necessary to introduce the Audi A6. It is a well-established executive car competing against other stalwarts of the sector including the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E-Class. This new one needs a little more explanation, however, as Audi has muddied the water a little with its planned - and then abandoned - model-renaming strategy. Not to mention the launch of the A6 e-tron.
The new Audi A6 should not be confused with that all-electric car and, though they share a name, design language and vie for buyer attention in the same part of the car market, they're actually built on different platforms entirely. The Audi A6 will feature petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid powertrains, while the A6 e-tron will always be battery powered. Nonetheless, they're both available as an estate - or 'Avant' in Audi-speak - and that's the body style Audi is launching the A6 with first.
At its international media launch in Portugal, we sampled petrol and diesel versions of the new A6 Avant on a variety of roads only a couple of months before the first examples will arrive in Ireland.
Pros & Cons of the 2025 Audi A6 Avant
Pros: Handsome design, high-quality cabin, refinement
Cons: Not massively powerful, not all options offered in Ireland
Exterior & Design of the 2025 Audi A6 Avant
• Big difference between SE and S line cars
• OLED lights are optional
• Not just an A6 e-tron with an engine
Though the A6 and A6 e-tron are different vehicles, they clearly share the same Audi design language, including expressive front-end design, smooth surfacing, a focus on aerodynamics and high-tech lighting. Nonetheless, the combustion-engined A6 gets an edgier look, and in Avant guise it calls to mind the outgoing RS 6 with its muscular haunches.
Up front, there's a new take on Audi's so-called 'singleframe' radiator grille. It protrudes and is set really low, visually lowering the nose of the car. Air inlets either side - referred to as air curtains - are part of the aerodynamic package and the detail design of the grille itself varies between SE and S line models.
The SE car is a little meek on its standard 18-inch wheels, which is why Audi expects most buyers to upgrade to the more alluring S line specification. That sits on 19-inch rims (though there are also 20- and 21-inch options) and can also be distinguished by its far more expressive front bumper and side sills, with a modest change to the rear bumper.
A moodier appearance again can be had by paying for the (€5,321) Black Pack on the S line car, bringing with it an upgrade to 20-inch wheels with red brake calipers behind, plus black for the exhaust outlets, roof rails, window trim, door mirror housings and door handles.
All cars get snazzy looking LED lights front and rear, with the OLED items available as part of the Tech pack (€3,616). The 'signature' of these can be altered over seven different designs by the owner via the infotainment system and, while they're undoubtedly eye-catching, we can't help but feel there's a bit of gimmickry to this. I guess no other car maker can say it offers its buyers this functionality.
There are other uses for the OLED tech though, and the rear lights can warn drivers behind of danger ahead by showing eight red triangles across the back of the car.
Whether you go for the OLED lights or not, the rear lamps are highly distinctive with two smooth upper parts spread over the tailgate shut line and then a full-width bar underneath that changes colour in parts from red to orange for the indicators and white for reversing. The brake lights are housed in the upright sections at the extremities of the car and they're impossible to miss.
The tailgate slope is more pronounced than before - "faster” in car-designer parlance - adding to the overall style, and the new A6 Avant is some 60mm longer than the old. For reference, the overall dimensions are:
Length: 4,990mm
Width: 1,879mm (not including door mirrors)
Height: 1,640mm
Wheelbase: 2,927mm
Buyers of executive cars are generally quite conservative when it comes to paint colour, though that hasn't stopped Audi from introducing a few new options. Midnight Green metallic is the shade of the car pictured here. It looks black most of the time, but when the sun shines on the bodywork there's a green fleck visible.
The only free paint colour is solid white and there are seven metallic hues at €1,532 (only five of which available with the S line trim). The Daytona Gray Pearl Effect is the same price, but the Ascari Blue metallic is €2,624.62 - and both of those are exclusive to the A6 S line. If you think that's a bit much for a paint colour, perhaps look away while we tell you that the 'Audi exclusive' customised paint finish is €8,602.96.
Interior, Practicality, Tech & Comfort of the 2025 Audi A6 Avant
• Digital dashboard and optional passenger screen
• S line cars get higher-spec upholstery
• Wide rear seat for comfort
Anyone that has sat in any new Audi since the Q6 e-tron was introduced in 2024 will find the A6 Avant's cabin familiar. It uses the 'digital stage' layout with a large single expanse of digital real estate encompassing the 11.9-inch driver's instrumentation and infotainment touchscreen. The latter is 14.5 inches across the diagonal and includes a permanent sub-section on the driver's side for quick access to all the main functions.
This can all be augmented by a head-up display, which is excellent and highly recommended, along with the optional 10.9-inch passenger-side touchscreen, which works well, but is a little unsightly to our eyes and also largely redundant. Unfortunately, it appears from the Audi Ireland website that you can't specify these as individual options in any case, as they form part of the MMI experience pro and Tech plus packs, respectively.
The graphics are sharp throughout and there's a wealth of information and features for an owner to find their way around. Nonetheless, response to your inputs is fast. We just wish there were supplementary physical controls for the climate control.
A new four-spoke steering wheel is fitted by default, featuring gearchange paddles on its back, and it feels good in the hand. The SE car's is a fully round design, which we prefer to the optional version with a flattened bottom and top shown here. The A6 S line gets a unique three-spoke layout - again with flattened top and bottom. All of the wheels feature Audi's touch-sensitive controls, which we're not huge fans of.
The relatively wide centre console is quite a simple affair, though has a little too much shiny black plastic for our liking. At the front are two USB-C ports and a 12-volt socket, with the cooled wireless charging pad behind. Then there's a strip of controls including the engine-start button, volume knob and buttons for the hazard lights, drive select system and stability control.
Two chunky cupholders sit alongside the little drive selector, grouped with further buttons for the parking brake, parking camera system and a shortcut to the various active driver assistance functions.
A large central armrest hides further storage, and it all feels of very high quality. Adding to that is a strip of material linking the front door cards to each other via the bottom of the dashboard. Audi calls this the “softwrap” and while it may go unnoticed in a car with dark materials, it is obvious in a lighter colour. We like it.
A grey/black theme is standard with cloth upholstery on the A6 SE while buyers of the S line car get a choice of two part-leather finishes: one predominantly black, the other using lighter colours. There are leather upgrades available of course, and we particularly like the Dinamica/leather option for the S line model, which seems reasonable at €451.80.
In terms of space, there's loads of width in the car, though the dashboard does encroach a little to make the front feel cosier than it should. Nevertheless, on the passenger side the face of the glovebox is sloped away from the front seat to make room for legs.
The rear doors open wide and big adults will be comfortable in the outer seats. The central position is raised and not so sculpted, so it's definitely the worst seat in the car, plus there's a considerable 'transmission tunnel' in the centre, robbing the central occupant of foot space. Perhaps they'll be distracted by the presence of more USB-C ports, air vents and - if fitted - the four-zone climate control.
Family buyers will spot the two ISOFIX mounting points in the back and some might squeeze a booster into the middle. Those rear seats split 40:20:40 and fold down flat, increasing the 466-litre boot to 1,497 litres in our test car. In some versions these figures are 503-1,534 litres. All cars get an electric tailgate with a neat projection light showing you where to put your foot to open it when your hands are full.
Performance of the 2025 Audi A6 Avant
• Diesel-only offering at first
• Front- or four-wheel drive
• Plug-in hybrid options on the way
We did take the opportunity to try out the 3.0-litre V6 and 2.0-litre TFSI petrol models while at the international launch event, but it appears that neither will be offered for sale in Ireland. Well-heeled buyers hankering after a more powerful option will have to wait until the S6 arrives, featuring a 400hp+ 3.0-litre V6 and quattro four-wheel drive with a quattro sport rear differential.
For the record, the 'standard' 3.0 TFSI car is pleasantly quick, as it should be with 367hp at its disposal, with a nice V6 sound when the engine is extended, but it's designed to be quiet and civilised rather than an engaging sports saloon/estate, and that's exactly how it performs.
While the 2.0 TFSI car isn't especially fast (its four-cylinder petrol engine produces up to 204hp and 340Nm of torque), and it was the most basic of the A6 Avants we tried - sitting on passive suspension, using 20-inch alloys and sending its power only to the front wheels - it was also a little lighter on its feet than the others, and actually the most enjoyable to drive. That bodes well for entry-level Irish-market cars, even if this petrol engine is not offered in Ireland.
The most relevant car at the launch was therefore the sole diesel, though Audi had loaded it to the hilt with options and technology, some of which may not be available to Irish buyers. Under the bonnet is the firm's 2.0 TDI engine, a four-cylinder unit producing up to 204hp and 400Nm of torque.
This engine is now paired with an advanced 48-volt 'mild-hybrid' setup. It features a 'belt alternator starter' to quietly restart the engine and recharge the battery, a so-called 'powertrain generator' and a 1.7kWh lithium-iron phosphate battery mounted at the rear of the car. A mild-hybrid (or MHEV for Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle) used to be separated from a regular hybrid by its inability to drive on electric power, but that's all changed now, which is why Audi calls its system MHEV plus.
Indeed, in very slow stop-start traffic, or even when manoeuvring forwards and backwards, the engine regularly isn't required at all. This cleverly reduces the amount of time you will notice any kind of diesel engine rumble from under the bonnet, though this is perhaps one of the best-isolated four-cylinder diesels we've experienced in any case.
The powertrain generator recuperates energy when the car is slowing down, in the same way a hybrid or fully electric car does with their motors. This A6 actually features a brake-by-wire system so you in theory shouldn't feel any difference through the brake pedal. We found the brake pedal weighting consistent, though lacking in feedback. There was no issue whatsoever with the braking power, even when pushed hard on a mountain road.
The powertrain generator is an electric motor that can also add up to 24hp and 230Nm of torque to proceedings, though mostly at lower speeds - so you can't just add those figures to the peak outputs of the engine. Instead, it helps out where the engine is lacking, for example for a second or so after you first put your foot down.
Front that point of view, it's highly effective, though that initial response is so good that the engine itself feels a little flat once you're on the move. Still, 204hp and 400Nm of torque are decent figures for this engine. The quattro all-wheel drive system has the measure of it, as you'd expect, but the front-drive petrol car we tried also coped perfectly well with the available power.
Our diesel test car featured rear-wheel steering and adaptive air suspension, items that are not mentioned at all on Audi Ireland's website so there's no reason to dwell on their effectiveness. Rear-wheel steering always enhances a car's agility at lower speeds and its stability during high-speed lane-changing, while the air suspension adds a layer of sophistication to the chassis, but as mentioned above, the standard suspension works perfectly well, too, and is a little better to drive.
All versions of the A6 Avant we drove were extremely quiet and refined at motorway speeds. We noticed they were fitted with acoustic glazing in the door glass and, at €729.10, it's an option box we'd urge all buyers to tick to enhance the ownership experience.
Running Costs of the 2025 Audi A6 Avant
• Diesel engine can be economical
• Average three-year warranty
• Service plans available
The observed fuel consumption on our test drive varied quite considerably, which is understandable given the variety of roads and speeds we experienced. It would appear that the 2.0 TDI quattro model should be capable of 6.5 litres/100km in real-world conditions, versus 5.3-5.9 litres/100km as an official number.
On smaller wheels and in a lighter specification it will do better again and the entry-level A6 Avant, the 2.0 TDI SE, comes with an official 5.0 litres/100km rating so that should be great on the motorway. There's a 60-litre fuel tank fitted so that in theory means a 1,200km range.
None of the premium brands has a great reputation when it comes to running costs, but Audi does at least offer its owners fixed-price servicing and model-specific service plans that can be paid by direct debit to spread the cost.
Audi's new-car warranty is only average for the sector, with a three-year warranty from new, the first two years for unlimited mileage. In the third year, however, that's limited to 90,000km. There is a three-year paint warranty as well, plus a 12-year body protection warranty.
Irish Pricing & Rivals of the 2025 Audi A6 Avant
• Two trim levels, starts at €69,290
• More affordable Audi A6 saloon on the way
• No diesel BMW 5 Series to rival it
At the time of writing, the entry-level A6 Avant is the 204hp 2.0 TDI SE model from €69,290 - or from €650.72 a month on finance. SE cars come with dual-zone climate control, digital-key functionality, Audi connect navigation & infotainment, wireless phone charger, USB-C ports front and rear, adaptive cruise control, 'parking system plus', reversing camera and 18-inch alloy wheels.
The A6 S line starts at €78,055, adding lower sports suspension and the aesthetic improvements inside and out, including 19-inch wheels. To add quattro four-wheel drive, the prices increase to €71,455 and €80,290, respectively.
And while some might reel at the enormity of those numbers, the truth is that there are precious few rivals on the market. The BMW 5 Series Touring, for example, is no longer available with diesel power, though the plug-in hybrid 530e model - starting at about €75,000 - is worth considering so long as you don't spend all your driving life on the motorway. The petrol-only 520i Touring is a similar price for those that don't want to plug a car in at all.
Meanwhile, the Mercedes E-Class Estate, lovely as it is - and available with petrol, diesel or plug-in hybrid options - costs from over €84,000, and that's for the lowly E 220 d variant.
If you're not set on a prestige brand such as Audi, but you do want a large estate, it would be foolish to ignore the Skoda Superb Combi. At its most expensive it's only a little more than €61,000, and prices start at €10,000 less than that.
Verdict - Should You Buy the 2025 Audi A6 Avant?
There's no doubt that the new A6 Avant occupies a unique place in the market today. There are no other diesel-engined, premium-badged estate cars of this size at the same price. Not that it trades solely on its value-for-money quotient, as it is undoubtedly a high-quality product brimming with technology. The forthcoming plug-in hybrid models will be eagerly anticipated, as will the more popular four-door A6 saloon.
FAQs About the 2025 Audi A6 Avant
How is this different to the Audi A6 e-tron Avant?
The A6 e-tron and new Audi A6 featured here are built on different platforms. While the all-electric A6 e-tron uses EV-only 'PPE' underpinnings, the A6 Avant and its imminent saloon sibling are on what's called the 'PPC' system. The bodies are completely different, too, even if they have similarities.
How many child seats fit in the back of the Audi A6 Avant?
There are ISOFIX points in the outer two rear seats, and another in the front passenger seat, which may be useful. Some slender boosters may fit in the middle section of the rear seat as there's a good bit of space between the buckles, but as ever, try your seats out for size - never assume they'll fit.
What other versions will there be?
Before the A6 Avant even arrives in Ireland we will be shown the Audi A6 saloon, expected to be a traditional four-door body shape - as opposed to the five-door 'Sportback' design of the A6 e-tron and Audi A5. Plug-in hybrids will join the lineup later this year and in 2026 we'll see the V6-engined Audi S6 with over 400hp.
Want to know more about the Audi A6 Avant?
If there's anything about the Audi A6 Avant we've not covered, or you'd like help in choosing between it and other cars, you can avail of our (completely free) expert advice service via the Ask Us Anything page.
