Audi A6 vs. Audi A7: which is better?
Luxury vehicles don’t come much better than Audi, and their A6 and A7 models are two fine examples. But which of them is better?
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Whether you’re looking for your next company car or a replacement family run-around, these large used Audi models offer plenty of space and just as much appeal.
They’re very similar on the surface, but some key differences separate the two, not least their styling.
If you’re after a reliable, affordable and efficient large car, continue reading to figure out whether the Audi A6 or the Audi A7 is best for you.
Style: Audi A6 vs. Audi A7?
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Although they’re very similar in size and share many of their mechanical parts, the A6 and A7 look like entirely different cars.
The A7 has a more unique design – although it has a pair of rear doors, it’s best compared to a coupé because of its sloping rear roofline. You’ll often see this style of car described as a fastback.
The A6 is a lot more conventional in terms of design and doesn’t look too different from any other saloons you’ll see on the roads. It’s a fair bit bigger than the A4 saloon, though.
There are estate versions of the A6 badged ‘Avant’, which have a really large, useable boot space, but we won’t cover that version too much in this head-to-head.
Is the Audi A7 or Audi A6 better to drive?
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Both models are excellent choices and neither is dull to drive. The truth is that both cars share many of the same engines and gearboxes.
The A7 has a lower stance and a wider track, which gives it a lower centre of gravity and a more planted feel. This makes it slightly more stable on twisting country roads, and a touch quieter on the motorway because there’s less surface area for the wind to hit.
The A6 is just as happy keeping up with the A7, but it’s designed more to be driven in a sedated and comfortable manner, and the suspension is built with that in mind.
You’ll find 2.0-litre versions of both, which are reasonably punchy, but given that both cars are heavier than a typical family hatchback, many drivers opt for a larger 3.0-litre engine. The V6 diesels are still capable of around 40mpg on a long trip.
Audi A6 vs. A7 interior
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Because the A7 is based on the A6, it shares many of the same interior features including the infotainment system, which we rate highly. We like that you can control it via a rotary knob on the centre console, which can be less distracting than using a touchscreen, though newer models are filled with touchscreens.
They’re also available with an optional digital display in place of the instrument cluster, which Audi calls the virtual cockpit. You can customise this to show car information and even maps, and it’s well worth looking out for when buying used.
Both models are very clearly designed to be premium products, but because the A7 bridges the gap between the A6 and the flagship A8, it’s made to feel slightly more upmarket.
Some versions of the A7 come with just two rear seats and a storage area where you’d usually find the centre seat, so be aware if you need a five-seater.
A7 vs. A6: which has more boot space?
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The Audi A6 has a 530-litre boot, which is the same as you’d find in a BMW 5 Series and 10 litres less than you get in the latest Mercedes E-Class. Like all of these cars, getting large items in and out of the boot can be a challenge with the tight opening.
Plug-in hybrid models make do with a significantly smaller 360-litre boot, which is less than you’d find in much smaller cars like the Volkswagen Golf.
The A6 Avant has a 565-litre boot, but it’s much more useable because of the hatchback-style boot opening. It’s average for this size of car, but there are plenty of estates with bigger boots.
The A7 has a 535-litre boot, which is slightly bigger than its A6 sibling, but it’s a much more useable space because of the way the boot opens.
The A7’s boot has a lot of floor space, but it doesn’t offer an awful lot of height because of the sloping rear roofline.
Is the Audi A6 or Audi A7 more reliable?
Like-for-like, there’s not an awful lot that separates these two models because they’re very closely related.
You’ll generally find A7 models tend to be fitted with larger engines and more complex four-wheel-drive setups, which can make them costlier to repair and replace in the event of a breakdown, but the same is true of higher-specced A6 models, too.
Because Volkswagen owns Audi (and SEAT and Skoda), you should have no problem sourcing parts, which can be more reasonably priced than BMW and Mercedes counterparts.
Audi A6 vs. Audi A7 dimensions
The smaller of the two cars is the A6, but only marginally. It’s 4,939mm long, 2,110mm wide and 1,457mm tall. It’s a much larger car than the A4 saloon.
The A7 is 4,969mm, which means that only 3cm separates these cars in terms of length. It’s also just under 1cm wider, but because of its low-slung design, it looks especially wide.
For reference, the estate version of the A6 is the same length as the saloon version despite the extra boot space.
Audi A7 vs. Audi A6: which should you buy?
Picking between the Audi A6 and Audi A7 comes down to your personal preferences because you can generally find the same configurations for both models.
The A6 is a much more practical car, with plenty of space for five occupants and all their luggage, especially in estate format.
However, if you’re considering the A6 saloon, you may want to at least take a look at the A7, which offers a similar proposition in a much sportier bodystyle.