Audi A6 Avant review - Interior, design and technology

The Audi A6 Avant’s interior might not offer the wow factor of the cabin designs found in the Lexus GS or Mercedes E-Class, but the fit, finish and general ambience are all class-leading. The design is borrowed from the A8 saloon, with a clean and uncluttered dashboard housing a pair of large, modern touchscreens.

It’s genuinely hard to find fault with the interior design. Everything feels nice to the touch, the buttons and switchgear feel reassuringly solid, while the leather and plastics used in the fabric are first-rate. If we told you that our single gripe would be the quality of the headlining fabric, you’ll appreciate that we had to search hard for faults.

You can opt for an extended leatherette pack, which adds a nicer finish to the door armrests and centre console, while a full leather pack, which adds Nappa leather to the upper instrument panel, door shoulders, door armrests and centre console, is available for £1,000. It’s touches such as these that edge the A6 Avant closer to the A8’s domain.

Sat-nav, stereo and infotainment

There are two screens in the A6 Avant, plus a third if you opt for Audi’s excellent Virtual Cockpit, which is available as part of the £1,500 Technology Pack.

In standard form, the driver is greeted with an 8.8-inch top display (10.1-inch if the Technology Pack has been specified) and an 8.6-inch screen located below the main one. It takes a while to get used to, but you’ll soon find yourself accustomed to the layout.

Infotainment and navigation functions are controlled via the top screen, while the lower screen is used for comfort and convenience features, such as climate control and ventilation.

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The top screen will be familiar to anyone who has used a tablet device, as it features smartphone-style tile apps, which can be dragged and dropped to create a customised display. The haptic and acoustic feedback isn’t too dissimilar to that of the latest iPhones.

It’s a good system, but it loses points for the fact that it requires you to take your eyes off the road. At least the voice recognition is one of the best in the business, enabling you to carry out most tasks without removing your hands from the wheel.

Audi’s Virtual Cockpit is a fantastic piece of kit, replacing the traditional instrument cluster with a 12.3-inch full-colour digital display. The 3D navigation map is worth the price alone, while the enlarged upper screen and wireless phone charging make the Technology Pack a must-have upgrade.