Audi A6 2.0 TDI SE

OLD age doesn’t have to be a barrier to success in this sector – just take a look at the stylish Audi A6. Despite making its debut nearly six years ago, it’s still very much a contender for honours in this market.

Handsome, beautifully built and generously equipped, the classy four-door model is a firm favourite with captains of industry wanting to cut a dash in the corporate car park.

As with all desirable executive accessories, the Audi doesn’t come cheap. Our 2.0 TDI SE test car has an asking price of £28,700 – that’s £655 more than the new BMW. However, many owners will be happy to pay the extra for the A6’s attractive shape.

With its sweeping curves, perfect proportions and neat detailing, the Audi still turns heads. Just bear in mind that in SE trim the A6 doesn’t get the lowered S line suspension, 19-inch alloy wheels and LED front lamps of the Le Mans special-edition model in our pictures.

Climb aboard and the cabin hasn’t stood the test of time quite so well. While the central console is logically laid out, it’s starting to look a bit dated.

We have no complaints about the quality of the finish, though, and the materials are easily a match for those in the BMW. There’s also plenty of kit – with satellite navigation, leather trim and heated seats all included as standard – plus a reasonable amount of space, although passengers in the rear don’t have as much legroom as in the other models here.

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The Audi also lost out at the track. It recorded a time of 9.1 seconds for the 0-60mph sprint– trailing the Mercedes by seven-tenths and the BMW by a full second. Out on the road, the torquey 168bhp 2.0-litre diesel delivers strong pace, yet it can’t match the Volvo’s characterful soundtrack.

In SE trim, the A6 rides nearly as comfortably as the S80, soaking up all but the worst road surfaces. This easygoing nature doesn’t come at the expense of agility, with direct steering and strong grip combining to deliver composed performance on twisting back roads. Keen drivers are likely to prefer the extra feedback, sharper responses and more engaging nature of the BMW, though.

Where the Audi really suffers is at the tailpipe. It has the highest CO2 emissions in this test, at 149g/km, and is also one of the most expensive cars of our quartet to buy. This isn’t a good combination for companyusers, who will be faced withsome hefty tax bills as a result.

So although the £28,700 price tag includes many of the features that cost extra in the other cars, on paper, the Audi is the least appealing choice for business buyers. And that could hold it back in this test.

Details

Chart position: 3
WHY: Slick styling, a spacious cabin and punchy engine set the Audi apart. It’s an old but wise choice in the executive class.