In A Perfect World, The 2014 Audi A6 2.0t quattro Tiptronic Would Be In Your Garage

The 2014 Audi A6.

The difficult part in reviewing the 2014 Audi A6 is not to gush.  This is a car that is so clearly engineered and designed, not built and styled.  Every detail on the A6, and most Audis for that matter, has been clearly thought out.



The idea of a full-size sedan with a four-cylinder engine takes some getting used to for most Americans.  A two-liter engine?  You could get a Pinto with a two-liter engine.  True, but not this two-liter engine. This one is turbocharged with 220 horsepower and 258 pounds per foot of torque. There is power when you call for it and reduced waste while you are cruising. It and the eight-speed Tiptronic transmission get an EPA-estimated 20 miles per gallon in the city and 29 miles per gallon on the highway.

The handling of the A6, always nimble and surefooted, is made more so with quattro--lower case intended, Audi's all-wheel drive system.

2014 Audi A6 interior.

The A6 2.0T quattro Tiptronic has a base price of $45,200. It comes standard with 17-inch wheels, a power glass sunroof, rain and light sensor, heated outside mirrors, leather seating surfaces, eight-way heated power adjustable front seats, a three-zone automatic climate control, a four-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel with multifunction controls, a tilting and telescoping steering column, keyless start, Bluetooth, an iPod cable and SiriusXM Satellite Radio.

Our test vehicle had a few options. The Ice Silver Metallic paint was extra-cost at $500. The Premium Plus package upgraded to 18-inch V-spoke wheels, navigation, a 7-inch color touchscreen, parking assist with rearview camera, AudiConnect, Audi advanced key, auto-dimming heated exterior mirrors with memory and Xenon plus lights with LED daytime running lights for $4,300.  The 19-inch sport package replaced the 18-inch wheels before they could even touch the car with double-spoke wheels, added a sport suspension and replaced the four-spoke steering wheel with a 3-spoke wheel with shifter paddles for $1,500.  An upgraded Bose sound system was $850 and Audi side assist with power folding door mirrors was $600.

With $895 destination charge, the as-tested price was $53,845---for a car that defies criticism. I realize not everyone can afford one.  But this is the family sedan everyone should have.