Traditionally, the strength of the German premium automaker Audi lay in sedans. With a sleek body reminiscent of a sports car and an interior design that is luxurious yet comfortable, along with excellent driving performance, it once held a leading position in Korea's imported car market.
If asked to pick the model that led Audi's heyday and will drive its revival, it is clearly the midsize-plus sedan A6. On the 20th of last month, Audi Chairman Gernot Döllner, who visited Korea, said, "A chassis concept that achieves sportiness and comfort at the same time is Audi's direction," adding, "The new A6, which embodies this direction, will be the centerpiece of Audi's lineup."
The new A6 is regarded as Audi's desperate effort to turn the tide. The A6 is a midsize-plus sedan that once formed a big three rivalry with the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and the BMW 5 Series.
Through last month, Audi sold a total of about 292,000 vehicles in Korea since entering the market, of which about 122,000 were A6s. That shows how thick its fan base was in the country. At its peak, the A6 sold around 10,000 units a year.
But in 2025, sales plunged to around 1,105 units. Sales never fully recovered after Dieselgate, and the model grew outdated. After about seven years, we test-drove the new ninth-generation A6, specifically the 45 TFSI (gasoline) quattro S line, on a roughly 100-kilometer route around Seoul and Gyeonggi.
We experienced the A6's driving performance on the way from Dongdaemun to Jingeon-eup, Namyangju. The car pairs a 2.0-liter gasoline direct-injection turbocharged engine with a 7-speed S tronic automatic transmission. Its maximum output is 271.9 horsepower, higher than rivals such as the Benz E300 4Matic (258 horsepower) or the BMW 530i (258 horsepower).
Maximum torque, which governs initial acceleration, is 40.79 kg·m. It takes 6.2 seconds to go from a standstill to 100 kph. Fuel economy is 10.4 kilometers per liter on the combined cycle. Power is about 10 horsepower stronger than the previous model, but fuel economy is somewhat worse.
In city sections, we drove in Comfort mode. Starts were smooth, and even a light press on the accelerator made it glide forward. Thanks to the smooth steering feel and pedal tuning, low-speed driving was seamless.
One drawback is that although the global market gets a 48-volt mild-hybrid plus system that can drive on battery alone, it did not come to Korea due to certification and other reasons.
Out on the expressway, pressing the accelerator deep kicked off lively acceleration. The 7-speed S tronic shifted up precisely at each set point to build speed. In a stretch where we could go a bit faster, switching to Dynamic mode firmed up the steering wheel.
Even though curb weight increased by 185 kilograms to 1,925 kilograms from before, there was no sense of lacking power. The feeling of force transmitting from the rear the instant you press the accelerator came across intuitively. It was the same from a standstill. As soon as the light changed, the car was ready to dart out.
The side-mirror indicator that signals the presence of a vehicle in the adjacent lane is larger than on other brands, which was very helpful while driving.
It felt very stable when taking curves. The vehicle height is 1,465 millimeters, lowered by 20 millimeters, and thanks to rear-wheel steering that turns the rear wheels by about 5 degrees and the permanent all-wheel-drive system "quattro," stability improved. With engine power delivered to all four wheels, the body didn't lean much and followed the steering angle through the turn. The 45 TFSI quattro S line rides on 20-inch wheels.
Ride quality was somewhat firm compared with rival models. Rather than feeling uncomfortable, the firmness translated into stability. The tighter the suspension is wound, the more the plush ride diminishes, but driving stability increases.
Quietness was also a plus, with little engine or wind noise entering the cabin. In particular, the lever-type advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS) was intuitive and easy to use. Instead of physical buttons on the steering wheel, a lever sets following distance and speed and turns ADAS on and off. Audi's ADAS also executed lane changes decisively.
Turning the function on activates lane-centering and lane-change assist at the same time. With the function on, signaling right promptly moved the car into the right lane. It reacted instantly without hesitation. When the gap to the car ahead widened, it closed it with brisk acceleration. Not being fully accustomed to it yet, it felt a bit scary at first.
Observed fuel economy differed somewhat from the official figures. In the Seoul city section, it returned 7.4 kilometers per liter. Average speed then did not exceed 40 kph. In faster sections such as Gangbyeonbuk-ro, it reached 8.8 kilometers per liter. The car's official ratings are 9 kpl in the city and 13 kpl on the highway. Combined fuel economy is 10.4 kpl. Rapid acceleration and hard braking likely led to the low figures.
Compared with the previous model, the exterior clearly emphasizes a sportier feel. It looks sharper and more refined. A larger front radiator grille than the previous model, bumper lower inlets that channel air, and two character lines etched into the hood give it a more youthful impression.
The rounded side silhouette has also been refined into something like a coupe-style sedan. This appears due to the body length growing from 4,960 millimeters to 5,050 millimeters. The rear lamp position was adjusted higher than before, and downward-extending brake lights were added, giving it a sense of completeness.
As Chairman Döllner noted, the interior seems to favor stability over flash. An 11.9-inch driver display and a 14.5-inch center display are angled toward the driver, which feels more stable than a straight-line layout.
The center console keeps only key functions—such as the gear shifter, hazard lights, and drive-mode settings—as physical buttons, giving it a clean look. The console lid sits at a suitable height, making it comfortable to rest an arm while driving. Sitting in the driver's seat, the sightline felt low like a sports car, and with adjustable lumbar support in the seat, long drives did not strain the lower back.
Premium touches include the new electronic exterior door handles, the Bang & Olufsen sound system with 16 speakers, and a light signature that lets you set seven different front and rear lighting designs.
The second row, however, was a letdown. Knee room and trunk space were ample, but the seatback angle felt upright. The A6's wheelbase is 2,924 millimeters, shorter than the E300 4Matic (2,960 millimeters) or the 530i (2,995 millimeters). Trunk capacity is 490 liters, fitting four golf bags.
As electrification advances and various functions move into displays, and as more cars become quiet and eco-friendly, the new A6 stands out as a model that clearly showcases the strengths of internal combustion. There are still many consumers who like the lively drive that comes from burning gasoline.
The grip of all-wheel drive, the intuitiveness of various machinery and equipment, and a design that is not flashy but clean and comfortable add a different kind of appeal. It raises curiosity about what choice consumers considering a midsize-plus sedan will make.
There are three gasoline variants of the A6. The 40 TFSI Advanced starts at 67.64 million won, the 40 TFSI quattro S line is 72.06 million won, and the 45 TFSI quattro S line starts at 85.41 million won. The 55 TFSI quattro S line with a 3-liter engine starts at 97.18 million won.