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The Audi A6 2.0 TDI is the heartland of this new executive saloon model and tackles rivals from BMW and Mercedes head on. With 174bhp on tap, the A6 gives away 10bhp to the BMW 520d, but Audi’s use of lightweight aluminium for around 20% of the A6’s sheet metal, the A6 is lighter. This means 0-62mph comes up in 8.7 seconds for the six-speed manual A6, while the seven-speed dual-clutch multitronic automatic gearbox covers the same sprint in just 8.2 seconds. The auto is quicker thanks to swifter changes and is also the gearbox more likely to be specified by most customers, so just as well it’s a great choice. Go for the manual and the gear shift is light, but its feel is not a patch on the BMW’s. With 280lb.ft of shove delivered between 1750- and 2500rpm, the 2.0 TDI A6 is not short on overtaking oomph and it also makes it very easy to pilot through town or on the motorway without the need for constant gear changes. Audi fits its Start-stop system as standard to both the manual and multitronic versions of the 2.0 TDI A6 and it works seamlessly to save fuel and emissions.

Competent is the best way to describe the way the A6 2.0-litre turbodiesel drives. It’s a front-wheel drive model rather than using Audi’s Quattro all-wheel drive. This makes little difference to the grip and poise of the A6 2.0 TDI, but nor does it offer any benefits. There’s plenty of grip from the tyres and the suspension works as it should to keep body lean at bay and let the A6 plot an undeterred course round corners. However, unlike the BMW 5 Series or Jaguar XF, the driver has no feeling of connection to what it going on. The A6’s steering has the right amount of weight and assistance at any speed, but it always feels artificially operated rather than the more fluid and sensitive sensation you get with, especially, the Jaguar. The ride quality of the A6 also manages to be able but underwhelming. Most bumps are dealt with in an efficient manner, but there’s no element to its operation where you can smile and think, yes, that’s better than the opposition’s. There are, however, times where the A6 falls short of the expected standard of this class, notably on the pothole-battered back roads of Britain. A saving grace is the A6 is very quiet and the 2.0-litre turbodiesel keeps its own counsel at all speeds to make the A6 an ideal long distance cruiser.

Five stars, what did you expect? This thing is built like bank vault and has that same feeling of indestructibility. The doors thunk shut, all of the switches work with gentle click that lets you know an engineer has considered every action at great length. As for the engines and gearboxes, these are all known quantities from Audi’s catalogue, so no nasties are lurking there.

The A6 comes with all of the expected safety kit you’d want in a car of this class. Six airbags are standard and customers can also order rear side airbags. An ESP stability and traction control system is fitted to all A6s, as is a tyre pressure monitoring system. For security, there’s an alarm, immobiliser, deadlocks and tow-away protection to help prevent this Audi from being dragged on to a trailer. Options include a lane departure warning system to help prevent the car wandering out of lane by sounding a warning to the driver and gently vibrating the steering wheel.

If you need to carry adult passengers on a regular basis, the Audi A6 is one of the best executive cars you could wish for. The rear seats offer massive room for legs, while rear occupants’ heads and shoulders are equally well catered for. In the front, it’s even better news for the driver and other passenger as the A6 is massive. There’s also plenty of adjustment in the steering wheel and driver’s seat to make finding the ideal driving position only a matter of finessing the seat and wheel. The main dash is also a paragon of clarity, but we’d like to see a few less buttons dotted around the MMI(multi media interface) rotary control, though the simple ‘back’ button makes it easy to revert to a previous screen. Around the back, the A6 has an enormous boot and the only problem you might have here is reaching all the way to the back for that last shopping bag. A 60/40 split and tip rear seat is standard for the A6 saloon.

With average economy of 57.6mpg for the 2.0 TDI engine and manual gearbox, and 56.5mpg for the multitronic auto, the A6 is one of the most frugal cars in its class. The manual also manages a BMW 520d-equalling 129g/km of carbon dioxide emissions with the manual gearbox, while the multitronic is not far off at 132g/km. This makes the A6 2.0 TDI very attractive to company users and private buyers conscious of road tax costs and showroom tax. In SE trim, the A6 2.0 TDI comes with 17in alloy wheels, climate control, parking sensors, cruise control, a 6.5in screen for the MMI (multi media interface) display, satellite navigation, Bluetooth connection and leather upholstery. Go for the S Line and you get 18in alloys, front sports seats, sports suspension that lowers the car by 20mm, Xenon headlights and LED rear lights. Residual values should be solid for the A6, as they are for the outgoing model, but the Audi is a little more expensive than its key rival from BMW.

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The car has the 2.0 Tdi 140PS engine and is extremely fast, off the mark the car leaves most hot hatches behind. There is a mountain of torque and the car pulls strongly from low revs even in the higher gears. Because of the large amount of power on tap this makes the car effortless to drive. Gets a little thirsty when pushed.

At times the ride can be hard even though I opted for the SE version. In the twisty bits the car can feel a little sloppy when there are a series of bends. Having said that at normal speeds the car is refined and composed and only lets it’s self down when pushed.

Apart from some minor rattles the car is very solid and the door closes with a satisfying clunk! The interior is light and airy and the switch gear feels solid. VW is renowned for reliability and this was a major consideration when making my decision.

Traction control, ABS, Electronic stability control, loads of airbags all standard, the car feels safe and solid. The car comes with a factory fit alarm and a high security key; so no problems there.

The inside is huge, seats 5 adults with ease and I can put my seat right back and there is still ample leg room in the rear and I am 6’ 3”. The boot is big enough to get the mother in laws body in there, so that’s rather good.

Only had the car for 1 month and am now thinking I should have gone for the 170PS Sport and it has the advantage of more power, better handling and a lot more goodies which the SE lacks. Overall this is a good car and I am happy with it.

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