The Audi A6 has long been the quiet professional in the luxury sedan segment. It does not chase extremes in styling or performance; instead, it prioritizes composure, refinement, and balance. The ninth-generation 2026 Audi A6 TFSI sedan builds on that foundation, and mid-model-year updates further sharpen its focus on technology, comfort, and everyday usability.
During the first-drive program in Palm Springs, I drove both suspension configurations back-to-back. The outbound drive was completed in a car equipped with 21-inch wheels and the steel sport suspension. The return drive was in a car fitted with 20-inch wheels and Audi’s adaptive air suspension. Experiencing them in that order made the differences between the two setups impossible to ignore.
Design and Presence
The 2026 Audi A6 carries itself with confident restraint. Clean surfaces, subtle shoulder width, and Audi’s signature proportions give it presence without excess.
The first configuration I drove featured the optional 21-inch Multispoke-Twist design wheels paired with Audi’s steel sport suspension, which lowers the ride height by 20 millimeters. Visually, this is the most aggressive-looking A6. The stance is planted, the proportions feel athletic, and it presents more like a sport sedan than a traditional executive car.
From a design standpoint, it works extremely well. From a mission standpoint, it tells only part of the A6 story.
Driving Impressions and Handling
Power comes from Audi’s revised 3.0-liter turbocharged V6, producing 362 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque, paired with a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission and standard quattro all-wheel drive. Audi claims a 0–60 mph time of 4.5 seconds, though the emphasis is clearly on smooth, confident acceleration rather than urgency.
On the outbound mountain drive in the sports suspension car, the A6 felt firmly connected to the road. Steering response is improved over the previous generation, with more direct feedback and better on-center feel. Through sweeping curves, the car felt composed and stable, rewarding smooth inputs without encouraging aggressive driving.
In this configuration, the A6 leans closer to a sport sedan than many buyers may expect, especially when paired with the larger wheels.
Ride Quality: The Return Drive That Changed Everything
The real revelation came on the return drive, when I switched to a configuration equipped with 20-inch wheels and Audi’s adaptive air suspension with electronically controlled dampers.
The character of the A6 changed immediately.
Low-speed environments exposed the difference most clearly. Driving through a strip mall parking lot, broken pavement, uneven surfaces, and speed humps were absorbed with remarkable composure. Where the steel sport suspension required attention and careful inputs, the air suspension simply smoothed everything out.
Audi’s adaptive air suspension continuously adjusts ride height and damping based on drive mode and conditions, prioritizing comfort at low speeds and stability at higher speeds. Experiencing this setup after the sport suspension clarified the A6’s intended role. This is the configuration that fully delivers on Audi’s business class promise.
I will never look at speed humps the same way again.
Interior and Digital Technology Updates
Inside, the A6 reflects Audi’s Digital Stage philosophy, enhanced by significant mid-model-year updates. A new digital design language now spans the Audi virtual cockpit, MMI center display, and available front passenger display, creating a more consistent and intuitive interface.
The updated MMI layout reduces visual clutter by favoring graphical elements over long lists, improves contrast for faster recognition, and integrates smartphone functions more deeply. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto content can now be mirrored into both the central display and the virtual cockpit.
Audi also revised the multifunction steering wheel, bringing back a physical scroll wheel in place of the previous touch-sensitive controls. In daily driving, this change improves usability and reduces distraction.
Passenger Display Perspective
The available front passenger display now supports independent Bluetooth headphones, allowing the passenger to stream video, browse, or game without disturbing the driver.
That said, I am not sure that sport or luxury sedan buyers will get the same level of use from this screen as Audi SUV and crossover buyers do. In a sedan, the passenger experience tends to be more passive. For drivers like me who enjoy having all the technology available, it should be a hit.
Just do not get too used to it. There is growing industry conversation suggesting Audi engineers may be rethinking the extent of dashboard screen expansion in future interiors. I cannot confirm where that ultimately lands, but the discussion is clearly happening.
Comfort, Convenience, and Safety Enhancements
Mid-model-year updates add meaningful ownership value and daily usability:
• Audi Signature Care scheduled maintenance is included for three years or 30,000 miles
• Remote engine start is now standard via Audi Connect CARE
• Optional individual contour front seats with massage on Prestige trims
• New experience worlds, coordinating lighting, audio, climate control, and massage functions for relaxing or energizing cabin moods
Driver assistance technology has also expanded. Standard systems include adaptive cruise control, active front assist, lane departure warning, side assist, rear cross-traffic assist, and traffic sign recognition. Prestige trims add Park Assist Pro with remote functionality, Reverse Assist, Top View Camera with 3D view, and Rear Emergency Brake Assist.
An optional integrated 4K dashcam, mounted behind the rear-view mirror, records locally to an SD card and can automatically save footage before and after an incident.
Final Thoughts
Driving both configurations back-to-back clarified the Audi A6 more than any spec sheet could.
The 21-inch wheels and steel sport suspension deliver sharp looks and confident mountain-road handling. The 20-inch wheels with adaptive air suspension, experienced on the return drive, reveal what the A6 is truly engineered to be: a refined, stress-reducing business-class sedan built for the realities of daily driving.
With meaningful mid-cycle technology updates, expanded safety systems, and a suspension setup that genuinely improves quality of life behind the wheel, the 2026 Audi A6 remains one of the most thoughtfully executed luxury sedans on the market for buyers who value calm capability over flash.
2026 Audi A6 Buyer’s Guide by Trim Level & Pricing
The 2026 Audi A6 lineup is streamlined into three core trims for the U.S. market: Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige. The 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 powers all trims, producing 362 hp and 406 lb-ft, paired with a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission and quattro all-wheel drive as standard equipment.
Trim pricing does not include taxes, destination fees, dealer add-ons, or optional packages.
Trim Breakdown
Premium — Entry Luxury (Starting ~$65,000-$65,400)
Who This Is For: Buyers seeking a capable and refined entry into the A6 lineup without paying for top-tier features.
Standout Features
• Audi quattro® all-wheel drive
• Standard suspension with planted ride quality
• 19-inch wheels (base)
• Heated and ventilated front seats
• LED lighting with DRLs
• Standard suite of driver assist, including adaptive cruise control and traffic sign recognition
What You Miss Compared to Higher Trims
• No adaptive air suspension
• No Bang & Olufsen premium audio (upgrade in higher trims)
• Fewer advanced convenience features
• Smaller digital screens and less extensive driver assistance by comparison
Premium Plus — Balanced Value (Starting ~$67,500)
Who This Is For: Buyers who want a substantial tech and comfort upgrade without going all-in on top-tier luxury.
Key Additions Over Premium
• Matrix LED headlights with digital DRLs
• Park Assist Plus and surround view cameras
• Adaptive Cruise Assist
• Heated rear seats
• Bang & Olufsen® 3D Sound System
• Four-zone automatic climate control
• Head-up display (availability/content may vary by region)
Suspension Notes
• Standard and lowered sport suspension choices remain available, with the sport setup enhancing handling feel but not matching the comfort refinement of the Prestige air suspension.
Best For
Buyers who want a blend of luxury comfort, tech enhancements, and active safety systems without the premium price tag of the top trim.
Prestige — Top-Tier Comfort & Tech (Starting ~$71,400-$72,700)
Who This Is For: Drivers who value serenity, convenience, and cutting-edge innovation — the ultimate expression of the A6 mission.
Key Features
• Standard Adaptive Air Suspension with electronically controlled dampers for the best ride comfort and smooth highway composure
• MMI passenger display with independent media and connectivity functions
• Digital OLED taillights with unique signatures
• Power door closers (soft-close)
• Available individual contour seats with massage
• Expanded driver assistance, including Park Assist Pro with remote functions, Reverse Assist, and 3D top-view cameras
Technology & Comfort Highlights
• Audi Digital Stage with panoramic 14.5-inch MMI display and Virtual Cockpit
• More extensive ambient lighting and interior refinement
• Premium audio configurations elevate the cabin experience
Optional Sport Plus Package (Available)
On Prestige models, an optional Sport Plus package trades the adaptive air suspension for:
• All-wheel steering
• Sport rear differential
• Sport adaptive dampers
• 21-inch summer performance tires, enhancing dynamic feel at the expense of some everyday suspension compliance
Suspension Guidance for Buyers
Adaptive Air Suspension (Prestige — Standard)
• Best for daily driving, long trips, uneven surfaces, and comfort-oriented buyers
• Automatically fine-tunes damping and ride height to match conditions, delivering a true business-class experience that smooths the real-world bumps and speed humps you encounter every day
Steel Sport Suspension / Sport Plus (Available on Premium Plus & Optional on Prestige)
• Lowered ride height and firmer damping
• Better connected feel through curves
• More engaging on twisty roads
• May feel firmer in everyday city conditions
In your real-world first drive, the contrast between the configurations made the value of the adaptive air suspension unmistakable—especially for buyers who prioritize a smooth, composed ride in all environments.
Value Perspective
Best Value Overall: Premium Plus — Combines tech, comfort, and driver assistance without stepping up to the highest price tier.
Best for Ride Comfort and Daily Usability: Prestige with Adaptive Air Suspension — Delivers the fullest expression of the A6’s business class mission.
Best for Dynamic Feel: Prestige with Sport Plus Package or Premium Plus with Sport Suspension — Adds sharper handling for drivers who prioritize engagement.