Used Audi A4 or New A6? There Really Is No Wrong Choice

[Source: Autoblog]

Buying the newest Audi you can afford seems like the obvious move. You get the latest technology, freshest styling, and that wonderful new-car smell. But a comparison between a lightly used Audi A4 and the new A6 shows why things aren’t always that simple. As Autoblog points out in its comparison, roughly $25,000 can separate the two. That’s a serious chunk of money, particularly when the cheaper car is hardly some ancient Audi pulled from the back lot of a seedy used car dealer.

The previous-generation A4 remains an appealing package. The 40 TFSI quattro produces 201 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque, while the more desirable 45 TFSI bumps those figures to 261 horsepower and 273 pound-feet. The latter can reach 60 mph in a respectable 5.3 seconds. Both use a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and come standard with quattro all-wheel drive.

You also get a high-quality interior and the understated styling that has long made the A4 such an easy sedan to live with. And despite being the smaller car, the A4 isn’t exactly cramped. Its 41.3 inches of front legroom actually matches the new A6, while its 37.4 inches of rear headroom trails its larger sibling by just 0.4 inch. The A4’s 13.0-cubic-foot trunk is also surprisingly close to the A6’s U.S.-quoted 13.5 cubic feet.

Then there’s the price. Let the original owner absorb the initial depreciation, and a 2024 or 2025 A4 valued around $38,600 to $40,900 starts looking like an enormous amount of Audi for the money. But spending more on the new A6 isn’t exactly a mistake.

The latest A6 represents where Audi is going, and its performance makes that immediately obvious. Every U.S. A6 gets a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 with mild-hybrid technology producing 362 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. Quattro is standard, and Audi claims 0-60 mph in just 4.5 seconds. Remember, we’re talking about the regular A6 here, not an S6.

The A6 also gives rear-seat passengers more legroom, along with additional shoulder and hip room, while its cabin takes Audi’s digital philosophy considerably further. Buyers who want the newest Audi experience, and intend to keep the car for years, can make a perfectly reasonable argument for spending the extra money.

That’s what makes this comparison so interesting. The A4 is arguably the smart-money choice. It’s quick, practical, luxurious, and keeps roughly $25,000 in your pocket. The A6 costs considerably more, but you’re getting 101 additional horsepower over the A4 45, significantly more torque, additional passenger space, and an entirely new generation of Audi technology.