“The A6 Allroad is a delight to drive! I feel proud to own it. The aesthetics throughout the car are impressive. Although, it is expensive, the combination of features makes it a value to me. The entry/egress, the seats and brakes could be better but overall I am so pleased with this beautiful and fun to drive vehicle.”
2021 Audi A6: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The most important 2021 Audi A6 change is that the 45 TFSI Premium Plus sedan gets Adaptive Cruise Assist as standard. This is otherwise a light equipment and trim update, not a redesign or a new-powertrain year.
About the 2021 Audi A6
5th-generation A6 (C8), third U.S. model year for the sedan and second U.S. model year for the A6 allroad; no redesign, just equipment and packaging updates.
Audi positions the A6 as a sleek, understated midsize luxury car built around quiet comfort, advanced cabin tech, and standard quattro all-wheel drive. Compared with rivals, the A6 leans less on flashy styling and more on a clean interior, strong road manners, and a polished everyday feel. The 45 TFSI suits buyers who want the A6 experience with a smaller engine, while the 55 TFSI adds stronger acceleration. The allroad version adds wagon utility without giving up the same upscale, tech-forward character.
The 2021 A6 range starts with comfort-focused Premium models, while Premium Plus emphasizes driver assistance, upgraded audio, and a surround-view camera. Prestige sedans add features such as a head-up display, four-zone climate control, and rear sunshades. Every version has quattro all-wheel drive, with a turbo four-cylinder in 45 TFSI models and a smoother, stronger turbo V6 in 55 TFSI models.
What changed, by category
Safety
Adaptive Cruise Assist becomes standard on the 45 TFSI Premium Plus sedan, adding adaptive cruise control and active lane-keeping assistance without requiring an option package.
Tech and convenience
The 45 TFSI Premium and 55 TFSI Premium make proximity keyless entry and remote start standard. The 45 TFSI Premium also gains an integrated toll module, while Prestige sedans add a power rear sunshade and manual rear side-window sunshades.
Styling
The 45 TFSI Premium gains 19-inch wheels. Audi also expands the Black optic sport package across the sedan range, and the Sport 45 TFSI Premium joins the lineup with darker exterior trim and a sport-tuned suspension.
Trim lineup
Audi adds the Sport 45 TFSI Premium and renames the prior Premium Plus listing as Sport 45 TFSI Premium Plus. The generic Prestige listing is dropped, while engine-specific 45 TFSI Prestige and 55 TFSI Prestige versions continue.
2021 Audi A6 specs and features by trim
| Feature | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0 Liter | V6, Turbo, 3.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0 Liter | V6, Turbo, 3.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0 Liter | V6, Turbo, 3.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0 Liter |
| Transmission | Automatic, 7-Spd S tronic Dual-Clutch | Automatic, 7-Spd S tronic Dual-Clutch | Automatic, 7-Spd S tronic Dual-Clutch | Automatic, 7-Spd S tronic Dual-Clutch | Automatic, 7-Spd S tronic Dual-Clutch | Automatic, 7-Spd S tronic Dual-Clutch | Automatic, 7-Spd S tronic Dual-Clutch | Automatic, 7-Spd S tronic Dual-Clutch |
| Drivetrain | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 23 mpg | 22 mpg | 23 mpg | 20–22 mpg | 23 mpg | 20–22 mpg | 23 mpg | 23 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 31 mpg | 29 mpg | 31 mpg | 26–29 mpg | 31 mpg | 26–29 mpg | 31 mpg | 31 mpg |
| Horsepower | 261 hp | 335 hp | 248 hp | 335 hp | 261 hp | 335 hp | 261 hp | 261 hp |
| Torque | 273 lb-ft | 369 lb-ft | 273 lb-ft | 369 lb-ft | 273 lb-ft | 369 lb-ft | 273 lb-ft | 273 lb-ft |
| Trunk/Cargo | 13.7 cu-ft | 13.7 cu-ft | 13.7 cu-ft | 13.7–30 cu-ft | 13.7 cu-ft | 13.7–30 cu-ft | 13.7 cu-ft | 13.7 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 37.4 in | 37.4 in | 37.4 in | 37.4 in | 37.4 in | 37.4 in | 37.4 in | 37.4 in |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ||||||||
| Alarm System | ||||||||
| Blindspot Sensors | ||||||||
| Cruise Control | ||||||||
| Lane Departure Warning | ||||||||
| Active Lane Keep Assistance | ||||||||
| Night Vision System | ||||||||
| Rear View Camera | ||||||||
| Stability Control | ||||||||
| 360 Camera | ||||||||
| Top View Camera | ||||||||
| Traction Control | ||||||||
| Alloy Wheels | ||||||||
| LED Headlights | ||||||||
| Panorama Moon Roof | ||||||||
| Power Close Liftgate/Trunk | ||||||||
| Roof Rails | ||||||||
| Navigation System | ||||||||
| Premium Audio | ||||||||
| Smartphone Interface | ||||||||
| Subwoofer | ||||||||
| 4-Zone Automatic Air Conditioning | ||||||||
| Heated Front Seats | ||||||||
| Heated Rear Seats | ||||||||
| Heated Steering Wheel | ||||||||
| Leather Seats | ||||||||
| Memory Front Seats | ||||||||
| Power Steering | ||||||||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | ||||||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | ||||||||
| Rear Window Shades | ||||||||
| Remote Start | ||||||||
| Tri-Zone Automatic Air Conditioning | ||||||||
| Ventilated Front Seats | ||||||||
| Wood Interior Trim | ||||||||
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2021 Audi A6 a redesign?
No. The 2021 Audi A6 remains part of the fifth-generation A6 and receives equipment, package, and trim updates rather than a new body, cabin, or platform.
What is the biggest difference between the 2021 and 2020 Audi A6?
The biggest difference is more standard driver-assistance equipment. The 2021 45 TFSI Premium Plus sedan makes Adaptive Cruise Assist standard, combining adaptive cruise control with active lane-keeping assistance.
Did the 2021 Audi A6 get a new engine?
No. The 2021 A6 continues with a turbocharged four-cylinder in 45 TFSI models and a turbocharged V6 with mild-hybrid assistance in 55 TFSI models, both paired with quattro all-wheel drive.
What became standard on the 2021 Audi A6 Premium?
Proximity keyless entry and remote start become standard on both the 45 TFSI Premium and 55 TFSI Premium. The 45 TFSI Premium also gains 19-inch wheels and an integrated toll module.
Did the 2021 Audi A6 lineup change?
Yes. The Sport 45 TFSI Premium joins the lineup, and the prior Premium Plus listing continues under the Sport 45 TFSI Premium Plus name. The generic Prestige listing is dropped, while the 45 TFSI Prestige and 55 TFSI Prestige remain part of the range.
2021 Audi A6 Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2021 Audi A6.
4.3
2021 Audi A6
(90 reviews)
“The acceleration and handling are better than expected. The speaker/sound system is top of the line. Better than other vehicles I have experienced. The technology is as good as, if not better than, any other vehicles in this price range.”
“Audi is the greatest car in the market, I will keep leasing only Audi for the rest of my life”