2001 Audi A6/allroad quattro: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

Audi's midsize line offers sedans with front- or all-wheel drive, an AWD wagon, and a quasi-SUV wagon. The 2.8 sedan and Avant wagon have a 200-hp V6, the 2.7T sedan and allroad quattro wagon a 250-hp turbo V6, and the 4.2 sedan a 300-hp V8. The 2.7T and allroad use a 6-speed manual transmission or 5-speed automatic; other models get the automatic. Quattro AWD is optional on the 2.8 sedan, standard on other A6s. Front side airbags and curtain side airbags are standard, rear torso side airbags are optional. An antiskid system is optional on 2.8 models, standard on the others. The SUV-inspired allroad has unique exterior cladding and an air-spring suspension for up to 8.2 inches of ground clearance. Steering-wheel audio/cell phone controls are standard on 4.2, optional on other A6s. Audi's basic warranty is now 4 years/50,000 mi., up from 3/50,000.

COMPETITION

This hotly contested segment has a clear benchmark; it is the Acura TL (and its 2-door cousin Acura CL). The TL succeeds in blending comfort, style, luxury, and sport into an efficient package at an affordable price. If you are leaning more toward the luxury scale, the Lexus ES 300 might be a more practical purchase.

We also recommend the sporty and Euro-flavored Audi A6, the comfortable Buick Park Avenue, the affordable and fast Infiniti I30.