Whether you love the luxury of the Mercedes-Benz E Class or you’re interested in the more affordable Cadillac CT5, the Audi A6 has some fierce competition on the market.
Before buying a car, it’s a good idea to compare your top choice to other options. When it comes to the Audi A6, comparable cars can range in starting price from $37,295 to almost $105,000—and that’s just the beginning of the differences between these cars!
Whether you want a car with hybrid options, a car with a powerful engine and a smooth ride, or a car that has the most modern interior, there are tons of great alternatives to the Audi A6 to consider—so many that it can be overwhelming.
That’s why Jerry, the car insurance comparison app, created this helpful guide to the A6’s top competitors. We’ll look at the starting price for each vehicle, some selling points, and some weak points to watch out for. Plus, we’ll help you find the best Audi A6 insurance costs if that’s where you end up!
More about the Audi A6
Before diving into the competition, let’s look at the Audi A6. With a starting price of $55,900, the A6 is a luxury sports sedan with a high-tech cabin and a stylish design. It’s a great option for drivers who favor a sleek, powerful vehicle.
The A6 comes equipped with either a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 261 horsepower or a more powerful 3.0-liter V6 engine with 335 horsepower, depending on the trim level you choose. The A6 has been praised for its high-quality materials and graceful driving experience, but it’s also been criticized for its high base price.
Whether you love the A6 or just want to explore your other options before buying a car, it’s a good idea to look at different vehicles from different brands before settling. Here are some of the best alternatives for the A6 in 2022:
1. BMW 5 Series
Starting price: $54,200
Selling points: A spacious and luxurious interior; great performance and handling
Weak spot: Many luxury features cost extra
The BMW 5 Series is a great alternative for drivers who value a luxurious interior and a pleasant driving experience. It comes in a range of trims and has many options for upgrades in technology and safety features.
The main problem with the 5 Series is that these features tend to cost extra. If you want a truly luxurious experience, you might pay closer to $90,000 for your new car. Since BMW has higher-than-average repair costs, this is one of the more expensive options on this list overall.
2. Mercedes-Benz E Class
Starting price: $54,950
Selling points: A modern interior and great safety ratings
Weak spots: Minimum warranty coverage and an unimpressive engine
Mercedes-Benz is certainly a big name in the luxury vehicle space, so it should be no surprise that the Mercedes-Benz E-Class is one of the top competitors for the Audi A6. The E-Class offers a sleek, modern interior designed for comfort. You can also feel optimistic about its great safety ratings and features.
Still, some E-Class drivers have complained that these Mercedes models focus more on appearance than performance. The engine is largely unimpressive compared to some other vehicles on this list, so if you want a car with a lot of power, the E-Class might not be for you.
3. Genesis G80
Starting price: $48,250
Selling points: Great reliability scores and performance ratings
Weak spots: Limited cargo space and a slightly bumpy ride
The Genesis G80 is a great option for drivers who value performance and dependability. While the G80 doesn’t drive as smoothly as some of the other options on this list, it does score better on reliability. This means that the G80 won’t cost as much to maintain as other luxury cars on this list.
The Genesis G80 interior is definitely luxurious though, so you’ll get a high-end experience for a lower price. The G80 has synthetic leather seats, a spacious cabin, and adjustable and heated front seats, all features that have been designed to make you feel comfortable behind the wheel.
4. Lexus ES
Starting price: $40,950
Selling points: Great fuel economy and a spacious interior
Weak spot: No way to increase cargo space
One big factor that differentiates the Lexus ES from most of the other models on this list is that the ES has a hybrid model option that can save you some money on fuel costs. The ES also offers great safety ratings and features and a good reliability score, meaning it’s a relatively inexpensive vehicle to own.
Despite a sizeable passenger area, you may find the ES’s cargo area a little cramped compared to some of the other luxury models on this list. You also can’t fold down the rear seats, which may pose a problem for drivers who prefer roomier and more versatile cargo space.
5. Cadillac CT5
Starting price: $37,295
Selling points: Competitively priced and great exterior style
Weak spot: Poor ride quality for a luxury car
As you might expect, the lower price of the Cadillac CT5 means you’ll be compromising in other areas. The main complaint drivers have about the CT5 is that the drive is bumpier in this vehicle than in most other vehicles in its class.
Still, the CT5’s low price and stylish exterior are undoubtedly appealing if you’re looking for a luxury car on a budget.
6. Tesla Model S
Starting price: $104,990
Selling points: Great fuel economy and high-tech features
Weak spots: High initial price, poor reliability ratings, and poor construction
By far the most expensive option on this list, the Tesla Model S is known for its poor reliability and high initial cost. As such, the Model S isn’t for everyone; at the very least, you’ll need to be prepared to pay a lot more for this vehicle.
Many drivers claim that the good fuel economy, high-tech features, and smooth driving experience make the Tesla Model S worth the extra cash. If these things sound exciting to you, try taking a Model S out for a test drive!
MORE: Everything you need to know about the Tesla self-driving car
7. Volvo S90
Starting price: $52,850
Selling points: Large and elegant cabin and smooth transmission
Weak spot: Steering is heavy
The Volvo S90 isn’t as economical as you might think, but it still offers some great features that make this luxury car worth it. The large, elegant cabin has lots of legroom, which makes this car a great choice for families.
It’s worth mentioning that many drivers complained about the heavy steering in the S90. The wheel takes some effort to turn, and your driving experience may suffer because of this fault. If the ease of driving a luxury car is important to you, the Volvo S90 is probably not the best pick.
8. Jaguar XF
Starting price: $45,300
Selling points: Good gas mileage and excellent interior design
Weak spot: Not as powerful as some of the alternatives
Driving a Jaguar XF is certainly a pleasant experience—its soft leather seats and composed handling give the sedan an effortless air of luxury. The XF also gets great gas mileage, so you won’t need to pay a fortune to keep your gas tank full.
But if you’re looking for a powerful car, you’d be better off choosing a different vehicle. The engine options for the Jaguar XF are pretty limited, so you’ll have to compromise on your engine’s power if you decide to purchase one.
Audi A6 vs. the competition
Want to see it all laid out? Below is our comparison of the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee side-by-side with its fiercest competition.
| Model | Starting price range | Engine options | Maximum seating capacity | Maximum cargo volume | Maximum towing capacity | Fuel economy (city/highway/combined) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Audi A6 | $55,900 to $69.500 | 2.0L four-cylinder or 3.0L V6 | 5 seats | 13.7 cubic ft | 5,500 lb | 23/32/27 mpg |
| 2022 BMW 5 Series | $54,200 to $56,500 | 2.0L four-cylinder or 3.0L six-cylinder | 4 seats | 14 cubic ft | 5,952 to 7,200 lb | 25/33/29 mpg |
| 2022 Mercedes-Benz E Class | $54,950 to $75,000 | 2.0L four-cylinder, 3.0L six-cylinder, or 4.0L V8 | 5 seats | 13.1 cubic ft | 5,500 lb | 23/31/27 mpg |
| 2022 Genesis G80 | $48,250 to $58,245 | 2.5L four-cylinder or 3.5L V6 | 5 seats | 13.1 cubic ft | 6,000 lb | 23/32/28 mpg |
| 2022 Lexus ES | $40,950 to $49,980 | 2.5L four-cylinder or 3.5L V6 | 5 seats | 13.9 cubic ft | 1,000 lb | 43/44/43 mpg |
| 2022 Cadillac CT5 | $37,295 to over $80,000 | 2.0L four-cylinder or 3.0L V6 | 5 seats | 11.9 cubic ft | 4,000 lb | 18/27/21 mpg |
| 2022 Tesla Model S | $104,990 to $140,490 | Electric | 5 seats | 61.4 cubic ft | 3,500 to 5,000 lb | 124/115/120 mpg |
| 2022 Volvo S90 | $52,850 to $60,050 | 2.0L four-cylinder | 5 seats | 13.5 cubic ft | 1,650 lb | 23/31/27 mpg |
| 2022 Jaguar XF | $45,300 to $51,000 | 2.0 L four-cylinder | 5 seats | 10.5 cubic ft | 4,188 lb | 25/33/26 mpg |
Finding insurance for your luxury car
When you invest in a more expensive vehicle, it’s a good idea to invest in an extensive insurance policy, too. Luckily, it’s easy to find the coverage you need when you use Jerry.
This car insurance super app does all the work of finding car insurance on your behalf. All you have to do is download the app and take a 45-second survey to tell us more about your budget and coverage needs. Then, Jerry will show you a list of personalized car insurance options.
The best part? The average user saves close to $900 per year! It’s the easiest way to lower your Audi insurance costs.
Liz Jenson is an insurance writer who specializes in general automotive and insurance topics. Liz’s mission is to produce informative and useful content to help car owners make smart choices when buying cars and car insurance. Since joining Jerry in 2021, Liz has written nearly 4,000 long- and short-form articles on topics including state-specific insurance recommendations, common car insurance questions, and deep dives into vehicle model details. Before they came to Jerry, Liz was a full-time student at Indiana University, Bloomington working on a double major in English and French.
Jessica Barrett is a senior insurance writer and editor with 10 years of experience in the automotive and travel industries. A specialist in car insurance, car loans, and car ownership, Jessica’s mission is to create comprehensive content that car owners can use to manage their costs and improve their lives. As a managing editor for a team of writers and insurance specialists, Jessica has edited over 2,000 articles for Jerry on topics ranging from local insurance shopping tips to refinancing car loans with bad credit. Before joining Jerry as a senior content editor in 2021, Jessica created visual content for clients such as Expedia, Vivid Seats, Budget Direct Car Insurance, Angie’s List, and HomeAdvisor. Her content was published in Business Insider, Forbes, Apartment Therapy, and the BBC.
