2019 Audi A6 vs 2018 Audi A5 Sportback

The 2018 Audi A5 Sportback was a testament to Audi's ability to craft an attractive hatchback. It took inspiration from the larger A7, offering a more affordable option while maintaining a sleek and stylish design. The A5 Sportback was part of the redesigned A5 family, which included a 2-door coupe and convertible, and was priced from $43,575. It was available in A5 and S5 model series, with trim levels ranging from Premium to Prestige. The car's exterior featured an aggressive front end, defined shoulder lines, and decorative fender vents, giving it a distinctive look. Inside, the A5 Sportback shared its foundation with the A4, offering a luxurious interior with wood, leather, and metal accents, creating an environment that felt more upscale than its price suggested.

In contrast, the 2019 Audi A6 adopted subtle yet effective design cues from Audi's Prologue Concept, resulting in a crisply creased and tailored appearance. The A6 featured a wider single-frame grille, fender swells inspired by the original Audi Quattro, and new LED lighting with animated sequences, giving it a distinctive flair. The A6's design retained the bloodlines of past models while incorporating modern elements. At launch, all A6 versions included S-line styling details for a sportier look. The interior of the A6 was a blend of high-quality materials and sophisticated design, offering a snug yet comfortable fit. The A6's cabin was equipped with advanced technology, including Audi Virtual Cockpit and a premium sound system, enhancing the overall luxury experience.

The 2018 Audi A5 Sportback offered two engine options: a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine in the A5 and a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine in the S5. The A5's 2.0-liter engine produced 252 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, allowing it to accelerate to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds. The car featured a 7-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission and standard Quattro all-wheel drive. The A5 Sportback's performance was characterized by its dynamic handling and responsive powertrain, making it an engaging drive. However, the ride quality was slightly affected by the sport-tuned suspension and larger wheels, resulting in more suspension noise and impact harshness compared to the A4 sedan.

The 2019 Audi A6, on the other hand, was powered by a creamy smooth turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, generating 335 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. This allowed the A6 to sprint to 60 mph in just 5.1 seconds. The engine was paired with a 7-speed S tronic automated manual transmission and a Quattro Ultra all-wheel-drive system, which operated as a front-wheel-drive vehicle until AWD was needed. The A6 also featured a mild hybrid system with a 48-volt electrical system, enhancing fuel efficiency. The A6's performance was marked by its sublime driving experience, with progressive steering, ventilated brakes, and an adaptive damping suspension that maintained ride quality even with 21-inch wheels.

The 2018 Audi A5 Sportback offered two types of seats: standard and sport. The sport seats provided better bolstering and ventilation, making them a worthwhile upgrade. The interior featured a beautifully rendered dashboard with Audi's Multi-Media Interface (MMI) infotainment system and optional Audi Virtual Cockpit. The rear seat access was somewhat challenging due to the rakish roofline, but once inside, passengers enjoyed a comfortable environment with triple-zone climate control. The A5 Sportback's cargo area offered 21.8 cubic feet of space, expandable to 35 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, providing ample utility for a hatchback.

In comparison, the 2019 Audi A6's interior was comfortable yet snug, with 18-way multi-contour front seats offering various massage programs. The A6's cabin featured high-quality materials and a tailored fit, with limited interior storage space. The trunk measured 13.7 cubic feet, accommodating the 48-volt electrical system's battery. Despite the snug fit, the A6 provided a luxurious experience with features like 4-zone automatic climate control, heated rear seats, and dual-pane acoustic window glass for a quieter cabin.

The 2018 Audi A5 Sportback was equipped with advanced technology, including the optional Audi Virtual Cockpit, which featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation screen with customizable displays. The MMI Touch infotainment system offered a larger 8.3-inch display and handwriting recognition technology. The A5 Sportback also featured adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and Traffic Jam Assist, enhancing the driving experience. The optional 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system provided excellent sound quality, adding to the car's luxury appeal.

The 2019 Audi A6 excelled in technology, featuring the latest version of Audi's MMI with two touchscreen displays that offered quick response times and haptic feedback. The A6's navigation system used detailed Google Earth imagery, and the handwriting recognition system was outstanding. The Audi Virtual Cockpit digital instrumentation was a highlight, offering exceptional design and integration. The A6 also featured a premium Bang & Olufsen sound system, providing an immersive audio experience.

The 2018 Audi A5 Sportback came equipped with essential safety systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and a braking system to prevent secondary collisions. Premium Plus trim added blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert and Vehicle Exit Assist. Prestige trim included front and rear parking sensors, a top-view camera system, and a Driver Assistance Package with adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. The A5 Sportback earned a 5-star overall safety rating from the federal government.

The 2019 Audi A6 offered a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance and collision-avoidance systems, with Pre Sense systems standard up front and available for the rear. The Driver Assistance Package added features like adaptive cruise control with traffic-jam assist, active lane assist, and intersection assistant. Prestige trim included HD Matrix LED headlights with automatic high-beam activation. The A6's safety systems were designed to work subtly, integrating seamlessly into the driving experience.