First-class road companion
Every July since 1999, a few of my buddies and I jump into our cars and travel to the northern part of New Jersey. This corner of the United States plays host to an event geared specifically to Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche enthusiasts. Known as Waterfest, this big show attracts more than 25,000 fans of products from the Volkswagen family tree as well as 2,500 participants for the many contests that take place at Raceway Park. A large number of merchants also take part in the weekend festivities. All this makes Waterfest one of the two largest gatherings of the kind in North America.
For the 2007 trip, I decided to treat myself much like I did the previous summer. The gracious people at Audi Canada loaned me an A6 Avant to tackle the 1,500-km trek. The 2006 drive was completed in a 2007 Volkswagen Passat wagon, already a huge improvement over the preceding summers done at the wheel of early ’90s VW Golfs and Jettas. This year, my friends and I had our all-time best trip to New Jersey by far.
The beautiful, new A6
The A6 sedan arrived completely redone in 2005 with a new imposing body and, most importantly, a sharper, more attractive design. The styling of the new car has definition and presence, and thanks to the massive corporate grille, the A6 now looks the part of Audi’s mid-line luxury car. Loving station wagons as much as I do, I was ecstatic when it appeared in 2006, especially considering the fact that it looked even better than the sedan. I particularly appreciate the long, profiled beltline that seems as though it was drawn by a swift brush stroke.
The A6’s cabin is overflowing with luxury and attention to detail. The dashboard is not only functional, it is extremely eye-catching. Every button and knob that makes the Audi a luxury vehicle has a velvety texture to the touch. The front bucket seats fell short of my expectations — I expected nothing less than supreme comfort and support, but they did not quite measure up. The rear bench seat garnered the same comments from those that spent time in them, mainly on a long-distance run. The trunk is big, although, for a wagon of the A6’s outer dimensions, it could be larger. Overall, the A6’s fit, finish and material quality are excellent.
Heed this warning: beware of spills in the vicinity of the MMI’s (Multi-media Interface) numerous commands. The liquid quickly finds its way under the buttons and causes corrosion. Shortly thereafter, these same controls become increasingly difficult to use and are extremely expensive to replace. If we can avoid spilling coffee or other liquids on it, we quickly realize that with a little patience and time, Audi’s MMI system, which has often been criticized, is not that complex to use. By the same token, the navigation system proved to be reliable and precise on our trip.
Why no V8? Simple. Because the 3.2-litre V6 is surprisingly adept and able to get the 1,900-kg wagon up to speed. Even when the car is loaded with four passengers and their gear, the powertrain shows no signs of struggling during acceleration or passing manoeuvres. The six-speed automatic transmission is a tremendously smooth operator except when pushed. Then it becomes confused and hesitant. If you have the intention of driving hard, more so than usual, position the shift lever in the “S” slot. This way, you’ll get lightning-quick shifts and rev-matching on downshifts from the otherwise excellent gearbox.
What is especially remarkable about the large super-cruiser wagon is that it consumed a mere 9.5 L/100 km during my road test. Granted, 1,500 km out of the travelled 2,000 km were accumulated on the highway. This is impressive nonetheless.
A gifted road machine
The A6 Avant remains true to what Audi has always delivered to its buyers: competence and excellent road manners. The quality of the A6’s drive is directly related to the condition of the road surface on which the car is rolling. The downy tarmac in the U.S. and Ontario gives you the impression that the car is travelling on a cloud. In contrast, driving on Quebec’s mine fields unveil the Audi’s dark side: the car annoyingly hops and skips over every indent.
At any given moment, Audi’s Quattro AWD system impresses with its undeniably high levels of constant grip. Regardless of the angle or the speed at which I attacked corners, the big wagon refused to relinquish its hold. The A6’s fabulous drive is complemented by a very efficient braking system. I cannot say the same thing about the car’s speed-sensitive power rack and pinion steering. Although precise, it lacks immediate response and feels too disconnected with what is going on with the front wheels.
What is the final tally?
The Audi A6 Avant is part of a limited, elite group of luxury wagons. Amongst its competitors, only the 5 Series wagon from BMW meets the Audi’s driving enjoyment and dynamic abilities. The 5 is slightly more expensive than the A6, and its only real advantage lies in the power of its turbocharged engine. One way or another, a serious test drive is in order.
Audi products have considerably improved over the last decade, much like the majority of automakers. Even so, Audi’s Achilles’ heel is reliability, unfortunately. By default, progress brings with it the latest in technological gadgets. Typically, these electronic contraptions are the source of many of the headaches that Audi owners face. This same scenario occurs with other luxury car makers. In some cases, the problems are more frequent and, for others, not so bad.
Fact File
2007 Audi A6 Avant
As tested, before tax: $82 460
Configuration: Front engine/all-wheel drive
Engine/transmission: 3.2L V6/6-speed automatic
Horsepower: 255 @ 6,500 rpm
Torque: 243 lb.-ft. @ 3,250 rpm
Options: Convenience package ($3,980), Audi parking system with rearview camera ($1,000), power tailgate with adjustable opening angle ($600), S line sports package with 18" wheels ($3,450), manual side and rear window sunshades ($340), technology package ($3,700), cold weather package ($690), metallic paint ($1,000), Volterra leather ($1,500)
Freight: $1,595
Fuel required: 80 litres, premium
EnerGuide fuel economy ratings (L/100 km): 13.6 city, 8.4 hwy.
Observed economy (L/100 km): 9.5 combined
Basic warranty: 4 years/80,000 km
MSRP range: $62,700 to $75,600
Engines available: 3.2-litre V6 (255 hp/243 lb.-ft.), 4.2-litre V8 (350/325)
Transmissions available : 6-speed automatic
Competitors: BMW 535xiT, M-Benz E350 4Matic, Volvo V70 3.2 2008
Strengths: Confident road manners, tons of traction in all situations, powerful brakes, decent fuel consumption
Weaknesses: High price, mediocre rear seat comfort
Find a dealer that sells the Audi A6 Avant
Other vehicle reviews for Audi
Autonet Best Choice 2007 Luxury sedans/mid-size wagons
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