German luxury automaker Audi AG has been known for its A4 and A6 wagon variants since their debut in the mid-1990s, a time when most wagons were not seeing great sales in the U.S. However, Audi's wagons are still produced today, over a decade later, so the company certainly did something right. Both the Audi A4 and Audi A6 are popular models in the United States and around the globe.
The Audi A4 originally debuted in 1994 as four-door sedan; however, by the next year of production, co... (full review continues below)
German luxury automaker Audi AG has been known for its A4 and A6 wagon variants since their debut in the mid-1990s, a time when most wagons were not seeing great sales in the U.S. However, Audi's wagons are still produced today, over a decade later, so the company certainly did something right. Both the Audi A4 and Audi A6 are popular models in the United States and around the globe.
The Audi A4 originally debuted in 1994 as four-door sedan; however, by the next year of production, consumers demanded a wagon variant with more cargo space. This led to the Audi A4 Avant being produced in 1995. The A4 Avant not only provided more cargo room and family-friendly style; it also was available with many choices, such as 4WD or front-wheel drive variants and several engine styles. This Audi competed well with BMW and Mercedes-Benz wagons because of its smaller price tag and comfortable ride, and the Avant appealed to young families and single businesspeople because of this fact. Throughout the years, the Avant's upgrades have mainly been centered around new transmission and engine enhancements and trivial aesthetic upgrades. Some of these include more accessible interior controls and a more streamlined style. The Avant also received chrome accents to appeal to a sporty audience.
The Audi A4 wagon comes in three trims: A4 Premium, A4 Premium Plus, and A4 Prestige. The wagon has a sleek rear hatch, unlike its sedan brother, and the base model comes standard with 17-inch wheels, with 18-inch wheels available with the higher trims. Internally, the A4 is just as impressive as other Audi models, which tend to be known for their luxurious insides. The wagon includes wood trim, leather, a sunroof, and a premium sound system and infotainment system. With the seats folded down, the wagon provides an amazing 50.4 cubic feet. Six airbags and brake assist are standard, and the wagon starts around $36,400 in its base model. The A4 competes with the BMW 3-Series and the Volvo XC70.
The Audi A6 is very similar to the A4 model, except that it contains even more cargo room. It was introduced at the same time as the A4, and it's one of the most popular luxury wagons on the market today. It has AWD capability and generously appointed German styling, inside and out. MSRP for this wagon is a little steeper than the A4, however. It starts at $53,310 - $53,310. The A6 gets 18 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway, and holds a 300-horsepower 3.0 TFSI V6 engine. The A6's Lane Assist and Side Assist help the driver to stay safely on the road, while several airbags help the driver have a worry-free ride. This Audi's direct competition is the BMW 3-Series, which is lower in price point, but lacks the roomy interior found in the A6. The A6 has had no major redesigns in the past few years, but why should it? With outstanding reviews, there's no need to fix near-perfection.