Certified Benz & Beemer Compares 2014 Audi A6 VS 2014 BMW 6 Near Scottsdale, AZ

The A6’s front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The 6 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Audi A6 are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

The A6 Premium Plus/Prestige offers optional Pre Sense Plus, which use forward mounted sensors to warn the driver of a possible collision ahead. If the driver doesn’t react and the system determines a collision is imminent, it automatically applies the brakes at full-force in order to reduce the force of the crash or avoid it altogether. The 6 Series Gran Coupe doesn't offer collision warning or crash mitigation brakes.

Both the A6 and the 6 Series Gran Coupe have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control and electronic stability systems to prevent skidding.

For its top level performance in frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rates the A6 as a “Top Pick,” a rating only granted to 170 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The 6 Series Gran Coupe has not been tested, yet.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2013 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Audi vehicles are better in initial quality than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Audi 13th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 6 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is ranked 18th, below the industry average.

The A6’s 3.0 turbo V6 diesel produces 98 lbs.-ft. more torque (428 vs. 330) than the 640i Gran Coupe’s standard 3.0 turbo 6 cyl.

As tested in Car and Driver the A6 3.0T 3.0 supercharged V6 is faster than the 640i Gran Coupe 3.0 turbo 6 cyl. (automatics tested):

On the EPA test cycle the A6 3.0 TDI gets better fuel mileage than the 640i Gran Coupe Auto xDrive (24 city/38 hwy vs. 20 city/29 hwy).

The A6 has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the 6 Series Gran Coupe’s standard fuel tank (19.8 vs. 18.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The A6 stops shorter than the 6 Series Gran Coupe:

For better traction, the A6’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the 6 Series Gran Coupe (255/40R19 vs. 245/40R19).

The A6 3.0T Quattro handles at .93 G’s, while the 640i Gran Coupe pulls only .89 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the A6’s turning circle is .4 feet tighter than the 6 Series Gran Coupe’s (39 feet vs. 39.4 feet). The A6’s turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the M6 Gran Coupe’s (39 feet vs. 41 feet).

The Audi A6 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 450 pounds less than the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe.

The A6 is 3.3 inches shorter than the 6 Series Gran Coupe, making the A6 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The design of the Audi A6 amounts to more than styling. The A6 offers aerodynamic coefficients of drag from .26 to .28 Cd (depending on bodystyle and options). That is lower than the 6 Series Gran Coupe (.29 to .33) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the A6 get better fuel mileage.

As tested by Car and Driver while under full throttle, the interior of the A6 3.0T Quattro is quieter than the 640i Gran Coupe (72 vs. 75 dB).

The A6 has .8 inches more front shoulder room, .8 inches more rear headroom, 2.1 inches more rear legroom and 1.7 inches more rear shoulder room than the 6 Series Gran Coupe.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the A6 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The 6 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the A6 has standard extendable sun visors. The 6 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Insurance will cost less for the A6 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the A6 will cost $4025 to $5660 less than the 6 Series Gran Coupe over a five-year period.

The A6 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. Kiplinger’s estimates that the A6 will retain a greater percentage of its original price after three and five years than the 6 Series Gran Coupe.

Intellichoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Audi A6 will be $18711 to $33321 less than for the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe.

The Audi A6 has won recognition from these important consumer publications:

J.D. Power and Associates rated the A6 second among midsize premium cars in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The 6 Series Gran Coupe isn’t in the top three.

The A6 was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 4 of the last 14 years. The 6 Series Gran Coupe has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.