Certified Benz & Beemer Compares 2014 Audi A6 VS 2014 Cadillac XTS 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 XTS doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The A6 has a standard Audi Backguard System, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Audi Backguard System moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The XTS doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

An active infrared night vision system optional on the A6 Prestige helps the driver to more easily detect people, animals or other objects in front of the vehicle at night. Using an infrared camera and near-infrared lights to detect heat, the system then projects the image on the windshield, near the driver’s line of sight. The XTS doesn’t offer a night vision system.

The A6 Premium Plus/Prestige offers an optional Top and Corner View Cameras to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The XTS only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

Both the A6 and the XTS have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front-wheel drive, height-adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control and electronic stability systems to prevent skidding.

The A6’s corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the XTS’ (12 vs. 6 years).

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the A6 has a standard 180-amp alternator (210-amp - A6 TDI). The XTS’ 170-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

The battery on the A6 is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the A6’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The XTS’ battery is in the hot engine compartment.

The A6 3.0T’s standard 3.0 supercharged V6 produces 5 more horsepower (310 vs. 305) and 61 lbs.-ft. more torque (325 vs. 264) than the XTS’ standard 3.6 DOHC V6.

The A6’s 3.0 turbo V6 diesel produces 164 lbs.-ft. more torque (428 vs. 264) than the XTS’ standard 3.6 DOHC V6. The A6’s 3.0 turbo V6 diesel produces 59 lbs.-ft. more torque (428 vs. 369) than the XTS Vsport’s standard 3.6 turbo V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the A6 3.0T 3.0 supercharged V6 is faster than the Cadillac XTS V6:

On the EPA test cycle the A6 3.0 TDI gets better fuel mileage than the XTS AWD (24 city/38 hwy vs. 17 city/26 hwy).

On the EPA test cycle the A6 gets better fuel mileage than the XTS:

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the A6 3.0 T/TDI’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. (Start/Stop isn’t accounted in present EPA fuel mileage tests.) The XTS doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

For better stopping power the A6 3.0T’s brake rotors are larger than those on the XTS:

The A6 stops much shorter than the XTS:

For better traction, the A6’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the XTS (255/40R19 vs. 245/45R19).

The A6 Prestige’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the XTS’ optional 40 series tires.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the A6’s wheelbase is 3 inches longer than on the XTS (114.7 inches vs. 111.7 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the A6 is 1.8 inches wider in the front and 1.2 inches wider in the rear than on the XTS.

The A6’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (55% to 45%) than the XTS’ (57.8% to 42.2%). This gives the A6 more stable handling and braking.

The A6 3.0T Quattro handles at .95 G’s, while the XTS AWD pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The A6 3.0T Quattro executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.5 seconds quicker than the XTS AWD (25.1 seconds @ .74 average G’s vs. 27.6 seconds @ .63 average G’s).

The Audi A6 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 50 to 300 pounds less than the Cadillac XTS.

The A6 is 8.1 inches shorter than the XTS, making the A6 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the A6 3.0T Quattro is quieter than the XTS:

If the windows are left down on the A6 the driver can raise them all using the key in the outside lock cylinder; on a hot day the driver can lower the windows. The driver of the XTS can only raise the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The A6 has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent vandalism, such as sugar in the tank and fuel theft. The XTS doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

The A6’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The XTS’ standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

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 XTS doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

Insurance will cost less for the A6 owner. Kiplinger’s estimates that insurance for the A6 will cost $177 to $610 less than the XTS each year.

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 XTS.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the A6 is less expensive to operate than the XTS because it costs $238 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the A6 than the XTS, including $85 less for a water pump, $655 less for an alternator, $11 less for front brake pads and $14 less for a power steering pump.

Consumer Reports® chose the Audi A6 as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance.

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 XTS 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 XTS has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.