First Drive: 2026 Audi A6 Avant

Telões, Portugal – You can’t always get what you want. In the case of the 2026 Audi A6 Avant wagon, the desire is strong, but it’s going to be unrequited for those of us in North America.

Driving the gorgeous, stout beast over the twisting mountainous roads near Telões, Portugal, was a tease. We could touch, see and hear it, knowing all the while that it was an experience that would not be replicated, except perhaps on future trips to Europe.

It was a moment to remember, however, because the Avant foreshadows the arrival of the A6 sedan in Canada later this year. The A6 Avant and sedan are based on Audi’s new PPC (Premium Platform Combustion) platform, which launched earlier in 2025 with the A5. That means that the A6 sedan and Avant wagon will have a lot in common, including the driving dynamics we experienced in Portugal.

Large estate wagons are a common sight on those European roads, with the Audi fitting in well among the BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo five-doors cruising around. The new Avant has gained an additional 60mm over its predecessor, now measuring 4.99 metres in length and 1.88m wide with a 2.9m wheelbase. It’s amazing from a North American’s perspective to see such large vehicles being used in tight, maze-like European urban areas that were designed for donkey carts centuries ago.

But that speaks to the excellent handling capabilities Audi has given the A6 Avant. Although it is heavy and solid on the road, the Avant feels reasonably nimble. That’s in part thanks to four-wheel steering that reduces its turning radius in tight spaces. It’s also a product of the wagon’s increased stiffness and electromechanical progressive steering. Steering inputs are reduced at highway speeds to reduce twitchiness and increased at slow speeds to make parking and tight maneuvers easier.

This car is truly a grand tourer at heart. It’s got the mass and an improved drag coefficient to make it a smoothly quiet highway prowler. Audi has deployed air curtains, new sealing around the engine bay, aerodynamic wheels, and other tech goodies to give this Audi a drag of just .25, the lowest for any Avant with a combustion engine. The wagon has also been given better sound insulation, more tightly sealed windows and doors, and a quieter transmission. It’s even got sound absorbers inside the larger sized tires.

In Europe the Avant powered by a choice of three powerplants, two gasoline and one diesel. The base engine is a turbocharged two-litre, in-line four-cylinder that delivers 201 horsepower and 251 pound-feet of torque. The other two engines are a two-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel and a gas-powered three-litre, six-cylinder turbo. These are both paired with a 48-volt mild hybrid system. All three use the same seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

We drove both the six- and four-cylinder gas powered cars. The four is a little sluggish off the mark as it works hard to get the big wagon rolling. It has a zero to 100 km/h time of 8.3 seconds. But once up to cruising speed it’s remarkably responsive and efficient, with a fuel economy rating of 7.8–6.9 l/100 km combined. By contrast, the three-litre zips to 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds, and delivers a much more dynamic performance on the highway. Throttle response is very fast, and you can feel the extra power in the small of your back.

The A6 Avant also very much looks the part of a grand touring automobile. Its front end is sculpted, and the long hood gives way to a curved roof line and tapered tail. The wide track and aerodynamic hood design lend the car a low, planted stance.

This model year marks the introduction of new paint colours and design options, along with a 3D configurator that allows for complete customization. There are 11 paint colours and 11 interior themes to choose from, alongside a host of wheels up to 21 inches.

Inside, these are comfortable, luxurious cars. Our three-litre top-of the-line tester was equipped with headrest speakers that direct phone calls and navigation prompts only to the driver.  An electronic panoramic sunroof spanned the entire length of the car and can be turned opaque, clear or striped, depending on your whim.

The front passenger gets their own touchscreen control centre that has access to all the vehicle’s functions, including navigation. In the top-of-the-line models four-zone climate control is available. Glorious Bang & Olufsen surround sound is delivered by 16 or 20 speakers, including a subwoofer.

After our brief spin in the A6 Avant, I have to agree with Audi CEO Gernot Döllner, who said: “The new Audi A6 unites an elegant and dynamic design with exceptional aerodynamics. Efficient yet high‑performance drive systems and cutting-edge suspension technology combine sportiness with a high level of comfort, making traveling in the A6 a first-class experience. We are writing the next chapter in our Avant history.”

I just wish they were writing it in Canada as well as in Europe.

The A6 Avant will be available exclusively in Europe, with deliveries beginning in May 2025. Pricing begins at 58,000 euros (approximately $90,000).