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Get These Cars at 0% APR Right Now2022 Audi A6 vs Mercedes-Benz E-Class
The 2022 Audi A6 takes on the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class while both search for luxury sedan dominance in a crowded field.
Audi A6 vs Mercedes E-Class
A decade ago the Audi A6 and Mercedes E-Class were both still finding their legs to some extent. Their lineups were dynamically changing around them and both car companies were figuring out exactly what to make of these luxurious sports sedans. Those days are long gone now. For 2022, both cars are more luxurious than ever before. Mercedes-Benz has axed the AMG 63 version of their mid-size sedan and Audi has moved the majority of its sporting nature to the RS7 and RS6 Avant. In their places are sedans that aim to lavish you in comfort as you glide down the road. Let’s find out which one does a better job.
Audi A6 vs Mercedes E-Class Specs
For 2022, the Audi A6 is available with two different engines. The base motor is the same 2.0-liter turbocharged unit found in other cars in the Audi family that makes 248 horsepower. It gets 26 mpg combined. The turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 is the one to have though with its 335 horsepower and capability to get 24 mpg combined. Every A6 features Quattro all-wheel-drive and a seven-speed automatic transmission. The Audi A6 starts at a MSRP of $55,900.
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan comes with three different powertrains. The base model uses a 255-horsepower, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder paired with either rear or all-wheel-drive. It gets up to 26 mpg combined in rear-wheel-drive form. Then there’s a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six with mild hybrid technology that makes 362 horsepower and gets 24 mpg combined in the E450. The Mercedes-Benz E450 comes as all-wheel-drive only. Finally, there’s the E53 AMG which uses that same inline-six, but develops 429 horsepower and still manages to get 24 mpg combined. Every E-Class uses a nine-speed automatic with the AMG model getting a special Speed shift twin clutch version.
Driving Impressions
Driving the 2022 Mercedes-Benz E-Class anywhere near its limit points out quickly that it’s not a sports sedan, that is unless you’re in the E53 AMG. We’ll come back to that car though. The regular E-Class deserves a lot of praise on its own. The steering feedback is good and the pedals will feel very linear in their use. We really like how well it will soak up the road and can hustle without being noisy or unsettled.
Both the four-cylinder and the six-cylinder are good to drive, but we certainly prefer the more powerful of the two. Of course, it’s hard then not to fall in love with the even more aggressively tuned version found in the E53 AMG. It’s responsive in a way that feels far more naturally aspirated than it has any right to. Still, it’s a big heavy car, so think of it a little more like a Dodge Charger as opposed to a Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters car.
Audi starts off this competition with less power in each trim and despite being lighter than the Benz, it’s still pretty obvious. It’s just not as eager or happy to rev as the Mercedes. That’s not to say that the 2022 Audi A6 can’t be a fun driver’s car though. Quattro is one of the best all-wheel-drive systems ever and it’s always improving. So, we’re not surprised to report that the A6 can handle curves better than the E-Class. To get to that level though requires real serious effort and that sort of seems to miss the point about what this car is.
Interior Comfort, Cargo, and Quality
Comparing these cars from behind the wheel is one of the easier jobs in the business though. Both are supple, comfortable, and engaging. Best of all, they’re meant to be a nice place to be over almost everything else. They both achieve that too and with an extremely high level of competency.
Inside the Mercedes, it feels like there’s a little learning curve to get past. The MBUX infotainment system isn’t automatically intuitive, there are so many controls for the seats and the steering wheel has some 24 different selectable buttons on it. There’s a benefit though, because once you’re used to it, it feels like you’re a pilot of sorts with switchgears all over the place that only those in the know can operate effectively.
The E-Class is also supremely comfortable. The lumbar support in the front seats is fantastic and the rears aren’t bad either. In typical Mercedes fashion, the dash and trim are among the best in the business. Aluminum and real wood accents stare back at you and the gigantic center screen are reminders that this isn’t a glammed-up Chevy. In the back, the E-Class offers incredible cargo space with a big trunk and seats that fold down for additional hauling capability.
The Audi A6 is one of those cars that feels like it was built just for you as soon as you get in. The ergonomics are remarkable from the get go. Sure, new owners will have a learning curve, but it’s not as steep as the Benz. The seats are just a shade behind the level of comfort that Mercedes provides. Audi actually has better thigh bolsters, but beyond that, the rest of the seat just isn’t as supportive. Fit and finish are absolutely on par with its rival, but there are some blemishes to take note of.
First, it doesn’t feel as special inside, at least to me. Many Audi drivers prefer that subtle class though and we get it. What we don’t think will be so easily looked over is the digital-only climate controls. Gone are the knobs and switches in favor of haptic feedback touch-sensitive on-screen controls. They work well enough, but you can’t use them as easily as the physical counterparts in the Mercedes.
Trims and Features Available
Audi sells the 2022 Audi A6 in three trims. First up is the Premium which gets Audi’s Virtual Cockpit, 19-inch wheels, LED headlights, power-adjustable heated front seats, integrated navigation, and 10 speakers. In standard form it uses the 2.0-liter engine, but can be had with the six-cylinder for $3,900 more.
The A6 Premium Plus adds 6 speakers for a total of 16, upgraded LED headlights, adaptive cruise control, and a lane-keep system. It also gets a heated steering wheel, a wireless charging pad, and blind-spot intervention. Just like the Premium, it comes with the smaller engine, but can be upgraded to the larger counterpart for the same cost.
Then there’s the A6 Prestige. It only comes with the six-cylinder, adds four-zone climate control, heated rear seats, ventilated front seats, dual-pane acoustic glass, power soft-close doors, a heads up display, and rear window shades.
The 2022 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is available in three trims as well, but this time they each get their own engine. The E350 comes with the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder mentioned above. It also gets LED headlights, a 12.3-inch infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, and a digital instrument cluster. The front seats are heated and power-adjustable. The car also comes with forward collision mitigation and blind-spot monitoring. Buyers can add a heads-up display, a surround-view camera, and a driver assistance package with features like adaptive cruise. Unlike the A6, almost any standard equipment on the E450 or even the AMG E53 is also standard here.
The E450 gets the mild hybrid 3.0-liter I6 with 362 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. It comes with the same standard equipment and a bevy of optional extras like a heated steering wheel, a Burmester premium audio system, and soft-close doors.
The E53 AMG is in the same boat for the most part. The biggest difference is all the performance tech that’s included. Under the hood is a 429 horsepower version of the same I6 featured in the E450. Then there’s a big brake package and a sport-suspension that are all standard features. Beyond that, buyers will have to opt for the same luxury goodies available to the E350 and E450.
Which Luxury Sedan Should You Buy?
The 2022 Audi A6 is a fantastic car and we hear rumors that later in 2022 a new base model will join a new S6 to bookend the current lineup. When that happens the result might be different, but for now, the 2022 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is the car we’d spend our money on. It’s much easier to configure just how you want it. It’s more fun to drive hard. And at the end of the day, it just feels more special. For this kind of money, that’s what we want. Don’t have $55k+ to spend on a sedan? Check out some of our budget buy articles like this comparison of the A6 vs a Lexus GS for less than $30,000.
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Would like to see comparison between Benz S class, BMW 7class and Audi 8