2014 Audi A6 TDI: It Goes a Long Way

In recent years, Audi and other automakers have changed the game when it comes to diesel-fueled vehicles. No longer smelly, loud and sluggish, the diesel engines of today offer cleanliness, efficiency and power.
This is evident in the 2014 Audi A6 TDI. This sedan is powered by a 3.0 liter V-6 engine that makes 240 horsepower and 428 pounds-feet of torque.
Those who argue against diesel say that it's considerably more expensive per gallon than gasoline, which is true. The price differential these days is roughly 50 cents a gallon.
However, with the A6 and many other diesel-powered vehicles, you sure do get a lot of bang for your buck from those gallons.
In our weeklong test drive of the A6, we got nearly 800 miles out of one tank of fuel.
If you commute a lot, that's sensational.
However, if you still can't be talked into buying a diesel, the A6 comes with a 2.0 liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that runs on gas and makes 220 horsepower, or a 3.0 liter supercharged V-6 that makes 240 ponies.
The latter model, and the diesel, have Audi's Quattro all-wheel-drive system and an eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters.
The four-cylinder carries either front-wheel drive and a continuously variable transmission, or all-wheel and an eight-speed automatic.
The diesel model gets fuel economy numbers of 24 mpg city, 38 highway, which is quite impressive for a sedan of this size.
The exterior styling is attractive, but not really head-turning or distinctive. In fact, we probably got more looks because of the large TDI Clean Diesel decals on both sides of the car rather than just for its styling.
The A6 has standard 17-inch alloy wheels, with 18-, 19- or 20-inchers optional.
The interior is typically Audi, meaning roomy and comfortable, with pretty good fit and finish.
Leather seating is standard, and a raft of options is available, such as heated rear seats, ventilated front seats, four-zone climate control and the MMI multimedia system.
Driving the A6 is also typically Audi, meaning responsive, exhilirating and power packed.
We didn't get the opportunity to tackle too many twisty roads, but the few times we did, we smiled at how it gripped corners, accelerated and braked smoothly and seemed to revel in being pushed a little harder.
The A6 starts at around $46,000 and ranges to around $67,000, which was the approximate price of the test model.
If you want a large luxury sedan, the A6 TDI is a terrific choice, and even if you don't want diesel, its gasoline version deserves a good look, too.