Audi A6 Avant estate - MPG, running costs & CO2

In a class so heavily targeted at highly taxed company-car drivers, efficiency and CO2 emissions are vital to a model's success or failure. The big German does well here thanks to two versions of a plug-in hybrid and a frugal entry-level diesel engine, which is sure to make up the bulk of A6 Avant sales. 

Audi A6 Avant MPG & CO2

Opt for the sensible, 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel with mild-hybrid technology (badged 40 TDI) and fuel economy is 48.7mpg, with CO2 emissions of 148-152g/km. That's as long as 18 or 19-inch alloys are fitted, because upgrading to 20-inch wheels sees running costs creep up slightly to 46.3mpg and 161g/km, but all diesel A6s occupy the top Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) band of 37%.

With diesel taxed so heavily, many drivers will be moving to the plug-in hybrid instead. Keep the battery topped up and you could achieve 217mpg and an all-electric range of over 30 miles. More relevant will be its 30g/km official CO2 figure, equating to a BiK rate that’s less than a third of the diesels.

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Lower-mileage drivers may be better off with one of the petrol engines. The cheapest 40 TFSI returns up to 38mpg, while stepping up to the 45 TFSI with its standard-fit four-wheel drive only drops the figure to 35mpg. Above that is a 55 TFSI engine that’s as quick as a hot hatchback and returns 33.6mpg at a steady cruise but it’s expensive to buy in the first place. All these petrol engines sit in the top BiK band.

Insurance groups

The cheapest A6 Avant to insure is the petrol 40 TFSI model, which sits in groups 32 to 41 depending on trim. 45 TFSI models sit in groups 36 to 44, while the diesel 40 TDI sits in group 35 to 41. Plug-in hybrid TFSIe models are most expensive to insure, sitting in groups 44 to 46.

Warranty

Audi's warranty covers the car for three years/60,000 miles, which is rather stingy next to the unlimited-mileage offerings of several rivals, including Mercedes. Paintwork is covered for three years, and there is a 12-year corrosion warranty. Three years of UK roadside assistance is also included. For an extra cost, the warranty can be extended to four or five years.

Servicing

There are two types of servicing available for the A6 Avant, which can be chosen at the time of purchase. Owners covering less than around 10,000 miles a year or making frequent short trips are recommended to go for annual servicing. Alternatively, the car's inbuilt sensors can determine when a service is required, and this is likely to provide motorway drivers slightly longer gaps between services. Audi typically offers fixed-price servicing deals to help spread the cost of maintenance, so it's worth asking about these at the dealership.