2026 Audi A6 vs 2025 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was a nod to the era when elegant sedans were the epitome of luxury. With a length of 5,289 millimetres, it commanded attention on the road with its sleek and traditional design. The seventh-generation model, introduced in 2021, retained its classic character while adopting a more aerodynamic style. Its rounded body, larger grille, and retractable door handles contributed to its sophisticated appearance. The long hood and wheelbase hinted at a spacious interior, especially in the North American market where only the long-wheelbase version was available. Inside, the S-Class boasted a horizontal dashboard layout, though the digital displays seemed awkwardly integrated. The cabin was adorned with premium materials, offering a choice of upholstery colours and trim options, including lacquered wood and natural-grain walnut. The construction quality was impeccable, with no creaks or squeaks, rivaling even the most luxurious brands.

The 2026 Audi A6, while handsome, did not make a striking visual impression. Its design featured a lower "singleframe" grille and fender flares inspired by the Quattro rally car. The LED headlights offered a pixelated effect with programmable signatures, and the taillights were repositioned to accommodate programmable lights. However, the symbols for different functions were not easily distinguishable. The A6 was available in base, Progressiv, and Technik trims, with the latter offering a sportier appearance through the S Line Black package. Despite its sporty enhancements, the interior materials felt bland and cheap. The A6's design was more subdued compared to its competitors, and while it offered some innovative lighting features, it lacked the visual impact of other luxury sedans.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz S-Class offered four models, each distinguished by its powertrain. The entry-level S 500 featured a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-six engine, producing 442 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, with an acceleration time of 4.9 seconds to 100 km/h. The S 580 upgraded to a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8, delivering 496 hp and 516 lb-ft, achieving 100 km/h in about 4.4 seconds. All models came with a nine-speed automatic transmission and 4Matic AWD, with mild-hybrid systems in the S 500 and S 580. The AMG S 63 E Performance topped the lineup with a plug-in hybrid system, combining a twin-turbo V8 and an electric motor for a total of 791 hp and 1,055 lb-ft of torque, reaching 100 km/h in 3.3 seconds. The S-Class's suspension was tuned for comfort, providing a smooth ride and confident handling, with rear axle steering enhancing maneuverability.

The 2026 Audi A6 featured a turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and standard quattro AWD. This engine produced 362 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, allowing the A6 to accelerate to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds. The A6's powertrain was shared with the S5 sedan, and despite its larger size, it maintained a similar weight. The A6's performance was energetic, though the transmission exhibited hesitation under heavy throttle. The Sport Plus package added a sport rear differential and steel-spring suspension, enhancing handling but compromising ride comfort. Rear-axle steering improved maneuverability, while the progressive steering rack provided stability at higher speeds. However, the A6 was better suited for highway driving than spirited cornering, with noticeable tire noise on less-than-perfect roads.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz S-Class featured curvaceous front seats that offered ample space and comfort, with standard heating, ventilation, and massage functions. Storage space for personal items was adequate, with moderately sized cupholders and door pockets. The rear seats were equally accommodating, with optional features like heating, ventilation, and massage functions available through the Pinnacle Trim package. The executive passenger-side rear seat offered a power footrest and adjustable front passenger seat. The S-Class provided 535 litres of cargo capacity, with a centre pass-through door for longer items and a flip-down hook for securing shopping bags.

The 2026 Audi A6, while six centimetres longer than its predecessor, did not offer increased passenger space due to the unchanged wheelbase. Front-seat headroom improved by five centimetres thanks to the panoramic glass roof, which extended to the rear seats. Rear seat headroom and legroom remained similar to the previous model, comparable to the BMW 5 Series. The A6 featured heated rear seats, climate controls, and USB-C ports, with heated and ventilated front seats as standard. The trunk offered 382 litres of cargo space, slightly less than the previous generation but more than the Cadillac CT5 and Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz S-Class came equipped with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and a 12.8-inch infotainment touchscreen, featuring a native navigation system with augmented reality video overlays, voice recognition, and a Burmester surround-sound system. The Pinnacle Trim package added rear-seat amenities, including an infotainment-system tablet and an entertainment system with two 11.6-inch displays. The infotainment system offered crisp graphics and quick responses, though the capacitive touch controls were frustrating to use. The voice-control technology was highly accurate, though dependent on an internet connection.

The 2026 Audi A6 introduced the Digital Stage setup, featuring an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.5-inch touchscreen. An optional 10.9-inch front-passenger touchscreen was available, though the main touchscreen was tilted toward the driver. The MMI infotainment system had oversimplified layouts, with small, unorganized text in the instrument cluster. Audi's improved voice recognition system and standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto provided some relief, but the interface was set to be updated mid-year. The optional Bang & Olufsen 3D audio system featured headrest speakers for navigation directions.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz S-Class included standard advanced safety features such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, automated lane-change assist, evasive steering assistance, automatic reverse braking, a semi-automated parking system, and a surround-view camera system. These systems functioned flawlessly, with the adaptive cruise control providing smooth transitions between acceleration and braking. Crash test results were not available, but Mercedes-Benz maintained an impeccable safety record.

The 2026 Audi A6 offered standard driver-assist features, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, blind spot monitors, traffic sign recognition, parking sensors, and lane departure warning. The lane centring feature allowed some wobble within the lane, but robust driver monitoring helped prevent misuse. Crash-test ratings were not available, typical for a new model year.