Audi A6 vs Mercedes-Benz C-Class

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class presented a stylish exterior that seamlessly integrated design elements from other Mercedes models. Its front end mirrored the CLA-Class with a distinctive droop, while the squared-off rear and thin taillights were reminiscent of the S-Class. The result was a cohesive and recognizable Mercedes design, highlighted by a prominent grille featuring a large three-pointed star logo. The cab-rearward proportions, with a long hood and short rear deck, emphasized its rear-wheel-drive platform, setting it apart from the front-wheel-drive CLA-Class and A-Class. Inside, the C-Class aimed to emulate the luxury of the S-Class with features like a freestanding touchscreen, intricate speaker grilles, and ambient lighting. Despite its luxury aspirations, the standard MBTex synthetic leather upholstery was a reminder of its price range, though Nappa leather was available.

The 2026 Audi A6, while handsome, did not make a striking visual impression. Its design featured a lower, more pronounced "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 for different icons. The A6 was available in base, Progressiv, and Technik trims, with the Technik trim offering a sportier appearance through the S Line Black package. Despite these enhancements, the interior materials felt disappointingly bland and cheap, lacking the premium feel expected in a luxury sedan.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C300 was powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. It featured a nine-speed automatic transmission and a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, which added up to 20 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque in short bursts. The C300 could accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 6.0 seconds, with a top speed limited to 210 km/h. A sportier AMG C43 version offered 402 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, reducing the zero to 100 km/h time to 4.5 seconds and increasing the top speed to 250 km/h. While the C300 felt powerful, it suffered from turbo lag and occasional rough shifts. The ride quality was luxurious, though some juddering and vibration were noted. The C-Class handled well on twisty roads, but required deliberate effort to navigate corners.

The 2026 Audi A6 featured a turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine, producing 362 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and standard quattro all-wheel drive. This setup allowed the A6 to accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds, outperforming base models of the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E-Class. The A6's powertrain provided a sporty feel, though there was hesitation from the transmission under heavy throttle. The Sport Plus package added a sport rear differential and rear-axle steering, enhancing handling but compromising ride comfort. The A6 excelled in highway stability, but tire noise on less-than-perfect roads detracted from its premium feel.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, available only as a sedan, offered increased interior space compared to its predecessor. Front headroom increased by 2.5 mm, and rear headroom by 10 mm, with rear-seat legroom gaining 20 mm. This made the C-Class a leader in front-seat headroom and rear-seat legroom among its competitors. The seats were comfortable, with good bolstering for spirited driving, though thick rear pillars created blind spots. The trunk offered 455 litres of space, with a wide opening for easy loading and a 40/20/40 split-folding rear bench for longer items.

The 2026 Audi A6, six centimetres longer than its predecessor, maintained the same wheelbase, resulting in no significant increase in passenger space. Front-seat headroom increased by five centimetres due to a new panoramic glass roof, but rear-seat headroom and legroom remained similar. The A6 offered comparable space to the BMW 5 Series, with heated rear seats and climate controls. The trunk, with 382 litres of space, was smaller than the previous generation but still offered more cargo space than a Cadillac CT5 or Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class featured an infotainment system inspired by the S-Class, with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an 11.9-inch touchscreen angled toward the driver. Standard features included keyless entry, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with options for a Burmester 3D surround-sound system, head-up display, and augmented-reality navigation. The MBUX system offered a "Zero Layer" setup for easy access to functions, and the voice recognition system was highly effective. The optional augmented-reality navigation system provided clear guidance with overlaid arrows on a front-camera feed.

The 2026 Audi A6 introduced the Digital Stage setup, with an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.5-inch touchscreen. An optional 10.9-inch front-passenger touchscreen addressed the main screen's driver-oriented tilt. The MMI infotainment system, however, was criticized for its oversimplified and hard-to-interpret layouts. Audi planned an interface upgrade mid-year, adding features like an integrated dashcam and a new steering wheel. The optional Bang & Olufsen 3D audio system featured headrest speakers for navigation directions.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, though the NHTSA had not yet tested it. Standard safety features included automatic emergency brake assist, blind-spot monitoring, and Pre-Safe systems. Optional features included lane-keep assist, a 360-degree camera system, and Car-to-X communication, which provided real-time warnings based on networked vehicle data.

The 2026 Audi A6 came with standard driver-assist features like adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and blind spot monitors. However, it lacked a hands-free driving system, and the lane centring feature allowed for some lane wobble. Crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time of writing.