Audi A6 vs. Mercedes-Benz CLS
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Audi A6 and Mercedes-Benz CLS contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Audi A6 and the Mercedes-Benz CLS.
When comparing the Audi A6's and the Mercedes-Benz CLS's specifications and ratings, the Audi A6 has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency and interior volume. The Mercedes-Benz CLS has the advantage in the areas of reliability, resale value and base engine power. The Audi A6 and Mercedes-Benz CLS have the same overall quality score. Based on this comparison of the Audi A6's and the Mercedes-Benz CLS's specifications and ratings, the Audi A6 is a better car than the Mercedes-Benz CLS.
Pricing: A used 2023 Audi A6 ranges from $26,936 to $49,930 while a used 2023 Mercedes-Benz CLS is priced between $53,990 to $80,121. For a new model, the Audi A6's price is between $61,256 and $68,724, with the Mercedes-Benz CLS priced between $81,890 and $94,488.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Audi A6 loses 60.9 percent of its value and the Mercedes-Benz CLS loses 58.2 percent of its value. This means the Mercedes-Benz CLS retains 2.7 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Audi A6.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Audi A6 and Mercedes-Benz CLS is 7.5 out of 10. This results in the Audi A6 being ranked 9 out of 24 Best Luxury Midsize Cars and the Mercedes-Benz CLS being ranked 5 out of 17 Best Luxury Large Cars.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Audi A6 is 7.5 out of 10. For the Mercedes-Benz CLS the reliability rating is 7.7 out of 10. This gives the Mercedes-Benz CLS a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Audi A6.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Audi A6’s base engine makes 261 horsepower, and the Mercedes-Benz CLS base engine makes 362 horsepower. The A6 is rated to deliver an average of 27 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 598 miles. The CLS is rated to deliver an average of 25 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 633 miles.This gives the Audi A6 the advantage in fuel efficiency and the Mercedes-Benz CLS the advantage in maximum range. Both models use premium unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Audi A6, a midsize car, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, rear head room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The Mercedes-Benz CLS, a large car, has the advantage in the area of front leg room. The Audi A6 and Mercedes-Benz CLS are comparable in regards to front shoulder room and rear shoulder room.
Safety Ratings: The Audi A6 has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
61256 - 68724
Starting MSRP:
56900
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
71383
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
38195 - 134100
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
81890 - 94488
Starting MSRP:
76500
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Large Cars)
96574
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Large Cars)
70200 - 123900
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
36734
Price Range:
26936 - 49930
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
61758
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
34827 - 111788
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
107
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
37740
# Good or Great Deals:
33
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
62427
Price Range:
53990 - 80121
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Large Cars)
80940
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Large Cars)
56933 - 123021
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
Audi A6 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.5 / 10
Reliability:
7.5 / 10
Retained Value:
7.1 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
Mercedes-Benz CLS Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.5 / 10
Reliability:
7.7 / 10
Retained Value:
7.3 / 10
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Audi A6
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
8.7
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
10.8
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
7.4 - 20.1
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.045
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Mercedes-Benz CLS
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
9.3
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Large Cars)
10.7
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Large Cars)
5.2 - 14.1
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.016
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.5744191219004173
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
2.6
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
0.6 - 16.0
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.501527819448896
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Large Cars)
2.5
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Large Cars)
1.2 - 77.2
Audi A6 Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 6Ranking
2 out of / 6Ranking
5 out of / 24Ranking
6 out of / 18Ranking
8 out of / 24Ranking
8 out of / 18Ranking
9 out of / 24Ranking
9 out of / 24Ranking
13 out of / 24Ranking
14 out of / 24Ranking
17 out of / 24Ranking
22 out of / 24Mercedes-Benz CLS Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 2Ranking
3 out of / 17Ranking
5 out of / 17Ranking
7 out of / 17Ranking
9 out of / 17Ranking
10 out of / 17Ranking
14 out of / 17Ranking
15 out of / 17Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Audi A6 Trim Levels
quattro Premium 45 TFSI, quattro Premium 55 TFSI, quattro Premium Plus 45 TFSI, quattro Premium Plus 55 TFSI, quattro Prestige 55 TFSI
Mercedes-Benz CLS Trim Levels
CLS 450 4MATIC
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years / 50000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
261 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque:
273 foot-lbs @ 1600 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.064 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
362 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque:
369 foot-lbs @ 1600 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.085 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
24 / 31 / 27
Range (city/hwy):
463 / 598 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
3 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
22 / 30 / 25
Range (city/hwy):
464 / 633 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Automatic Parking:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Massage Seats:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Automatic Parking:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Massage Seats:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Lane Keeping Assist:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.3 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57.8 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.1 inches
Rear Leg Room:
37.4 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56.5 inches
Cargo Space:
13.7 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
99.0 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
36.9 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.9 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57.8 inches
Rear Head Room:
35.9 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56.5 inches
Cargo Space:
11.9 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
93.0 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4101 lbs
Width:
83.1 inches
Height:
57.4 inches
Length:
194.4 inches
Wheelbase:
115.1 inches
Ground Clearance:
4.2 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4255 lbs
Width:
81.5 inches
Height:
56.3 inches
Length:
196.4 inches
Wheelbase:
115.7 inches
Ground Clearance:
3.7 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
19.0 x 8.5 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
245/45R19
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
19.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
245/40R19
Exterior Colors
Black
Brilliant Black / Mythos Black Metallic
Blue
Firmament Blue Metallic
Brown
Soho Brown Metallic
Gray
Chronos Gray Metallic / Manhattan Gray Metallic
Silver
Florett Silver Metallic
White
Glacier White Metallic / Ibis White
Red
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Black / Obsidian Black Metallic
Blue
MANUFAKTUR Cote d'Azur Light Blue Metallic / MANUFAKTUR Mystic Blue Metallic / Starling Blue Metallic
Brown
Not available
Gray
Graphite Grey Metallic / MANUFAKTUR Arabian Grey / MANUFAKTUR Graphite Grey Metallic / MANUFAKTUR Selenite Grey Magno Matte / MANUFAKTUR Teide Light Grey Metallic / Selenite Grey Metallic
Silver
Cirrus Silver Metallic / Mojave Silver Metallic
White
MANUFAKTUR Cashmere White Magno Matte / MANUFAKTUR Diamond White Bright Metallic / Polar White
Red
MANUFAKTUR Cardinal Red Metallic
Interior Colors
Beige
Pearl Beige w/ Agate Gray Stitching
Black
Black w/ Rock Gray Stitching
Brown
Okapi Brown w/ Steel Gray Stitching
Blue
Not available
Gray
Not available
Red
Not available
White
Not available
Interior Colors
Beige
Macchiato Beige/Magma Grey / Magma Grey/Macchiato Beige / MANUFAKTUR Macchiato Beige/Titian Red
Black
Black
Brown
MANUFAKTUR Tartufo Brown/Black / Sienna Brown/Black
Blue
MANUFAKTUR Yacht Blue/Black
Gray
Neva Grey/Magma Grey
Red
MANUFAKTUR Classic Red/Black / MANUFAKTUR Titian Red/Macchiato Beige
White
MANUFAKTUR Deep White/Black
