Audi A6 vs. Volkswagen Passat
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Audi A6 and Volkswagen Passat 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 Volkswagen Passat.
In comparing the Audi A6's and the Volkswagen Passat's specifications and ratings, the Audi A6 has the advantage in the areas of reliability and base engine power. The Volkswagen Passat has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency, resale value, interior volume and overall quality score. Based on this comparison of the Audi A6's and the Volkswagen Passat's specifications and ratings, the Volkswagen Passat is a better car than the Audi A6.
Pricing: A used 2022 Audi A6 ranges from $37,993 to $55,295 while a used 2022 Volkswagen Passat is priced between $17,888 to $26,226.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Audi A6 loses 57.2 percent of its value and the Volkswagen Passat loses 43.1 percent of its value. This means the Volkswagen Passat retains 14.1 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 is 8.4 out of 10 while the Volkswagen Passat's quality rating is 8.5 out of 10. This results in the Audi A6 being ranked 6 out of 29 Best Luxury Midsize Cars and the Volkswagen Passat being ranked 8 out of 13 Best Midsize Cars.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Audi A6 is 8.3 out of 10. For the Volkswagen Passat the reliability rating is 7.9 out of 10. This gives the Audi A6 a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Volkswagen Passat.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Audi A6’s base engine makes 261 horsepower, and the Volkswagen Passat base engine makes 174 horsepower. The A6 is rated to deliver an average of 26 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 618 miles. The Passat is rated to deliver an average of 28 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 666 miles. This gives the Volkswagen Passat the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Audi A6. The A6 uses premium unleaded, and the Passat uses regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: While both models are midsize cars, the Volkswagen Passat has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front leg room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The Audi A6 has the advantage in the areas of front head room, front shoulder room and rear head room.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, the Audi A6 has higher safety ratings than the Volkswagen Passat, with an average rating of 5 out of 5 Stars compared to 4.86 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$55,900
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
$68,982
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
$37,295 - $130,000
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$27,575
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize Cars)
$27,672
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize Cars)
$23,400 - $40,750
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$45,815
Price Range:
$37,993 - $55,295
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
$62,214
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
$35,530 - $113,808
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
62
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
28,155
# Good or Great Deals:
14
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$21,757
Price Range:
$17,888 - $26,226
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize Cars)
$25,865
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize Cars)
$20,266 - $35,349
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
252
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
48,839
# Good or Great Deals:
97
Audi A6 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.4 / 10
Reliability:
8.3 / 10
Retained Value:
6.9 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Volkswagen Passat Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.5 / 10
Reliability:
7.9 / 10
Retained Value:
7.8 / 10
Safety:
9.7 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Audi A6
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
7.6
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
9
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
6 - 12.6
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
4%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Volkswagen Passat
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
8.4
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Midsize Cars)
8.2
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Midsize Cars)
7.5 - 11
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
8.3%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
6.1
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
2.8
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
1 - 29.5
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.4
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
3.1
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
1.3 - 16.4
Audi A6 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 8Ranking
2 out of / 29Ranking
3 out of / 9Ranking
6 out of / 29Ranking
6 out of / 29Ranking
8 out of / 29Ranking
8 out of / 20Ranking
16 out of / 29Ranking
17 out of / 29Ranking
21 out of / 29Ranking
26 out of / 29Volkswagen Passat Rankings
Ranking
4 out of / 13Ranking
5 out of / 6Ranking
8 out of / 13Ranking
8 out of / 13Ranking
9 out of / 13Ranking
9 out of / 13Ranking
12 out of / 13Ranking
12 out of / 13Ranking
13 out of / 13Available 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
Volkswagen Passat Trim Levels
Limited Edition, R-Line, SE
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:
3 years / 36000 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):
4.86 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
3 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
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:
174 hp @ 5200 rpm
Torque:
206 foot-lbs @ 1700 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.052 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):
23 / 32 / 26
Range (city/hwy):
444 / 618 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
24 / 36 / 28
Range (city/hwy):
444 / 666 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular 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
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Massage Seats:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
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:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
Available
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:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
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:
37.4 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.4 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.8 inches
Rear Leg Room:
39.1 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
57 inches
Cargo Space:
15.9 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
102.0 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:
3369 lbs
Width:
72.6 inches
Height:
58.7 inches
Length:
193.6 inches
Wheelbase:
110.4 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.7 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:
18.0 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P235/45R18
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
Deep Black Pearl
Blue
Tourmaline Blue Metallic
Brown
Not available
Gray
Platinum Gray Metallic
Silver
Not available
White
Pure White
Red
Aurora Red Metallic
Interior Colors
Beige
Pearl Beige w/ Agate Gray Stitching
Black
Black w/ Rock Gray Stitching
Brown
Okapi Brown w/ Steel Gray Stitching
Interior Colors
Beige
Shetland Beige
Black
Titan Black
Brown
Mauro Brown