Verdict
The Audi A6 is the harder-driving choice: its 340 hp, 500 Nm 3.0-litre petrol powertrain, quattro all-wheel drive and 5.1-second 0-100 km/h time put clear distance between it and the E-Class’s 201 hp, 320 Nm, rear-wheel-drive layout and 7.5 seconds. It also brings adaptive dampers and dynamic all-wheel steering. But the locally assembled Mercedes is easier to justify for Malaysian ownership, with RM380 annual road tax against RM2,118, a 37 mm longer wheelbase, 540-litre boot and stronger driver-assistance kit. The Audi’s 730-watt 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen system is a genuine cabin draw.
Pick the Audi A6 if 340 hp, 500 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 5.1-second century sprint matter more than lower running costs.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz E-Class if you want the much lower RM380 road tax, 2,961 mm wheelbase and adaptive cruise control with steering lane-keeping assistance.
Key differences
- Performance: Audi A6 has 340 hp, 500 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 5.1 seconds; Mercedes-Benz E-Class has 201 hp, 320 Nm and 7.5 seconds.
- Driveline: Audi A6 uses all-wheel drive; Mercedes-Benz E-Class uses rear-wheel drive.
- Road tax: Audi A6 is RM2,118 per year; Mercedes-Benz E-Class is RM380 per year.
- Cabin space: Audi A6 has a 2,924 mm wheelbase and 530-litre boot; Mercedes-Benz E-Class has a 2,961 mm wheelbase and 540-litre boot.
- Driver assistance: Audi A6 has passive cruise control and lane-keeping warning; Mercedes-Benz E-Class has adaptive cruise control and steering lane-keeping…
- Wheels and tyres: Audi A6 runs 20-inch wheels with 255/40R20 tyres front and rear; Mercedes-Benz E-Class has 19-inch wheels, 245/45R19 front and 275/40R19 rear…
A6
- 340 hp, 500 Nm and 5.1-second 0-100 km/h time.
- All-wheel drive, adaptive dampers and dynamic all-wheel steering.
- Matrix LED headlamps and 730-watt 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio.
- RM2,118 annual road tax versus RM380.
- No blind-spot information system; the E-Class has one.
- Passive cruise control and lane warning only, against adaptive cruise and steering correction.
E-Class
- RM380 annual road tax and Malaysian CKD assembly.
- Adaptive cruise control, steering lane-keeping correction and blind-spot information.
- 2,961 mm wheelbase, 540-litre boot and 360-degree camera with auto parking.
- 201 hp and 320 Nm trail the A6’s 340 hp and 500 Nm.
- 7.5-second 0-100 km/h time is 2.4 seconds slower than the A6.
- Rear-wheel drive lacks the A6’s all-wheel drive and its adaptive dampers with dynamic all-wheel steering.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM589,900 | RM367,888✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM2,118 | RM380✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC with Twin-scroll Turbocharger, Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 2,995 cc | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 340 hp✓ | 201 hp |
| Torque | 500 Nm✓ | 320 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 84.5 mm | 83 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.8 | 10 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 16 hp | 23 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 60 Nm | 205 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | 0.5 kWh | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 7-speed S-tronic | 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | 7 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | BorgWarner | Daimler AG |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.1 seconds✓ | 7.5 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 7.2 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h✓ | 240 km/h |
| Co2 | 172 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,939 mm | 4,949 mm |
| Width | 1,886 mm | 1,880 mm |
| Height | 1,457 mm | 1,468 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,924 mm | 2,961 mm |
| Weight | 1,760 kg | 1,825 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 63 litres | 66 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 530 litres | 540 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 255/40R20 | 245/45R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/40R20 | 275/40R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero | Pirelli P Zero |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 20" 5 Spoke V Alloys | 19" Multi-spoke Two-tone Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" 5 Spoke V Alloys | 19" Multi-spoke Two-tone Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive Dampers, Dynamic All-wheel Steering | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Rear Side | Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee, Front Side, Rear Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Electric for rear doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on two outer rear passenger seats | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Audi pre sense front | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Warning Only | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Audi pre sense rear | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Matrix LED Projectors with Auto High Beam | Reflector LED with Adaptive High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination with Dynamic Turn Signals | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Driver Side Memory Settings |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Rear AC Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Rear | — |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Active Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Powered rear sun shade, manual rear door window shades | Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 10.1" MMI navigation plus with 8.6" MMI touch response, 730 watt Bang & Olufsen sound system with 16 speakers | 14.4" MBUX Multimedia with Online Music Streaming, AI functionality built-in, Seven Speaker Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Entry (Push Button Start) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered boot | Remote Control Activation with Contactless Boot Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | Soft-close Doors | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Audi virtual cockpit | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 4 years |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used A6 & E-Class for sale
A6 vs E-Class FAQ
Is the Audi A6 or Mercedes-Benz E-Class better?
The A6 is better for outright pace and all-weather traction, reaching 100 km/h in 5.1 seconds with all-wheel drive. The E-Class is the more sensible ownership choice, pairing RM380 road tax with more advanced cruise, lane and parking assistance.
What is the price difference?
The Audi A6 costs RM589,900 and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class costs RM367,888, so the A6 is RM222,012 more expensive.
Which has the better safety and parking kit?
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class has the broader assistance package: blind-spot information, adaptive cruise control, steering lane-keeping correction, a 360-degree camera and auto parking. The A6 counters with Audi pre sense front and rear, but has only lane-keeping warning and a reverse camera.