Compare the2022 Chrysler 300VS 2021 Audi A6

The 300 has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The A6 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the 300 and the A6 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Chrysler 300 is safer than the Audi A6:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Chrysler 300 is safer than the Audi A6:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Chrysler’s powertrain warranty covers the 300 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Audi covers the A6. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the A6 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 8 times as many Chrysler dealers as there are Audi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the 300’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the 300’s reliability 31 points higher than the A6.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 300 second among large cars in their 2021 Initial Quality Study. The A6 isn’t in the top three in its category.

The 300 has more powerful engines than the A6:

As tested in Consumer Reports the Chrysler 300 V8 is faster than the A6 45 TFSI 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the 300 V8’s fuel efficiency. The A6 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Chrysler 300 uses regular unleaded gasoline (mid-grade octane recommended with the 5.7 V8 engine for maximum performance). The A6 requires premium, which can cost 5 to 40 cents more per gallon.

The 300 has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The A6 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Chrysler 300, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the A6.

For better stopping power the 300 V8/AWD’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the A6:

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the 300’s wheelbase is 4.9 inches longer than on the A6 (120 inches vs. 115.1 inches).

The 300’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (52% to 48%) than the A6’s (55% to 45%). This gives the 300 more stable handling and braking.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the 300 a Large car, while the A6 is rated a Mid-size.

The 300 has 7.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the A6 (106.3 vs. 99).

The 300 has .6 inches more front headroom, .5 inches more front legroom, 1.7 inches more front shoulder room, 2.7 inches more rear legroom and 1.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the A6.

The 300 has a much larger trunk than the A6 (16.3 vs. 13.7 cubic feet).

Standard Trailer Sway Mitigation on the 300 uses the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The A6 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The 300 offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The A6 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the 300 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The A6 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The 300 is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The A6 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Insurance will cost less for the 300 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the 300 will cost $1910 to $6540 less than the A6 over a five-year period.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the 300 is less expensive to operate than the A6 because it costs $346 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the 300 than the A6, including $314 less for a water pump, $46 less for front brake pads, $693 less for a starter, $1468 less for fuel injection and $154 less for a fuel pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Chrysler 300 will be $21450 to $22305 less than for the Audi A6.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Chrysler 300 and the Audi A6, based on reliability, safety and performance.