Compare the2022 Audi A6 AllroadVS 2022 Porsche Panamera

The A6 Allroad’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Panamera doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The A6 Allroad has a standard Secondary Collision Brake Assist, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Panamera doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the A6 Allroad. But it costs extra on the Panamera.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the A6 Allroad’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The Panamera doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the A6 Allroad’s optional rear cross-path warning system uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The Panamera doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

Both the A6 Allroad and the Panamera have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger 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, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available night vision systems and blind spot warning systems.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the A6 Allroad its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2021, a rating granted to only 73 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Panamera has not been tested, yet.

There are over 57 percent more Audi dealers than there are Porsche dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the A6 Allroad’s warranty.

The A6 Allroad’s 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid produces 10 more horsepower (335 vs. 325) and 38 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 331) than the Panamera’s standard 2.9 turbo V6.

On the EPA test cycle the A6 Allroad gets better mileage than the Panamera Sport Turismo running its gasoline engine:

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Audi A6 Allroad higher (5 out of 10) than the Porsche Panamera (3 to 5). This means the A6 Allroad produces up to 16.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Panamera every 15,000 miles.

For better stopping power the A6 Allroad’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the Panamera:

In an emergency stopping situation, many drivers don’t press the brakes with enough force to stop the vehicle in the shortest distance. The A6 Allroad has a standard brake assist system to detect emergency braking situations (by how hard and how quickly the brake pedal is pressed) and then automatically apply maximum braking immediately in order to help prevent a collision. The Panamera doesn’t offer a brake assist feature.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the A6 Allroad has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the Panamera.

The A6 Allroad has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Panamera; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The front and rear suspension of the A6 Allroad uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the Panamera, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

For better maneuverability, the A6 Allroad Prestige w/All-Wheel Steering’s turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the Panamera w/Rear Axle Steering’s (36.4 feet vs. 37.4 feet). The A6 Allroad’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the Panamera Executive’s (40 feet vs. 40.7 feet).

The A6 Allroad is 3.9 inches shorter than the Panamera Sport Turismo, making the A6 Allroad easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The design of the Audi A6 Allroad amounts to more than styling. The A6 Allroad has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .29 Cd. That is lower than the Panamera (.29 to .35) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the A6 Allroad get better fuel mileage.

The A6 Allroad has .3 inches more front headroom, 1.5 inches more rear headroom, 1.8 inches more rear legroom and 2.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the Panamera.

The A6 Allroad has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Panamera Sport Turismo with its rear seat up (30 vs. 18.3 cubic feet). The A6 Allroad has a much larger trunk with its rear seat folded than the Panamera Sport Turismo with its rear seat folded (63.8 vs. 49 cubic feet).

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the A6 Allroad easier. The A6 Allroad’s trunk lift-over height is 27 inches, while the Panamera’s liftover is 29.7 inches.

The A6 Allroad’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. An easy entry system costs extra on the Panamera.

If the windows are left open on the A6 Allroad the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Panamera can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the A6 Allroad has a standard rear wiper. A rear wiper costs extra on the Panamera.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The A6 Allroad has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Panamera doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the A6 Allroad has standard extendable sun visors. The Panamera doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The A6 Allroad has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the car heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the Panamera.

The A6 Allroad’s optional Park Steering Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Panamera doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Audi A6 Allroad, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Audi A6/S6/RS 6 outsold the Porsche Panamera by over three to one during the 2021 model year.