Compare the2022 Mercedes AMG E-Class SedanVS 2022 Audi S6

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The AMG E-Class Sedan has a standard backup collision prevention system that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The S6 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The AMG E-Class Sedan has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the S6’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the AMG E-Class Sedan has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Rear cross-path warning costs extra on the S6.

The AMG E-Class Sedan’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The S6 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the AMG E-Class Sedan and the S6 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, around view monitors and available lane departure 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 front crash prevention system, and its headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the AMG E-Class Sedan its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2019, a rating granted to only 113 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The S6 has not been tested, yet.

There are over 26 percent more Mercedes dealers than there are Audi dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the AMG E-Class Sedan’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Mercedes vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mercedes 25th in initial quality. With 47 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 32nd.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mercedes vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mercedes 15th in reliability. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 20th.

On the EPA test cycle the AMG E 53 gets better fuel mileage than the S6 (22 city/29 hwy vs. 18 city/28 hwy).

The AMG E-Class Sedan has 1.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the S6 (21.1 vs. 19.3 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Mercedes AMG E-Class Sedan, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the S6.

The AMG E-Class Sedan’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The S6 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better traction and acceleration, the AMG E-Class Sedan has larger rear tires than the S6 (275/30R20 vs. 255/35R21).

The AMG E-Class Sedan’s optional 275/30R20 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 30 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the S6’s 35 series tires.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the AMG E-Class Sedan can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The S6 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The front and rear suspension of the AMG E-Class Sedan uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the S6, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The AMG E-Class Sedan has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The AMG E-Class Sedan’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The S6 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The AMG E-Class Sedan’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The S6 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

The AMG E-Class Sedan has .4 inches more front legroom and .6 inches more rear shoulder room than the S6.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Mercedes service is better than Audi. J.D. Power ranks Mercedes 6th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 5% lower rating, Audi is ranked 12th.

The AMG E-Class Sedan has a standard 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 S6 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

Heated windshield washer fluid is standard on the AMG E-Class Sedan to defrost the washer nozzles and quickly clear ice and frost from the windshield without scraping. The S6 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid.

The AMG E-Class Sedan offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The S6 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The AMG E-Class Sedan’s Active Parking Assist can parallel park by itself, stopping and changing direction automatically. The S6 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The Mercedes AMG E-Class comes in coupe, convertible, sedan and station wagon bodystyles; the Audi S6 isn’t available as a coupe, convertible or station wagon.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Mercedes AMG E-Class Sedan, based on reliability, safety and performance.

Motor Trend selected the E-Class as their 2021 Car of the Year. The S6 has never been chosen.

The Mercedes E-Class/CLS outsold the Audi A6/S6/RS 6 by over two to one during the 2021 model year.