Compare the2023 BMW X6VS 2022 Audi A6 Allroad

The X6 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 Allroad doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The X6 offers optional Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The A6 Allroad doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The X6 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 and moves the vehicle back into its lane. A system to reveal vehicles in the A6 Allroad’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the X6 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 A6 Allroad.

The X6’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 A6 Allroad doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the X6 and the A6 Allroad have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras and available around view monitors.

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X6 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Audi only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the A6 Allroad.

There are over 15 percent more BMW dealers than there are Audi dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the X6’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the X6 second among upper midsize premium suvs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The A6 Allroad isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in initial quality. With 74 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in long-term dependability. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Audi is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 2 places higher in reliability than Audi.

The X6 M50i’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 produces 188 more horsepower (523 vs. 335) and 184 lbs.-ft. more torque (553 vs. 369) than the A6 Allroad’s 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the X6 M50i 4.4 turbo V8 is faster than the Audi A6 Allroad:

The X6 has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the A6 Allroad (21.9 vs. 19.3 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the BMW X6, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the A6 Allroad.

For better stopping power the X6 M Sport’s brake rotors are larger than those on the A6 Allroad:

The X6 stops much shorter than the A6 Allroad:

For better traction, the X6 has larger standard tires than the A6 Allroad (275/45R20 vs. 245/45R20). The X6’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the A6 Allroad (F:275/40R21 & R:315/35R21 vs. 245/45R20).

The X6’s optional 275/35R22 front and 315/30R22 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the A6 Allroad’s 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X6 offers optional 22-inch wheels. The A6 Allroad’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the X6 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The A6 Allroad doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The X6 M50i offers active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The A6 Allroad doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The X6 offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Audi doesn’t offer an active suspension on the A6 Allroad.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the X6’s wheelbase is 1.9 inches longer than on the A6 Allroad (117.1 inches vs. 115.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the X6 is 1.5 inches wider in the front and 3.6 inches wider in the rear than the track on the A6 Allroad.

The X6 M50i handles at .97 G’s, while the A6 Allroad Prestige pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The X6 M50i executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.4 seconds quicker than the A6 Allroad Prestige (24.1 seconds @ .83 average G’s vs. 26.5 seconds @ .68 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the X6 xDrive40i has a 2 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the A6 Allroad Premium Plus (8.1 vs. 6.1 inches), allowing the X6 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The X6 Air Suspension’s minimum ground clearance is 2.4 inches higher than on the A6 Allroad Prestige (9.7 vs. 7.3 inches).

The front grille of the X6 uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The A6 Allroad doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The X6 has 1 inch more front headroom, 2.2 inches more front shoulder room and 1.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the A6 Allroad.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Audi. J.D. Power ranks BMW 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 1% lower rating, Audi is ranked 8th.

The X6 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 Allroad doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The X6’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The A6 Allroad’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the X6 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The A6 Allroad doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the X6 has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The A6 Allroad doesn’t offer cornering lights. The X6 also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The X6’s optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The A6 Allroad’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

The X6 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the X6 will retain 48.14% of its original price after five years, while the A6 Allroad only retains 42.05% to 42.6%.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the X6 first among upper midsize premium suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The A6 Allroad isn’t in the top three.