Against 344 other Hybrid cars rated 2024–2026, the A6 trails their 28 mpg average by 5 mpg, about $299 a year. Averaged over the years each was sold, the most economical engine since 1995, the 2L 4-cyl (2012–2018), does 28 mpg and the thirstiest, the 4.2L 8-cyl (2000–2011), 18.1: $751 a year apart.
Every Audi A6 engine, compared
Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2L 4-cyl | 24.7 / 33.4 | 2012–2018 | $1,371 | |
| 2L 4-cyl Hybrid | 23.6 / 31.7 | 2019–2025 | $1,455 | |
| 3L 6-cyl | 20.4 / 29.9 | 2002–2026 | $1,613 | |
| 3.2L 6-cyl | 19.5 / 29 | 2010–2011 | $1,670 | |
| 3.1L 6-cyl | 17.8 / 26.4 | 2005–2009 | $1,864 | |
| 2.8L 6-cyl | 16.4 / 23.6 | 1995–2001 | $2,053 | |
| 4.2L 8-cyl | 15.5 / 22.7 | 2000–2011 | $2,122 |
What that actually costs
Against its rivals in the same model years, the Toyota Camry gets 51 mpg, the Honda Accord 40 mpg and the Toyota Prius 55.3 mpg, next to 23 mpg for the 2026 A6. The A6 costs the most of them to run: $976 a year more than the Toyota Prius.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile (2026) | $0.139 |
| Fuel per year | $1,670 |
| Fuel over five years | $8,350 |
| Against other Hybrid cars, 2024–2026 | +$299 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,530 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The 2026 Audi A6 gives up 9 mpg in town: 29 on the highway against 20 in the city, $596 a year if every mile were city driving.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City (2026) | 20 mpg | $1,920 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 29 mpg | $1,324 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +9 mpg (45%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the A6 changed over the years
The A6 peaked in 2016 at 29 mpg (24.5 city, 36 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2001 at 18 — 11 mpg apart, or $809 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2026 car does 23. The 2026 model loses 3 mpg against 26 for the 2025. The biggest single-year change came in 2014: 24.5 to 28.5 mpg.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 20 / 29 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2025 | 24 / 31 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2024 | 23 / 33 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2023 | 24 / 31 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 2022 | 23 / 32 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2021 | 23 / 31 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2020 | 24 / 32 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 2019 | 24 / 32 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 2018 | 22.5 / 31.5 | 2 | $1,506 | |
| 2017 | 22.5 / 31.5 | 2 | $1,477 | |
| 2016 | 24.5 / 36 | 2 | $1,324 | |
| 2015 | 24.5 / 35.5 | 2 | $1,347 | |
| 2014 | 24.5 / 35.5 | 2 | $1,347 | |
| 2013 | 21.5 / 30 | 2 | $1,567 | |
| 2012 | 22 / 30.5 | 2 | $1,536 | |
| 2011 | 18.5 / 27 | 2 | $1,786 | |
| 2010 | 17 / 25.5 | 2 | $1,920 | |
| 2009 | 17 / 25 | 2 | $1,969 | |
| 2008 | 17 / 25 | 2 | $1,969 | |
| 2007 | 17 / 25 | 2 | $1,969 | |
| 2006 | 16.5 / 24 | 2 | $1,969 | |
| 2005 | 17 / 24 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2004 | 16.5 / 23.5 | 2 | $1,969 | |
| 2003 | 16.5 / 24 | 2 | $1,969 | |
| 2002 | 16 / 23 | 2 | $2,076 | |
| 2001 | 15.5 / 23 | 2 | $2,133 | |
| 2000 | 15.5 / 23 | 2 | $2,133 | |
| 1999 | 16 / 25 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 1998 | 16 / 25 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 1997 | 17 / 23 | 1 | $2,021 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
- Fuel profile built from your actual mileage and local prices
- Fuel tracker: what you really spend, month by month
- Insurance and fuel folded into 5-year cost to own
- Compare any two cars on total cost, not sticker price
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
How we count
This page rests on 50 EPA ratings of the Audi A6 — 7 engines across 1995–2026. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $3,530. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the 2026 Audi A6 get?
23 mpg combined, 20 city and 29 highway, per EPA. Across every year since 1995 the A6 has averaged 22.4 mpg.
Is the 2026 A6 more efficient than the 2025?
No: 23 against 26 mpg combined, about $193 a year more to run.
Which A6 year has the best gas mileage?
The 2016, at 29 mpg combined (24.5 city, 36 highway).
Does the A6 get better gas mileage than the Toyota Camry?
No: 23 mpg for the 2026 A6 against 51 for the 2026 Toyota Camry, about $917 a year more to run.
Mark ForCar as a preferred source and our data shows up first in your Google results. One click, no account.