Verdict
C
BHP
250 bhp
0–60
6.7 s
Top speed
155 mph
MPG
20 mpg (US)
Used
$1,000-$4,400
Strengths
- First modern A6
- Avant estate practical
- Quattro grip
Weaknesses
- Multitronic reliability
- Cabin small for class
- Rust on UK cars
Notable tech
- C5 platform
- First A6 with Avant body
- S6 4.2 V8 above
- RS6 4.2 biturbo above
- Allroad variant introduced
Common issues
- 1.8T sludge
- Multitronic CVT failures
- 2.5 TDI cam follower
Engine derivatives
US-spec trims and engines offered across C5's life. Click any two rows to compare them side-by-side.
1.8 petrol
BHP125
Torque170 Nm
0–6011.0 s
Top124 mph
MPG (US)25 mpg
DriveFWD
Gearbox5MT
1.8T petrol
BHP150
Torque210 Nm
0–608.9 s
Top135 mph
MPG (US)27 mpg
DriveFWD / quattro
Gearbox5MT
2.4 V6 petrol
BHP165
Torque230 Nm
0–608.5 s
Top139 mph
MPG (US)22 mpg
DriveFWD / quattro
Gearbox5MT
2.7T quattro
BHP250
Torque350 Nm
0–606.7 s
Top155 mph
MPG (US)20 mpg
Drivequattro
Gearbox6MT / Tiptronic
2.8 V6 petrol
BHP193
Torque280 Nm
0–607.9 s
Top146 mph
MPG (US)22 mpg
DriveFWD / quattro
Gearbox5MT
4.2 V8 petrol
BHP300
Torque400 Nm
0–606.6 s
Top155 mph
MPG (US)18 mpg
Drivequattro
GearboxTiptronic
1.9 TDI 110 diesel
BHP110
Torque235 Nm
0–6011.6 s
Top120 mph
MPG (US)42 mpg
DriveFWD
Gearbox5MT
2.5 TDI V6 diesel
BHP150
Torque310 Nm
0–609.4 s
Top135 mph
MPG (US)32 mpg
DriveFWD / quattro
Gearbox6MT / Tiptronic