Audi epitomizes luxury and practicality. Luxury for all its interior features and seating comfort, and a classic exterior line. Practicality for its excellent engineering which produces precision handling and a quality safety record. The 1996 Audi A6 received a five-star crash rating for both driver and passenger. It is a high-end sedan that will get you to your destination safely and comfortably.

In 1986, the A6 dropped the 5-speed manual transmission. All models, front-wheel drive and quattro, came with a 4-speed auto tran. Though not great on initial acceleration, once the 1996 A6 got up beyond 50 mph, it proved to be a nice little cruiser, thanks to its 2.8-liter, 172-hp V6 engine. Inside, velour or leather seats swaddled passengers who benefitted from standard automatic climate control, power heated mirrors, power driver's seat, and cruise control. A little extra would get you heated seats and memory settings for the driver's seat and mirrors. In the wagon, two fold-down seats in the cargo area could up your passenger capacity from five to seven.

Quattro performance is a big Audi attraction, due to the way it grips the road in any condition, making quick work of snow and ice. Other features admired by owners include ergonomic interior with red-lit instrument panel, the Audi's tight turning radius, and its overall durability. While quality and luxury may be Audi hallmarks, so is a hefty pricetag. There is no such thing as an economy Audi, and a lot of owners complain about the pricey parts. Finding a good mechanic or even an accommodating dealer is difficult, and drivers warn about long waits for repair jobs. Other complaints are the lousy gas mileage, underpowered engine, and lack of decent cupholders.