Julian Kirk's extended time behind the wheel of Fleet World's Audi A6 Avant e-Hybrid long-termer continues to reveal a car that punches well above its executive-class weight, both on the road and on the balance sheet.

A look at Audi's finance calculator throws up an interesting twist on conventional wisdom. While PCP deals are usually seen as the default choice, the numbers tell a different story for the top-spec A6. The PCP route requires an £11,775 deposit after a £6,750 contribution, followed by 35 payments of £639, with a final balloon of nearly £26,000 to own the car outright. Personal contract hire, however, needs just £3,865 upfront and 35 months at £644, or £684 with servicing and tyres included. That maintenance package works out as strong value once you factor in tyre costs alone. Notably, the A6's £684 monthly figure undercuts the smaller A5 Avant, which costs £700 for equivalent spec, reinforcing Kirk's view that the A6 remains an under-appreciated alternative to the SUVs now dominating company car choices.

On the road, the four-wheel steering system continues to impress, tightening manoeuvrability at low speeds and adding stability above 37mph, giving the big Avant the feel of a smaller executive car. Fuel economy has also stood out, averaging near 60mpg despite the car's two-tonne-plus weight, even if that falls short of Audi's official claims.

Kirk has warmed to the switchable-opacity sunroof for its heatwave usefulness, though he still finds the climate control's array of fan modes needlessly fiddly.

A comparison with the fully electric A6 e-tron highlighted stark tax differences. The plug-in hybrid currently sits in the 10% BIK band, costing higher-rate taxpayers £214 a month, rising to £386 by 2028/29. The e-tron, by contrast, climbs more gently from £90 to £158 over the same period, though the e-Hybrid does offer roughly 100 litres more useful range from its tank-and-battery combination — around 400 miles versus the e-tron's real-world 300.

Motorway testing showed the S line's 20-inch wheels don't compromise comfort, while short urban trips deliver around 55 miles of EV-only range from a four-hour charge, costing roughly £4 in electricity.

Optional extras—including £2,300 RS alloys and £775 metallic paint—add flair, though the £2,400 panoramic sunroof remains hard to justify given it doesn't open. Overall, the A6 continues to shine as a high-mileage company car: spacious, comfortable, and tax-efficient while the current PHEV incentives last.

Source: Fleet World

Earlier in this series: Audi Revives A2 Name for New Entry-Level Electric Car in Europe