The stationwagon has always been the solution for those looking for more practicality, while still offering sedan-like drivability.

But the desirability of a wagon here has always been marred by how it looks.

Perhaps the Audi A6 Avant might just be the exception in the eyes of image-conscious Singaporeans?

Muscular and conservative

Effectively an Audi A6 sedan with a larger greenhouse at the rear, there is no denying that the A6 Avant is a massive-looking car.

With its wide hexagonal grille up front, along with flared wheel arches, the A6 Avant gives off a muscular and low-slung appearance, which is indeed appealing.

The only exception is the wheels that seem a tad small on the Avant, despite being 18-inches in size.

On first glance, you might think the Avant sits longer than the sedan. But it shares similar proportions - the only difference is height. The Avant is 37mm taller.

Interior masterclass

It also shares the same interior as the A6 sedan, which is nothing short of impressive.

A rich mix of soft touch materials and polished aluminium fittings adorn the cabin. Despite the excessive use of gloss black materials, the A6 Avant looks far from tacky, despite them being a magnet for fingerprints.

It is a cabin that you'll be more than happy to spend time in. And that's before you get to the vast array of screens available.

We're not big fans on having virtual buttons on a screen, but Audi has done a good job to ensure not all is lost in the switch, with both screens offering resistive feedback for select functions.

There's wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and I especially like the fact that you don't need to dive through menus when messing about with other infotainment features. A dedicated shortcut can be customised for you to get straight back into Apple CarPlay.

This, combined with the rich Virtual Cockpit digital instrument cluster, offers a distinctive and beautiful interior that's easy to use and live with every day.

Added practicality

In terms of space, the Avant has plenty.

Passengers will have nothing to complain about in the rear. Here, there's more then enough knee and headroom for tall adults. Plus, window shades and dual zone climate control keep everyone cushy and comfy for long drives.

A large transmission tunnel does make for a less than comfortable situation for those relegated to the middle seats. So it is still best left for two in the rear.

And there's the Avant aspect of added loading capacity. At 565 litres on paper, the A6 Avant's boot is bigger than its sedan counterpart by just 35 litres. But with a large boot opening, it offers easier access for large and odd-sized items.

Easy comfort

Get on the road and you'll soon find the A6 Avant's proposition extending beyond just added space. It is quite a comfy cruiser.

With thick 55-profile tyres combined with adaptive dampers, the Avant has the ability to waft over bumps and ruts that you'd expect something like a Mercedes S-Class to do best.

Adding on to its comfort abilities is the Avant's easy-to-drive nature. Steering is light and precise, and does a good job handling tight carpark spaces despite not having a four-wheel steering system optioned.

There's a small blemish to the composed drive, though. Despite having a mild-hybrid system, start-stop can get rough when the engine kicks in at lower speeds.

This mild-hybrid system is combined with the 2.0-litre turbocharged engine that sends 188bhp and 320Nm of torque to the front wheels. It is the only engine option currently available for the A6 Avant.

It does good work in keeping up the pace, but don't expect this powerplant to be a bruiser.

Our 100km test drive netted an average fuel consumption figure of 10.9km/L, which is about average for a car this size, but not exceptional.

The wagon to get?

When it comes to wagons, the Audi A6 Avant certainly seems like a good choice. It offers bold looks and a comfortable drive, with added practicality to boot.

As uncommon as wagons are, the Avant still has a competitor - the Volvo V90. It is $4,900 (as of 17 September 2020) less than the A6 Avant, and it offers style, practicality, and more power. Thus, it is worthy of consideration.

At $242,900, the Audi A6 Avant isn't chump change, but its price puts it right smack between the current Audi A6 sedan offerings available in Singapore.

There's a lot on offer, and it is a shame that many won't pick it only because it is a wagon. But if you do, you would be making a pretty sound choice.

The stationwagon has always been the solution for those looking for more practicality, while still offering sedan-like drivability.

But the desirability of a wagon here has always been marred by how it looks.

Perhaps the Audi A6 Avant might just be the exception in the eyes of image-conscious Singaporeans?

Muscular and conservative

Effectively an Audi A6 sedan with a larger greenhouse at the rear, there is no denying that the A6 Avant is a massive-looking car.

With its wide hexagonal grille up front, along with flared wheel arches, the A6 Avant gives off a muscular and low-slung appearance, which is indeed appealing.

The only exception is the wheels that seem a tad small on the Avant, despite being 18-inches in size.

On first glance, you might think the Avant sits longer than the sedan. But it shares similar proportions - the only difference is height. The Avant is 37mm taller.

Interior masterclass

It also shares the same interior as the A6 sedan, which is nothing short of impressive.

A rich mix of soft touch materials and polished aluminium fittings adorn the cabin. Despite the excessive use of gloss black materials, the A6 Avant looks far from tacky, despite them being a magnet for fingerprints.

It is a cabin that you'll be more than happy to spend time in. And that's before you get to the vast array of screens available.

We're not big fans on having virtual buttons on a screen, but Audi has done a good job to ensure not all is lost in the switch, with both screens offering resistive feedback for select functions.

There's wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and I especially like the fact that you don't need to dive through menus when messing about with other infotainment features. A dedicated shortcut can be customised for you to get straight back into Apple CarPlay.

This, combined with the rich Virtual Cockpit digital instrument cluster, offers a distinctive and beautiful interior that's easy to use and live with every day.

Added practicality

In terms of space, the Avant has plenty.

Passengers will have nothing to complain about in the rear. Here, there's more then enough knee and headroom for tall adults. Plus, window shades and dual zone climate control keep everyone cushy and comfy for long drives.

A large transmission tunnel does make for a less than comfortable situation for those relegated to the middle seats. So it is still best left for two in the rear.

And there's the Avant aspect of added loading capacity. At 565 litres on paper, the A6 Avant's boot is bigger than its sedan counterpart by just 35 litres. But with a large boot opening, it offers easier access for large and odd-sized items.

Easy comfort

Get on the road and you'll soon find the A6 Avant's proposition extending beyond just added space. It is quite a comfy cruiser.

With thick 55-profile tyres combined with adaptive dampers, the Avant has the ability to waft over bumps and ruts that you'd expect something like a Mercedes S-Class to do best.

Adding on to its comfort abilities is the Avant's easy-to-drive nature. Steering is light and precise, and does a good job handling tight carpark spaces despite not having a four-wheel steering system optioned.

There's a small blemish to the composed drive, though. Despite having a mild-hybrid system, start-stop can get rough when the engine kicks in at lower speeds.

This mild-hybrid system is combined with the 2.0-litre turbocharged engine that sends 188bhp and 320Nm of torque to the front wheels. It is the only engine option currently available for the A6 Avant.

It does good work in keeping up the pace, but don't expect this powerplant to be a bruiser.

Our 100km test drive netted an average fuel consumption figure of 10.9km/L, which is about average for a car this size, but not exceptional.

The wagon to get?

When it comes to wagons, the Audi A6 Avant certainly seems like a good choice. It offers bold looks and a comfortable drive, with added practicality to boot.

As uncommon as wagons are, the Avant still has a competitor - the Volvo V90. It is $4,900 (as of 17 September 2020) less than the A6 Avant, and it offers style, practicality, and more power. Thus, it is worthy of consideration.

At $242,900, the Audi A6 Avant isn't chump change, but its price puts it right smack between the current Audi A6 sedan offerings available in Singapore.

There's a lot on offer, and it is a shame that many won't pick it only because it is a wagon. But if you do, you would be making a pretty sound choice.