When it was new, the 2018 Audi A6 was praised for its classic sports performance and luxurious features. Now, this 2018 model doesn’t seem as impressive. Based on expert data from  Consumer Reports, the A6 isn’t very reliable which has negatively impacted owner satisfaction.  We don’t recommend buying the 2018 A6 because of this. To help you with your search, we have also gathered a few more dependable alternatives to the A6.

What makes the 2018 A6 so unreliable? 

Generally speaking, Audi’s A6 isn’t a car you should buy used. The 2018 version is particularly unreliable due to issues with its in-car electronics and brakes. There are also two recalls on this model. The first one was related to the A6’s airbags and the other stemmed from issues with its fuel system. Owners of the 2018 model were happy with the A6’s sporty performance but were disappointed in the sedan’s overall value.

The 2018 Lexus ES is refined and reliable 

Lexus is considered as the most reliable luxury car brand based on exhaustive data from Consumer Reports. The 2018 ES was celebrated for its exceptionally smooth ride quality and plush interior. The ES gets its power from a strong  3.5-liter V6 engine that’s mated with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It’s also one of the more fuel-efficient options in the luxury sedan class. 

Interior comfort is one of the best aspects of the ES. It’s actually comfortable enough to ride in for extended road trips. Road noise is also a non-issue in this luxury sedan. The ES offers responsive handling and can absorb road imperfections quite well too. 

The ES comes with a modern infotainment system but features like Apple CarPlay weren’t introduced on this model until 2019. But, at least the 2018 ES does offer some phone connectivity features such as Siri Eyes Free and Google Assistant. A CD and DVD player is also standard on this model which makes it even more family-friendly. Lexus’ infotainment system isn’t the most friendly though so it might take you some time to get used to it. 

The 2018 Genesis G80 is a worthy contender 

Even though it’s relatively new, Genesis, Hyundai Motor’s luxury division, is making a huge impact on today’s market. Genesis’ G80 sedan made a splash in its class thanks to its potent engine options, an upscale interior, and a suite of tech features. It doesn’t quite match the same sporty performance that the A6 has, but the G80 is fun to drive. 

Standard G80 models come with a 311-hp, 3.8-liter V6 engine. For more power, there’s also an available 420-hp, 5.0-liter V8. The main drawback of the G80  performance-wise though is that it has a below-average fuel economy rating. 

It’s also important to note that the G80 has recall issues of its own, but it has a much higher reliability rating based on owner data. The recalls were related to the G80’s windshield, airbags, and engine. If you are seriously interested in buying the 2018 G80, just make sure to address these concerns with your auto dealer.