Audi S6 vs Mercedes-Benz E-Class
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Sedans compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Audi S6
$196,000 when new
RRP when new — this model is no longer sold new in Australia
Sedan
—
5.2-litre V10
320kW
12.6 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
—
Overseas model shownMercedes-Benz E-Class
From $105,900
Sedan
Petrol
Petrol
150kW
7.2 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
540L
Audi S6: we're still completing length, width, height, wheelbase and kerb weight, plus 6 others.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
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Price Breakdown
The Audi S6 starts from $196,000 before on-road costs, while the Mercedes-Benz E-Class opens at $105,900. That makes the Mercedes-Benz E-Class the more affordable entry point by $90,100.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $215,600 and $116,490 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Mercedes-Benz E-Class by roughly $7,695 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Feature Showdown
Both come with modern infotainment systems.
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, head-up display, wireless charging, panoramic roof and ambient lighting that the Audi S6 does not offer. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Audi S6 uses a 5.2-litre V10 producing 320kW and 540Nm of torque, sent through a 6-speed tiptronic with dsp and sports program to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 5.2 seconds.
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class responds with a Petrol making 150kW and 320Nm, paired to a automatic driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8.3 seconds.
The Audi S6 has the clear power advantage at 320kW vs 150kW. In the real-world sprint, the Audi S6 is 3.1s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.8m diameter
Average
Based on 11.8m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator: U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Average
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 10.3 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: 3-point turn
U-turn on a standard street
7 m: 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
1.9 m wide: fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m: careful, tight swing
Narrow laneway
3.5 m: no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $3,591/year for the Audi S6 and $2,052/year for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. That is a $1,539 annual difference in favour of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class.
Estimated annual total: $3,591 (Audi S6) vs $2,052 (Mercedes-Benz E-Class). The Mercedes-Benz E-Class saves you roughly $1,539 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Audi S6 if: You prioritise performance, or prefer Audi's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Mercedes-Benz E-Class if: You want the lower entry price, want lower running costs, or prefer Mercedes-Benz's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
This is genuinely close. The Audi S6 and Mercedes-Benz E-Class trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class will save you roughly $1,539 a year in fuel. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Audi S6 and Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is the cheapest at $105,900 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Audi S6 by $90,100.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class uses the least fuel at 7.2L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Mercedes-Benz E-Class all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which can tow the most?
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,100kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Audi S6 makes the most power at 320kW. The Audi S6 is quickest to 100km/h in 5.2s.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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