There isn’t a lot to worry about regarding Audi A6 safety. The previous generation of the A6 achieved a five star rating in adult protection and the new model has no trouble meeting this same stringent level of crash safety. Standard kit includes front airbags with front deactivation, and side head airbags, seatbelt monitoring, anti-theft alarm device with tow-away protection using inclination sensors, tyre pressure monitoring display and ESP (Electronic Stability Programme).

Options that could prove a hit with prospective buyers include night vision with pedestrian detection, rear side airbag, 75-litre fuel tank and active lane assist.

Keeping your loose change for the car park metre is no problem because there plenty of cubbies well within reach of the driver. Passengers in the rear will have lots of head- and legroom – even those hitting six-foot. The boot is fairly large and with the seats in place it has 530 litres. This fares well when compared with the BMW 5-Series (520 litres) and the Lexus GS (330 litres) but the Mercedes E-Class trumps the A6 with 540 litres of space.

Fold the seats down and the boot will become a wide expanse of useable loadroom – 995 litres.