Compare the2026 Mercedes AMG E-Class WagonVS 2026 Audi RS 6

The AMG E-Class Wagon has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The RS 6 doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

The AMG E-Class Wagon has standard whiplash protection, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the whiplash protection system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The RS 6 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The AMG E-Class Wagon has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. A system to reveal vehicles in the RS 6’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the AMG E-Class Wagon has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Alert and Active Brake Assist automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. Audi charges extra for Rear Cross-Traffic Assist on the RS 6.

Both the AMG E-Class Wagon and the RS 6 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, around view monitors, driver alert monitors and available lane departure warning systems.

There are over 25 percent more Mercedes dealers than there are Audi dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the AMG E-Class Wagon’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Mercedes vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. With 59 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Mercedes higher than Audi.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mercedes vehicles are more reliable than Audi With 30 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Mercedes higher than Audi.

On the EPA test cycle the AMG E 53 HYBRID Wagon running on electricity gets better mileage than the RS 6 Performance Avant (52 city/64 hwy MPGe vs. 14 city/21 hwy).

On the EPA test cycle the AMG E 53 HYBRID Wagon 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder Hybrid running its gasoline engine gets better fuel mileage than the RS 6 Performance Avant (21 city/25 hwy vs. 14 city/21 hwy).

The AMG E 53 HYBRID Wagon can travel with zero emissions for 41 miles. The RS 6 can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mercedes AMG E-Class Wagon higher (6 out of 10) than the Audi RS 6 (2). This means the AMG E-Class Wagon produces up to 27.7 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the RS 6 every 15,000 miles.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Mercedes AMG E-Class Wagon, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the RS 6.

For better traction and acceleration, the AMG E-Class Wagon has larger rear tires than the RS 6 (295/35R20 vs. 275/35R21). The AMG E-Class Wagon’s rear tires are larger than the largest rear tires available on the RS 6 (295/35R20 vs. 285/30R22).

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the AMG E-Class Wagon’s wheelbase is 1.3 inches longer than on the RS 6 (116.6 inches vs. 115.3 inches).

To almost totally eliminate engine vibration in the passenger area, the AMG E-Class Wagon Dynamic PLUS has an electronically controlled liquid-filled front engine mount. A computer-controlled electric current in the liquid changes its viscosity, allowing the mount to dampen the engine completely at all RPMs. The RS 6 uses conventional solid rubber engine mounts.

The AMG E-Class Wagon has .2 inches more front legroom and .6 inches more rear shoulder room than the RS 6.

The AMG E-Class Wagon has a much larger cargo volume than the RS 6 Avant with its rear seat up (33.1 vs. 29.9 cubic feet).

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the AMG E-Class Wagon offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The RS 6 doesn’t offer cornering lights. The AMG E-Class Wagon also offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The Mercedes AMG E-Class comes in sedan and station wagon bodystyles; the Audi RS 6 isn’t available as a sedan.

Motor Trend selected the E-Class as their 2025 Car of the Year. The RS 6 has never been chosen.