Compare the2027 Audi S6 e-tronVS 2026 Tesla Model S

The S6 e-tron’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Model S doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Audi S6 e-tron are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Tesla Model S doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the S6 e-tron are reminded to check the back seat when a sensor determines the back seat is occupied. The Model S doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The S6 e-tron Prestige has standard Rear Emergency Brake Assist that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Model S doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The S6 e-tron has Car-to-X Services, a system that seamlessly communicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The Model S doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from infrastructure or other vehicles.

The S6 e-tron has standard Audi Connect Care, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to get turn-by-turn driving directions, remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in, help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Model S doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the S6 e-tron and the Model S have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The Audi S6 e-tron weighs 423 to 664 pounds more than the Tesla Model S. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

Audi pays for scheduled maintenance on the S6 e-tron for 3 years and 30,000 miles. Audi will pay for cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Tesla doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Model S.

There are over 45 percent more Audi dealers than there are Tesla dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the S6 e-tron’s warranty.

On the EPA test cycle the S6 e-tron Quattro gets better mileage than the Model S Plaid 21" Wheels (106 city/103 hwy vs. 97 city/89 hwy MPGe).

The S6 e-tron Quattro can travel longer on a full charge than the Model S Plaid 21" Wheels (324 miles vs. 309 miles).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the S6 e-tron has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the Model S.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the S6 e-tron can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Model S doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The S6 e-tron Prestige handles at .92 G’s, while the Model S pulls only .86 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The S6 e-tron Prestige executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.6 seconds quicker than the Model S (24.9 seconds @ .81 average G’s vs. 26.5 seconds @ .7 average G’s).

The S6 e-tron is 3.7 inches shorter than the Model S, making the S6 e-tron easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The S6 e-tron has 4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Model S (98 vs. 94).

A Service Interval Display is standard on the S6 e-tron to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals based on odometer mileage. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Tesla doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the Model S.

The S6 e-tron offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, navigation instruction and driver assistance information readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Model S doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The S6 e-tron Premium Plus/Prestige has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Model S doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The S6 e-tron’s standard side window demisters help clear frost or condensation from the side windows in the winter. The Model S doesn’t even offer side window demisters, so the driver may have to wipe the windows from the outside to gain side vision.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the S6 e-tron has standard extendable sun visors. The Model S doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Audi S6 e-tron outsold the Tesla Model S by 18% during 2025.