Review: Audi Q6 E-tron

Even to the trained eye, the all-new Audi Q6 e-tron doesn’t look decidedly different. It looks, by and large, like every other Audi SUV that has launched in the last decade.

Squint and you’ll see a car that looks very similar to the second-generation Q7 unveiled back in 2015. Its angles may be sharper and its silhouette more hunkered down and purposeful, but the basic Audi shape is there. See it stationary and you may not even realise it’s an EV. It doesn’t have any green or light-blue accents, and there are no silly futuristic wheels. The only giveaway is the front grille, which is solid and doesn’t require airflow through to its nonexistent radiator.

This lack of drama and familiarity is in contrast to the fact this is an important car for Audi. It is the first production car on its new, unfortunately named Premium Platform Electric (PPE), the new electric vehicle platform it co-developed with Porsche. We can expect to see a series of models built on the PPE to follow, but this is the car that sets the initial benchmark of what to expect from the brand's next-generation of EVs.

“The Audi Q6 e-tron is a true milestone for Audi,” says Stefan Grillneder, PPE and digital innovations at the car maker. “It marks the start of a new generation of electric vehicles. The message is clear: Audi is ready. We're speeding up transformation.”

Yep, Audi is excited. So what does the Q6 e-tron offer then? All models come with twin motors, one over each axle, driving all four wheels, with 100-kW battery capacity. This is good for 383 bhp in standard Quattro Sport form, a 0-60 mph time of 5.9 seconds and a top speed of 130 mph. The top-of-the-range SQ6 e-tron gets a bump up to 483 bhp, which is good for 60 mph from a standstill in 4.3 seconds (when launch control is engaged, 4.4 seconds without) and an entirely unnecessary 142-mph top speed. All models have the same torque figures, with 275 Nm going to the front wheels and 580 Nm to the rear, so overtaking power is instantly available.

Photograph: Audi

It's not surprising then that both cars feel impressively quick. The Q6 punches you out of slow-speed corners silently and efficiently, and the SQ6 does so that little bit faster. The second and a half difference in 0-60mph time doesn’t feel that big in practice. Both cars offer that initial hit of power, but continue to hammer the pedal and the surge drops off fairly quickly. There is more torque than you’ll ever realistically need, but the excitement lacks, even with the SQ6’s “e-tron sports sound,” which is a quiet faux acceleration noise.

In terms of range, the figures are class-leading. The base-model Quattro Sport has a range of up to 381 miles, while the SQ6 goes for 357 miles on a single charge. Every model can charge up to 270 kW with efficient 800-volt charging tech, with 10–80 percent top-ups achieved in 21 minutes, and 158 miles added in 10 minutes. The range beats rivals including the BMW iX3 M Sport (285 miles), Porsche Macan Electric (331 miles), and Tesla Model Y (330 miles).

It’s the car's comfort where it’s most impressive, though. In its brand presentations and press releases, Audi talks a lot about how dynamic the Q6 is. There’s a newly designed front axle with the control arms located in front of the suspension arms for the first time ever in an Audi. The steering rack is now connected directly to the subframe, designed to make the car more agile. And a new passive damping system allows the car to better grip the road.

Sure, it’s not uncomfortable when pushed, and the Q6 e-tron does handle well for a car so heavy. But you do feel that weight through the corners, and it’s easy to induce understeer, no surprise given that its curb weight is 2,325 kg (5,125 lb). There is a vague feeling to the electric steering, and the brake regen still feels unnatural.

What its new damping setup does offer is an incredible ride comfort. Our test cars on the brand-hosted drive all featured the optional adaptive air suspension (standard on the SQ7), which likely played a part. But as tested, the ride was exceptional, making light work of potholes and speed bumps, and gliding over smooth tarmac.

Photograph: Audi

The exterior styling might not look particularly futuristic, but the interior does. As to be expected, it is dominated by large screens. There’s the 11.9-inch “Audi virtual cockpit,” which replaces your traditional analog dials. Then there’s the main 14.5-inch OLED display, which is curved toward the driver. These screens are part of the same unit and seamlessly integrate into one another, dominating the interior.

The operating system has been developed well, and is largely easy to use, but there is a lot going on. And that’s not all. The Edition 1 model comes with an additional 10.9-inch display for the passenger, which can stream YouTube, show the navigation, or change the music. We found this to be novel but a bit limited. The navigation, for example, works well but is pointless when it shows on the main screen next to it.

Photograph: Audi

Photograph: Audi

Then there’s the HUD, which now comes with augmented reality. Part of the “Sound and Vision pack,” an expensive option, it overlays directions onto the road you see in front of you, moving as you do, all the while showing your regular HUD features including speed, speed limit, and turn-by-turn signals.

With the driving assistance systems turned on, it also displays in “danger red” when you’re getting too close to the side of the road, when you need to brake for upcoming speed limits, as well as brake warnings to ensure you don’t drive into the car in front.

With use we're sure this all becomes less distracting, but the overall feeling was more overwhelming than helpful. The Chat GPT-integrated Audi voice assistant might be able to teach you how to use it, but this reviewer would rather turn it all off and enjoy the sweet ride comfort.

The interior is an otherwise pleasant place to be, although there is too much cheap-feeling plastic. The doors in particular feature a large plastic inlay where you control the windows, as well as a plastic storage section, which feels very out of place. The SQ6’s as-standard nappa leather, diamond-stitched seats are very attractive. But the cost is less so.

Speaking of which, prices start at £64,200 ($81,200) for the Q6 e-tron and jump sharply upwards to £92,950 ($117,500) for the top-of-the-range SQ6.

Photograph: Audi

The Q6 and SQ6 e-tron don’t reinvent the wheel, and while quick in a straight line, they aren’t as sporty as they make out. Where they shine is with the effortless ride comfort and class-leading range, which if we're being honest is perhaps more important, shifting the goalposts slightly but assuredly.