Bilbao, SPAIN — Audi has loved a head begin within the EV house for the reason that first E-Tron SUV debuted in 2019 (it is now known as the Q8 E-Tron), adopted by the Porsche-related E-Tron GT sedan and VW-based This autumn E-Tron SUV a couple of years later. Not surprisingly given its identify/quantity, the newest addition fills the house between the 2 SUVs with the 2025 Audi Q6 E-Tron. Arriving stateside on the finish of 2024, the Q6 follows the even-number naming conference for EVs, with odd numbers now reserved for the remaining inside combustion automobiles within the pipeline.
I hopped on a aircraft to Spain to place the Q6 E-Tron via its paces, in addition to the spicier SQ6 E-Tron, which will likely be arriving on the similar time. Each are constructed on the Premium Platform Electrical (PPE) that is shared with the brand new all-electric Porsche Macan. This platform makes use of an 800-volt structure that has been completely tweaked to squeeze the final little bit of effectivity from the lithium-ion batteries, and you may learn into the hows and whys in our Tech Deep Dive.
So far as general specs go, each Q6 and SQ6 E-Trons draw energy from a 100-kilowatt-hour battery pack within the ground, of which 94.4 kWh are usable. AC cost charges high out at 9.6 kW (many EVs handle 11 kW), however DC fast-charging has a formidable most of 270 kW. That is ok to replenish the battery from 10-80% in 21 minutes if you will discover a charger that’s totally practical. The DC cost port is on the motive force facet, however you should utilize an AC charger on both facet, which ought to turn out to be useful in your driveway/storage.
The Q6 E-Tron comes commonplace with two motors for all-wheel drive. Mixed output is 422 horsepower beneath regular circumstances, and as much as 456 hp in launch mode. Curiously, the European variations are restricted to 382 hp, however additionally they get the rear-drive-only mannequin that ought to return further vary. It appears possible that the rear-drive mannequin will likely be obtainable within the U.S. sooner or later, however Audi will neither affirm nor deny these plans. Talking of vary, the Q6 Quattro that we get is estimated to return 307 miles on a single cost with the usual 19-inch wheels. In my expertise, electrical Audis have tended to exceed estimates by 20 or 30 miles with out even attempting.
The SQ6 E-Tron is nice for 483 hp nominally and 509 hp in launch mode. As you’d count on, it additionally will get a sportier suspension and upgraded brakes. That vary estimate additionally drops to 276 miles. Audi expects it can attain 60 miles per hour in 4.1 seconds, in comparison with the Q6’s 4.9-second dash. Costs aren’t but obtainable, however trying on the present lineup and the prevailing European listings, I would count on the Q6 E-Tron to start out round $65,000 or $70,000. That would place the SQ6 within the $85,000 neighborhood.
My drive began within the Q6 E-Tron all-wheel-drive, however with the Euro-spec 382-hp output. On a mixture of metropolis, curvy and freeway roads, I by no means missed the additional oomph we get. It is loads highly effective if you want it, although it’s going to lose in a drag race in opposition to many different EVs. No large deal, since I doubt most electrical SUV buyers are exhibiting as much as the native quarter-mile strip, anyway. The Q6 stands out from different E-Trons because it’s the primary to supply one-pedal driving. Tugging the gear selector down into the B mode prompts it, however these with expertise in different EVs will discover that the brake regeneration continues to be a lot much less aggressive. Which means you may need to brush the brake pedal to maintain from tapping the bumper in entrance of you, a minimum of till you get used to the gentler deceleration.
Extra importantly, the Q6 is easy and straightforward. It glides down the highway silently and easily, but stays assured within the curves. It can nook with extra athleticism than 95% of typical drivers will ever possible want, or about half of Autoblog readers.
The SQ6 E-Tron is unquestionably a better option for spirited pilots. It feels considerably sportier in each dynamic measure, but it would not considerably degrade consolation (even within the firmer Sport mode). That was evident within the first roundabout because it carved a fantastic S-curve with noticeably much less physique roll. There was additionally much less nosedive beneath braking and squat when getting again on the ability. That is spectacular when you think about you are tossing round nearly 5,300 kilos. That is positively the motive force’s selection between the 2, but it surely’s not as bonkers as another higher-performing electrical SUVs.
For these wanting one thing even spicier, an RS Q6 E-Tron is already within the works. With a bit of luck, that high mannequin will arrive within the following 12 months, maybe with some Sportback variants in tow. My wild guesstimation is hoping for 600-plus horsepower, 60 mph in 3-ish seconds, and a decrease and firmer suspension. Trying on the Porsche Macan Turbo’s specs, that does not appear out of the query, nor does a six-figure price ticket. I would additionally count on some styling and aerodynamic thrives to differentiate the RS from the remainder of its Q6 brethren.
Because it stands, there’s not a complete lot to inform the Q6 and SQ6 aside, moreover the badging, after all. Apart from the plasticized grille, they may simply be mistaken for an inside combustion SUV. That is a superb factor for traditionalists, and it stays fashionable sufficient to please buyers which can be drawn to a sleeker aesthetic. There’s a lot happening stylistically, with sharp creases over the wheels, bulging flares, and deep sculpted physique panels. That is fairly a bit to pack into one car, however in my head, it is busy, not cluttered — nearly like a well-organized software chest.
Inside, the Q6 adopts a less complicated and extra elemental design. A broad single panel homes each the digital instrument panel and the 14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen. There’s additionally an obtainable touchscreen only for the entrance passenger, permitting them to play copilot with navigation assist or assume the function of cell DJ. They’ll additionally take pleasure in video games and streaming video with out distracting the motive force as a privateness filter successfully blocks the on-screen content material.
For probably the most half, it is simple to make use of the infotainment system, whereas the navigation paired with the head-up-display deserves a particular shout-out. Animated arrows and icons present up as augmented actuality overlays in your ahead imaginative and prescient, eliminating a superb chunk of tension when driving via unfamiliar areas. In the meantime, swarm knowledge gathered from different automobiles’ digital camera programs can provide the motive force superior warning of upcoming hazards. We did not expertise any of these cases on our drive, however the potential may very well be large.
The brand new infotainment system additionally advantages from improved voice controls. The Audi Help perform now options greater than 800 instructions, and is additional enhanced with ChatGPT to deal with extra esoteric requests. This was particularly useful in our Euro-spec Q6, which activated the annoying necessary pace warning chime each time we peeked previous the posted pace restrict. I could not discover the on-screen setting to disable it and reverted to saying, “Hey Audi, flip off the pace warning.” It would not disable it outright, however the system a minimum of took me to the menu the place I might flip it off myself.
The entrance seats are typical Audi with agency, supportive padding, however well-shaped for a lot of hours of snug touring. The rear seats had loads of headroom to accommodate my 5-foot-10 body, and there was an abundance of legroom to stretch out. In keeping with my 6-foot-plus passenger, he was simply effective again there, too. Behind these seats, the cargo space can maintain as much as 30.2 cubic toes, which is bigger than the Q8 E-Tron’s already beneficiant 28.5 cubic toes. There’s some further storage beneath the ground in addition to one other 2.2 cubic toes within the frunk, which must be sufficient to stash the cost cable.
Altogether, the 2025 Audi Q6 E-Tron is a stable selection amongst electrical SUVs, and represents a logical and welcome evolution of the corporate’s plans. Its closest rivals are the bigger and costlier Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV and BMW iX. I am personally a fan of the Audi since I discover the styling of these rivals a bit difficult (I am nonetheless not over the BMW’s grille). Objectively, the Q6 and SQ6 drive nice, expertly stability consolation and efficiency, and provides buyers a extra accessible pathway to luxurious electrical SUVs.
I am struggling to seek out any important faults, which is uncommon for me, however there’s additionally nothing that really blew me away. With a bit of luck, the RS Q6 E-Tron will ship these thrills, however till then the Q6 and SQ6 are supremely competent and pleasant decisions that may attraction to a variety of buyers. In essence, I consider them as a Porsche for the remainder of us.