Audi Q6 e-tron Review

Introduction and model history

Slowly but surely, Audi is starting to build out its electric car empire. First we had the Q8 e-tron (launched as simply ‘e-tron’ before the Audi numbers police caught up with it), then the e-tron GT developed with Porsche. The Q4, which shares its foundations with the Škoda Enyaq and Volkswagen ID.4 followed quickly after. And now we have the car that fills the gap between the two Q models - the Q6 e-tron. 

But this is more than just a gap-filler. It’s the first of a new wave of electric cars from Audi. Unlike the Q4 and the Q8, it’s built on a completely new set of underpinnings called PPE. The acronym stands for Premium Platform Electric and was developed with Porsche, which uses the same architecture underneath the new Macan. Like the e-tron GT, which shares its innards with the Porsche Taycan, the Q6 e-tron features an 800 volt electrical system that allows for ultra-fast charging on a suitable rapid charger.

Range, battery and charging

The Q6 e-tron range launches in the UK with two battery size options; 76kWh (usable) and  95kWh (usable). You can also choose between rear-wheel drive or more Audi-like all-wheel drive systems. 

The larger battery comes with a WLTP range of up to 392 miles on a full charge while the smaller, more affordable pack delivers up to 326. That’s okay given that the BMW iX3 starts at a similar price and manages only 280 miles to a charge, although the Polestar 4 and Porsche Macan (unsurprisingly) offer very similar official range. 

As for real-world range, I drove the Q6 e-tron for a week and averaged 3.0 miles per kWh on a variety of different road types. On a full charge, that equates to a real-world range of around 275 to 290 miles, depending on ambient temperature. Opt for the smaller battery and you’ll be looking at around 225 to 240 miles, which is a little disappointing given the Q6’s price bracket. 

Unlike its smaller sibling the Q4 e-tron, the Q6 e-tron features an 800 volt electrical system. This unlocks the potential for some seriously quick charging speeds - which means less time spent plugged in. Audi claims that the new Q6 offers a peak speed of 270kW, which makes it one of the fastest charging electric cars on sale. 

To help maximise charging potential, the infotainment system allows you to precondition the battery while en-route to the charger. Just select a DC charger as a destination and the car works out the rest, pre-heating the battery to the optimum temperature prior to plugging in. Although I wasn’t able to test the Q6 on a 350kW charger, I hit a fine 170kW on a 175kW charger with preconditioning activated.  

While some cars make it hard for drivers to see what level of charge is being accepted by the car, the Q6 has a neat display on the screen ahead of the driver that shows the speed of charge. Lovely. 

As for speed, Audi claims that when the stars align and you plug in with a perfectly conditioned battery, a 10-80% charge can be completed in just 21 minutes. In other words, that’s well over 200 miles of range added in the time it takes to take a pee and order a latte. 

You also get two charging ports on the Q6 e-tron; a CCS and Type 2 socket on one rear wing, and another Type 2 socket (which you use for charging at home wallboxes or slower AC chargers) on the other side. Useful, if you need to park parallel to a charger. My only complaint is that the charging flaps seem unnecessarily complicated with mechanical assistance that feels a little fragile.

Practicality and boot space

You won’t be short of space with the Q6 e-tron which offers 526 litres of boot space and a further 64 litres up front in the big ‘frunk’. That’s less than the Model Y and Skoda Enyaq but it’s a bit more than you get in the iX3 or Mercedes EQE SUV. You’ll have to look at much bigger rivals like the Kia EV9 if you need more space than that. Unfortunately, the Q6 isn’t set to have a seven-seat option (like the Kia) but it is very spacious.

There’s loads of space in the back, too, not to mention charging ports, central armrest and lashings of soft-touch materials so that it feels appropriately comfy and cosseting for a car at this premium price point. 

Interior, Design/Styling and Technology

The interior of the Q6 showcases a new dash design and screen setup that will be appearing, in various forms, on future models. It’s said to be ‘human centric’, so the dash seems to flow around the driver and is accented by a light that runs all the way across the doors and dash.

The new Audi MMI panoramic display, and the passenger screen, will be the first things to grab your attention, though. The 11.9-inch driver’s readout and 14.5-inch curved touchscreen create what Audi calls a new ‘digital stage’, that also features new OLED screen technology for super-bright colour and graphics definition. You even get a screen to yourself if you’re the front passenger, which allows you to sort the nav out, play games, stream films and more – and there’s also an Active Privacy Mode, which makes sure that the passenger’s screen doesn’t distract the driver.

Naturally, there are over-the-air updates and there’s also a voice control system that’s powered by AI, so it’ll learn your accent and routine commands over time for more accurate responses.  

Equipment is decent, but you can go to town with options if you’re not careful. The entry-level Q6 e-tron Sport gets 19-inch alloys, LED lights including fancy rear lights that put on a jazzy light show when you lock or unlock the car, 360-degree parking camera, leatherette, electric lumbar adjustment for the front seats, and heated front and rear seats. There’s also three-zone climate control, so that rear passengers set the temperature in the back seats. The Audi Q6 e-tron S Line adds mostly style upgrades, including 20-inch wheels, S line-specific bumper design and privacy glass. The Edition 1 goes even further with the style trinketry, and also adds a massage function to the front seats, sports suspension and Audi’s full Matrix LED headlights that automatically give you high beam illumination without dazzling other road users.

Motors, Performance and Handling

I drove the quattro version, which has two motors for all-wheel drive and a total of 383bhp. That feels more than enough, especially with Dynamic drive mode selected. This sharpens the throttle response and does a surprisingly efficient job of disguising the Q6’s 2.3 tonnes kerb weight. 

The combined power output of the Quattro version is enough for a 0-62 time of 5.9 seconds, which is plenty but won’t win you many competitions when there’s a Tesla driver around. If that worries you and you have really deep pockets, then you can splash out on the SQ6 e-tron which does the same in 4.3 seconds. 

Although the idea of choosing a high end Audi without Quattro all-wheel drive will be an alien concept for some, I think the rear-drive model could be the better package in terms of balance. Yes it comes with less power (302bhp) and a slight more sedate 0-62 time of 6.7 seconds, but it’s more efficient and cheaper. 

Also, if you go for the dual motor Q6 then you’re right up into Porsche Macan price territory, and I think the Porsche is a sportier, more engaging drive. The Audi’s steering is really good, though, and it rides well, so it’s probably a better all-rounder if you’re not fussed about having a sporty-feeling car. 

It should be a good tow car, too, as it’ll pull a braked trailer weighing up to 2,000kg. The long range and rapid charging will really help if you’re caravanning or towing your horse box across long distances, too.

What really marks the Q6 e-tron apart from its on-paper rivals such as the Tesla Model Y is the way it drives. Audi has clearly spent a lot of time trying to give the Q6 a dynamic feel and on the evidence of the car I drove, it has achieved it. The ride is surprisingly supple for an Audi while the steering is precise and perfectly weighted. My only caveat is that the car I had came with S adaptive air suspension. If ride quality is a key factor in your decision, make sure you test a steel-sprung version to double-check. 

Running Costs and Pricing

Prices start at £59,975 for the single motor Audi Q6 e-tron Sport, or £68,975 for the quattro Sport. The SQ6 is a huge £92,950. I know the SUV practicality is appealing, but wouldn’t you rather the Audi e-tron GT at that price? I think I probably would, but it’s all a matter of personal taste and lifestyle.  

Given the standard equipment is generous, and the range and charging so good, that’s actually not a bad price at all for the ‘everyday’ Q6 e-tron models. Monthly PCP finance looks okay, and you can get monthly costs down to well under £600 per month if you’ve got a healthy deposit or part-ex car worth over £10,000.

Audi offers a standard three year, 60,000 mile warranty on its cars, while the battery in the Q6 is covered for eight years and 100,000 miles.

Verdict

The Audi Q6 e-tron may not be as sporty to drive as the Porsche Macan, and not as intriguingly weird as the Polestar 4, but it’s spacious, well-equipped and is a pleasure to drive. At a stroke it renders the loveable but ageing Q8 e-tron as redundant and more importantly gives Audi a presence in the large premium SUV market. Yes, there are some alternatives that do certain things better, but as an overall package, it’s hard to beat.  

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