Bilbao, SPAIN — Audi has loved a head begin within the EV area 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 just a few years later. Not surprisingly given its title/quantity, the most recent addition fills the area 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 inner combustion automobiles within the pipeline.
I hopped on a aircraft to Spain to place the Q6 E-Tron by means of its paces, in addition to the spicier SQ6 E-Tron, which will probably be arriving on the identical 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 flooring, 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 adequate to replenish the battery from 10-80% in 21 minutes if you’ll find a charger that’s totally practical. The DC cost port is on the driving force aspect, however you should use an AC charger on both aspect, which ought to turn out to be useful in your driveway/storage.
The Q6 E-Tron comes normal with two motors for all-wheel drive. Mixed output is 422 horsepower underneath regular situations, 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 extra vary. It appears doubtless that the rear-drive mannequin will probably be accessible within the U.S. sooner or later, however Audi will neither verify 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 sweet for 483 hp nominally and 509 hp in launch mode. As you’d anticipate, 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 accessible, however wanting on the present lineup and the prevailing European listings, I might anticipate the Q6 E-Tron to begin round $65,000 or $70,000. That might 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 once you want it, although it will lose in a drag race in opposition to many different EVs. No huge deal, since I doubt most electrical SUV consumers 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 remains 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 simple. It glides down the highway silently and easily, but stays assured within the curves. It would nook with extra athleticism than 95% of typical drivers will ever doubtless need, 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 ravishing S-curve with noticeably much less physique roll. There was additionally much less nosedive underneath braking and squat when getting again on the facility. That is spectacular when you think about you are tossing round virtually 5,300 kilos. That is positively the driving force’s selection between the 2, nevertheless it’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. Hopefully, 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 might additionally anticipate some styling and aerodynamic thrives to tell apart the RS from the remainder of its Q6 brethren.
Because it stands, there’s not an entire lot to inform the Q6 and SQ6 aside, moreover the badging, after all. Aside from the plasticized grille, they might simply be mistaken for an inner combustion SUV. That is a very good factor for traditionalists, and it stays trendy sufficient to please consumers which are drawn to a sleeker aesthetic. There’s a lot occurring stylistically, with sharp creases over the wheels, bulging flares, and deep sculpted physique panels. That is fairly a bit to pack into one automobile, however in my head, it is busy, not cluttered — virtually like a well-organized instrument chest.
Inside, the Q6 adopts an easier 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 accessible touchscreen only for the entrance passenger, permitting them to play copilot with navigation assist or assume the function of cell DJ. They will additionally take pleasure in video games and streaming video with out distracting the driving force as a privateness filter successfully blocks the on-screen content material.
For essentially 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 very good chunk of hysteria when driving by means of unfamiliar areas. In the meantime, swarm knowledge gathered from different automobiles’ digicam methods can provide the driving force superior warning of upcoming hazards. We did not expertise any of these situations on our drive, however the potential could possibly be large.
The brand new infotainment system additionally advantages from improved voice controls. The Audi Help operate 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 velocity warning chime each time we peeked previous the posted velocity restrict. I could not discover the on-screen setting to disable it and reverted to saying, “Hey Audi, flip off the velocity 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 response to my 6-foot-plus passenger, he was simply wonderful again there, too. Behind these seats, the cargo space can maintain as much as 30.2 cubic ft, which is bigger than the Q8 E-Tron’s already beneficiant 28.5 cubic ft. There’s some extra storage underneath the ground in addition to one other 2.2 cubic ft within the frunk, which needs to 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 keen on 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 steadiness consolation and efficiency, and provides consumers a extra accessible pathway to luxurious electrical SUVs.
I am struggling to search out any vital faults, which is uncommon for me, however there’s additionally nothing that actually blew me away. Hopefully, the RS Q6 E-Tron will ship these thrills, however till then the Q6 and SQ6 are supremely competent and pleasing selections that can enchantment to a variety of consumers. In essence, I consider them as a Porsche for the remainder of us.