AutoElectric VehiclesAudi Q6 e-tron first drive: a premium SUV that’s stuffed with techPlugging the gap between the Q4 and the Q8 comes the Audi Q6 e-tronWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
AutoElectric VehiclesAudi Q6 e-tron first drive: a premium SUV that’s stuffed with techPlugging the gap between the Q4 and the Q8 comes the Audi Q6 e-tronWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Plugging the gap between the Q4 and the Q8 comes the Audi Q6 e-tron
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Future / Chris Hall)
(Image credit: Future / Chris Hall)
The mid-sized electric SUV category is perhaps the most competitive, with the likes of Tesla Model Y, the BMW iX3 and theFord Mustang Mach-E, all making a great case for themselves. The Audi Q6 e-tron launches into the middle of this pack, between the existingAudi Q4 e-tronand the recently-updatedAudi Q8 e-tron.
Sitting on the same platform as thePorsche Macan EV, the Audi Q6 e-tron wants to offer it all: long range, a superior level of comfort and trim, while also delivering the driving dynamics to make it stand out. I got to put the new electric Audi through its paces in the Basque region of northern Spain and found this car to be full of small moments of delight.
(Image credit: Future / Chris Hall)
(Image credit: Future / Chris Hall)
How much does the Audi Q6 e-tron cost?
Before we dive into what this car actually offers, it’s worth looking at how much this car is going to set you back. At launch, there are two versions - the Q6 e-tron and the SQ6 e-tron. There are a number of trims - Sport, S line and Edition 1 - for the regular Q6 e-tron, while the performance SQ6 e-tron will arrive in the Edition 1 initially.
That makes the Audi considerably more than the Tesla Model Y, while only being a little more expensive than BMW’s iX3.
(Image credit: Future / Chris Hall)
(Image credit: Future / Chris Hall)
A new techy interior design for Audi
From the exterior the Audi Q6 e-tron is closely related to the Q4 e-tron, particularly when it comes to the front of the car. The design around the grille looks the same - especially when you catch sight of it in the rear-view mirror. From the back, the Q6 adopts a light bar similar to the excellentAudi e-tron GT. Audi, wanting to add a dash of tech to pretty much all aspects of this car, will let you change the light signature when you turn the car on, for an added dab of personalisation, with eight different options.
The exterior design is unmistakably Audi. It looks like an Audi, it sounds like an Audi and it drives like an Audi. At a surface level, that might suggest that this is a car that won’t surprise you, but dig a little deeper and it will.
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But it’s the driver who really gets the lion’s share of the changes. There’s now a panoramic MMI display, wrapping across the dash, giving the driver a 11.9-inch OLED display for the dials, and a 14.5-inch OLED main display in the centre of the car. It looks great, putting all the information at the fingertips of the driver.
(Image credit: Future / Chris Hall)
(Image credit: Future / Chris Hall)
This is a slight change to the arrangement that Audi has used for the past decade. The Virtual Cockpit - which offered full-screen mapping on the driver display - is no longer there, with the driver display now being more conventional. This is backed up with an augmented reality heads-up display, that will indicate which exit you’re heading to. I found this really useful driving around unfamiliar roads in Spain, because there’s no need to take your eyes off the road - all the information is there, appearing magically in your field of view.
The front passenger isn’t left out of the action, as there’s a 10.9-inch OLED display for the passenger too (optional), fitted with a screen filter, so it doesn’t distract the driver. That will allow the passenger to access apps, examine the map and follow the route, as well, so they’re not always having to mess around with the main display.
(Image credit: Future / Chris Hall)
(Image credit: Future / Chris Hall)
This more substantial display offering means that the space under the dash is a little clearer. In the past you’d often find the display, physical climate controls and other buttons in this area, but there’s been a reduction of buttons overall. That means that the aircon is now controlled through the same touchscreen in the centre of the car.
These controls are permanently on display, so I had no problem tapping them when I wanted to make a change. Some will mourn the loss of direct control buttons in some areas and this seems to be one of the biggest debates in modern cars at the moment - just how many buttons should there be?
The steering wheel, however, has plenty of controls, all sitting on a clicky touchpad, which is cleaner than individual buttons, but takes a little getting used to. The same is true of the controls on the driver’s door. These cover things like mirror controls, child locks, and some of the light controls, and the whole things is a single clicky pad, which feels a little odd.
(Image credit: Future / Chris Hall)
(Image credit: Future / Chris Hall)
Performance, range and driving impressions
I drove both models of the Q6 e-tron, and both at launch are all-wheel drive, so have a dual motor configuration. There will be a single motor rear-wheel drive version announced in the future. These motors are now Audi’s own design so are really sophisticated, while being 30% more compact and 20% lighter than previous motors making them more efficient.
At launch, all models also have the same 100kWh battery with an 800V system. Again, there will be smaller battery version announced in the future, which will bring a lower range and lower entry point for the Q6 e-tron.
Starting with the battery, 100kWh is capacious. That fits with the positioning of this model and the high price. It also supports 270kW charging, which is really fast - you’ll be able to get from 10-80% charge in 21 minutes, or 158 miles of range in just 10 minutes on a fast charger.
Here’s how the performance specs compare for the models. Note that for the regular Audi Q6 e-tron, this is on the Sport trim.
Swipe to scroll horizontallyHeader Cell - Column 0Power0-62mphRangeAudi Q6 e-tron388PS5.9 seconds381 milesAudi SQ6 e-tron490PS4.3 seconds357 miles
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Header Cell - Column 0Power0-62mphRangeAudi Q6 e-tron388PS5.9 seconds381 milesAudi SQ6 e-tron490PS4.3 seconds357 miles
Of course, what’s more impressive is that the regular Q6 e-tron is fast. That 0-62mph time of 5.9 seconds in a 2.4-tonne SUV feels effortless. For the SQ6 e-tron, you’ll have to use launch control to achieve that 4.3-second figure, but I suspect that many will be more than happy with the performance of the normal model. Rumour has it that there could be an RS model in the future too, if you need even more power.
I certainly found that the Audi didn’t hesitate to accelerate up hills, the quattro system providing the assured grip in fast mountain corners, while the air suspension on my review model kept body roll to a minimum, smoothing out any broken road surfaces I encountered.
Take the Audi Q6 e-tron onto the motorway and it’s quiet and refined, with driver assistance to keep you safe and heading in the right direction. I found the lane keep assistant to be a little too aggressive, but you do get the option to turn off anything you don’t want.
Audi wanted the Q6 e-tron to offer a fun and dynamic drive and it really is. Yes, it’s built on the same platform as Porsche’s latest electric SUV which also a great performer. In this regard, you’re spoilt for choice: they really are cracking electric cars to drive.
(Image credit: Future / Chris Hall)
(Image credit: Future / Chris Hall)
Should I buy an Audi Q6 e-tron?
There’s a duality to the Audi Q6 e-tron: on one hand it’s all the Audi that you expect it to be. It looks like an Audi, it’s priced like an Audi and it drives like an Audi. But on the other hand, there are a lot of nice touches on this model - the new curved display, the AR heads-up display - it’s the little details that make it stand apart. It’s a technology load-out that’s hard to argue with, especially when you consider that there’s a Bang & Olufsen sound system offering 850W too.
It’s a premium SUV, but arguably some parts of the interior - like the blank switch cover next to the door handle, or the soft touch materials on the tops of the doors, doesn’t quite feel like Audi’s best. The Mercedes EQE SUV or BMW iX3 might pip it to the post here. But the drive is delightful and the launch models with the quattro system are hugely fun with really confident handling. If driving experience is what you’re after, then Audi’s offering is compelling.
The good news is that if the price seems a little high then the rear-wheel drive option will be along soon to bring that price down, while there will be a sloped-rear version (Sportback) for those who prefer a coupe style launching soon too.
The Audi Q6 e-tron neatly plugs the gap between the Q4 and the Q8, meaning that Audi has electric SUVs in three sizes, one of the few manufacturers currently in that position. You’re sure to see a lot of these on the road once deliveries start in August.
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