Bilbao, SPAIN — Audi Cars has had a head start in the EV space since the first E-Tron SUV debuted in 2019 (now known as the Q8 E-Tron), next is related to Porsche E-Tron GT sedan and VW-based Q4 E-Tron SUVs a few years later. Unsurprisingly, given its name/numbering, this latest addition fills the gap between the two SUVs with the 2025 Audi Q6 E-Tron. Coming to the US in late 2024, the Q6 follows the even-numbered naming convention for electric vehicles, with odd numbers currently reserved for the remaining internal combustion vehicles in the pipeline.
I flew to Spain to test the Q6 E-Tron, as well as the more exciting SQ6 E-Tron, which will launch around the same time. Both are built on the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) shared with the new all-electric model. Porsche Macan. The platform uses a carefully tuned 800-volt architecture to get the most performance from lithium-ion batteries. the batteryand you can read into how and why in Deep Technology.
In terms of general specs, both the Q6 and SQ6 E-Trons draw power from a 100 kilowatt-hour battery pack in the floor, of which 94.4 kWh can be used. AC charging tops out at 9.6 kW (many EVs manage 11 kW), but DC fast charging tops out at an impressive 270 kW. That’s good enough to recharge the battery from 10-80% in 21 minutes if you can find one. charger Fully functional. The DC charging port is on the driver’s side, but you can use the AC charger on either side, which is handy when in your driveway/garage.
The Q6 E-Tron comes standard with two motors for all-wheel drive. Combined output is 422 horsepower under normal conditions and up to 456 horsepower in launch mode. Curiously, European versions are limited to 382 horsepower, but they also have a rear-wheel-drive-only model that could offer additional range. It seems likely that a rear-wheel-drive model will be available in the United States in the future, but Audi would neither confirm nor deny those plans. Speaking of range, the Q6 Quattro we had is estimated to do 307 miles on a single charge with the standard 19-inch wheels. In my experience, electric Audis tend to exceed their estimates by 20 or 30 miles without even testing.
The SQ6 E-Tron has a nominal output of 483 horsepower and 509 horsepower on tap. As you’d expect, it also has sportier suspension and upgraded brake. That range estimate also drops to 276 miles. Audi expects the car to hit 60 mph in 4.1 seconds, compared to the Q6’s 4.9 seconds. Pricing isn’t available yet, but looking at the current lineup and the list of available models in Europe, I’d expect the Q6 E-Tron to start around $65,000 or $70,000. That would put the SQ6 at around $85,000.
My drive started with the all-wheel-drive Q6 E-Tron, but with a European-spec 382 horsepower. On a mix of city, winding, and highway, I never missed the extra power we had. It’s plenty punchy when you need it, though it loses out on the speed race with many other EVs. No big deal, since I suspect most electric SUV buyers will be hitting their local quarter-mile track anyway. The Q6 stands out from other E-Trons in that it’s the first to offer a one-pedal driving mode. Dipping the gearshift into B mode activates it, but those with experience driving other EVs will notice that the regenerative braking is still much less aggressive. That means you may have to press the brake pedal to avoid hitting the front bumper, at least until you get used to the gentler deceleration.
More importantly, the Q6 is easy and light. It glides smoothly and quietly over the road, yet confidently into corners. It will corner with more athleticism than 95% of average drivers would expect, or about half Auto blog Readers.
The SQ6 E-Tron is definitely the better choice for enthusiastic pilots. It feels noticeably sportier in every dynamic department, but without sacrificing much comfort (even in its stiffer Sport mode). That’s proven on the first lap, as it creates a beautiful S-curve with significantly less body lean. There’s also less nose-dive under braking and less body lean when powering back up. That’s impressive when you consider that you’re struggling with nearly 5,300 pounds. It’s definitely a driver’s choice between the two, but it’s not as crazy as some other high-performance electric SUVs.
For those who want something a little more exciting, the RS Q6 E-Tron is here. With any luck, this flagship model will debut next year, possibly with some Sportback variants. drag. My wild guess is that it will have more than 600 horsepower, a 0-60 mph time of around 3 seconds, and a lower, firmer suspension. Looking at the Porsche Macan Turbo’s specs, that doesn’t seem out of the question, nor does the six-figure price tag. I’d also expect some styling and aerodynamic flair to differentiate the RS from its Q6 siblings.
As it stands, there’s not much to differentiate the Q6 from the SQ6, aside from the badging, of course. With the exception of the plastic grille, they could easily be mistaken for an internal-combustion SUV. That’s a good thing for traditionalists, and it’s still modern enough to please shoppers drawn to sleeker aesthetics. There’s a lot going on in terms of styling, with sharp creases over the wheels, bulging flares, and deeply sculpted body panels. It’s a lot to pack into one car, but in my mind it feels busy, not cluttered—almost like a streamlined tool chest.
Inside, the Q6 adopts a simpler, more elemental design. A single, wide panel houses both the digital instrument panel and the 14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen. There is also a dedicated touchscreen for the front passengers, allowing them to act as co-pilots with the help of the navigation system or take on the role of mobile DJs. They can also enjoy games and streaming videos without distracting the driver, as a privacy filter effectively blocks the content on the screen.
The infotainment system is easy to use on the whole, while the navigation system combined with the head-up display deserves special praise. The animated arrows and icons appear as an augmented reality overlay in your forward vision, taking much of the anxiety out of driving through unfamiliar areas. Meanwhile, swarm data collected from other vehicles’ camera systems can warn drivers of upcoming hazards in advance. We didn’t encounter any of these while driving, but the potential is huge.
The new infotainment system also benefits from improved voice controls. Audi Assist now has over 800 commands and has been further improved with ChatGPT to handle more obscure requests. This was especially helpful in our Euro-spec Q6, which would trigger an annoying mandatory speed warning chime every time we glanced over a posted speed limit. I couldn’t find the on-screen setting to turn it off, so I had to go back and say, “Hey Audi, turn off speed warning.” It didn’t turn it off completely, but at least the system took me to a menu where I could turn it off myself.
The front seats are typical Audi seats, with firm, supportive padding but well-shaped for hours of comfortable travel. The back seat has enough headroom to accommodate my 5-foot-10-inch stature, and there’s plenty of legroom to stretch out. My 6-foot-plus passenger was fine in the back, too. Behind those seats, the cargo area can hold up to 30.2 cubic feet, which is more than Question 8 The E-Tron is already spacious at 28.5 cubic feet. There’s also some additional storage under the floor, as well as another 2.2 cubic feet in the front trunk, enough to stow charging cables.
Overall, the 2025 Audi Q6 E-Tron is a solid choice among electric SUVs and represents a logical and welcome evolution of the company’s plans. Its closest rivals are larger and more expensive cars. Mercedes Benz EQE SUV and BMW iXPersonally, I’m biased towards Audi because I find the styling of those competitors a bit daunting (I still haven’t gotten over it yet). of BMW The Q6 and SQ6 are objectively great to drive, skillfully balancing comfort and performance while offering buyers a more accessible path into luxury electric SUVs.
I struggled to find any significant faults, which is rare for me, but there was nothing that really blew me away either. With any luck, the RS Q6 E-Tron will deliver those thrills, but until then, the Q6 and SQ6 are extremely capable and fun options that will appeal to a wide range of shoppers. In essence, I think of them as a Porsche For the rest of us.
