Audi Q6 e-tron review

Is the Audi Q6 e-tron a good car?

As its name suggests, the Audi Q6 e-tron sits between the Q4 and Q8 e-tron SUVs in terms of size and price. Relative to both sister cars, it also marks a significant step forward in Audi’s EV tech, because it’s the first to use the PPE architecture co-developed with Porsche and seen in the electric Macan. 

The Q6’s competition runs across a wide spread of rivals, including pricier alternatives, which are led by the BMW iX but also include the Mercedes EQE SUV and Polestar 3. A new-generation BMW iX3 and Volvo EX60 will also be key rivals in the future.

How much does the Audi Q6 e-tron cost?

Starting prices for the Audi Q6 e-tron start at around £60,000 for the Sport model, which means it’s roughly £5,000 less than the entry-level BMW iX3. An extra £3,000 is needed for mid-spec S line trim, while the range-topping Edition 1 is another £5,000 on top of that. 

At the top of the range is the SQ6 e-tron. This offers added performance and sportier styling tweaks for the exterior and cabin, but you’ll have to pay a starting price of around £94,000 for the privilege. 

Sport is the entry level to the line-up, but it still comes with a fair amount of kit. There are 19-inch wheels, LED lights with digital daytime running lights, heated front and rear seats, three-zone climate control, a Bang & Olufsen stereo, 360-degree parking cameras and twin organic LED screens.

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Upgrading to S line trim adds larger 20-inch wheels, sportier trim and badging, privacy glass and a heated, three-spoke steering wheel. It also has a black headlining and embossed ‘S’ logos on the front seats.

At the top of the range sits the Edition 1, which is the only trim offered with the SQ6. Edition 1 features 21-inch wheels, air suspension, matrix LED headlights, extra body-coloured trim, and electrically adjustable front seats in a mix of microfibre suede and leather with diamond stitching. It also adds a couple of wholly unnecessary features in the shape of a 10.9-inch passenger screen and Audi’s ‘e-tron sports sound’ synthesised engine note.

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There’s plenty of choice from the Q6 e-tron motor line-up, with four power outputs and either rear or quattro four-wheel-drive configurations. As you might expect, the quattro models offer more power and performance, especially in SQ6 guise, although all models are quick enough. The driving experience itself is a little disappointing, being neither sporty nor particularly comfortable. It’s not bad, but rivals offer a better balance. Read more about the Audi Q6 e-tron's electric motors, performance and drive…

The Audi Q6 e-tron uses the Volkswagen Group’s Premium Platform Electric (PPE) underpinnings and 800-volt electrical architecture – the latter capable of adding over 150 miles of range in just 10 minutes. Officially, the 100kWh (94.9kWh useable) Q6 e-tron can return up to 393 miles on the WLTP combined cycle. The sleeker Sportback version should see this figure grow thanks to its slipperier shape. A smaller 83kWh (75.8kWh useable) Q6 e-tron is also available with up to 326 miles of range. Read more about the Audi Q6 e-tron's range, charging and running costs…

If you’re an Audi driver that’s going electric for the first time, then getting behind the wheel of the Q6 e-tron will ensure the driving environment is familiar. The layout features sharp screens – there’s even a passenger display if you want it – and the control layout matches that of other premium SUVs in the line-up, both electric and combustion-engined. Build and material quality are first rate, although there is a bit too much of a reliance on the touchscreens for even the most basic of functions. Read more about the Audi Q6 e-tron's interior, design and technology…

As with the smaller Q4, the Q6 e-tron has a bespoke platform that means it can deliver more space for passengers and luggage than a similarly sized combustion-engined model. There’s lots of leg and headroom for back-seat passengers, while the boot is generous, too - there’s also space under the bonnet for separate cable storage. Air suspension allows the rear end of the car to lower to boost access for loading passengers and items. Read more about the Audi Q6 e-tron's boot space, comfort and practicality…

The main highlight of the Audi Q6 e-tron’s five-star Euro NCAP rating is that the car had the highest percentage score for child occupant protection of any car that was tested in 2024. That will be reassuring for families, while the three sets of Isofix points (one on the front seat, two in the rear) offer flexibility. If only the Audi dealership experience was as strong. Maybe owners expect more from a premium manufacturer, but the German marque consistently underperforms in our Driver Power surveys, both in terms of its cars and its dealerships. Read more about the Audi Q6 e-tron's reliability and safety…

Audi Q6 e-tron alternatives

There are plenty of premium electric SUVs that take the fight to the Q6. The BMW iX3 is similar, but doesn’t offer as long a range, while the Polestar 3 is a new arrival that offers lots of space inside. The Porsche Macan Electric uses the same platform as the Q6, but with more focus on driving enjoyment. Higher-spec versions of the Ford Mustang Mach-E are also in the same price bracket, as are entry versions of the Mercedes EQE SUV.