First Drive Review: The 2025 Audi Q6 & SQ6 e-tron Come With Space and Pace

Audi is not quick on slick, highly effective, SUVs however there’s room within the lineup between the This fall and Q8 for the brand new all-electric Audi Q6 e-tron and its extra highly effective improve, the Audi SQ6 e-tron. The Q6 serves as a contemporary web page for Audi, and it comes with an enormous infotainment improve and driving on Audi’s fancy new skateboard chassis, referred to as Premium Platform Electrical (PPE), relatively than an current Volkswagen Group platform. There’s loads of grunt on supply, beginning with 322 horsepower within the rear-wheel-drive entry-level mannequin, and expertise that features OLED screens, OLED taillights, an augmented actuality head-up show, and the following degree in Audi’s signature lighting.

Audi invited us to drive the Q6 and SQ6 e-tron again to again in Napa Valley, California, with the promise of a robust, refined SUV that also manages to embrace the enjoyment of driving. We spent the day on curvy roads linked with lengthy straights to stretch the Q6 and SQ6’s legs on. Sadly, we weren’t capable of drive the rear-wheel-drive fashions and Audi is eager to point out off the elective adaptable air suspension. So, we began off within the morning with the 456-hp Q6 e-tron quattro earlier than switching to the 509-hp SQ6 e-tron for the afternoon experience.

First Drive occasions present our preliminary impressions of a automobile in a restricted atmosphere beneath sure time constraints. Regulate DrivingOnRoad for our complete Take a look at Drive evaluation which can comply with quickly.

The 2025 Q6 and SQ6 e-tron are all-new autos, and slot neatly into Audi’s lineup and new naming conference – even quantity fashions are all-electric, whereas odd quantity fashions are all gasoline powered.

Design & Model: An Upright SUV That Does not Slouch

Audi is among the automakers we recognize from an aesthetic viewpoint because it all the time manages to not go overboard chasing the most recent design traits. It is a model that understands basic proportions and quick overhangs. The Q6 and SQ6 e-tron are underpinned by a protracted wheelbase with quick overhangs that offers the imperious stance of a luxurious SUV regardless of not being outsized. The bodywork appears to be like prefer it has been shrink-wrapped over the body, giving it a decent look, whereas a mix of sharp creases and smooth shapes retains the SUV trying timeless – for probably the most half. We really feel slightly uncertain in regards to the entrance with the high-mounted skinny headlights that give it a narrow-eyed, indignant look.

It would not be a high-end Audi with out an obsessive quantity of consideration paid to the lights. The usual lighting is fairly and crisp, however the Status trims supply digital LED daytime working lights with the pixel choices for eight completely different signature patterns. On the rear for Status fashions, the taillights are made up of OLEDs with 60 particular person managed segments per panel, permitting for some intricate designs proven by means of eight selectable choices.

Inside: Govt Consolation, Household Practicality

The very first thing we observed inside is that the inside is not one other copy and paste from each different Audi on sale. It is pleasingly formed and contoured, however look previous the plush leather-based, and there are some arduous plastics on show you would not anticipate after dropping between $60,000 and $80,000 on a automotive. Principally, although, Audi has managed to cover any cost-cutting to get the massive EV to a manageable worth and it is a beautiful place to spend time whereas on the street.

Up entrance, there’s loads of house and no concern of elbows clashing with a passenger. The driving place is superb, and visibility is par for the course. Within the again seats, there’s legroom for tall adults and two will not be bumping elbows. Cargo house within the SQ6 e-tron is 30.2 cubic toes, opening as much as an apartment-moving 60.4 cubes with the seats folded.

Infotainment: A Lot Of High quality Display House

The second factor we observed on climbing into the SQ6 e-tron for the primary time was the quantity of display house, significantly with the elective further 10.9-inch display for the entrance passenger. The Digital Cockpit (Audi-speak for the gauge cluster) measures in at 11.9 inches whereas the principle display is 14.5 inches and introduced behind a single lengthy slab of curved glass. Whether or not that is an excessive amount of is a matter of style, however the brand new OLED tech Audi is utilizing makes for very good readability as black is really black.

The upgraded consumer interface makes this one among Audi’s greatest iterations of its already glorious MMI system. Nonetheless, it is going to take a while to get used to the menu system, and it nonetheless wants some options added. For instance, we had a TPMS warning come on, however there was no show obtainable telling us the person pressures on every run-flat tire – one thing that actually must be commonplace on a luxurious automobile.

The augmented actuality head-up show is a principally optimistic combined bag. Instructions from the navigation float round in a satisfying method and in the correct place on the prime of the show. Displaying street markings in a show on the windscreen you’re looking by means of is comically redundant, nonetheless. Nonetheless, the best way the speed-limit digits develop bigger relative to the way you speed up is a stunning contact to catch your consideration, significantly because the SQ6 e-tron is so quick and clean that 80 mph appears like 50.

Audi and Bang & Olufsen go hand-in-hand. This method weighs in at 830 watts with 20 audio system, and it sounds wonderful. Headrest audio system are an possibility and glorious for those who use voice navigation. Nonetheless, for those who do not spend a while tweaking the general system, there’s a number of redundancy, and we began our day with navigation on the principle show, transferring round on the head-up show, and speaking to us from the headrest. Even after tweaking the knowledge on present, the screens dominate the cabin.

Powertrain & Driving: An Air Suspension Of Confidence

We drove the Q6 e-tron quattro first, and the powertrain confirmed its energy instantly with its 456 hp and massive bucket of constant torque. As we are actually accustomed to, electrical energy is clean energy, and combined with the quiet cabin and compliant air suspension, the Q6 e-tron all the time feels prefer it’s going slower than the speedometer reveals. We switched out and in of 1 pedal driving mode, however it’s solely needed if you wish to hustle down a twisty street. In any other case, the one-pedal driving expertise is superbly measured for on a regular basis driving.

Audi’s engineers have clearly earned their pay with the SQ6 e-tron – the cabin is quiet with out the necessity to use noise-canceling expertise, and the air suspension provides a beautiful experience regardless of the entrance subframe being bolted on to the body with bushings. The dearth of bushings within the subframe and a newly designed entrance axle provides the Q6 a precision to its steering and degree of street holding {that a} heavy non-sport designated SUV usually does not have exterior of BMW.

The above description goes for SQ6 as properly, however the elevation of extra energy and sport-tuned air suspension does not make for as massive of a change of posture as we anticipated. Neither does transitioning into Dynamic (Audi-speak for Sport) mode. The SQ6 e-tron does brighten up, however it’s not like flipping a swap on different Audi fashions. It is extra like a tautening up of the chassis and drivetrain however not including a dose of aggression.

Put the SQ6 e-tron round on a winding street, and it is marginally extra enjoyable than the Q6. Plant your foot down arduous on a straight, although, and it does not significantly really feel like an additional 53 hp is lurking within the powertrain. We did not do any instrumented timing, so it might merely be that the SQ6 e-tron is that clean that it does not really feel a lot completely different beneath acceleration to the Q6. It definitely did not really feel like our pants had been set on fireplace.

Pricing & Verdict: Quintessentially Audi

The rear-wheel-drive Q6 begins at $63,800 with 322 hp on faucet and as much as 321 miles of electrical vary. The Q6 e-tron quattro is all-wheel-drive, begins at $65,800, and comes with 456 hp and as much as 307 miles of electrical vary. The SQ6 arrives beginning at $72,900 and its 509 hp sacrifices vary, dropping it to 275 miles. On paper, not one of the trims excel in vary however, in actuality, it is loads for the overwhelming majority of drivers with a storage obtainable and a charger put in.

The Q6 e-tron quattro will definitely go well with the Audi trustworthy greatest, significantly as Audi’s quattro techniques are a significant promoting level of the model and a lack of 14 miles of vary for the acquire of 135 hp looks like a great trade-off. Nonetheless, the SQ6 e-tron goes to be a tougher promote. We wish to spend a full week with the SQ6, however our preliminary impression is that it is not a large enough step up in efficiency to justify beneath 300 miles of vary.

Till you get to the RS fashions, the place Audi goes loopy on efficiency, the model appears to enjoy balancing itself between BMW’s lean in direction of efficiency and dealing with and Mercedes’ lean in direction of luxurious and expertise. To us, it is a successful mix for anybody that enjoys driving, but additionally likes to actually loosen up whereas transferring by means of site visitors. In case you have a tendency to decide on the lengthy and windy method residence, however BMW fashions appear a bit sharp, pointy, and obnoxiously styled, Audi has bought you coated with the SQ6. In case you get pleasure from driving, like consolation, comfort, and expertise, however don’t need the tacky membership vibe and the obnoxious method to screens fashionable Mercedes is taking, Audi has you coated with the Q6. Both method, the Q6 and SQ6 are a well-balanced electrical SUV that will not disappoint anybody interested in the Audi model.

US-Spec Audi Q6 e-tron Pictures