The all-new Q6 e-tron is more than just an electric family carrier.

The Audi Q6 e-tron is all-new for 2025, and it’s an vital automotive for Audi. It’s not simply that they up to date it, made it look higher, and made it drive higher; this automobile is a nod to the way forward for the model because it strikes towards electrification. Slotting between the smaller This fall e-tron and the bigger Q8 e-tron, the Q6 e-tron sits in an important spot. Doing it proper doubtlessly means a lot of new prospects. Doing it fallacious will likely be an costly mistake.

The Q6 e-tron rides on the Premium Platform Electrical (PPE) structure that’s additionally getting used for the Porsche Macan EV. It’s a elementary a part of the Volkswagen Group’s strategy for its premium manufacturers, together with Bentley, and permits for flexibility for use in vehicles or SUVs. The Q6 e-tron additionally reveals off a brand new inside, up to date know-how that features a passenger show display, and improved driving dynamics. Audi invited CarBuzz to Bilbao, Spain, to see the way it made the Q6 e-tron a greater electrical automobile.

First Drive occasions present our preliminary impressions of a automobile in a restricted atmosphere beneath sure time constraints. Control CarBuzz for our complete Check Drive assessment which is able to observe quickly.

Exterior: A New Look For Audi

The Q6 e-tron combines the extra upright posture of an SUV with smooth beauty. Its wheelbase of 113.7 inches to supply loads of room for passengers, however with brief overhangs. This makes it extra maneuverable when area is tight and helps maintain it from wanting heavy or cumbersome. Its easy, sculpted surfaces additional add to the streamlined look with the good thing about serving to air movement extra easily over the automobile.

There are additionally what are referred to as ‘quattro blisters,’ a reputation that’s completely unappealing for a design component that’s precisely the other. These are the contoured parts of the physique that help the A and D pillars and are central to the Audi design precept of “making know-how seen.” No matter what they select to name it, the general impression is one in all sportiness mixed with luxurious, giving the Q6 e-tron loads of presence.

Up entrance, the closed Singleframe grille that debuted on the e-tron GT appears nice, particularly when it’s framed in gloss black on a white automotive – this alone is a motive to go together with a lightweight coloration quite than one thing darkish. The Q6 e-tron masters the difficult process of taking a automobile that doesn’t want a grille and nonetheless giving it an interesting entrance finish that catches your consideration for all the precise causes.

We would even be remiss if we did not point out the brand new lively digital gentle signature; sadly, it solely applies to vehicles outdoors of the US. These get OLED taillights that may truly talk with different street customers, issuing warnings or indicating parking processes – intelligent know-how that will likely be obtainable to vehicles in Europe.

Inside: Sensible Luxurious

Audi is a luxurious automaker and the Q6 e-tron appears the half in each means. Supplies are premium from the doorways to the dashboard to the headliner. Contrasting colours used judiciously are eye-catching but muted for a reserved interpretation of luxurious that’s calming and welcoming. There’s additionally ambient lighting that accents the simplicity of the design with out turning into a garish focus.

There’s an abundance of high-gloss piano black, which is a combined bag. It appears stunning, elegant, and really higher crust, but it surely’s susceptible to point out each fingerprint, each speck of mud, and each rogue drip of espresso out of your morning brew. A microfiber material within the heart console is virtually vital if you wish to maintain issues wanting tidy.

There’s room for 5 folks within the Q6 e-tron and though it’s not as giant because the Q8 e-tron, it’s nonetheless spacious. The PPE structure delivers loads of headroom and legroom with supportive seats which are simple to regulate for the precise driving place. With regards to the rear seat room, even bigger adults will discover good headroom and legroom, though it is likely to be a decent squeeze for 3 throughout.

There’s additionally area for cargo with 30.2 cubic ft behind the rear seats or 60.2 cubic ft when these 40/20/40 split-folding seats are down. There’s even a 4,400-pound tow score if it’s essential haul bigger gadgets.

Know-how: The Digital Cockpit Refined

In a brief period of time, our vehicles have turn into extensions of our digital lives. What began as a single small display has turn into a number of, with shows that span the width of your complete dashboard. now turning into the norm. They include an infinite number of data that may be configured in an infinite variety of methods. It seems like a good suggestion, however it may create sensory overload, offering an excessive amount of distraction each visually and mentally. Although this Audi has an abundance of screens, it avoids that pitfall.

Audi has lengthy had what it calls a digital cockpit. This retains the give attention to the motive force. The Q6 e-tron maintains that focus with an entirely new inside referred to as a Digital Stage. It contains an 11.9-inch instrument cluster show for the motive force with a 14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen. These are mounted in a single curved show that places the motive force entrance and heart.

For the primary time in any Audi, there’s additionally an obtainable 10.9-inch passenger touchscreen. It’s positioned decrease and barely to the left of the infotainment display. Lively shuttering prevents the motive force from seeing it when the automotive is in movement, however the passenger may help with choose features, together with navigation, or they will select to calm down and stream video content material. This is among the cleanest designs we’ve seen for a system with a devoted passenger display. It’s as crisp because the infotainment display when it’s in use, however has a delicate sample on the display when not in use, so the passenger isn’t gazing an unsightly black rectangle.

Augmented Actuality

The ultimate “display” is an obtainable head-up show. It reveals pace, site visitors indicators, and navigation, which is especially nicely achieved. Arrows level within the path of your subsequent flip, altering in measurement and placement as you strategy, after which seamlessly reconfiguring to level you towards the subsequent flip. Driving by the infinite rotaries that dot European roads, it stored us on our route with out a misstep.

There are two obtainable Bang & Olufsen sound methods with a singular setup when the Q6 e-tron is provided with sports activities seats. This contains 4 audio system within the entrance seat headrests that, for the primary time in an Audi, create separate audio zones. It feeds telephone calls and navigation on to the motive force, quite than echoing by your complete automotive. It’s a small element that has a big effect on consolation.

Audi says there’s a new suite of security options that embody:

• Adaptive cruise management
• Lane change warning
• Exit warning
• Collision avoidance help
• Emergency brake help
• Visitors signal recognition
• Swerve help, entrance and rear flip help
• Non-compulsory: Adaptive cruise help plus

Lastly, there’s a brand new Audi Assistant, which is a voice-activated assistant that may management greater than 800 features within the automobile and understands 23 languages. These methods might be tough at instances, however this one is best than common. It typically understood instructions on the primary attempt, and even acknowledged whether or not the motive force or entrance passenger was talking and responded from the corresponding audio system.

Battery and Charging: Two Efficiency Choices

The Q6 e-tron is obtainable in two configurations (for now: an RS mannequin is ready to hitch the occasion in 2025). Each are powered by two electrical motors with an 800v 100 kWh battery. On a degree 2 charger, it takes 11.5 hours to totally cost, however with a DC quick charger it may go from 10 to 80 p.c in simply 21 minutes.

The bottom Q6 e-tron has an EPA-estimated vary of 307 miles. It delivers 422 horsepower with a lift to 456 hp when launch management is activated. The SQ6 e-tron is the efficiency possibility. It is available in with 31 miles much less vary, however extra horsepower – topping out at 509 hp with launch management.

It posts a prime pace of 143 mph and hits 0-60 mph in 4.1 seconds – an enchancment over the virtually 5 seconds wanted within the base Q6 e-tron. It isn’t the type of efficiency you will get from the brand new top-spec Audi e-tron GT, but it surely’s nonetheless a strong alternative.

Drive Impressions

We drove each the Q6 e-tron and SQ6 e-tron. Nonetheless, they have been European specification autos, which makes them barely completely different from what we’ll have right here within the USA. The variations within the SQ6 e-tron are minimal – apart from outputs, clearly – and it is the one we would suggest within the lineup, so long as you have got the additional money in your pocket.

Each variations of the Q6 e-tron confirmed off crisp dealing with with a low heart of gravity that made taking winding European roads easy. It wasn’t a problem driving these roads, it was a pleasure, whether or not behind the wheel or taking the chance to calm down because the entrance passenger. Steering was managed, however not tiring, so infinite switchbacks did not turn into tiresome. The SQ6 e-tron, particularly, is really a driver’s automotive with an excellent stability between consolation and sportiness. Drive modes enable for the tailoring of that have and noticeably tighten up the steering if that is your choice.

One thing that normally takes a little bit of getting used to in an EV is regenerative braking. The moment you are taking your foot off the accelerator, an EV slows as if you are already urgent the brake pedal. Relying on the aggressiveness of that braking, it may be jarring and even startle passengers as if you’ve got out of the blue jammed on the brakes. Within the Audi SQ6 e-tron, this course of was so easy that it was barely noticeable. That is precisely the way it ought to work, so kudos to Audi for making that transition as elegant and unfettered because the trip itself.

Including to the general constructive expertise of the Q6 e-tron lineup is how quiet the vehicles are. It isn’t simply that there is not any engine, however that street and wind noise are negligible. It is a luxurious automotive, so it is speculated to be quiet – and it delivered on that expectation superbly.

Conclusion

Each the Q6 e-tron and the SQ6 e-tron proved to be well-mannered and fulfilling EVs that would persuade even probably the most diehard inner combustion engine fan that going electrical is just not a nasty factor in any respect. The 2025 Audi Q6 e-tron and SQ6 e-tron are as a consequence of arrive in showrooms within the fourth quarter of this yr, with trim particulars and pricing but to be introduced.