The Audi e-tron family aims to ‘deliver progress you can feel’, and never is that more apparent than with the Q6, Audi’s third fully electric SUV to date. After hitting European markets at the end of March 2024, the Audi Q6 e-tron has already become a firm crowd favourite, not least because it has the highest range of all Audi’s e-trons at an impressive 339-392 miles.
As well as revolutionising industry benchmarks for what EVs can achieve, the Q6 marks the beginning of the ‘new Audi design language’ for its electronic vehicles, including an iconic inverted single-frame grille.
We discuss these benefits and more in our complete breakdown of what the new Audi Q6 has to offer.
The Audi Q6 at a Glance
Set to be Audi’s best fully electric SUV yet, the Audi Q6 e-tron offers a lot of benefits that are immediately noticed, including simplistic smart styling, high-tech interiors, and a degree of usability that you wouldn’t expect from a car that can do this much.
Things you’ll want to know about the Audi Q6 e-tron upfront include –
- Priced at £68,975 MDP (manufacturer direct price)
- Audi Q6 quattro and Audi SQ6 quattro models are available (with a cheaper single-engine Q6 Performance set for launch later in the year)
- The Q6 comes with Sport, S line, or Edition 1 trim levels
- First UK deliveries are expected for late summer 2024
Audi Q6 E-Tron Specs
- 5 doors
- 5 seats
- 19” alloy wheels as standard
- 526-litre boot capacity, or 1,529-litre with seats down
- 306 bhp or 388 bhp engines available at entry-level
- 100 kWh battery capacity
Driving the Audi Q6
Audi’s Q6 e-tron is another Audi offering designed with performance at its heart, hence both available models right now are AWD, with the release of a one-engine ‘Q6 Performance’ not set to arrive until later this year.
Even in the entry-level sport trim, you can expect a Q6 to reach 0-62mph in 5.9 seconds, with a top speed of 131mph. This is because the Q6 uses both an induction motor up front and a permanent magnet synchronous (PMS) motor at the back, ensuring an impressive 382 bhp and 428 lb-ft of torque.
And the benefits don’t end there. The Q6 also boasts a range of roughly 358-381 miles from its 100kWh battery, and can be charged up to 270kw, with the potential for a 10-80% charge in as little as 21 minutes. Or you can add 158 miles in as little as ten minutes at peak capacity.
Its two engines provide the Q6 with plenty of power, meaning that this SUV offers a smooth and quiet driving experience, even at motorway speeds. The Q6 e-tron’s automatic brake adjustments account for everything from the behaviour of other cars to road layout, helping to provide a smooth ride.
Audi Q6 Design
- Exterior
The Q6 is famed for its simple, straightforward SUV exterior, and is available in up to eight exterior colours, including grey or blue as standard. In keeping with Audi’s design revolution, the most notable exterior feature of the Q6 is its inverted single-frame grille which is set to signify Audi’s all-electric range moving forward. This works with soft shapes, sporty curves, and the optional addition of a panoramic sunroof to give the Q6 its undeniably unique exterior finish.
- Interior
While hints of Audi’s design revolution are evident across the Q6 exterior, these really come into their own for Q6 interiors, which are designed ‘from the inside out’. This marks a brand-new design philosophy for Audi, which is evident through an ergonomic and visual design focus, including a digital stage and the use of high contrast, ‘softwrap’ materials throughout. There’s also plenty of space in the Q6 interior, with a 526-litre boot capacity, which becomes 1,529-litres with the back seats down. Plus, plenty of underfloor storage, and the option to include an additional 64-litre front boot under the bonnet if you require any more storage space.
Audi Q6 E-tron Technology
As you can expect from the latest Audi release, there’s a lot of tech throughout the Q6. In fact, within your interior, you can expect to find an 11.9-inch virtual cockpit and 14.5-inch touchscreen, all housed within one glass unit for easier accessibility to Audi’s latest MMI system. There are even touch-sensitive buttons on the Q6 steering wheel and doors to ensure simplified system control. This simplicity is furthered by the inclusion of a self-learning voice assistant, which is voice-activated using the simple command ‘Hey Audi’.
But, the tech benefits of the Q6 e-tron don’t end with infotainment. As mentioned, there’s also some quality driving tech included with the Q6 as standard, including brake assist capabilities, keyless entry, and adaptive cruise control. There’s even a heat pump to make heating your interiors more efficient.
Until June 2025, it’s also possible to include a ‘Sound & Vision pack’ upgrade, which provides further tech capabilities including –
- An augmented reality head-up display
- Bang & Olufsen premium sound system
- Headrest speakers
- Dynamic interaction lights with 30+ colours
- And more
Q6 Performance vs Q6 Quattro
As mentioned, both initial launches of the Q6 are quattro offerings with two motors. This means that a standard spec Q6 is a Quattro model, while the SQ6 is a slightly sportier version that benefits from additions like 490 psi and 0-62mph in 4.4 seconds.
However, the single-engine Q6 Performance is now available to order and offers a more affordable alternative, which also happens to boast Audi’s largest range to date. The Q6 Performance also costs just £62,645 at entry-level, which is significantly lower than existing quattro Q6 models.
But how do these options vary? Let’s consider a few key differences here –
Exploring Audi Q6 E-tron Trim Levels
As mentioned, the Audi Q6 e-tron is available with three different trim options: Sport, S Line, and Edition 1 as follows –
1. Sport Trim (from £63,475)
The sport trim is the entry-level trim for the Q6 e-tron and is available with either a 306 bhp electric rear wheel drive engine or a 388 bhp electric four-wheel drive engine. The sport trim has a lot to offer, including 19” alloy wheels, front and rear LEDs, and even a twin-spoke heated steering wheel. The sport trim includes a twin-screen infotainment setup, as well as additional technology features such as a 360-degree parking camera. Interior features include three-zone automatic climate control and 4-way electric lumbar support. Exterior features include black roof rails, an acoustic windscreen, and logo projection lights in the exterior mirrors.
Other notable features include –
- Progressive steering
- Comfort suspension
- High Beam assist
- Headlight cleaning system
- Heat insulation glass on rear and side windows
- Heated front and outer rear seats
- And more
2. S Line (from £66,475)
An S-Line upgrade can see you including some pretty cool unique features on your Q6 e-tron which can give it a sportier finish, including 20” alloy wheels and a flat-bottomed 3-spoke leather steering wheel complete with touch control buttons and contrast stitching. The S Line is also available with three different engine types, making it easier to achieve the drive functionality you desire.
You can enjoy significant appearance additions with an S Line trim, including –
- S Line-specific bumpers
- ‘S’ badged seats
- An illuminated ‘S’ logo on your door sills
- Stainless steel pedals and footrest
- And more
3. Edition 1 (from £71,475)
Edition 1 is the most expensive Q6 e-tron trim and is available across the same three engine choices as the S Line. Unlike the S Line, the Edition 1 trim provides benefits including 21” alloy wheels, sports suspension, and microfibre interior coverings. Most notably, the Edition 1 trim includes Audi’s ‘world first’ Matrix lighting, which has 8 customisable digital light signatures. The Edition 1 trim also includes an additional 10.9" front passenger touch display, as well as extra safety features including –
- Rear seat occupant detection
- Lane departure warning with emergency assist
- Side airbags in front and rear as well as head airbag system and front interaction airbag system
- Proactive passenger protection system for front, sides, and rear
The Audi Q6 e-tron marks new ground for Audi’s journey into EVs and their design and is fully customisible across what’s soon to become three different models and three varying trim levels. The Audi Q6 e-tron SUV also plays host to a lot of firsts for Audi and the world, including the option of previously unseen Matrix lighting, and an inverted version of Audi’s single-frame grille. What’s more, all of this is about to get more affordable with the launch of the Audi Q6 Performance later this year, which can bring the benefits of the Q6 to the widest audience possible.