The middle child in Audi’s family of electric SUVs has finally arrived, and it lands with a great deal of expectation on its shoulders.
After all, the Q6 e-tron is not only late to market, but it’s also the electric equivalent of the perennially popular Q5.
Once Australia’s most popular mid-sized luxury SUV, the Q5 has always performed well in a crowded segment, both critically and commercially, and the Q6 e-tron joins a similarly competitive class of EVs.
It’s built on the same platform as the sporty Porsche Macan, while the Polestar 4 is another option for buyers seeking a stylish premium family SUV. The BMW iX3 is an ever-present threat. And then there’s the Cadillac Lyriq, a properly niche alternative to offerings from the big German manufacturers.
So, what weapons does the Q6 e-tron bring to this fight? New, state-of-the-art underpinnings, for one. The Q6 e-tron was scheduled to be the first model built on Volkswagen Group’s all-new Premium Platform Electric (PPE) electric vehicle hardware, a platform designed to future-proof the new wave of Audi EVs.
It looks great too, blending trick exterior lighting signatures and bold hero features with elegant flowing lines.
Inside, the Q6 e-tron makes an instant impression. All variants come equipped with Audi’s new suite of tech, dubbed the ‘Digital Stage’. Breaking it down, the dash is home to a huge wraparound display comprising a 14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen, an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster, and a new 10.9-inch touchscreen for the front passenger. In other words, this new SUV belongs in 2025.
So, the new Q6 e-tron isn’t short on showroom selling points, but how does it perform in the real world? Audi threw us the keys to a mid-spec quattro for a day to find out.
How much does the Audi Q6 e-tron cost?
The three-variant Audi Q6 e-tron line-up is priced from $115,500 before on-road costs for the rear-wheel drive Audi Q6 e-tron performance. For reference, the Q6 e-tron’s closely related sister model, the electric Porsche Macan, is priced from $128,400 plus on-roads.
| Model | Price before on-road costs |
|---|---|
| 2025 Audi Q6 e-tron Performance | $115,500 |
| 2025 Audi Q6 e-tron quattro | $122,500 |
| 2025 Audi SQ6 e-tron | $151,400 |
To see how the Audi Q6 e-tron lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
What is the Audi Q6 e-tron like on the inside?
Following the automotive trends of the time, the Q6 e-tron is simple and spacious, and has a set of XXL screens on the dash.
As previously alluded to, the interior tech suite includes a 14.5-inch MMI touch display, an 11.9-inch ‘virtual cockpit’ digital instrument cluster, and a new 10.9-inch touchscreen for the front passenger, all of which are standard fit.
That’s more than you get in rival luxury SUVs, and the OLED displays offer bright, crisp graphics.
It’s not all for show – all three screens are loaded with functionality, and refreshingly user-friendly. Starting in the centre, the infotainment touchscreen is angled towards the driver and fully customisable with personalised shortcuts for advanced driver assist system (ADAS) settings, climate controls, and your favourite apps.
You can set the system up to suit your needs, saving time that would otherwise be wasted flicking through the menus before every drive.
Physical controls have just about been eliminated in this new-generation model, although a few remain for drive modes, audio volume, and the parking cameras.
In the absence of physical buttons and switchgear, virtual icons for climate control functions are pinned to the bottom of the screen. Again, these icons are switchable.
The infotainment system runs on the Android Automotive operating system, and it’s razor sharp. It offers connected services, e-tron route planner, native satellite navigation, and third-party app compatibility.
The latter opens up endless possibilities, from gaming apps to music, video, parking and charging, weather, and news. YouTube and Spotify are just a couple of the apps that come in handy on a daily basis.
If none of that takes your fancy, the Q6 e-tron comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
There’s fun to be had for the passenger too, with the inclusion of an additional passenger-facing display. The third screen houses many of the main functions of the infotainment screen including downloadable apps, so friends and family can enjoy video content or scroll through the news headlines of the day without reaching for their smartphone.
To prevent distraction, Audi has equipped the Q6 e-tron with screen masking technology that shields passenger screen contents from the driver.
Like the centre infotainment screen, the passenger display presents with a practical layout that incorporates fixed shortcut icons.
While I wouldn’t call it a must-have, the extra screen is nice to have and I can see it providing value in both a practical and entertainment capacity.
By doing away with physical controls in the cabin, Audi has risked facing the same customer resentment levelled at other premium manufacturers. However, the tech here has been geared towards useability, and that extends to the digital instrument cluster.
The driver display features core vehicle data in a central section, flanked by customisable readouts. Each sidebar is controlled by buttons on each side of the steering wheel – welcomingly straightforward. You can opt to get rid of the sidebars altogether for an uncluttered driving display.
Our tester was also equipped with an augmented reality head-up display, available as part of the $8900 Premium package. It caps off the tech-heavy interior nicely, although you have to pay up for the privilege.
That’s equally true of the Bang and Olufsen audio system, which is also an optional extra. The gulf in quality between the sound systems is definitely noticeable, as the premium upgrade gains head restraint speakers for maximum immersion.
Audi considers itself a technology leader, especially in the lighting department, and that remains a focus for the brand. The Q6 e-tron debuts eight unique exterior light signatures, as well as colourful ambient interior lighting that includes animations for direction indication and vehicle charging.
Bright lights and flashy screens can function as a cover for cheaper materials in some vehicles, but that’s not the case with the Q6 e-tron. A prominent Audi executive recently admitted that the marque has dropped the ball on material quality in recent years, but this new generation cabin is both comfortable and plush.
Soft leather trim spans the width of the dash and bleeds into the door cards, while plastics above the belt line are also soft to the touch.
The squared-off steering wheel is finished in a mix of smooth and perforated leather, with white contrast stitching.
This is a Volkswagen Group product, and that means touch capacitive buttons. You’ll find them on the steering wheel and driver’s door in the Q6 e-tron, much to the dismay of those who’ve protested against the often impractical technology.
Yes, they’re still not as precise as regular physical buttons. But the capacitive controls here are a step on from those that have come before, with click feedback adding some tactility.
Audi has also persisted with gloss piano trim for the Q6 e-tron – a controversial choice. The shiny black stuff can be found on the centre tunnel and screen surrounds.
The quattro features S-branded sport seats finished in a mix of genuine and faux leather, the latter utilised for the outer panels.
Not only are the front chairs comfortable, but they offer supportive bolstering for dynamic driving, as well as three-stage heating and full electric adjustment as standard. Nappa leather and a massage function are reserved for the flagship SQ6 e-tron.
Storage options up front include deep door bins, an equally capacious tray under the dash, an even deeper centre console, and a bog-standard glovebox. Impressively, Audi has managed to squeeze three cupholders into the centre section, so you don’t have to choose between your morning coffee and something fruity.
There’s also a generous array of connectivity solutions, from two USB-C outlets to a 12V socket, and a wireless smartphone charger with inductive cooling. Interestingly, the 12V power source is still labelled as a cigarette lighter, not that smoking is particularly trendy in this day and age.
Moving back to the second row, space and luxury remain in strong supply. A family of six-footers will fit in the Q6 e-tron without issue, a testament to its usability as a mid-sized SUV.
The space feels bright and roomy, with light streaming in through big square windows and an optional sunroof overhead.
The rear seats aren’t quite as plush as those up front, but a slightly reclined design ensures comfort over longer journeys. It’s best to limit use of the middle seat though, as it’s quite firm and very upright with a small hump in the floor below.
Plenty of amenities are included as standard, not limited to two USB-C outlets, outboard seat heating, and climate control. Space for stuff can be found in chunky door bins and seat back storage nets.
All three rear seats are fitted with the requisite top tether and ISOFIX child seat fixings.
Audi quotes 526L of boot space for the Q6 e-tron, expanding to 1529L in two-seat configuration. That’s more capacity than a BMW iX3, and on par with most of the segment. Only the Cadillac Lyriq holds a significant advantage in this department.
The numbers only tell half the story, as there’s more to the boot of the Q6 e-tron than just space. A standard fit power tailgate and square boot aperture make it easy to load bulky items, and small storage nets are located on each side of the cargo area.
Cars equipped with air suspension can be lowered via a button on the boot wall, which further improves accessibility. There’s also a dedicated space for the cargo blind under the boot floor, and easily reachable handles to fold the rear bench.
| Dimensions | Audi Q6 e-tron |
|---|---|
| Length | 4771mm |
| Width | 1939mm |
| Height | 1648mm |
| Wheelbase | 2899mm |
| Boot space | 526L (5 seats) 1529L (2 seats) 64L (under-bonnet storage) |
To see how the Audi Q6 e-tron lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
What’s under the bonnet?
Based on the same 800-volt architecture as the new EV-only Porsche Macan, the 2025 Audi Q6 e-tron and Audi SQ6 e-tron are claimed to be “the most advanced Audis ever”, according to Audi Australia product manager Peter Strudwicke.
| Specifications | Audi Q6 e-tron Performance | Audi Q6 e-tron quattro | Audi SQ6 e-tron |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drivetrain | Single-motor electric | Dual-motor electric | Dual-motor electric |
| Battery | 100kWh lithium-ion | 100kWh lithium-ion | 100kWh lithium-ion |
| Power | 225kW (240kW with launch control) | 285kW | 360kW (380kW with launch control) |
| Torque | 485Nm | 580Nm | 580Nm |
| Drive type | Rear-wheel drive | All-wheel drive | All-wheel drive |
| Weight | 2275kg | 2400kg | 2425kg |
| 0-100km/h (claimed) | 6.7 seconds | 5.9 seconds | 4.4 seconds |
| Energy consumption (claimed) | 16.5-19.3kWh/100km | 17.0-19.8kWh/100km | 17.5-18.6kWh/100km |
| Energy consumption (as tested) | N/A | 20.5kWh/100km | 32.0kWh/100km |
| Claimed range (WLTP) | 558km | 542km | 568km |
| Max AC charge rate | 11kW | 11kW | 11kW |
| Max DC charge rate | 260kW | 270kW | 270kW |
To see how the Audi Q6 e-tron lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
How does the Audi Q6 e-tron drive?
The Q6 e-tron may ride on an all-new platform, but it has an unmistakably Audi feel behind the wheel.
We sampled the middle-of-the-range quattro variant with its twin motors and sporty touches, both with and without the option of adaptive air suspension.
First impressions? It’s quiet, like really quiet. As we’ve come to expect from Audi SUVs, the Q6 e-tron is wrapped in layers of silencing insulation, protecting occupants from the rowdy outside world.
As such, just about any noise you hear from the driver’s seat originates from the cabin, including a synthetic soundtrack designed to replicate the character of a combustion engine.
While not the most tuneful driving companion, the artificial spaceship sounds are subtle enough to prevent an eerie silence without becoming annoying. Three volume settings are available, accessible through the infotainment menus.
The Q6 e-tron is a bit of a silent assassin in quattro guise, as there’s plenty of performance on tap. Outputs of 280kW and 580Nm translate to a 0-100km/h sprint of 5.9 seconds, which would be considered swift in isolation, but it feels quicker than that in daily driving.
That’s probably because urban drivers spend most of their time between 0-60km/h, the window in which EVs thrive. The quattro also benefits from an all-wheel drive system that helps it put all that power to the ground.
Dare I say it, the difference in straight-line performance between the quattro and SQ6 is only noticeable when launching the pair from a standstill. Once rolling, the pair feel very similar on throttle.
When equipped with air suspension, the Q6 e-tron also rides beautifully around town, smoothing out any imperfections in the road with ease. The standard suspension setup is less cushy, introducing some busyness over coarse surfaces.
Despite that firm edge, the Q6 e-tron is easy to drive in urban environments, and the expansive glasshouse offers exceptional visibility out the front, sides, and rear. With that said, the array of parking cameras are a little grainy.
Beyond the suburbs, the Q6 e-tron demonstrates traits that position it as the ultimate Autobahn destroyer, not that Australian market customers will be able to appreciate that.
It combines effortless speed with quiet refinement, silencing most wind and road noise for a relaxing drive.
A small stalk behind the steering wheel houses the adaptive cruise control functions, and it’s easy to get your head around.
The system is effective in maintaining a steady speed and consistent distance to the car ahead. However, active lane-centring doesn’t feature. That’s a huge omission for a luxury SUV, as it robs the steerer of semi-autonomous driving.
Adding insult to injury, the driver monitoring system didn’t seem to work throughout our test. Triggered by the absence of steering wheel inputs, the system failed to provide a warning during an extended period of hands-free driving.
It’s an example of advanced driver assist systems (ADAS) being a little too hands-off, pardon the pun. On a more positive note, the ADAS suite in the Q6 e-tron is highly configurable and saves preferences between trips, so there’s no need to switch on/off features each time you drive.
The electric powertrain offers two levels of regenerative braking, plus single-pedal driving when in ‘B’ mode.
While the Q6 e-tron will happily take on any cross-country cruise, it’s equally at home on more technical, twisty tarmac. And Tasmanian’s brilliant driving roads quickly revealed that the Q6 e-tron is far more dynamically gifted than it has any right to be.
Weighing in at 2.4 tonnes, this not-so-little Audi carries more heft than most vehicles in its class, but you’d never know it.
On test here is the quattro variant, and the cornering prowess of the new Q6 e-tron is perfectly explained by the badge on its back.
The mix of a capable chassis, all-wheel drive and sticky tyres make for an SUV that’s composed on the open road, with excellent body control and negligible roll through corners.
A quiet, twisty drive route encouraged spirited driving, and the Q6 took the challenge in its stride. Not only does it corner with flat confidence, but the body-hugging sport seats also hold you firmly in place throughout.
The rear motor has twice the power of the unit up front, and that’s reflected in the staggered tyre sizes. As a result, the all-wheel drive quattro demonstrates handling dynamics more akin to a rear-wheel drive performance car than a big, bumbling SUV.
It feels like a bit of a free lunch, as the Q6 e-tron remains compliant over bumpy rural roads. There’s plenty of vertical travel in the air suspension but no crashing or harshness, while the standard suspension is less cosseting but still comfortable.
Perhaps the most disappointing aspect of the Q6 e-tron is soft, artificial steering that sours the driving experience when you’re chasing engagement.
Our drive program predominately consisted of deserted country roads, and energy consumption averaged out at 20.5kWh/100km – a similar real-world number to electric SUV rivals.
To see how the Audi Q6 e-tron lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
What do you get?
The Q6 e-tron is offered in three different trim levels, with multiple option packs also available.
2025 Audi Q6 e-tron Performance equipment highlights:
- 19-inch alloy wheels
- Matrix LED headlights
- Heated, folding and auto-dimming side mirrors
- Front sport seats in leather-appointed upholstery
- Electric tailgate
- 4-way electric lumbar front seat support
- Heated front and rear outboard seats
- Heated steering wheel
- 3-zone climate control
- Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
- White ambient interior lighting
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto
- 10-speaker audio
- Digital radio
- 14.5-inch touch display, 10.9-inch passenger touch display
- 11.9-inch virtual cockpit digital instrument cluster
- 4x USB ports
- Wireless phone charging
Audi Q6 e-tron quattro adds:
- Front sports seats in leather-appointed upholstery with embossed S logo
- Front door sill trims illuminated with S logo
- Stainless steel driving pedals
- Black headlining
Optional equipment
There are a range of optional packages available.
Tech pro package ($4900) adds:
- Adaptive air suspension
- Electric steering column
- Digital OLED tail-lights
Premium package ($8900) adds:
- Panoramic sunroof, electrically opening
- Augmented reality head-up display
- Bang & Olufsen sound system
- Colour ambient interior lighting
- Higher charging capacity USB ports
- Acoustic glazing for front windows
Style pack ($5500) adds:
- S line exterior
- 20-inch Audi Sport alloy wheels
- Black exterior package
To see how the Audi Q6 e-tron lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
Is the Audi Q6 e-tron safe?
The 2025 Audi Q6 e-tron and 2025 Audi SQ6 e-tron land with a five-star ANCAP safety rating, based on testing carried out in 2024.
| Category | Audi Q6 e-tron |
|---|---|
| Adult occupant protection | 91 per cent |
| Child occupant protection | 87 per cent |
| Vulnerable road user protection | 81 per cent |
| Safety assist | 82 per cent |
Standard safety equipment includes:
- Nine airbags
- Matrix LED headlights
- 360-degree cameras
- Adaptive cruise control with stop and go function
- Front emergency brake assist with autonomous emergency braking
- Proactive occupant protection
- Audi side assist – blind spot monitoring system
- Park assist plus
- Intersection crossing assist
- Collision avoidance assist
- Rear-cross traffic alert
- Exit warning system
- Turn assist
- Speed sign recognition
To see how the Audi Q6 e-tron lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
How much does the Audi Q6 e-tron cost to run?
The 2025 Audi Q6 e-tron and 2025 Audi SQ6 e-tron are each backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty in Australia.
The purchase prices for the Audi Q6 e-tron and Audi SQ6 e-tron include the installation of a 7kW AC home charger, and a one-year Chargefox public charging subscription.
All Q6 and SQ6 variants have two-year servicing intervals, but Audi Australia is yet to release service pricing.
| Servicing and Warranty | Audi Q6 e-tron |
|---|---|
| Warranty | 5 years, unlimited kilometres – manufacturer 8 years or 160,000 kilometres – EV battery |
| Roadside assistance | 6 years |
| Service intervals | 2 years or 30,000 kilometres |
| Capped-price servicing | 6 years |
| Total capped-price service cost | $2080 |
To see how the Audi Q6 e-tron lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
CarExpert’s Take on the Audi Q6 e-tron
It’s been a long time coming, but early impressions suggest that the Q6 e-tron was worth the wait.
The first SUV built on Audi’s new Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture confidently blends exterior style, plenty of powertrain substance, and an interior bursting with technology that’s both flashy and functional.
I’d argue that the Q6 e-tron is the pick of Audi’s stable of electric SUVs, as it has more than enough room to serve as an everyday family vehicle, but doesn’t command the eye-watering price tag of the Q8 e-tron.
It’s also a more impressive product than the smaller MEB-based Q4 e-tron, which lacks the space, sophistication and driving range of its larger sibling.
The Q6 e-tron also fills a nice gap in the wider luxury SUV market. It’s better value than the related Porsche Macan and the Cadillac Lyriq, while offering a more familiar ownership experience than the quirky Polestar 4.
A new BMW iX3 is on the way, as is the new Mercedes-Benz GLC with EQ Technology, but don’t expect them to land for a while yet. As such, the Q6 e-tron is well worth considering if you’ve got some cash to splash on a premium electric SUV.
Interested in buying an Audi Q6 e-tron? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
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