Audi wasn’t about to launch its new electric SUV poster child without a fitting flagship, and here it is – the SQ6 e-tron.
As is the case with London buses, we were forced to wait a while for the Q6 e-tron. But several variants have arrived at once, with this S-branded model topping the range until an RS performance hero inevitably launches in due course.
On top of the middle-of-the-range Q6 e-tron quattro, the SQ6 adds power, handling precision and road presence. All for a cool $151,400 before on-road costs.
That places it firmly in the territory of the related Porsche Macan 4S, and in the same conversation as the dearer, more hardcore Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 SUV and Lotus Eletre.
Australia is a thriving market for Audi performance models and the brand has high hopes for this chapter in the S/RS narrative, as the mid-sized SQ6 e-tron is big enough for inner-city families without the inflated price tag of the larger SQ8 e-tron.
But is the SQ6 e-tron really the sweet spot in Audi’s range of performance SUVs? Let’s find out.
Note: This car was tested alongside the Q6 e-tron at a combined launch event and the two models share several features. As such, some sections of this review have been carried over from our Q6 e-tron quattro review.
How much does the Audi SQ6 e-tron cost?
The SQ6 e-tron commands a near-$30,000 premium over the mid-spec quattro, with a list price of $151,400 before on-road costs – certainly not cheap.
However, there aren’t many bargains to be had in the high-performance electric SUV market. You’ll pay similar money for a Porsche Macan 4S, while the Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 SUV and Lotus Eletre ask just shy of $200,000.
| 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 | $151,400 |
To see how the Audi SQ6 e-tron lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
What is the Audi SQ6 e-tron like on the inside?
Screens, screens and more screens. That’s what you’re greeted by when you slide into the driver’s seat of the new SQ6 e-tron.
There’s plenty more to take in, but it’s almost impossible to not be transfixed by the trio of screens ahead.
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 right across the range.
It’s bound to be intimidating for some, especially those who purchase the SQ6 e-tron as a replacement for a previous-generation SQ5.
However, the three displays are far easier to live with than you might expect on first inspection. The bright, crisp OLED screens are loaded with accessible functionality, especially the centre infotainment system.
The infotainment touchscreen is angled towards the driver, incorporated in a wide panoramic housing. It’s 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 SQ6 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 SQ6 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 has merit 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 usability, 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.
The flagship SQ6 e-tron also comes standard with an augmented reality head-up display, which caps off the tech-heavy interior nicely.
That’s equally true of the upgraded Bang and Olufsen audio system, which is another perk unique to the top-spec SQ6. The gulf in quality between the sound systems is definitely noticeable, as the beefed up Bang and Olufsen brings headrest speakers for maximum sound immersion.
Audi considers itself a technology leader, especially in the lighting department, and that remains a focus for the brand. The SQ6 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 SQ6 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 expertly balances plush comfort with athletic accents.
Building on the base of the Q6, the SQ6 adds a generous helping of sporty flair. Multiple interior colour options are available, from a restrained black to the shouty bright red on test here.
The dash, door cards, centre console and centre tunnel are all dressed in suede, which both looks and feels premium.
Our tester was optioned with carbon fibre-style weave for the dash top, and red stitching can be found throughout the cabin.
Despite wearing a $150k price tag, the SQ6 still features some plastic trim here and there, but it’s mostly soft to the touch.
The squared-off steering wheel is finished in a mix of smooth and perforated leather, a great combination for spirited driving.
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 SQ6 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 SQ6 e-tron – a controversial choice. The shiny black stuff can be found on the centre tunnel and screen surrounds.
Like other variants in the range, the SQ6 features body-hugging sport seats. The design is identical to the S-branded seats found in the quattro, although the SQ6 gains a unique stitching pattern and the option of suede centre panels, as well as massaging and ventilation functions.
And unlike lesser models, the seats in the SQ6 are trimmed in superior Nappa leather. 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.
Electric steering wheel adjustment is also bundled into the list of upgrades for the top-of-the-range 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 (uprated over other variants) 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 overly 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 SQ6 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 a panoramic glass roof overhead. If you’re after a cosier feel, the glass roof comes with an electric sunshade.
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 higher capacity 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 SQ6 e-tron, expanding to 1529L in two-seat configuration. That’s on par with most of the segment, although the Lotus Eletre holds a significant advantage in this department.
The numbers only tell half the story, as there’s more to the boot of the SQ6 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.
The air suspension system 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.
No spare tyre though. Instead, the SQ6 e-tron is sold with a tyre repair kit.
| Dimensions | Audi SQ6 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 SQ6 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 SQ6 e-tron lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
How does the Audi SQ6 e-tron drive?
Like the Q6 e-tron quattro, with an added sporty edge.
The SQ6 e-tron features the same dual electric motor setup as the quattro, however, it’s been tweaked to produce an extra 75kW in this application, for a total of 360kW.
That figure rises to 380kW when launch control is active, and it’s from a standstill that the performance gulf between the quattro and SQ6 is most noticeable.
From a standing start, this performance flagship offers unrelenting acceleration that pins you back against the seat.
The combination of instantaneous electric response, all-wheel drive and healthy outputs sees the SQ6 e-tron sprint from 0-100km/h in a claimed 4.3 seconds, and it’ll keep pulling all the way to a top speed of 230km/h… not that Australian owners will ever see that number.
And while the electric motors themselves don’t offer much in the way of drama, as is the case with just about all EVs, the SQ6 brings a unique synthesised soundtrack that adds just enough spice to bring a smile to your face.
Not only does the noise increase in volume as you progress through the drive modes, but the head-up display enlarges under acceleration, intensifying the sensation. If you’ve ever seen a movie in which a spaceship hits warp speed… it’s kind of like that.
The bulk of our time in the SQ6 e-tron was spent on uncrowded country roads, so there were plenty of opportunities to stretch its legs.
Having said all the above, it’s worth remembering that the SQ6 e-tron faces fierce competition in the high-performance electric SUV space. And compared to rivals such as the Lotus Eletre, Mercedes-AMG EQE 53, and Porsche Macan 4S, the SQ6 e-tron isn’t all that quick.
It also doesn’t feel leagues ahead of the Q6 e-tron quattro in terms of straight line speed.
So, what other tricks does the S-branded model have up its sleeve? Well, it’s more than capable when the road turns twisty.
Despite weighing in at 2425kg, the SQ6 e-tron is remarkably agile and planted around corners, with negligible body roll through high-speed bends. It squats down, grips and goes without fail, every single time. Body-hugging sports seats ensure you remain in control throughout.
While the SQ6 is technically all-wheel drive, the rear motor has twice the power of the unit up front. As a result, the handling dynamics are more akin to a rear-wheel drive performance car than a big, bumbling SUV. The rear tyres are slightly larger than the front pair to handle the extra power.
As standard the SQ6 e-tron rides on adjustable air suspension, which offers both a firm setting for enthusiastic driving a softer comfort mode for daily duties.
The system works flawlessly – comfort mode is truly plush across all road surfaces, while dynamic mode sharpens things up without significantly compromising ride quality. That’s particularly commendable considering the SQ6 rides on big 21-inch alloys.
Dynamic mode also sharpens up the electric motors and adds weight to an otherwise soft and artificial steering arrangement.
The SQ6 is fitted with larger six-piston brake calipers at the front, while it shares the same single-piston floating caliper setup at the rear.
Once you’re done living out your road racer fantasies, the SQ6 e-tron is quick to settle down and take on the role of a quiet family SUV.
The SQ6 is easy to drive in urban environments, and the expansive glasshouse offers exceptional visibility out the front, sides, and rear. With that said, I was surprised by the grainy resolution of the parking cameras.
It’s super quiet in comfort mode, with superb sound insulation and added acoustic glazing over other variants in the range.
The peaceful ambience applies to both city and highway driving, as road and wind noise remain muted at high speeds.
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 from a luxury SUV, as it robs steerer of semi-autonomous driving.
I also have doubts over the effectiveness of the driver monitoring system, which 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.
On a more positive note, the advanced driver assistance (ADAS) suite in the Q6 e-tron is highly configurable and preferences save 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. Audi quotes an average energy consumption of 17.5-18.6kWh/100km and 568km of driving range for the SQ6 e-tron, however our fast and furious drive route wasn’t conducive to testing those claims.
To see how the Audi SQ6 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
SQ6 e-tron 
Audi SQ6 e-tron adds:
- Digital OLED tail-lights
- Acoustic glazing for front door windows
- Privacy glass
- Panoramic glass sunroof
- Nappa leather seat trim
- Front seat ventilation
- 30-colour ambient interior lighting
- Electrically adjustable steering column
- 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio
- Augmented reality head-up display
- 4x USB ports with higher charging capacity
To see how the Audi SQ6 e-tron lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
Is the Audi SQ6 e-tron safe?
The 2025 Audi Q6 e-tron and SQ6 e-tron land with a five-star ANCAP safety rating, based on testing carried out in 2024.
| Category | Audi SQ6 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:
- 9 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 SQ6 e-tron lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
How much does the Audi SQ6 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 Audi Q6 e-tron and Audi SQ6 e-tron purchase prices 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, however, Audi Australia is yet to release service pricing.
| Servicing and Warranty | Audi SQ6 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 SQ6 e-tron lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
CarExpert’s Take on the Audi SQ6 e-tron
Depending on how you look at it, the SQ6 e-tron can be classed as either excellent or poor value.
It takes the well-resolved Q6 e-tron platform and turns up the wick in terms of both performance and luxury – a package that’ll leave buyers wanting for little.
However, the same can be said for the lower-spec quattro, which offers 90 per cent of the performance and more than enough premium features for a lot less money.
It’s difficult to justify the near-$30,000 gulf between the two variants, especially considering that Audi offers option packs to bridge the gap in specification.
That said, the SQ6 e-tron makes much more sense when stacked up against models from rival manufacturers.
Mercedes-AMG and Lotus will charge you $190,000 plus on-roads for an electric SUV with this level of performance, while the equivalent Polestar 3 and Porsche Macan are priced in line with the Audi.
In that context the SQ6 e-tron is a decent deal, as it’s more practical and liveable than most of the alternatives.
At the end of the day, I can’t go past a mid-spec Q6 e-tron quattro with some options ticked. It’s more than enough luxury SUV to tide you over until Audi launches a full-fat RS variant with the performance and X-factor needed to justify an upgrade.
Interested in buying an Audi SQ6 e-tron? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
Click the images for the full gallery
