Audi Q6 e-tron 2024 Review

Introduction and model history

This is the first ever Audi Q6, and it’s only available as an electric car, hence the ‘Q6 e-tron’ name. It doesn’t just get the new PPE ‘Premium Platform Electric’, it also gets a new, lithium-ion battery with 94.9kWh usable capacity, which is good for a WLTP combined range of up to 392 miles for the 302bhp, single motor model that starts the range off. The dual-motor, all-wheel drive Q6 quattro model gets 382bhp and a range of up to 381 miles.

There’s also the storming 510bhp SQ6 e-tron quattro, which will join the range later but will cost a hefty £92,950. Hmm. Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo, anyone?

To be fair, the Q6 is quite a bit roomier than the Taycan, and at 4.8m long and 2.2m wide is a closer rival to SUV alternatives like the electric Porsche Macan, BMW iX3 and Polestar 4.

Range, battery and charging

The Q6 e-tron gets a massive 94.9kWh usable lithium-ion NMC battery capacity (100kWh total), which is good for a range of up to 392 miles on the most efficient models. That’s pretty good given that the BMW iX3 starts at a similar price and manages only 280 miles to a charge, although the Polestar 4 and Porsche Macan offer very similar official range. While I loved playing with the Q6 e-tron on the launch out in Bilbao, it wasn’t the most representative roads and driving style, so we’ll have to wait and see about real-world range when we’ve had some proper time in the UK with the Q6 e-tron. Suffice to say that as a rough estimate, I’d expect to see around 280- to 340 miles of range from the dual motor Q6 e-tron Sport quattro that we test drove. Like I said – watch this space for more on the Q6’s efficiency and range, when we’ve spent more time with it.

As for charging, it doesn’t really get better than this! The 800V charging system manages 270kW, making this one of the fastest charging cars on sale. It’ll do a 10-80% charge in just over 20 minutes if you plug into a 350kW ultra-rapid charger, or Audi reckons that you’ll be able to top-up 158 miles of range in just ten minutes. Keep in mind that these figures will be in ideal charging conditions, and there are lots of reasons – including the condition of the charger, the temperature outside and the temperature of the batteries – that can see charging speeds dip a bit.

You also get two charging ports on the Q6 e-tron; a CCS and Type 2 socket on one front wing, and another Type 2 socket (which you use for charging at home wallboxes or slower AC chargers) on the other side. Useful, if you need to park parallel to a charger.

Practicality and boot space

This is pretty impressive on the Q6, which gets 526 litres of boot space and a further 64 litres up front in the big ‘frunk’. That’s less than the Model Y and Skoda Enyaq but it’s a bit more than you get in the iX3 or Mercedes EQE SUV. You’ll have to look at much bigger rivals like the Kia EV9 if you need more space than that. Unfortunately, the Q6 isn’t set to have a seven-seat option (like the Kia) but it is very spacious

There’s loads of space in the back, too, not to mention charging ports, central armrest and lashings of soft-touch materials so that it feels appropriately comfy and cosseting for a car at this premium price point. 

Interior, Design/Styling and Technology

The interior of the Q6 showcases a new dash design and screen setup that will be appearing, in various forms, on future models. It’s said to be ‘human centric’, so the dash seems to flow around the driver and is accented by a light that runs all the way across the doors and dash.

The new Audi MMI panoramic display, and the passenger screen, will be the first things to grab your attention, though. The 11.9-inch driver’s readout and 14.5-inch curved touchscreen create what Audi calls a new ‘digital stage’, that also features new OLED screen technology for super-bright colour and graphics definition. You even get a screen to yourself if you’re the front passenger, which allows you to sort the nav out, play games, stream films and more – and there’s also an Active Privacy Mode, which makes sure that the passenger’s screen doesn’t distract the driver.

Naturally, there are over-the-air updates and there’s also a voice control system that’s powered by AI, so it’ll learn your accent and routine commands over time for more accurate responses.  

Equipment is decent, but you can go to town with options if you’re not careful. The entry-level Q6 e-tron Sport gets 19-inch alloys, LED lights including fancy rear lights that put on a jazzy light show when you lock or unlock the car, 360-degree parking camera, leatherette, electric lumbar adjustment for the front seats, and heated front and rear seats. Yup – rear seats, too! There’s also three-zone climate control, so that rear passengers set the temperature in the back seats. The Audi Q6 e-tron S Line adds mostly style upgrades, including 20-inch wheels, S line-specific bumper design and privacy glass. The Edition 1 goes even further with the style trinketry, and also adds a massage function to the front seats, sports suspension and Audi’s full Matrix LED headlights that automatically give you high beam illumination without dazzling other road users.

Motors, Performance and Handling

This is the quattro version, which has two motors for all-wheel drive and a total of 375bhp for your driving pleasure. Ask the car nicely and it’ll give you a 20bhp bonus for a few seconds, to help with a bit of overtaking.

That’s enough for a 0-62 time of 5.9 seconds, which is plenty but won’t win you many competitions when there’s a Tesla driver around. If that worries you and you have really deep pockets, then you can splash out on the SQ6 e-tron which does the same in 4.3 seconds. Me? Well, I think the dual motor was a really nice drive - fun and confident. But I’d be tempted to go for a bit less and stick with the rear-wheel drive, single motor Audi Q6. I just think this car seems like so much better value at that sort of money, and while I haven’t driven it, the 302bhp and 0-62mph in 6.7 seconds still sounds more than fast enough.

Also, if you go for the dual motor Q6 then you’re right up into Porsche Macan price territory, and I think the Porsche is a sportier, more engaging drive. The Audi’s steering is really good, though, and it rides well, so it’s probably a better all-rounder if you’re not fussed about having a sporty-feeling car. 

It should be a good tow car, too, as it’ll pull a braked trailer weighing up to 2,000kg. The long range and rapid charging will really help if you’re caravanning or towing your horse box across long distances, too.

Running Costs and Pricing

Prices start at £62,645 for the single motor Audi Q6 e-tron Sport, or £68,145 for the quattro Sport. The SQ6 is a huge £92,950. I know the SUV practicality is appealing, but wouldn’t you rather the Audi e-tron GT at that price? I think I probably would, but it’s all a matter of personal taste and lifestyle!  

Given the standard equipment is generous, and the range and charging so good, that’s actually not a bad price at all for the ‘everyday’ Q6 e-tron models. Monthly PCP finance looks okay, and you can get monthly costs down to well under £600 per month if you’ve got a healthy deposit or part-ex car worth over £10,000.

Audi offers a standard three year, 60,000 mile warranty on its cars, while the battery in the Q6 is covered for eight years and 100,000 miles.

Verdict

The Audi Q6 may not be as incisive to drive as the Porsche Macan, and not as intriguingly weird as the Polestar 4, but it’s really spacious and well-equipped, is a pleasure to drive and even seems like competitive value next to all of its rivals. It really does promise to be a brilliant premium electric SUV – and a great electric family car.

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