Audi Q6 e-tron Quattro Review – A TECH-SAVVY LUXURY EV

Audi Q6 e-tron Quattro Review 

A TECH-SAVVY LUXURY EV

I come not to kick a megalomaniac while he is down but to suggest there exists a more rational explanation for the precipitous worldwide decline in Tesla sales: a far superior mousetrap.

Leaving aside the perplexing irony of the phrase “disgusting abomination” applied in a context other than to a Cybertruck, one might suggest that Elon Musk should rent an Audi Q6 e-tron and discover not only how far electric vehicles have come but also experience automotive saltation, a term biologists use to describe an abrupt and advantageous evolutionary shift. It’s like nature hitting the fast-forward button.

In the brief 30 years spent thinking and writing about automobiles, the Q6 is the most rewarding vehicle I have laid hands on. It is not the fastest, most engaging, or most expensive one, but never have I driven one that fully enveloped me, blanketing both driver and passengers in comfort and safety.

Starting at $68,000, the Q6 competes in the crowded luxury midsize SUV niche, and the consensus is quickly building that it is the best of the lot. The production of the model was delayed by more than two years as Audi struggled with software integration issues and a leadership decision to hold it until it met high-quality standards.

The wait was worth it. Though our tester, a $76,790 quattro, developed a mysterious charging malfunction that cut short its visit, one road trip was enough to convince that Audi got it right.

Built on the same PPE – premium platform electric architecture – as the Porsche Macan EV, the Q6 delivers the performance, handling, and ride one expects from premium German brands. A masterful blend of electrical and mechanical engineering expertise, It elevates driving to a vicariously rewarding experience.

It is quiet, strong, nimble, and comfortable. From the driver’s seat, it feels like one is piloting a new-age 737. Audi’s advanced multimedia interface and optional augmented reality head-up display create a visually striking digital stage that feels like something from an advanced civilization.

One could navigate using a cell phone and either Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, but it’s a bad idea. The car’s voice command system integrates artificial intelligence and real-time traffic information with navigation. 

Driving the e-tron, one sees not just speed and traffic signs on the windshield but also the relative distance and vector to cars ahead. On the edges, radar outlines indicate traffic in either lane, as well as overtaking vehicles entering blind zones. If the driver needs to keep right or left, a translucent blue arrow appears; if it is time to turn, three arrows begin to flash. 

When the vehicle can see side markers well enough to take over lane centering and engage in near-autonomous driving, an ambient lighting bar that wraps from the C-pillar to the C-pillar changes to a warm glow. Flip on a turn signal, and the bar flashes at the appropriate corner of the windshield.

 The other guys

The Q6 competes by offering more: it’s more spacious than a Porsche Macan EV, more refined than a Tesla Model Y and more driver-focused than a Cadillac Lyriq. It targets buyers who prioritize cabin quality, tech integration, and Quattro all-weather capability. With three powertrain options and a 300-mile base range, it competes directly with the BMW iX and Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV.

Each Q6 model features a 100-kWh battery that supports fast charging, allowing for an 80% charge in approximately 21 minutes. The rear-wheel-drive version – available in Europe but not here – offers the longest range at 321 miles, while the quattro models provide more power but slightly shorter range. We were pleased to observe that Q6’s enhanced regeneration gear allows it to deliver more mileage than it estimates at the beginning of a trip. We are accustomed to the opposite: disappearing miles.

Audi redesigned the electric motors to be lighter, more compact, and more efficient. The rear motor is optimized to minimize energy loss, while the front motor (on AWD models) engages only when necessary, enhancing efficiency. 

The new motor design increases power output while using less space and weight, making the Q6 e-tron more energy-efficient and better performing than previous Audi EVs.

Looks like an Audi

The Q6 styling is evolutionary, with Audi’s signature Singleframe grille (now closed) and aggressive LED lighting signatures. Its 191-inch length splits the difference between the compact Model Y (187 in) and the larger Lyriq (196.7 in), while its 0.24 drag coefficient lags the sleeker EQE SUV (0.20 Cd) but beats the Genesis GV60 (0.29 Cd). 

Functional upgrades include active shutters for cooling, and an optional solar roof that Audi claims can add up to 1,500 miles of range annually. Compared to the more avant-garde Lyriq or the blunt-nosed iX, the Q6’s design is conservative but unmistakably Audi.

Cozy cabin

Audi’s cabin remains a benchmark, with standard Valcona leather, real aluminum trim, and exceptional noise isolation. Rear legroom (41.1 in) trounces the Macan EV (39.1 in) and Model Y (40.5 in), though cargo space (25.4 cu ft) trails the Lyriq (28.6 cu ft).

Biased toward the driver are an 11.0-inch OLED virtual cockpit and a curved 14.5-inch infotainment screen. An optional 10.9-inch passenger display on the glovebox allows for web surfing out of view of the driver.

The optional augmented-reality HUD (a $2,000 upgrade) is worth every penny and is a feature the GV60 and Lyriq lack.

The driver-assistance suite matches rivals with features such as lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and traffic jam assist. Over-the-air updates are now standard, addressing past software issues, a weak point for Lyriq, which has struggled with buggy updates.

The Q6 aced independent safety testing.

Choices, choices

Though European customers can save a few dollars with a RWD option, in North America, all Q6s are AWD. The Q6 e-tron offers three powertrains, all with dual-motor Quattro:

The base Q6’s 4.5-second sprint trails the Model Y Performance (3.5 sec, $52,490) but feels more composed than the GV60’s torque-steer tendencies. The SQ6 closes the gap, though it still can’t match the Macan EV’s 3.1-second launch (in Turbo trim).

Ride quality shines with the optional air suspension, which isolates bumps better than the Lyriq’s standard magnetic dampers. A 114-inch wheelbase feels like a perfect compromise of interior volume and ride quality. Audi cast the motor housings into the subframe, eliminating a source of vibration and “electric-car noise.”

Starting at $68,895, the Q6 Quattro undercuts the EQE SUV ($79,050) and iX ($87,100) but costs $18,000 more than a Model Y Performance. The Premium Plus trim ($74,195) adds ventilated seats, a surround-view camera, and upgraded leather. For tech-focused buyers, the Bang & Olufsen 3D audio system ($4,500) outperforms Lyriq’s AKG setup.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Best-in-class cabin materials – Audi’s interior quality shames the Model Y’s plasticky dashboard.
• Strong real-world range – 300 miles is achievable even at 75 mph, unlike Lyriq’s optimistic estimates.
• Superior charging speed – 270-kW peak beats all rivals except the Macan EV (also 270 kW).

Cons:

• Laggy infotainment – Android Automotive OS still stutters compared to Tesla’s slick interface.
• Expensive options – The AR HUD and massaging seats push the price into iX territory.

Bottom line

The Q6 e-tron Quattro excels as a luxury EV with few compromises. It’s the best choice for Audi loyalists or buyers who prioritize cabin refinement and charging speed over outright performance. 

However, Q6 is assembled in Germany and seems headed for a 25% tariff, which would leave the Model Y as the value leader, while the Macan EV is the driver’s choice. Still, the Q6 delivers a near-perfect blend of tech, comfort, and usability.