2025 Audi A6 Sportback e-tron

The new 2025 Audi A6 Sportback e-tron is an all-electric counterpart to the combustion-powered A6 sedan. Both cars ride on new platforms that position subsequent Audi models for the future. Compared to rival electric sedans, the A6 Sportback e-tron has ample cargo room in its hatch, quick DC-fast charging times, range estimates that exceed 350 miles, and planted handling. The tech interfaces can overwhelm and are more layered than earlier Audi infotainment systems, which were more intuitive. We review the Audi A6 sedan and the Audi A6 Sportback e-tron hatchback separately.

The A6 Sportback e-tron is completely new and introduces a new electric vehicle platform that underpins the Audi Q6 e-tron SUV and future EVs. Instead of being a sedan like the combustion-engine A6, the Sportback has a hatchback for greater practicality. Yet that doesn’t stop it from looking sleek, even if it’s a little thick in the middle, like a dad bod. But its aerodynamic design helps its efficiency and range, and dual-motor models offer plenty of power that, when paired with the air suspension, lend it the dual personality of being a great touring car and an adept canyon carver.

This new all-electric Audi A6 Sportback e-tron has the Mercedes-Benz EQE sedan and BMW i5 as rivals, which both start in the low-to-mid $70K area. So does the Lucid Air and the Genesis Electrified G80, while the Tesla Model S starts a bit higher. Before buying a new A6 Sportback e-tron midsize luxury electric car, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying.

With one motor driving just the rear wheels, the entry-level version of the A6 Sportback e-tron is propelled by 375 horsepower with launch control. That compares well against the 355 horses of the BMW i5 eDrive40 and the 288 horsepower of the Mercedes-Benz EQE 350+. Audi estimates a zero-to-60-mph time of 5.2 seconds. We haven’t tested this model yet.

We tested the A6 Sportback e-tron quattro, which is Audi-speak for all-wheel drive (AWD). A second motor powers the front wheels, and the total system output increases to 456 hp. It’s quick off the line (4.3 seconds to 60 mph) and for virtually every passing move, but the motors work hard to move this portly 5,192-pound hatchback.

There’s also a dual-motor/543-hp 2025 Audi S6 Sportback e-tron, which we review separately.

Handling and Ride Quality

Every A6 Sportback has a multilink independent suspension front and rear for a pliant but comfy ride. It also feels supremely planted, at least based on our testing in wintry conditions. Audi makes the S6 e-tron’s air suspension with adaptive damping available on the A6 e-tron. In our testing, it provides a dual personality that makes it sublimely comfortable while cruising, so much so that the road and its imperfections feel far, far away. Tune it to Sport mode to firm up the settings and it tackles the twists and turns with such balance that it feels as one with the road. Ommmm. The steering feels less direct, however, and drivers who like to push might want more feedback.

Regenerative Braking

The A6 Sportback e-tron won’t come to a stop completely, so it lacks a true one-pedal drive setup as found in other EVs. Yet Audi gives the driver plenty of input into the amount of regen braking. A B mode in the electronic gear selector is the most assertive setting, and nearly brings it to a stop by just letting off the throttle. Otherwise, there are three settings to play with via paddle shifters on the steering wheel. The lightest setting lets the Sportback coast like a gas car and rely on the actual brake pedal to come to a stop. This variability casts a wide net, so drivers new to EVs can have a familiar feeling, while EV veterans can dial up more regen to conserve more power. 

Audi always has a winning way with a spartan interior design and well-integrated digital displays. That spirit lives on in the A6 Sportback e-tron in terms of ergonomics and comfort, but it can be a bit much. An 11.9-inch instrument cluster connects with a 14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen that zigs and zags down the dash to a more isolated 10.9-inch display available for the front passenger. The driver can’t see it, and the passenger can overtake navigation or zone out to their favorite streaming service.

It’s not nearly as in-the-face as certain rivals, but the depth of infotainment functions in the touchscreen demands a steep learning curve. All the climate control functions are relegated to the touchscreen as well. Even with the large icons, dials or buttons are preferred to the screen, especially in winter. Drive mode settings also reside in the screen, so it’s cumbersome to have to click and hunt three times in the screen instead of just flipping a toggle.

All the screens are OLED. The infotainment tech itself is based on an Android operating system, although Apple CarPlay remains a standard item and wireless device connectivity is standard.

Thanks to its hatchback body, the A6 Sportback e-tron has a generous and versatile cargo area. Fold down the 40/20/40 split rear seats to access 39.9 cubic feet of space.

The A6 e-tron is highly aerodynamic, with a drag coefficient of 0.23. Most rivals are similarly slippery, however. Instead of being a sedan, like the outgoing A6, this new electric model has a hatchback along the same likes as the A7 Sportback that we already know and appreciate for its clever combination of grace and practicality. Due to the large battery pack, the A6 Sportback e-tron has thick door sills and tall rockers, so in profile it can look a little thick in the middle, like a dad bod. Dad bods are having their day, and the A6 Sportback still has graceful proportions.

Adaptive air suspension
This is available in the new A6 Sportback e-tron, bringing a spread of settings from comfortable to sporty, and adjusting ride height according to conditions. That helps optimize aerodynamic efficiency and the adaptive dampers help keep it buttoned down to the road for more spirited driving.

Augmented reality head-up display
Not just projecting typical information onto the windshield in front of the driver, this option adds things like direction arrows for navigation.

Interior Light Show
Hidden where the front windshield meets the dash are thin lights that remind you of directions. Turn on the right indicator, and a green light blinks on the right side of the dashboard. It’s opposite on the left side, and discrete enough for passengers not to really notice. With the navigation set, a blue light will flash to remind you to turn right at the upcoming intersection.

Park Assist Plus
Self-parking for parallel and perpendicular spaces is always a good thing in our (blue) book.

Panoramic glass roof
The A6 Sportback e-tron offers this cool glass roof that can go from transparent to four levels of opaqueness with the touch of a button. It’s great for sunny climates.

Bang & Olufsen audio
In case you want even more isolation from the world outside, the A6 Sportback e-tron offers a Bang & Olufsen surround-sound system with 830 watts going through 20 speakers, some of those speakers being in the front headrests.

Range and Charging

The A6 has a 94.4-kWh (usable) battery pack and a maximum range of the 2025 A6 Sportback e-tron is 392 miles, according to estimates from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Keep in mind wheel sizes matter. That top estimate is achieved by the single-motor/rear-wheel-drive version with the optional Ultra package and its 19-inch aero wheels. The A6 Sportback e-tron quattro has a 377-mile range with those wheels, but our test model with 20-inch wheels had a 333-mile range.

By comparison, the EQE 350+ and i5 eDrive40 both come in just under 300 miles, while the Lucid Air Pure manages 420 miles, with the Tesla Model S claiming 402 miles.

A 9.6-kw onboard charger refills the juice at home with a Level 2 connection in about 11.5 hours.  At a DC fast charger, the A6 Sportback e-tron’s battery can go from 10% capacity to 80% in 21 minutes with a max charging rate of 270 kw. That puts it in the quickest charging conversation along with other EVs built with an 800-volt architecture. But unlike other new EVs, it does not have a North American Charging System (NACS) port.

4-Year/50,000-Mile Warranty

Audi’s new-vehicle and powertrain warranties last four years or 50,000 miles, whichever happens first. EV batteries are covered for eight years or 100,000 miles. This is all typical for the class, especially among European luxury car makers.

Safety

Standard safety features include forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking.