2025 Audi Q6 e-tron

Think Audi Q5, only with an electric drivetrain. The Q5 compact SUV has been a bestseller for Audi, so with car makers expanding the electric side of their portfolios, it makes sense to build the Q6 e-tron. It has a lot of good things going for it. The claimed maximum range of 321 miles is competitive, charging times are impressive, the cabin looks gorgeous, and the tech seems impressive. It should also be a bit more spacious than the Q5.

The Q6 e-tron is a fresh model based on a new platform designed especially for electric vehicles. The first variants to arrive in the United States are a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) Q6 e-tron SUV, a Q6 e-tron quattro SUV, and a higher-performance SQ6 e-tron SUV (the latter two with two motors and all-wheel drive). Sportback versions (with a sloping roof) and a single-motor/rear-drive model are expected to follow soon after.

On-Sale Date

Audi says the 2025 Q6 e-tron will arrive in U.S. dealerships before the end of 2024.

Rival vehicles have quite a spread of starting prices, with an all-wheel-drive version of the Tesla Model Y kicking off at around $50,000. A similar Cadillac Lyriq and Lexus RZ 450e start at about $60,000, the Genesis Electrified GV70 begins just under $70,000, and the Polestar 3 begins in the mid-$70,000s.

Before buying a new Q6 e-tron electric SUV, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying. We expect Q6 e-tron resale values to land about middle of the pack. Recouping more money when you sell a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on your next one.

The base Audi Q6 e-tron starts with rear-wheel drive and 302 horsepower from a single motor, with a launch control function that temporarily increases output to 322 hp. That’s fairly significant pep, accelerating the base model from zero to 60 mph in a claimed 6.3 seconds.

Audi reckons the quattro all-wheel-drive (AWD) version of the Q6 e-tron headed for the U.S. will have around 422 hp, with a boost in launch control mode adding up to a temporary 456 hp. The company’s estimate of 4.9 seconds to go from a standstill to 60 mph is more than respectable. The top speed is 130 mph, the same as that of the base Q6 e-tron.

The sportier SQ6 e-tron generates approximately 483 hp (509 hp with launch control engaged) and should sprint to 60 mph in roughly 4.1 seconds. This model also comes with a dedicated suspension tuned for extra driver appeal. The SQ6 e-tron’s top speed is 143 mph.

Up until now, Audi’s e-tron models haven’t offered one-pedal driving (where brake regeneration can slow the vehicle to a complete stop just by lifting off the accelerator. Still, this feature makes it into the Q6 e-tron. This is a good call because one-pedal driving can be a boon in city traffic.

Audi’s application of technology has pushed the company’s interior design approach to another level in the Q6 e-tron. The dashboard’s main feature is a curved unit housing an 11.9-inch digital driver information display (what Audi calls a Virtual Cockpit) and a 14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen. An optional 10.9-inch display is also available for the front passenger. If that wasn’t enough, Audi offers a head-up display with augmented reality (AR).

The steering wheel has a flattened-out top and bottom, which seems to be the preference nowadays. Overall, this cabin truly deserves its place in the luxury vehicle class.

The Q6 e-tron offers seating for five with rear seats that split and fold in 40/20/40 fashion. Audi claims enhanced comfort in the middle position. Behind the rear seats is a luggage area of 18.5 cubic feet. When those seats are folded, the maximum cargo volume is 53.9 cubic feet.

Audi follows its usual formula of offering a conventional SUV version and then one with a more sloping roof, which the company calls a Sportback. This will be available with both the Q6 e-tron and the SQ6 e-tron. The company isn’t doing anything especially radical with the exterior design. Anyone familiar with the smaller Q4 e-tron and larger Q8 e-tron SUVs will notice similar themes in this model.

As the numbers in the names suggest, this model fits between the compact Q4 e-tron and the midsize Q8 e-tron in terms of size. Its length of 15.6 feet is close to the combustion-powered (and highly popular) Audi Q5. The main difference is that the Q6 e-tron’s wheelbase (the distance between the front and rear axles) is longer by about three inches, which typically translates to more passenger space. We’ve never had cause to complain about the Q5’s accommodations.

Infotainment system
Based on the Android Automotive operating system (although still compatible with Apple iPhones), this new setup receives over-the-air updates and enables third-party apps without requiring a phone. While parked, users can watch YouTube, play video games, etc.

Audi Assistant
This function of the infotainment system uses artificial intelligence (AI) to learn, and it understands more than 800 voice commands.

Bang & Olufsen audio
We love Bang & Olufsen systems. The Q6 e-tron offers a 20-speaker/800-watt array with speakers set into the front headrests.

Recycled materials
Even though the Q6 e-tron looks incredibly swish outside and plush inside, it employs recycled polyester for some materials. The roof uses a proportion of recycled steel as well.

The rear-drive Q6 e-tron’s maximum range is the headlining 321 miles. The Q6 e-tron quattro’s maximum range is 307 miles, and the more powerful SQ6 e-tron is good for 275 miles. The Q6 e-tron and Q6 e-tron quattro’s range figures are competitive with the heavier hitters in this class, such as a comparable Tesla Model Y (308 miles), Polestar 3 (315 miles) or Cadillac Lyriq (314 miles).

Not all batteries in electric vehicles (EVs) are the same. The Q6/SQ6 e-tron has quite a beefy one that can charge more quickly than most, going from 10% to 80% capacity in 21 minutes, using a DC fast charger.

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 100,00 miles. This is typical for the class, especially among German luxury car makers.

Safety

Standard safety features include forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and rear parking sensors. Audi also says it has equipped a completely new suite of features, including adaptive cruise control, lane change warning, collision avoidance, traffic sign recognition, drowsiness and distraction warning, and more.