The 2025 Audi Q6 e-tron is the latest electric SUV from the German brand that neatly slots in between the smaller Q4 and the larger Q8. The Q6 e-tron is roughly the same size as the Q5 which is one of the brand’s most popular sizes of vehicles. So this new 2025 Q6 e-tron has a lot to live up to.
Performance
Motors – In Canada, the Audi Q6 e-tron is only available with the dual-motor e-Quattro system. In the United States, it’s available with a single motor platform. The e-Quattro system in the Q6 provides 422 hp (315 kW), most of the time. With launch control activated, the car will briefly provide 456 hp (340 kW). That’s enough power to accelerate the 2,390 kg (5,269 lbs) EV from 0-100 km/h in 5.1 seconds. But if that’s not enough for you, the SQ6 e-tron provides up to 509 hp (380 kW) with launch control enabled and a 0-100 km/h sprint of 4.3 seconds.
Like all EVs, the power is instant when the car is in the sporty Dynamic mode. In the Balanced mode, power delivery is gradual for smoother acceleration. Audi doesn’t say what the combined torque figures are and instead provides the torque figure of 203 lb-ft (275 Nm) for the front motor and 428 lb-ft (580 Nm) for the rear motor.
Battery, Range, & Charging – In the floor of the Q6 e-tron is a 94.4 kWh battery pack which can provide up to 494 km (307 miles) of driving range if the car is equipped with 19” wheels. If it has the larger 20” wheels, like this demo vehicle, the range drops to 475 km (295 miles). The upcoming sportback version, with its sleeker aerodynamic design, will have slightly increased ranges of 513 km (319 miles) and 491 km (305 miles) respectively.
The battery is built with an 800-Volt architecture and DC fast charging capability of up to 270 kW. The switch to 800-Volts allows for faster charging for longer periods with less heat build-up. At the maximum rate, the Q6 e-tron’s battery can be recharged from 10% to 80% in about 20 minutes under optimal conditions. From an AC charger, the Q6 e-tron can accept 11 kW of power. Eventually, Audi will adopt the NACS plug which is what Tesla uses. Also, there is a charge port on either side of the car but only the driver’s side has the DC fast charging CCS port.
Braking – Like all other EVs, the 2025 Audi Q6 e-tron has different regenerative braking modes and a one-pedal mode. The one-pedal mode is activated by switching the gear selector from D to B. The system works very smoothly to allow for easy and moderately quick stops. The different regen modes are enabled and adjusted through the steering wheel mounted paddles. There is a coast function which will not use any regen braking, a medium setting, a high setting and an auto setting that continuously adjusts based on the driving dynamics and surrounding vehicles.
The physical brakes provide a lot of stopping force when you need to use them. Most of the time, the braking is done by the electric motors through regenerative braking. But if you have that system turned off, the front 4-piston brake calipers provide the bulk of the stopping force. The brake pedal feels firm at all times and provides good resistance and feedback to your foot in any braking situation.
Handling – Most EVs are not that entertaining to drive on twisty back-country roads. The 2025 Audi Q6 e-tron is not on par with something like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N but it feels more engaging than your average run of the mill EV. The steering is sharp although a little numb feeling on center. However, the steering feel firms up as the car goes through corners. There isn’t much of any torque steer as the car accelerates out of a corner due to the front motor not having as much power as the rear motor. Body roll is well controlled by the standard suspension with adaptive air suspension being available on the top spec Technik trim.
Comfort
Ride Comfort – The Q6 e-tron walks a fine line between the driving dynamics and providing a comfortable ride. The suspension copes well with road imperfections and manhole covers. The car provides a ride that is expected of a luxury vehicle. Additionally, the front seats provided ample support for my body size and the cushions had just the right amount of padding.
Interior Space – The 2025 Audi Q6 e-tron’s interior is roughly the same size as the Q5’s interior. It has similar headroom and legroom across both rows of seats. For my above average height of 6’4”, space was plentiful in the front seats and just enough in the back seats behind my tall driving position. My knees were right up against the back of the front seat but they didn’t feel squished at all. However, the back of the front seats have hard plastic instead of soft leather. Headroom in the back is adequate for my height with my hair being close to the headliner but not actually touching it.
In the trunk, the Q6 e-tron has 855 L (30.2 cu-ft) of cargo space which is roughly 125 L (4.4 cu-ft) more than the Audi Q5. With the rear seats folded, cargo volume increases to 1,705 L (60.2 cu-ft). Under the hood, the Q6 e-tron has a small frunk with 64 L (2.3 cu-ft) of space.
Noise, Vibration, & Harshness – The real party piece of this EV is its quiet cabin. Even with the standard runflat tires, the cabin is very well isolated from outside noises. You can whisper to the person next to you and they’d still hear what you are saying when the car is traveling at 100 km/h on a highway. Wind and tire noises are impressively subdued.
Odds and Ends
Pricing – The 2025 Audi Q6 e-tron has a starting price that is a little bit less expensive than its closest rival, the Genesis GV70 Electrified. The Q6 starts at $80,445 CAD ($63,800 USD) which undercuts the Genesis by about $5,000 CAD. But moving up to the top Technik trim will increase the price by $9,000 to $89,495 CAD ($70,600 USD) plus any options that you may want to add to it.
Gadgets – Some of those options include a Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system with headrest speakers, carbon fiber mirror housings, various 20” wheels, and an S Line interior in black or grey. Of course these are on top of the gadgets that are already included as part of the top spec Technik trim. The Q6 e-tron also comes equipped with a 3-zone automatic climate control system, heated seats in all four corners of the car along with a heated steering wheel, power adjustable steering column, a wireless phone charging pad, a panoramic sunroof, a power liftgate, and an augmented reality head-up display. This HUD previews upcoming traffic speed changes, provide turn-by-turn navigation instructions and can overlay road lines in red when it detects the car straying too close to the edges. Unfortunately all of these functions are visible only while driving so it was impossible for me to grab photos of these functions.
One piece of tech that stands out above all else is the new Android Automotive OS infotainment system. It is displayed on a 14.5” screen that has crisp graphics with deep, rich contrast. The system allows for wireless CarPlay and wireless Android Auto and has a smart voice control function that recognizes over 800 commands. One cool feature is that the integrated navigation system can automatically add stops at a charge station and tell you how much charge you need in order to reach your next destination. It will also prepare the battery for charging when you arrive at a charging station. On the top spec Technik trim, the passenger gets a 10.9” touchscreen in front of them that allows them to change the radio, insert a navigation destination or watch movies.
Interior Design – As is the norm in many modern luxury cars, the Audi Q6 e-tron does away with nearly all physical buttons and instead relies on capacitive touch or infotainment touchscreen embedded controls. The climate controls are all in the touchscreen and all other functions are controlled by capacitive touch controls, with most of them being on the driver’s side door. This one large panel incorporates the locks, exterior mirror adjustments, memory seats, and exterior lights. It is all too cluttered and it’s one piece of gloss black plastic which will look horrible with fingerprint smudges. There are more gloss black plastics on the center console, right by the cupholders. It’s an absolutely horrible material to have in a car as it attracts fingerprints, dust, and scratches. The Q6 e-tron has a clean looking interior design but the simple functionality of previous generation Audi vehicles, with physical buttons and knobs, is long gone unfortunately.
Exterior Design – The 2025 Audi Q6 e-tron is one of the better looking electric SUVs on the market right now. The rear of the SUV isn’t particularly exciting as it looks like a Q5 but without the exhaust pipes. It’s the front that looks great, especially in this white with the contrasting black trim pieces. Upgrading to the Progressiv trim adds digital LED daytime running lights and on the Technik trim, you can choose from 6 or 7 different designs that can be projected on these DRLs. I’m not sure why this option is not available on the Progressiv trim as I would assume it’s just a software update. But either way, it’s a cool feature.
Safety – The base Q6 e-tron trim receives almost all safety & driver aids that are available with this electric SUV. Moving up to the Progressiv trim adds surround view cameras, adaptive cruise assist, hands-on detection (which detects whether the driver is holding onto the steering wheel or not) , and the augmented head-up display.
Warranty – The 2025 Audi Q6 e-tron is covered by a 4 year / 80,000 km new vehicle warranty while the battery is covered for 8 years / 160,000 km, whichever comes first. For more information on Canadian warranty, click here. For information on American warranty, click here.
Conclusion – In the end, the new Audi Q6 e-tron delivers what you’d expect from a luxury EV. It’s quiet, easy to drive, snappy acceleration, long range, and full of the latest tech. But those touch controls and multiple screens might be a bit over the top for some. So if you don’t like that, the Genesis GV70 Electrified is a great alternative. But otherwise, this is a very good luxury EV for the size of a Q5.
Thank you to OpenRoad Auto Boundary for providing the Q6 e-tron. www.openroadaudi.com
2025 Audi Q6 e-tron Gallery
We are looking to purchase a 2025 Audi Q6 E-Tron. Your YouTube video and article were most helpful. Many Thanks,
Mark & Kim
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed the video and review!