Overview The A6 e-tron EV has little in common with its gas-powered namesake, the A6 sedan, besides occupying a similar amount of space in the world and wearing Audi badges. Being powered via electricity, it stocks the juice in a large, heavy battery pack that feeds either one or two motors. For another thing, it trades the A6’s traditional three-box sedan design for a sloping fastback roof and a liftgate.Single-motor models make 375 horsepower and are rear-drive, while Quattro (i.e., all-wheel-drive) cars offer 456 horses. While that may sound like a lot, it’s nothing compared to what rivals like the Lucid Air and Porsche Taycan offer. But then the A6 e-tron isn’t about performance. It’s a daily driver with good range, decent space, and several neat tech features, wrapped in an inoffensively styled body. Expert Tip: The dual-motor-only S6 e-tron makes up to 543 ponies and is worth the upgrade, if you can afford it. What’s New for 2026?The A6 e-tron remains unchanged for 2026, its second model year.Pricing and Which One to BuyThe price increase for a second motor and all-wheel drive seems worth it to us, so we’d spec a Quattro car. We’d also spring for the mid-tier Premium Plus as it comes with all kinds of goodies, from LED headlamps to a 360-degree camera system to an augmented-reality head-up display and status-indicating ambient lighting. Thus equipped, the A6 e-tron still undercuts the Tesla Model S.EV Motor, Power, and Performance
- EV Motors: 375-hp single motor, 456-hp dual motor
- Drivetrains: rear-wheel drive, all-wheel drive
The A6 e-tron can be had with one motor or two. The single-motor configuration ponies drives the rear wheels exclusively, while the dual-motor model enables all-wheel drive (called Quattro in Audi-speak). Audi offers an adaptive air suspension, complete with multiple driving modes. Thus equipped, the A6 e-tron can ride lower than normal to improve aerodynamic efficiency. When we sampled this sedan, we were underwhelmed by its driving dynamics. The car exhibited good body control and prompt responses, but its lifeless steering and lack of straight-line gusto left us wanting.0–60-MPH Times
- Claimed 62-mph Times: 4.3 seconds (AWD), 5.2 seconds (RWD)
In Comparison: According to Audi, the rear-drive A6 e-tron can reach 62 mph in 5.2 seconds, and the Quattro model can do it in 4.3. We hope to test the sedan soon and update this report with our results, but those numbers seem in line with what competitors can do. For instance, a 335-hp rear-drive BMW i5 needed 5.1 seconds to hit the mark. Additional ResearchRange, Charging, and Battery Life
- Claimed EV Range: 377-392 miles
The EPA has yet to post the A6 e-tron’s range estimates, but Audi claims the single-motor Sportback is good for 392 miles of range when spec’d with the Ultra package. When similarly equipped, the dual-motor model boasts a range rating of 377 miles. Both cars have a 94.4-kWh battery and can charge on a Level 3 station at a rate of up to 270 kilowatts. Audi says the pack needs 21 minutes to restore itself from a 10 percent charge to 80 percent.Fuel Economy and Real-World MPGe
- Claimed City Ratings: 125-132 MPGe
- Claimed Highway Ratings: 116-120 MPGe
We still await the EPA’s published numbers, but Audi tells us that the 2026 A6 e-tron should see up to 132 MPGe city and 120 MPGe highway in single-motor guise. The Quattro car is marginally less efficient, with estimates of 125 and 116 MPGe, respectively. MPGe stands for miles per gallon of gas equivalent, an EPA metric that estimates PHEV and EV fuel efficiency. For more information about the A6 e-tron’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.Interior, Comfort, and CargoFirst Row: Much like other recent Audi cabins, the A6 e-tron’s fails to live up to the brand’s legacy of breakthrough design and rich materials. However, it is as modern as can be. Beyond the array of digital screens—top models have three of them—the standard panoramic glass roof can change from transparent to opaque at the press of a button, thanks to polymer-dispersed liquid crystal technology. Moreover, mid- and high-level trims feature a full-width light bar below the windshield that can indicate the car’s status at a glance. For instance, it can tell you if the vehicle is locked or unlocked, if a turn signal is flashing, if the vehicle is charging, and more.Second Row: Despite the sloped roof, there’s a reasonable amount of space for adults in the second row. That said, the rear floor sits high, meaning your feet (and by extension your knees) do too.Cargo Capacity: Under the liftgate and behind the rear seat is a generously sized cargo hold. There’s also a small frunk.Infotainment and Connectivity
- Infotainment: 14.5-inch touchscreen
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
- Audio Systems: 10-speaker stereo (standard), 20-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo (optional)
Atop the driver-oriented dash sits a wide OLED display containing both an 11.9-inch digital gauge cluster and a 14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen. Top models also receive a third screen—a 10.9-incher—for the front passenger’s entertainment. The interface is brought to you by Android Automotive OS, which supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functions as well as an integrated AI assistant. Audi offers a few upgrades, too, including an automated-reality head-up display and a fancy Bang & Olufsen stereo that puts speakers in the front-seat headrests.Safety and Driver-Assistance FeaturesAudi equips the A6 e-tron with a few driver-assistance features, including automated emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and a driver-drowsiness monitor. Lane-centering assist and a bird’s-eye-view camera system are available.
- Standard Safety Features: automated emergency braking, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control
- Optional Safety Features: lane-centering assist, 360-degree camera system
For information about the A6 e-tron’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.Warranty and Maintenance CoverageThe A6 e-tron offers the same limited and powertrain warranties as Audi’s other EVs, including the Q6 e-tron and Q8 e-tron SUVs.
- Limited Warranty: four years or 50,000 miles
- Powertrain Warranty: four years or 50,000 miles
- Battery-Component Warranty: eight years or 100,000 miles
- Complimentary Maintenance: none
C/D Test Results and Specs We test hundreds of vehicles each year. If the data in the chart below is for a different model year, that’s because the current model hasn’t changed from when we last tested it.SpecificationsSpecifications
2025 Audi A6 e-tron
Vehicle Type: rear- or front-and-rear motor, rear- or all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door hatchback
PRICE
Base: e-tron, $67,195; e-tron quattro, $69,195
POWERTRAIN (e-tron)
Motor: permanent-magnet synchronous AC
Power: 375 hp
Battery Pack: liquid-cooled lithium-ion, 94.4 kWh
Onboard Charger: 9.6 kW
Peak DC Fast-Charge Rate: 270 kW
Transmission: direct-drive
POWERTRAIN (e-tron Quattro)
Front Motor: induction AC
Rear Motor: permanent-magnet synchronous AC
Combined Power: 456 hp
Battery Pack: liquid-cooled lithium-ion, 94.4 kWh
Onboard Charger: 9.6 kW
Peak DC Fast-Charge Rate: 270 kW
Transmissions, F/R: direct-drive
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 116.0 in
Length: 194.0 in
Width: 75.7 in
Height: 58.5 in
Curb Weight (C/D est): 4950–5100 lb
PERFORMANCE (C/D EST)
60 mph: 4.1–5.0 sec
1/4-Mile: 12.3–13.2 sec
Top Speed: 130 mph
EPA FUEL ECONOMY (C/D EST)
Combined: 100–115 MPGe
Range: 333–390 miMore Features and Specs
Source: caranddriver.com
