OverviewUnderneath the Audi Q6 e-tron’s conservatively styled sheetmetal sits a comfortable, handsomely appointed compact EV SUV. It looks little different from the brand’s gas-powered offerings, making the decision to go electric about the choice of propulsion rather than anything having to do with styling. The Q6 comes with either a single- or a dual-motor setup. The one-motor Q6 e-tron is rear-wheel drive and the most efficient, offering up to 321 miles of EPA estimated range. With two motors, this electric SUV takes a small range hit but gains all-wheel drive, 134 ponies, and quicker acceleration. Shoppers have a choice of two body styles, though we’d recommend the regular SUV over the Sportback as the latter’s raked roof prioritizes form over interior room. Inside, the Q6 e-tron feels every bit as comfortable, calm, and contemporary as you’d expect of an Audi. If the dashboard-spanning high-res screens seem daunting, simply tell the Q6 e-tron what you want done, and it’ll oblige; its smart tech works beautifully.
Expert Tip: If you like the Q6 e-tron but want one with more gusto, Audi makes a high-performance S variant of this EV, the SQ6 e-tron, which we review separately. It hits 60 in 3.8 seconds, is EPA-rated to travel 275 miles on a charge, and isn’t outrageously more expensive than the regular Q6 e-tron.What’s New for 2026?Having joined the Audi lineup just last year, the Q6 e-tron carries over into 2026 unchanged. Pricing and Which One to BuySkip the slower, less powerful rear-driver and go for the all-wheel drive, dual-motor Quattro model. While it gets slightly less range than the single-motor version, you’ll enjoy the extra lunge. We’ll leave the choice of rooflines—conventional squared-off roof or stylishly sloped Sportback—to you. The mid-level Premium Plus trim is a good compromise, as it opens the door to leather-wrapped sport seats with ventilation. If you can live without those, the base Quattro should do.EV Motor, Power, and Performance
- EV Motors: 322-hp single motor, 456-hp dual motor
- Drivetrains: rear-wheel drive, all-wheel drive
The base Q6 e-tron makes 322 horsepower from a single electric motor, which drives the rear wheels. Shoppers can upgrade to the Quattro model to get a dual-motor all-wheel-drive powertrain, good for 456 ponies. The dual-motor powertrain offers punchy acceleration, though enthusiasts will likely want to save their pennies for the performance-minded SQ6 e-tron, which ups the ante with 510 horsepower and a sportier suspension tune for sharper handling. On our initial drive, we sampled a Quattro model with the optional air suspension. We found the SUV to be calm and controlled, much like gas-powered Audis, albeit quieter and more responsive when you step on it. One of our favorite features of the Q6 e-tron is its predictive regenerative braking system, which uses data from a forward-facing camera to decide whether to recoup energy or coast. It works nearly flawlessly and avoids any unnecessary jerkiness while maximizing energy recapture. 0–60-MPH Times
- C/D 60-mph Test: 4.4 seconds (AWD)
In Comparison: In our testing, the dual-motor Q6 e-tron Quattro’s 60-mph time of 4.4 seconds puts it in line with the tamest all-wheel-drive Porsche Macan EV (with which it shares its basic underpinnings) but far off that lineup’s Turbo model. We haven’t strapped our gear to the single-motor Q6 e-tron yet, but Audi predicts a 60-mph time of 6.3 seconds. By the way, an SQ6 shot to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds in our testing. Additional ResearchTowing and Payload CapacityAudi claims every Q6 e-tron is good to tow 4400 pounds. But keep in mind that lugging around that kind of weight will have a substantial (and negative) effect on range. Range, Charging, and Battery Life
- C/D Range Test: 250 miles (AWD)
- EPA EV Range: 295-321 miles
The Q6 e-tron uses an 800-volt architecture and features a 94.4-kWh battery, which Audi says can charge from 10 to 80 percent in under 30 minutes on a fast-charging connection. In our testing, the Q6 needed 35 minutes to go from 10 to 90 percent at a DC fast-charger, peaking at 264 kilowatts and averaging 129 kilowatts over the course of the recharge.Per the EPA, the single-motor version will go 321 miles on a charge, while the dual-motor Q6 e-tron Quattro stops at 307 miles. Selecting a model with 20-inch wheels could bring down the vehicle’s range estimate to 295 miles. In our range testing, which we conduct on the highway at 75 mph, the Q6 e-tron Quattro managed an impressive 250 miles.Fuel Economy and Real-World MPGe
- EPA City Ratings: 102-112 MPGe
- EPA Highway Ratings: 89-97 MPGe
The EPA hasn’t released fuel-economy information for the 2026 Audi Q6 e-tron yet, but the ratings shouldn’t change. Efficiency depends on several factors, including the SUV’s drivetrain, wheel size, and body style. The 2025 base model sees the best combined rating: 104 MPGe. The worst—95 MPGe combined—belongs to a standard-body Q6 e-tron with all-wheel drive and 20-inch wheels. For more information about the Q6 e-tron’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.Interior, Comfort, and CargoFirst Row: The Q6 e-tron’s cabin is tech-heavy and modern, with screens taking up much of the dash and all buttons relegated to the console, steering wheel, and armrest. Leather is available, but the fake stuff comes standard. The front seats offer good support for long drives, and they can be had with massage functions (should you choose the top trim).Second Row: Though it offers slightly less legroom than the Q5, the Q6 e-tron’s second row is still comfortable for lanky individuals, even when the driver is six feet tall. Cargo Capacity: The Q6 e-tron offers 30 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and 60 with them down. While that’s not class-leading, it’s still plenty of room for most trips to the store. Plus, there’s a small frunk (front trunk) that adds two cubes to the total. 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)
A sweeping digital array dominates the Q6 e-tron’s dashboard. It consists of an 11.9-inch gauge cluster and a 14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen behind one piece of curved glass. Audi also offers a third display for the front-seat passenger: It measures 10.9 inches and supports streaming.The infotainment system is Android-based and, despite its lack of physical buttons, easy to use. Alternatively, you can pull up the Apple CarPlay or Android Auto interfaces sans cable. A head-up display and a navigation system with an augmented-reality feature are available on certain models, as is a Bang & Olufsen stereo.Safety and Driver-Assistance FeaturesAudi provides a few standard driver-assistance features, including basics such as automated emergency braking and a driver-drowsiness monitor. Adaptive cruise control is also provided, but lane-centering assist is optional.
- Standard Safety Features: automated emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring
- Optional Safety Features: lane-centering assist, a 360-degree camera system
For information about the Q6 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 Audi Q6 e-tron and Q6 e-tron Sportback offer the same limited and powertrain warranties as the Q8 e-tron SUV.
- 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 Q6 e-tron Quattro
Vehicle Type: front- and rear-motor, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $67,095/$76,790
Options: Prestige package (adaptive air suspension, adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist, acoustic front side windows, head- and taillight animations, head-up display with augmented-reality overlays, Bang & Olufsen audio system, cabin preconditioning, dynamic interaction lighting, heated steering wheel and outboard rear seats, headlight washers, LED headlights and interior lighting, 10.9-inch passenger display, panoramic sunroof, configurable daytime-running-light signatures, 360-degree camera system), $6800; Warm Weather package (manual rear side-window sunshades, ventilated front sport seats, front headrest speakers, Stone Grey birchwood inlays), $1300; 20-inch 5-spoke bi-color wheels with all-season tires, $1000; Glacier White Metallic paint, $595
POWERTRAIN
Front Motor: induction AC, 188 hp, 203 lb-ft
Rear Motor: permanent-magnet synchronous AC, 375 hp, 428 lb-ft
Combined Power: 456 hp
Battery Pack: liquid-cooled lithium-ion, 94 kWh
Onboard Charger: 9.6 kW
Peak DC Fast-Charge Rate: 270 kW
Transmissions, F/R: direct-drive
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: multilink/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 13.8-in vented disc/13.8-in vented disc
Tires: Bridgestone Alenza Sport A/S RFT
F: 255/50R-20 109H M+S REO
R: 285/45R-20 112H M+S REO
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 113.7 in
Length: 187.8 in
Width: 76.3 in
Height: 66.6 in
Passenger Volume, F/R: 52/47 ft3
Cargo Volume, Behind F/R: 60/30 ft3
Front Trunk Volume: 2 ft3
Curb Weight: 5440 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 4.4 sec
100 mph: 10.4 sec
1/4-Mile: 12.8 sec @ 111 mph
130 mph: 19.0 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 4.7 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 1.8 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 2.4 sec
Top Speed (gov ltd): 130 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 169 ft
Braking, 100–0 mph: 346 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.86 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY AND CHARGING
Observed: 94 MPGe
75-mph Highway Range: 250 mi
Average DC Fast-Charge Rate, 10–90%: 129 kW
DC Fast-Charge Time, 10–90%: 35 min
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 95/102/89 MPGe
Range: 295 mi
C/D TESTING EXPLAINEDMore Features and Specs
Source: caranddriver.com
