Review – Audi Q6 e-tron (2025) – An Audi with Porsche DNA
PPE
PPE stands for Premium Platform Electric. Premium is a somewhat vague term that you often hear in the automotive world, especially when it comes to German cars. But it fits here: the platform developed with Porsche actually delivers above-average performance. Thanks to 800V technology, the Audi Q6 e-tron can charge at lightning speed: up to 270 kW. Yes, there are (very expensive) EVs that can already have over 300 kW at a fast charger, but 270 kW charging power in 2025 is still very impressive. Charging from 10 to 80% takes only 21 minutes, and when the battery is almost empty you can recharge for 255 km in 10 minutes.
The S Edition
In the Netherlands, we are feeling the Audi Q6 e-tron quattro S Edition for a week – not to be confused with the extra-fast SQ6 e-tron. “Our” all-wheel-drive version gets off to a smooth start with 285 kW (388 hp) of system power. The Q6 e-tron Quattro sprints to 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds and always feels powerful and alert. The electric motors are naturally quiet, but those who want can turn on the standard e-tron Sportsound – a kind of engine sound over the audio system – for some extra experience.
Direct control
Audi positions the Q6 more sporty than other Q models. You notice this as soon as you start driving. The steering is extremely direct and communicative, the suspension firm and tight. It hardly tilts in corners, even at higher speeds. After just a few meters of driving you already notice that this car has Porsche DNA.
There is also a downside to this: comfort seems to have less priority than in other Q models. It could hardly be otherwise, with such a sporty underbody. Fortunately, it never gets really uncomfortable aboard the Q6 e-tron, but the car does feel a bit nervous at times, regardless of the chosen driving mode.
Space and ease of use
Practicality is fortunately the Q6 e-tron. Thanks to the flat floor and a wheelbase of 2.90 meters, interior space is generous. In the back is plenty of leg and headroom for adults, and the trunk offers a tidy 526 liters, expandable to more than 1,500 liters with the rear seats folded down. The luggage compartment is also cleverly laid out, with a double cargo floor and extra storage space underneath.
A frunk it also has. Despite the electric motor in front, there is enough room under the “hood” for some small luggage or your charging cable. It’s a shame, though, that the hood doesn’t open automatically with the push of a button or a “stroke of the hood,” as the A6 e-tron – which is on the same platform – can.
Digital
Inside, it is immediately clear that this is a new generation Audi. The so-called “MMI OLED panorama display” – a large curved screen – attracts all attention. Digiophiles will have to get used to this, because almost everything is controlled via this large screen. Except the volume of the radio, because there is only a (rotary) knob left for that.
There’s another screen up front. A passenger display – standard on the S Edition – lets the passenger choose their own entertainment: view navigation, control the radio or even play a YouTube video. We at Toilet Duck recommend the AutoRAI.nl YouTube channel. While driving, the screen is visible only to those sitting directly in front of it – the driver can only watch when the car is stationary.
The finish is as you would expect from Audi: solid, beautiful and thoughtful. In this S Edition, you sit in sturdy sports seats and it’s suffused with subtle S logos. The materials feel high-quality. That’s fair enough for its price, but more on that later. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are obviously present and work wirelessly.
Driving range Audi Q6 e-tron
The Q6 e-tron quattro has a gross battery capacity of 100 kWh, which – on paper – gets it to 625 kilometers (WLTP). During our week of testing, we achieved about 480 kilometers in mixed use at an outside temperature of 10 degrees. By the way, the base Q6 e-tron has an 83 kWh battery and achieves 543 kilometers on paper.
Driver assistance systems
The Audi Q6 e-tron is packed with assistance systems. From lane keeping assist to traffic jam assist, everything is there. Audi has gone a little too far here though: even when you think you have everything turned off, the steering wheel sometimes intervenes unexpectedly. Even changing lanes on the highway can sometimes become a battle between man and machine. Only when you have left an overtaken road user well behind you will it let you change lanes.
The interference of the driver assistance systems could be a little less as far as we are concerned. Fortunately, it’s nothing Audi can’t fix with a software update. The adaptive cruise control, on the other hand, works excellently and ensures that you get out of the car relaxed after a long highway drive.
Conclusion
The Audi Q6 e-tron is undoubtedly a compelling new addition to the Q family. It is practical, fast, beautifully finished and technically advanced. The PPE platform delivers what it promises: top-level fast charging, a good range and impressive driving performance.
However, the Q6 e-tron is less of a comfortable SUV like its Q brothers. The Porsche genes run deep. It is sleek, direct and sporty, and you notice that at every moment. That makes the Q6 e-tron a car with a clear preference. And that’s actually only a good thing: Audi is daring to choose again.
The new Q6 e-tron has a starting price of 65,990 euros. For the Quattro you will spend a minimum of 77,950 euros. The S Edition we drove starts at 89,950. Because of some options on the test car, the price tag comes out to a hefty 95,000 euros. And that’s quite a lot of money for an EV in this segment. On the other hand, you could also say that it is quite an affordable Porsche-SUV.
Also read: Review – Porsche Macan Turbo Electric (2024), hit or miss?