Audi Q6 e-tron quattro Launch Edition (2024 - )

The Audi Q6 e-tron is a five-door fully electrified vehicle that is available in SUV or sportier Sportback guise There is the standard Q6 e-tron model, but for anyone looking for a little more dynamism, the SQ6 variant is also on sale now and, once again, this is offered in both body styles.

The vehicle is available in trim levels called Sport, S line, Edition 1 as well as a limited-run Launch Edition that sits just above Edition 1 in the line-up.

With prices starting from £60,740, there are rear-wheel drive models, along with Performance specifications and twin motor versions that introduce quattro all-wheel drive to the mix. 

Size-wise, as its name would imply, the Q6 e-tron sits perfectly between the Q4 and Q8 in Audi’s line-up and there are two battery sizes – an 83kWh unit that can deliver up to 326 miles, and a 100kWh unit that increases the range between charges to 392 miles.

We tested the Q6 e-tron quattro Launch Edition priced at £86,480 and featuring the larger battery
 

The new Q6 e-tron boasts plenty of kerb appeal thanks to its athletic styling, blacked out rear windows and stunning alloy wheels. There are darkened split-level matrix headlight clusters, a rear light bar joining the digital taillights, a panoramic sunroof, large single frame grille, red brake calipers and eye-catching Ascari blue paintwork.

Moving inside, the interior is beautifully designed with ample room for five occupants. Up front the flat-bottomed, multi-function steering wheel is power adjustable, along with the front seats, so its quick and easy to find a comfy driving position. The quilted fine leather Nappa-upholstered seats and steering wheel can also be heated against the winter chill, and elsewhere, there is smart S badging to the steering wheel, headrests and door sills.

The main focal point once you get comfortable is the large, curved screen that features a 14.5-inch infotainment screen alongside a 11.9-inch driver information display. They merge seamlessly behind a single glass panel and, the front seat passenger also gets their own 10.9-inch touchscreen system so they don’t feel left out.

Physical buttons are few and far between, but the tech is very easy to operate on the fly in this user-friendly cockpit. There are shortcuts to climate settings and it’s simple to connect a smartphone via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. On-board tech includes a navigation system, a pitch perfect premium Band & Olufsen sound system with headrest speakers, a head-up display (HUD) and plenty more besides.

It is worth remembering that our car was fully loaded with every optional extra as standard, such as a Sound and Vision Pack that introduces the HUD and upgraded sound system (a £3,195 option), as well as a Storage Pack that added frunk space beneath the bonnet.
 

Our Audi Q6 e-tron quattro model featured a 100kWh battery (94.9kWh usable) delivering 388PS and 580Nm of torque and that makes for some impressive performance figures. With sharp acceleration out the starting blocks, it can sprint to 62mph from a standing start in 5.9 seconds and has a top speed that is governed to 130mph. But the most important figure is the range which is a most impressive 359 miles between charges.

On motorways, it quickly reaches the national speed limit and joining fast-flowing traffic from a slow road is easy thanks to that instant torque and quick turn of pace.

When faced with twisting B roads, the Q6 e-tron is deceptively agile for its size and the grip is flawless through tight bends. There are drive modes called Individual, Dynamic, Comfort, Efficiency and Off-Road that alter the handling and performance of the vehicle – no prizes for guessing which is the most engaging. 

The automatic transmission is smooth and responsive, and if you pull the drive selector right back, there is a B mode and this increases the strength of the regenerative braking. Steering wheel mounted paddles can also be used to adjust the levels of regenerative braking and single-pedal driving is a possibility which is great news in busy stop-and-go traffic.

The steering is well weighted with ample driver feedback, but despite the powered steering, the vehicle feels a little heavy when manoeuvring at slower speeds through busier town centre traffic. On the plus side, the driver visibility is excellent thanks to the elevated driving position and large windows,

The cabin is well insulated to protect occupants from any noise intrusion, and our test car also featured air suspension and this resulted in a beautifully cushioned and refined ride, even over rougher road surfaces. On the downside, the larger wheels resulted in some road surface noise at higher speeds.

It’s also worth mentioning the added reassurance that the quattro all-wheel drive set-up brings to the mix, especially when faced with poorer driving conditions.

The Audi Q6 e-tron in SUV styling boasts a strong road presence stretching 4,771mm in length, 2,193mm across (including mirrors), 1,702mm tall and has a wheelbase of 2,899mm. 
Those generous dimensions translate into a spacious cabin with ample room for five occupants. While three adults may find it a little too cosy in the back, two would be fine as would a trio of youngsters.

And there will be no limits on luggage either as the boot, accessed via a powered tailgate, can swallow 526 litres of kit, increasing to an impressive 1,529 litres with the 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats dropped flat.

The Q6 Launch Edition also featured a 64-litre frunk beneath the bonnet which is ideal for storing the charging cables and other items without encroaching on boot space. This is an optional extra on other versions.

Additionally, there are a number of convenient storage areas scattered throughout the cabin, including a lockable glovebox, front and rear cup holders, door bins, seat back nets, a central cubby, a small compartment next to the driver’s door, a phone holder and some handy trays.

And with family getaways in mind, the vehicle can tow a trailer or caravan weighing up to 2.4 tonnes. 

If using a 270kW fast-charger, the Audi Q6 e-tron can be boosted from 10 to 80 per cent in just 21 minutes, although charging from a private 11kW wallbox will be more cost-effective where a zero to 100 per cent charge takes about 10 hours.
 

The Audi Q6 e-tron line-up costs from £60,740 for the entry-level Sport model and rises to £77,740 for the Edition 1 quattro version. Our test car was the limited-run First Edition, which featured every bell and whistle imaginable and that was priced at £86,480. Unfortunately, this car is no longer available.

Even models at the lower end of the range are very well-equipped so it’s definitely worth thinking carefully before ticking all the optional extra boxes as you will quickly see the prices stack up. In addition, potential buyers need to consider whether or not quattro all-wheel drive is an essential luxury as this can prove pricey too.

These are particularly important factors nowadays especially as some of the perks of owning an EV have been withdrawn. For starters road tax is no longer free – it will cost £10 for the first year and then owners will face the standard annual fee of £195 just like other motorists.

And on top of that, there is the Expensive Car Supplement to factor in now. This is an annual charge of £425 from years two to six and is applied to any car costing in excess of £40,000. It’s a charge that is new to the EV scene but will be a regular extra for cars featuring in the premium sector, such as Audi.
 

The Audi Q6 e-tron is a very impressive vehicle that offers a great blend of good looks, high-end technology, engaging driving dynamics, impressive range and premium comfort levels. Yes, it’s expensive especially if you wander down the optional extras route, but you do get a great deal of car for the outlay.

There was lots of anticipation prior to the arrival of the latest Q6 e-tron as it featured the company’s all-new architecture called Premium Platform Electric (PPE) which was developed alongside Porsche and is the platform for Audi’s electric vehicles moving forward. So, definitely exciting times ahead for Audi if the Q6 e-tron is anything to go by.