Audi Q6 e-tron SUV

285kW Qtro 100kWh S Line 5dr Auto [Sound+Vision] [2025]

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Is the SQ6 e-tron a really credible S-designated Audi? Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Review

The Audi Q6 e-tron was co-developed with Porsche and arguably the most Porsche-like variant is this SQ6 e-tron model. With up to 517PS on tap, this twin motor mid-size performance EV crossover is uber-rapid - as for the near six-figure price tag, it needs to be.

Background

When it comes to the upper mid-sized EV design jointly developed by the VW Group to create both the Audi Q6 e-tron and the Porsche Macan Electric, the Audi clearly targets the luxury side of the market, the Porsche the sporty side of it. So where does that leave this car, the SQ6 e-tron, bearer of Ingolstadt's dynamic S moniker, with performance markers of its own to put down at the most premium end of this segment? There was clearly a danger here that the S designation would become merely a badging trim level in the Q6 e-tron range. Audi is developing an RS model to make a real Q6 statement and has given this SQ6 none of the clever tri-motor engineering that used to set the old SQ8 e-tron apart from its lesser siblings. But you'd think the brand must have learnt something from developing this car with Porsche. Has it?

Engines and Tech Spec

So, what exactly has Audi learned from Porsche here? Well the SQ6 e-tron doesn't have the rearward powertrain bias of its Macan Electric Turbo cousin, but the latest version of Ingolstadt's quattro 4WD system has been tuned to send most of its power rearwards in dynamic driving situations, though only at mid speeds. Audi doesn't think anyone wants the tail splaying out past 80mph. Track day fans might disagree but you can't really imagine a track day fan choosing an SQ6 e-tron. Particularly as there's no clever SQ8 e-tron-style tri-motor arrangement in play here. Just a re-tuning of the standard Q6 e-tron quattro model's 388PS set-up. So that in the SQ6 e-tron, it develops 490PS (or as much as 517PS with launch control engaged). Which, with 275Nm of torque developed on the front axle and 580Nm from the rear one, takes the car to 62mph in just 4.3s en route to 143mph. If that's still not fast enough, talk to your dealer about the forthcoming RS Q6 Sportback e-tron model, expected to produce over 600PS. Range from the Q6 e-tron quattro model's same 100kWh battery falls only slightly on this SQ6 to 360 miles (mainly due to wider tyres). That EV range figure can be slightly improved upon (to 369 miles) if you're prepared to pay the extra for the slightly more aerodynamic Sportback body shape. Audi says that sticking with just two motors in the SQ6 e-tron allows for a more straightforward apportioning of the torque frontward or rearward as required and, as a result, more manageable drive dynamics. Steering feel won't be as sharp and feelsome as it would be in the equivalent Macan, but it aims to set a fresh standard of response for S-branded Audis. And is obviously affected by drive select modes - the fastest is 'Dynamic' - that have more differentiation than those in the old SQ8 e-tron. It sounds better too, thanks to the standardisation of Audi's 'e-tron Sport Sound' system, though if you disagree, you can switch that off.

Design and Build

Audi's S models are usually only very subtly differentiated from the standard variants and the SQ6 e-tron conforms to that norm. Look closely and you'll spot the S exterior styling cues and the added 'Black styling package plus' treatment which sees the Audi rings front and rear finished in anthracite grey. There's 'red S rhombus badges' with S lettering at the rear. And this top variant gets the brand's clever digital OLED tail lights. Inside, the Nappa leather trimmed front sport seats have integrated headrests, diamond stitching and S-embossed branding - and are separated by dinamica-trimmed arm rests. There's also Anthracite high-tech mesh dashboard and door inlays, a dinamica-trimmed fascia, S-branded aluminium door sill trims, a black cloth headliner and stainless steel pedals. This SQ6 also gets as standard a further 10.9-inch display ahead of the front seat passenger, which has tech to prevent the driver being distracted by it while the car is moving. And a new generation AI-augmented voice assistant is included, which can control over 800 features. Otherwise, it's just like any other Q6 e-tron. A 'softwrap' design extends from the doors around a main dashboard sculpted in a 'digital stage' shape supposed to resemble the Singleframe grille. As part of this, an 11.9-inch digital instrument display blends into a 14.5-inch curved control infotainment touchscreen. What will grab your attention at the wheel is the useful dynamic interaction light at the base of the screen, which flashes in different colours to display information and warnings. And there's a very minimalist-style design vibe which reduces physical dashboard buttons to an absolute minimum. Even those you get on the wheel are of the touch panel sort. Plus there's an additional 10.9-inch front passenger touch display screen. Thanks to the stretched 2,899mm wheelbase length, SQ6 customers should be very happy with the provided rear seat space. Both head and knee room for back seat folk are excellent. And behind them in this five-seat-only design is a roomy 526-litre boot. A further 64-litre area beneath the bonnet is provided for the charging leads.

Market and Model

At present, the SQ6 e-tron is looking pricey because Audi's only offering it in full-loaded 'Edition 1' guise. The cost at the time of this review in early 2025 was around £94,000 in standard SUV form - or just over £96,000 in sleeker Sportback guise. For reference, a comparable Porsche Macan Electric was around £97,000 at the time of our test, though you'd need to spend much more than that to bring that car up to the spec level of an SQ6 e-tron 'Edition 1'. At least it's very well equipped. The top SQ6 quattro model of course gets that added pack - and a lot more, though its specification when you view this film may differ from that of 'Edition 1' spec gives you 21-inch wheels with red brake calipers, Matrix LED headlights, S adaptive air suspension, digital OLED tail lights, a panoramic sunroof and a digital key system allowing you to access the car via your 'phone. Inside, SQ6-spec runs to nappa leather upholstery with Dinamica microfibre dash and door trim, powered steering column adjustment and an additional 10.9-inch front passenger touch display screen. Plus at this level in the range Audi includes the contents of its 'Sound & Vision Pack'. This gives you an Augmented reality head-up display, more powerful USB ports, an improved 16-speaker 830-watt Bang & Olufsen sound system and the brand's upgraded 'Ambient lighting package plus' with its Dynamic interaction light and wider 30-colour selection.

Cost of Ownership

We gave you the range figures in our 'Driving' section - up to 360 miles for the standard SQ6 e-tron SUV and up to 369 miles for the SQ6 Sportback e-tron. Audi reckons its electric motors are among the most efficient in the industry. In this car, the brand uses asynchronous motors in the front axle and permanent synchronous motors on the rear, these units featuring dry sump oil cooling for better efficiency and management of heat. The company reckons these motors offer 62% more power density and 33% greater performance than the earlier generation units fitted to the Q8 e-tron. This Q6's standard inclusion of a heat pump will preserve driving range in very cold conditions. Audi says in this case it adds around 19 miles of extra range in really cold temperatures. On to charging, for which, helpfully, the car provides ports on both sides, though only one port can accept the fastest DC charging rate, which would see a 10-80% charge completed in 21 minutes. The main news here is the switch with the Q6 e-tron range to an 800V architecture for with the wider PPE platform. This means that your Q6 can be charged at up to 270kW if you can find the right ultra rapid charger. Apparently, 158 miles of range can be added in as little as 10 minutes. It also means this SQ6 can benefit from so-called 'bank charging': that means that at feebler public chargers (of up to 135kW) that can't handle the PPE platform's 800V power, this Audi will split the battery in two and run each half at 400V, optimising battery replenishment speed and efficiency, so charging will still be super-quick.

Summary

It's difficult to see who will choose an SQ6 e-tron. It won't save you that much over its Porsche Macan Turbo development counterpart and can't claim to be as involving a steer. Yet it's more than just a Q6 e-tron with a sporty badge. Try this car and you really will sense everything Audi has learned from Porsche as part of this joint project; the numb, neutral feel that used to characterise S-badged Ingolstadt models of this size is missing. It's all a long way from the SQ5. Given that the SQ6 sets such new standards for the brand, it's a real pity that so few customers will ever get to experience them. And Audi hasn't helped itself in this regard with this model's pricing. For a select few though, who want something less showy and much better equipped than the equivalent Macan, there might be a garage place for an SQ6 e-tron. Perhaps.