Getting to Know the Machine
Let me set the scene. The Audi Q6 e-tron I picked up was the Performance variant , a rear-wheel-drive setup powered by a single electric motor with 240 kW (326 hp) available in Launch Control mode, and 225 kW (306 hp) in regular use. It’s not the most powerful in the lineup , that honor goes to the SQ6 , but it’s got punch, and a range figure that makes you breathe easy.
The car sits on the PPE platform (Premium Platform Electric), jointly developed with Porsche, and the battery beneath the floor holds a net capacity of 95 kWh. It promises over 600 kilometers on a full charge, but promises are one thing , German B-roads are another.
Weighing in at around 2.3 tons, it doesn’t feel light , but neither does it feel bulky. That’s Audi magic right there: the art of hiding mass behind engineering finesse.
In the Wild: Franconian Forest Performance
By the time I reached the outskirts of Kulmbach, the fog had lifted, the roads were drier, and I could let the Q6 breathe. The forest roads , often cambered, twisting, and barely two lanes wide , were a brilliant test of body control, ride quality, and throttle finesse.
Punch it on a short straight and the car responds instantly, delivering torque like a hammer wrapped in silk. From 60 to 100 km/h in just over 3 seconds, overtaking slow farm trucks was a non-event. It’s quick, sure , but never frantic. You glide rather than blast, which feels more in line with Audi’s mature personality.
Corners? Not quite sportscar sharp, but far more composed than you’d expect for a large SUV. The low-slung battery helps. It hunkers down nicely. Push into a bend and the chassis stays remarkably flat. The steering is direct , not chatty, but reassuring. You feel confident, and on these roads, that’s everything.
And when you want to slow down? Regenerative braking is smooth, and customizable via the paddles. I never once touched the physical brake pedal on descents , just adjusted regen levels and let gravity and electrons play together.
Inside the Future
After several hours, I stopped in Kronach to recharge both myself and the Audi. The cockpit still surprised me. Audi’s new curved display dominates the cabin , 11.9 inches behind the wheel and 14.5 inches to the side. It wraps around gently, not as dramatic as a Mercedes Hyperscreen, but it feels more natural, more Audi.
Material quality though? Hmm. I have to say, this is where the Q6 lost a few points. Plastics around the lower dash and door panels felt cheaper than expected. It reminded me more of a VW ID.5 than an Audi Q8. Not bad , just not premium.
That said, the ergonomics are excellent. Touch controls are simplified. HVAC settings are always visible. The head-up display is a triumph, projecting navigation prompts onto the road like they belong there. My co-driver tapped away on the optional passenger screen, browsing maps and radio , all blacked out from my view thanks to the “shutter” function. Smart.
Space? Abundant. I’m 5’10” and with the seat all the way back, I still had a hand’s width behind me in the rear. Trunk space is solid too , we loaded two weekend bags, a camera tripod, and drone gear with room to spare. Oh, and the frunk? Just 75 liters, but oddly useful for things like charging cables and coffee kits.
Charging and Range Reality
At a rest stop in Hof, I plugged into an Ionity charger and watched 225 kilometers of range pour in over 10 minutes. That’s the power of 800-volt charging. In real-world numbers, I went from 18% to 78% in less than 25 minutes. Enough time for a sandwich and a phone check.
Back on the road, consumption settled at a very real-world 18.3 kWh/100 km. That gave me a usable range of around 565 kilometers with mixed driving , better than most rivals and very close to Audi’s claimed figures.
What really struck me though was the predictability. The range didn’t drop in chunks. It was linear. Trustworthy. And in an EV, that matters more than anything.
Ride Comfort and Daily Ease
The Q6 isn’t just quick. It’s supremely comfortable. On the cobbled roads near Bad Steben, the suspension soaked up impacts without drama. There’s a grace to the way it rides. Quieter than a BMW iX3, softer than a Tesla Model Y. It’s not a canyon carver , but that’s not its purpose.
Wind noise is minimal. The cabin insulation is excellent. My co-driver actually dozed off on the return journey, and I didn’t even have to lower my voice to take a phone call at 130 km/h.
The digital mirrors (optional) took some getting used to , the screens in the door panels aren’t intuitive at first , but after a few hours, I stopped noticing. Same goes for the regenerative braking levels. Once you find your preferred setting, it becomes second nature.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Audi Q6 e-tron Performance |
| Power | 240 kW (326 hp) with Launch Control |
| Torque | 485 Nm |
| Drivetrain | Rear-wheel drive |
| 0-100 km/h | 6.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 210 km/h (electronically limited) |
| Battery Capacity (Net) | 95 kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | Up to 637 km |
| Real-World Range (Tested) | ~565 km |
| Charging (DC, 10-80%) | ~25 minutes (up to 270 kW) |
| AC Charging | Up to 11 kW |
| Vehicle Length | 4.77 meters |
| Wheelbase | 2.90 meters |
| Trunk Volume | 470 to 1520 liters |
| Frunk Volume | 75 liters |
| Price (Starting) | €68,800 (Performance model) |
Final Thoughts: Has Audi Advanced Through Technology?
After 700 kilometers through Bavaria and the deep-green folds of the Franconian Forest, the answer is… yes. But with asterisks.
The Audi Q6 e-tron is a real car. It’s not just a tech experiment on wheels. It feels premium enough, drives beautifully, rides like a dream, and offers range figures that kill off anxiety. But you do notice the cost-cutting. You miss a bit of the old Audi magic in the details.
Still, it’s better than a Model Y in refinement, more engaging than a Mercedes EQE SUV, and feels more grown up than anything from the Chinese upstarts. It’s an electric SUV for people who like driving, not just ticking off range stats.
If you’re in the market for a solid, elegant EV that won’t shout, but will deliver, the Q6 e-tron should be at the top of your list.
Is the Q6 e-tron available with all-wheel drive?
Yes, the e-tron quattro and SQ6 e-tron models offer dual-motor AWD setups. The Performance variant tested here is rear-wheel drive.
How fast does it charge?
With its 800V system, the Q6 can charge up to 270 kW on a DC fast charger , meaning 225 km of range in about 10 minutes.
What’s the real-world range like?
In our test through mixed terrain, we achieved around 565 km on a full charge, very close to the WLTP figure.
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