Audi Q6 e-tron quattro S Line review: Audi partner

Dean Evans
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Specifications

See All See All
Base price
$155,990
Body type
sport utility vehicle
Boot Capacity
526
Maximum power kW
285
Maximum torque Nm
580
Towing (Tonnes)
2.4
Pros
  • Lots of power and performance
  • Interior layout and function
  • Fun screen and HUD games
Cons
  • Thirsty at speed and with A/C
  • Finnicky electric charge flaps
  • Radar cruise undertaking

Sometimes, strong family ties has its privileges. Such is the Audi Q6 e-tron, Audi’s all-electric SUV that uses the same platform as the Porsche Macan Electric.

Audi Q6 e-tron quattro S Line.
AUDI Q6 E-TRON QUATTRO S LINE: Powertrain 94.9kWh battery with dual electric motors, single-speed, AWD Output 285kW/580Nm Efficiency Range 567km (WLTP) Size 4771mm long, 2200kg Price $155,990.

The Porsche arrived in NZ in 2024. Each brand carves out its own niche, and the Audi Q6 e-tron does a very good job at not just differentiating itself from its underpin-paired Porsche, but doing more than enough to create its own identity.

This is an Audi GT with SUV styling, says the brand; typically bold while slightly understated, it’s muscles with meek, especially in the quattro S Line version we tested.

For a start, the two models sit in their own price pockets: this S Line is $155,990, while the rear-drive Advanced Q6 is $134,990. Its full electric drivetrain is good for 285kW, and via quattro, 0-100km/h in 5.9 seconds.

Audi Q6 e-tron quattro S Line.
Curved screen maintains same distance to driver across its width.

The interior is full of great gear, with a driver-focused cockpit headlined by a curved main display designed to offer the same at-arm’s-arc across the screen’s width. Functionality improvements include navigation instructions that come through the speakers in the headrest, careful not to rudely intrude over the Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system.

It’s muscles with meek, especially in the quattro S Line version we tested.

There’s a bespoke display for the front passenger, offering additional extras such as YouTube and Spotify and controls of the infotainment, with a polarised screen so the driver isn’t distracted while on the move.

Audi Q6 e-tron quattro S Line.
HUD games are simple but fun, help pass the time at chargers.

There are also some cute functions within the display, such as full-colour racing games, and even a pair of games within the driver head-up display: an easy but unique space shuttle tunnel game, and a challenging 3D cube squash game. They’re ideal for whittling away hours at public DC chargers.

We netted 21kW with a lot of motorway driving; that’s still good for over 450km on the highway, and 500km around the ’burbs.

The 270kW max charge rate minimises that wait time, filling the 95kW battery. AC charge ports are located on both sides, with the DC port on the left, so less of a chance for a long charge lead to trip someone up at home. Plus, when approaching public charge points and/or stopping, the screen handily prompts you to open the charging flap, which is important as they’re electrically operated and can be a bit tricky with exterior touch-operation. Charging level is also easily identified by the strip of green mood lighting that spans the dash.

Audi Q6 e-tron quattro S Line.
Range is over 500km and Q6 e-tron can charge fast, at up 270kW.

Range is over 500km, and though Audi claims 18.7kW/100km, we netted a figure of 21kW with a lot of motorway driving; that’s still good for over 450km on the highway, and 500km around the ’burbs.

There is no manual regeneration adjustment, however simply flicking the shifter into B mode activates the max regen/one-pedal mode.

The motorway also highlights a Euro quirk, with the radar cruise control’s reluctance to undertake cars, which is only an issue in NZ given the majority of Kiwi who sit in the overtaking lane. It’s easy enough to override the accelerator, but a few times it had the Audi slowing and sitting.

Audi Q6 e-tron quattro S Line.
Looks and feels premium - and it's a whole generation of Audi EVs.

There’s a cluster of buttons on the driver’s door, which first appear both haptic and excessive, but closer inspection reveals them to be the set-once or seldom-used buttons: seat position and memory, mirrors, headlights and door locking.

Another great feature of the Q6 e-tron is its next generation head-up display: along with those games, it’s a large display that shows not just the speed limit and radar cruise control functions, but augmented reality navigation. It does, however, always default to the middle radar cruise control distance, but maybe that’s a setting deeper in the system than we had time to delve.

I say that, because there are settings and more settings within the touchscreen: close to 100 options, and it’s quite easy to get lost, or not find again what you had a moment ago. Owners should take the time to tinker and tailor.

As far as functionality goes, it’s as one would expect of a premium Audi, with additions like rear door sun blinds, large panoramic sunroof and a big boot offering 526 to 1529 litres; plus a 64 litre frunk.

The electric powertrain offers the versatility of economy or power at the press of the pedal. There are drive modes, but the power of the S Line quattro is on tap, and acceleration is plentiful, sitting in a sweet spot of being just right: about ideal for a family SUV with kids prone to motion sickness.

Using the A/C system does sap around 5-8% of the EV range. There is no manual regeneration adjustment, however simply flicking the shifter into B mode activates the max regen/one-pedal mode.

There’s also the tow rating of 2400kg braked. Yes, yes, we know about the effect on range, but that’s a user/application issue.

While the Q6 e-tron might have a Porsche platform, it’s really doing quite a remarkable job highlighting what an impressive, unique and rather awesome SUV the Audi Q6 e-tron truly is.

For more information on the Audi Q6 e-tron, click here.

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