The extra “S” in the Audi SQ6 e-tron badge doesn’t stand for showy. This is currently the fastest and most lavish version of Audi’s new pure-electric SUV, yet you wouldn’t necessarily know it. It’s understated in the extreme, and continues the brand’s current trend of not even having a grille badge denoting it's part of the S-club.
Click here to read our review of the Audi Q6 e-tron
In fact, you might be hard pressed to even know it’s electric, especially now that there’s a brand new combustion-engine SQ5 on the market that looks very similar. The SQ6 e-tron retains a traditional-look Audi grille, albeit one that’s pretty much blanked-off. But yes, such things are still important for the visual character of premium brands.
The SQ6 e-tron is the most performance-focused of the new Q6 e-tron SUV range - at least until the inevitable RS arrives. Just to be clear (because Audi lost the plot around its model names there for a while), the Q6/SQ6 “e-tron” is a battery-electric SUV, and a sister lineup to the combustion-based Q5/SQ5. Make sense?
They all look quite similar, but they’re based on different platforms. The SQ6 rides on the Volkswagen Group’s Premium Platform Electric (PPE), a whole new architecture. Which is mainly only interesting in this context because that means it’s also a sister model to the Porsche Macan Electric.
The SQ6 e-tron is the most performance-focused of the new Q6 e-tron SUV range - at least until the inevitable RS arrives.
They’re not exactly the same underneath; even the rear motor is packaged differently between the two. So it’s not worth getting bogged down in comparisons, except to say that the SQ6 e-tron price looks pretty sharp: at $169,990 with 360kW and 0-100km/h in 4.4 seconds, it’s virtually the same price as the less powerful Macan 4 ($168,400, 300kW, 5.2sec) and a lot less expensive than the more logical Macan-rival, the 4S ($184,400, 330kW, 4.1sec).
Subtle it is, but the SQ6 comes well-dressed all the same. There’s a unique “S model” styling kit attached (including branding on the brake calipers, in red for an extra $1000 as per our test car), signature-S matt chrome side mirrors and 21-inch Audi Sport wheels.
Audi is on record saying the Q6 was designed with the emphasis on the occupant experience inside, and with the new curved screen setup across the dashboard it must be said the whole thing is stunning.
All Q6s have Matrix LED headlights with customisable daytime running light displays, but the SQ6 also gets the full OLED rear lamps with multiple signatures. Pretty fancy.
Inside, the SQ6 gets “sports seats plus” with massage function, unique Nappa leather upholstery, Dinamica trim elements on the dashboard and Carbon Micro-Twill inlays. Audi is on record saying the Q6 was designed with the emphasis on the occupant experience inside, and with the new curved screen setup across the dashboard it must be said the whole thing is stunning. It’s as much a luxury SUV as a performance model.
The SQ6 can feel staggeringly fast if you want it to, complete with that EV trick of slamming you into the back of the seat in alarming fashion from low speed.
The new infotainment OS is deeply impressive, with a whole new world of apps… including games to keep you occupied while you’re waiting to charge. Although the maximum 270kW DC rate is very fast indeed.
There are some neat touches in the instrumentation, like the massive augmented-reality head-up display (30% larger than the previous generation of Audi models) that’s used to great effect. When you encounter a new posted speed limit for example, the HUD waves an animation of it in front of your face momentarily to get your attention, then it floats down to replace the existing number.
The SQ6 can feel staggeringly fast if you want it to, complete with that EV trick of slamming you into the back of the seat in alarming fashion from low speed.
But in the appropriate drive settings, it can also deliver dramatic performance in such a measured fashion, you’ll need to watch the digital speed readout very closely. Surreal straight-line and cornering speed is achieved with worrying ease.
Adaptive air suspension is standard from the S line upwards, but the SQ6 has its own S state of suspension tune that ties things down even tighter. Not at the expense of urban ride, though. And while a lot of very fast dual-motor EVs can feel grippy but detached, the SQ6 e-tron manages to impart a fair bit of nuance in its extreme cornering ability.
Audi has already signalled that the forthcoming RS Q6 e-tron will be much more aggressive and significantly bolder in every respect. Surprise, surprise. We’d be surprised if it can top the SQ6’s combination of performance prowess and out-of-the-box dynamic ability. This thing is sheer class.
