Audi Q6 e-tron overview: Good

In terms of all-electric SUVs, I’ve been quite spoiled for alternative lately and Audi take a look at automobiles have continuously sat exterior my home. First, there was the quite too-big-for-my-needs Q8 e-tron, which was adopted intently by the Q4 e-tron. The latter was smaller and extra manageable. Now I’ve had a while the Q6 e-tron, which is a mid-size all-electric SUV that, after every week dwelling with it, feels completely suited to me.

The Q6 e-tron shares a lot in widespread with the Porsche Macan Electrical, but it surely additionally cohabits a crowded market area with the likes of the BMW iX3 and the Mercedes EQE SUV. Though the feel and appear of the Q6 e-tron isn’t dramatically completely different to the opposite Audi automobiles I discussed above, it does really feel like a more energizing and extra full package deal than these older fashions. It may be new, however there are additionally loads of acquainted touches that remind me why I like these different SUVs a lot.

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Audi Q6 e-tron

The Audi Q6 e-tron is the proper all-electric SUV for these available in the market for a mid-size automotive. It isn’t one of the environment friendly EVs you should buy, and the vary isn’t dazzling. However, the Q6 is quiet, snug and enjoyable to drive. Audi has accomplished sufficient on the styling entrance to make it appear more energizing than the This fall and Q8 fashions, whereas performance from issues just like the infotainment system and controls assist retain a well-known really feel.

Professionals

• Contemporary new design with loads of polish
• Speedy efficiency when it?s wanted
• Dimension is ideal for common SUV followers

Cons

• Effectivity and vary feels good quite than nice
• Inside finishes are sensible quite than premium
• Quattro and premium trim fashions are costly

Value, specs, and availability

The Audi Q6 e-tron quattro 285kW Launch mannequin seen right here, completed in metallic Ascari blue, prices £86,440 (simply over $115,000). As you’d count on for a take a look at automotive, it comes with all the extra extras, which suggests a extra inexpensive specification of the automotive might be out there for much less. In actual fact, the most affordable variant is the Sport trim, which nonetheless comes with a number of excellent issues, together with 19-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry, and a warmth pump for round £60,000 (round $80,000).

Design and Construct

Higher to have a look at in and out

Whereas the Q6 e-tron doesn’t look dramatically completely different from both the This fall or Q8, my take a look at automotive did look just a little extra fancy. The entrance finish particularly was cool, which was helped by slender matrix LED headlights that labored extremely nicely after darkish. My take a look at automotive was in a engaging metallic blue colour, and it was so good to get away from the grey or black hues that many Audis are completed in.

The tail finish of the Q6 e-tron appears equally honed, so it’s immediately recognizable however seems extra refined. One other issue that improves the looks of my take a look at automotive is the large alloy wheels and tires, which had been 21-inch and a step-up (fairly actually) from the extra commonplace subject 19-inch variants. The sample of the wheels, mixed with rigorously chosen again trim prospers across the exterior assist to make it appear like a cultured concoction.

I wanted to load the trunk with an array of various packing containers through the week I had the Q6 and it was nice for storage. The trunk space proved greater than up for the problem, and by dropping one facet of the rear seats, I received much more stuff in. With loads of area for 4 or 5 individuals, this mannequin is a good choice for households too.

A refreshing inside

Nearly as good because it ever was

I’ve loved all of the current Audi fashions, particularly in terms of the inside. The Q6 e-tron is not any exception, with a feel and look that’s on par with the opposite automobiles. Granted, there’s nonetheless some shiny plastic that displays in brilliant mild and various much less premium plastic in lots of places. That is an costly automotive, so some would possibly discover {that a} minor irritation. Nevertheless, I liked sitting within the cockpit, with its splendidly snug driver and passenger seats providing a commanding view of the highway.

Seat coverings, each on the entrance and within the rear, really feel barely much less premium, however the upside to that’s they need to be sturdy sufficient to tackle the mixed assault of children and pets. That is an SUV in any case, so it’s more likely to be handled to loads of outside crud too, which mixed with the kind of mess generated by households on board ought to imply the inside will survive. There’s some high-end fluff on provide too, with the likes of ambient lighting and loads of enjoyable available from the infotainment screens.

The expertise breakdown

Tried and examined tech that works

Whereas there’s been a backlash concerning the quantity of controls which can be hidden inside infotainment screens now, Audi does a pleasant job of providing a combination. So, there are many many buttons and knobs for finishing up on a regular basis duties, however tech followers will love the display extravaganza discovered inside this mannequin.

There’s a sensible 11.9-inch digital cockpit in entrance of the motive force’s wheel, which is supplemented by a central 14.5-inch OLED touchscreen. That is shaped into the identical panel, so it really works nice for the motive force. Entrance seat passengers don’t get ignored although, as there’s one other 10.9-inch touchscreen on their facet, which is straightforward to overlook if it’s not energetic. It is a helpful approach for passengers to tweak settings to swimsuit their very own facet of the automotive.

I stored on being stunned by a neat little characteristic which was the speaker within the headrest of my seat. This meant a girl’s voice would often begin warning me of potential hazards and delays on my route as I carried out my week-long highway take a look at. On prime of that, there was additionally a head-up show on this automotive, which means that anybody with a penchant for visuals ought to head for the premium finish of the Q6 e-tron quattro trim vary.

Battery, vary and efficiency

Effectivity is sweet however not nice

I believe among the finest issues concerning the Q6 e-tron is the way in which it may possibly rise up and go. The all-wheel drive quattro automotive actually feels desirous to get on down the freeway and, every time I floored the accelerator, it greater than lived as much as Audi’s official stat of 0 to 60mph in 5.9 seconds.

Charging will be accomplished as much as 270kW, which suggests it needs to be straightforward to recharge on the go. In actual fact, discover a type of fast chargers, and this process will be accomplished from 10 to 80% in round 20 minutes. The official vary for the 94.9kWh usable energy from the battery is 382 miles, although throughout my time with the automotive, that determine appeared much less achievable in real-world use. I are inclined to drive EVs fairly gently, often as a result of I’m aware of the place I’m going to cost, besides, the massive and heavy really feel of the Q6 did like munching by the kilowatts.

Nonetheless, I did assume the Q6 was an awesome automotive to drive. It’s easy to drive on common roads, and after I hit backroads, it was much more enjoyable. It is a extra agile SUV than the quite lumbering Q8 e-tron, which felt just a little too huge for me. Higher nonetheless, as soon as I’d lived with it for some time, the Q6 e-tron received even higher, with brake regen working to nice impact after I slowed to junctions or behind slower-moving site visitors.

Must you purchase the Audi Q6 e-tron?

This must be my favourite of the Quattro fashions I’ve examined lately. It feels nearly proper on the dimensions entrance, whereas additionally being filled with a lot of nice options and features. I’ve liked driving the Audi Q6 e-tron 285kW Launch mannequin too. It’s a straightforward factor to get round in and has loads of efficiency plus grip, because of the beefy battery and four-wheel drive. It’s costly, however high quality prices, proper?

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Audi Q6 e-tron