Audi Q6 e-tron first drive: quiet luxurious

We had a primary drive within the model new Audi Q6 e-tron electrical SUV and skilled the German EV’s quiet luxurious.

The Q6 e-tron completes Audi’s electrical SUV lineup flanked by the This fall on the smaller aspect and the Q8 on the larger aspect.

It’s additionally the primary Audi on the PPE platform, a brand new EV platform co-developed by Audi and Porsche.

We already explored the tech behind this platform and the Q6 particularly in a preview earlier this 12 months. Subsequently, we are going to deal with the driving expertise on this article, however for individuals who desire a fast refresher, right here’s a abstract of the Q6 e-tron:

The Audi Q6 e‑tron has a size of 4,771 millimeters (15.6 ft), a width of 1,993 millimeters (6.5 ft) and a peak of 1,648 millimeters (5.4 ft) – making it only a smidge greater than the favored Tesla Mannequin Y.

Audi Q6 e-tron Driving impressions

Disclosure: Audi paid for my flights to and from Spain, and my lodge keep in order that I may expertise of the Q6 e-tron. The corporate had no say in our reporting, nor did it ask to.

Final month, Audi introduced me to Bilbao, Spain, to check out the Q6 e-tron. As I wrote in my first take a look at the brand new electrical SUV, I used to be impressed with the specs, design, and packaging of the automobile.

On paper, it’s laborious to discover a draw back to the Q6. Perhaps the truth that it doesn’t have native NACS, nevertheless it’s coming to market a bit too early for that. Like each different non-Tesla EV in North America, it must use an adapter to make use of the Supercharger community.

Apart from that, you get 300 miles of vary, an ideal fast-charging curve, a easy but lovely design, an opulent inside, and all of Audi’s newest enhancements in person interface.

Contemplating all of that, I used to be trying ahead to driving the Q6 and it didn’t disappoint.

First off, my favourite function is simply how quiet the Q6’s cabin is. That’s luxurious for me. Clearly, you hear wind and tire noises extra in an electrical automobile due to the lowered powertrain noises.

Isolating the cabin and lowering noise is much more vital for premium manufacturers like Audi, and the German automaker did an ideal job with the Q6.

Freeway driving in Q6 was largely straightforward and unremarkable, which is usually what you’d need. I notably loved the heads-up show. It’s vivid and extremely adjustable, so it could possibly match your most well-liked driving place. I ended up not often trying on the instrument cluster, because the HUD saved essentially the most related info proper in my eyeline.

Issues acquired a bit extra thrilling when driving the SQ6 up the mountain roads round Bilbao. The sports activities model’s suspension is tuned a bit extra aggressively and with over 500 hp, there’s loads of capability for enjoyable within the Q6 e-tron.

The chassis feels robust, however not too stiff. We had been ziggaging up and down the mountain and this is able to usually set off some movement illness for me, however at the same time as a passenger, it didn’t occur within the Q6.

The Q6 additionally has a robust 220 kW regenerative braking, and to my enjoyment, Audi is bringing a real one-pedal driving expertise to the Q6 e-tron. You possibly can select between 4 totally different ranges of regen braking. I largely left it in one-pedal driving as a result of that’s how I choose to drive, however there’s one thing for everybody with 4 ranges.

Once I take a look at EVs from legacy automakers, the person interface is usually the largest draw back. Tesla’s software-centric method has pushed the business to enhance on that entrance and Audi has taken notes.

This newest infotainment system is far improved. It’s a pleasant blended of bodily buttons and touchscreen-based options, which are actually extra responsive and intuitive.

Audi can also be enhancing its voice command and Ai assistant with options powered by ChatGPT. The voice instructions had some points with my French Canadian accent, nevertheless it in any other case labored properly.

Audi Q6 e-tron Value and Availability

Precise pricing and availability haven’t been launched simply but, however it’s now launching in Europe and in North America towards the tip of the 12 months.

As for pricing, Audi has restricted its communication to “between the This fall and Q8,” which begins at $50,995 and $73,700, respectively.

Electrek’s Take

Whereas I don’t have a lot criticism for the Q6, with out the worth, I can’t declare it’s an ideal automobile value-wise as a result of finally, its worth is determined by pricing.

Clearly, it gained’t be as low cost as a Mannequin Y or Mustang Mach-E, however I’d argue that it’s extra luxurious.

Briefly, if you’d like an opulent electrical SUV with 300 miles of vary, an ideal charging curve, a quiet driving cabin, the Audi Q6 delivers on all of that in an exquisite package deal.

In the end, I wouldn’t be stunned if it turns into Audi’s best-selling mannequin in North America.