For many years, Audi has produced stellar vehicles under the moniker Vorsprung durch Technik – “Progress through Technology.”
Vorsprung durch Technik continues – expressed through the all-new 2025 Q6 e-tron and high-performance SQ6 e-tron, which strongly represent the German marque’s eventual move towards full electrification. Both models feature advanced technology, greater range, and as one would expect in any Audi model; impressive safety, handling and performance dynamics.
The 2025 Q6/SQ6 e-trons are the first Audi models built on the all-new Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture, and both feature improvements to electric motor and battery technology with higher efficiency and performance over the first generation of Audi EVs.
Audi Q6/SQ6 Exterior
The Audi Q6/SQ6 e-tron share the same basic styling, with the SQ6 offering more performance oriented features like larger wheel options. Both are extremely handsome.
The new e-trons combine a long wheelbase with very short overhangs, well-sculpted front and rear fenders, and hood and side panels that integrate crisp creases and edges.
Up front, new digital daytime running lights above the optional LED headlights are arrayed in a quad light format with up to eight available headlight signatures to create your own custom front look.
At the rear, six panel digital OLED taillights can generate a new image every ten milliseconds using a specially developed algorithm. This active signature creates an impression that the car is alive and awake. In addition to the active signature, seven additional static designs can be selected by the driver to customize the look of their vehicle, selectable from the new Audi MMI and via the myAudi app. This may sound like useless tech, but demonstrations put on by Audi showed the usefulness and safety benefits of the customizable front and rear lights.
The Q6 e-tron comes standard with 19-inch wheels, with optional 20-inch designs; while the SQ6 comes standard with 20-inch, 10-spoke-trapezoid style wheels; with 21-inch bi-color, darkened five-arm-aero design wheels.
Audi Q6/SQ6 Interiors
With the new PPE architecture, the five-seat interiors of both models are a very good place to be as they offer considerable space for both occupants and luggage.
As one would expect in any Audi, high-quality envelopes the interior. Materials used were selected by Audi from a functional point of view and to ensure a clear design differentiation between the various areas of the interior. Comfort-oriented areas are designed with generous surfaces and soft materials. In contrast, control areas such as the center screen area and center console are outfitted with a high-gloss black treatment.
During the media drive event, there were three of us (including myself at 6’9”) with heights over 6’6”. It was cool to have 6’8” media colleague sit (and fit) behind me with my driver’s seat fully rearward. That’s never happened before in a sport-ute this size.
Impressive!
For additional cargo capacity, the rear seats can be folded down separately in a 40:20:40 configuration. With the rear seats upright, there is decent room for luggage or golf clubs.
Audi Q6/SQ6 Technology
The Q6 e-tron models fully connected digital interior is based on Audi’s new “E3 1.2” electronic architecture called the Digital Stage. The Digital Stage features an 11.9-inch Audi OLED virtual driver’s display and a 14.5-inch OLED center touchscreen, both integrated into a curved panoramic housing.
And for the first time in an Audi, the Q6/SQ6 e-tron offers an optional 10.9-inch MMI passenger LCD display on both models to complement the Digital Stage. The front passenger display features Active Privacy Mode, which integrates active shuttering technology to prevent it from distracting the driver while moving images are displayed and the vehicle is in motion. This allows the front passenger to stream films or other video content, assist with navigation, or help find a charging station.
The Audi Digital Stage can be further extended with an available second-generation Augmented Reality Head-up Display. It reflects an image on the windshield towards the driver, showing relevant information such as speed, traffic signs, assistance, and navigation symbols overlaid on the road ahead. To the driver, the display appears to float in front of the vehicle as if projected on an 88-inch display; certain content the driver may perceive as up to 650 feet down the road. The image is now also brighter and provides more content, including media titles and charge status.
While driving along various scenic routes along California’ Pacific Coast Highway, the benefits of the new, clearer HUD were very noticeable.
For example, the navigation symbols (including Augmented Reality bright/green blue arrows) were a godsend on some of the most confusing road stretches. My favorite feature is when the speed limit (which is displayed in the HUD) changes. Let’s say the speed limit was 45 mph and suddenly went down to 25 mph. In the e-tron HUD, the new speed limit alerts you to the change in speed in larger format before it shrinks to normal size so you’re not caught off guard in case you missed the road sign. You have to see it to fully understand it, but this is useful tech that can help avoid accidents, or tickets.
The new Audi infotainment system offers over-the-air update capability and the latest Audi Connect services are standard. Additionally apps such as YouTube, Spotify, and Zoom are available via the Audi App store and can be integrated directly into the MMI without using a smartphone.
The all-new infotainment system is available (also part of the comprehensive Prestige Package) with two different Bang & Olufsen Premium sound systems, with up to 830-watts of impressive sound. On models with the optional sport seats, the premium sound system drives 20 loudspeakers, including four integrated into the front-seat headrests, enabling audio to be routed for phone calls or specific cues such as navigation. You can select audio through the driver-mounted headrest speakers to hear navigation commands, a perfect complement to the crystal clear HUD directions you can also receive. Call the pairing of both technologies “Batman and Robin,” as they are indeed a perfect pair.
A new self-learning voice-activated system called Audi Assistant also plays a prominent role in the e-tron’s tech savvy interior. Audi Assistant activity is displayed using an avatar in the central touchscreen, as well as in the Augmented Reality HUD. The new voice assistant controls more than 800 functions, with more than 100 possible voice commands, and has the ability to understand 23 different languages — a plus in America’s constantly evolving demographic profile. The system can also be activated via the myAudi app.
Another super cool interior tech feature is a LED, 48 element light strip spanning the full width of the lower windshield and extending into the A-pillars.
The light communicates in different colors a host of information including directional cues for navigation, hazard warnings and charging status cues, visible outside the vehicle. I really like this feature, as Level 2 home charger customers can literally look at the windshield to discern charging status (as well as via the myAudi app).
Audi Q6/SQ6 Safety
Audi has always been known for its impressive safety features and high-rated crash test results. As expected, the Q6 e-tron line offers a wide range of standard safety features, including many active safety features that significantly help improve driver, occupant and pedestrian safety.
Q6/SQ6 e-tron standard key safety features include Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Change Warning, Exit Warning, Collision Avoidance Assist, Emergency Brake Assist, Traffic Sign Recognition, Swerve Assist, Front Turn Assist, a Distraction and Drowsiness Warning System and much more.
Additional significant safety features include Rear Turn Assist, which can help prevent or mitigate collisions by alerting you about cyclists or other vehicles approaching from behind, and Rear Occupant Detection, which can help prevent unintentionally leaving a child, senior or pet unattended in the back seat. Optional Adaptive Cruise Assist Plus combines the functions of adaptive cruise control and the Lane Keeping Assistant helps with acceleration, maintaining speed, keeping safe following distances, as well as lane guidance by using radar sensors, a front camera, and ultrasonic sensors.
Audi Q6 e-tron/SQ6 e-tron Pricing
Q6 pricing begins at $65,800, while SQ6 models start at $72,900; exclusive of a $1,295 Destination & delivery charge for both trims.
Q6/SQ6 Performance
The 2025 Q6 e-tron quattro and SQ6 e-tron both come standard with all-wheel drive. The Q6 e-tron quattro offers 422 horsepower (456 horsepower with launch control), with a 0-60 mph time of 4.9 seconds with launch control from its pair of front and rear electric motors. Top speed is 130 mph, with 307 miles of electric range.
The SQ6 e-tron makes 483 horsepower (509 horsepower with launch control) delivering a 0-60 mph time of 4.1 seconds with launch control, a 143 mph top speed, and electric range of 275 miles. In addition to more power, the SQ6 comes standard with 20-inch wheels (with 21-inch wheels available), red brake calipers, and a sport adaptive air suspension.
Our test drive routes from Healdsburg, California, through Dillon Beach, and along scenic twisty roads really showcased the “Q’s” stellar handing and performance DNA. Oh, and the weather was nasty, cold and wet, which really brought out the best in both trim’s well-dialed-in chassis. And while the SQ6 is clearly the performance leader, both models offered impressive acceleration and great traction, even at higher speeds on wet roads.
Both the Q6 e-tron and SQ6 e-tron models are rated to tow up to 4,400 pounds.
Battery size and charging capabilities
As part of its new PPE architecture, the 2025 Q6 e-tron features new 800 volt battery structure. A 270kW DC fast charging rate can charge from a 10 to 80 percent in 21 minutes, with up to 135 miles of additional range added in roughly 10 minutes at a 270 kW-equipped DC fast charging station.
If a charging station works with 400V technology, the Q6 e-tron can also, for the first time, enable bank charging. The 800V battery is automatically divided into two batteries at equal voltage, which can then be charged in parallel up to 135 kW. Depending on the state of charge, both halves of the battery are first equalized and then charged simultaneously, shortening overall recharge times.
The Q6 e-tron also features the Plug & Charge function. At compatible Electrify America charging stations and when activated in an account, the Plug & Charge feature will automatically authorize usage when the charging plug is inserted into the vehicle, eliminating the need to pay at the charger.
Additional battery juice comes from the standard regenerative braking system which has five different modes, including a true One-Pedal Drive “B”-mode that will bring the vehicle to a complete stop with no low-speed creeping.
Availability by Q4 2024
The 2025 Audi Q6 e-tron and SQ6 e-tron arrive in U.S. showrooms before the end of 2024.
Our fully loaded Q6 and SQ6 media drive vehicles were equipped with the $6,800 (Q6)/$6400 (SQ6) Prestige Package, including:
Q6
- Adaptive air suspension
- Adaptive cruise control
- Acoustic front door glass
- Comfort pre-conditioning
- Heated steering wheel with hands on detection
- Aforementioned Augmented reality HUD
- Aforementioned 10.9-inch MMI passenger screen
- Panoramic glass sunroof
- Top view camera system that offers a 360-degree view around
- And more
SQ6
- Adaptive Cruise control
- Acoustic front door glass
- Augmented Reality HUD
- Comfort pre-conditioning
- Heated steering wheel with hands on detection
- Digital OLED taillights
- Top line, 20 speaker B&O audio system with aforementioned headrest speakers
- 9-inch MMI passenger screen
- Panoramic glass sunroof
- Top view camera system that offers a 360-degree view around
- And more
On the Q6, the 20 speaker B&O audio system with headrest speakers is part of the $1,300 Warm Weather package which also includes manual rear sunshades, ventilated front sport seats and brown “Sweetgum” natural wood inlays.
