Audi Q6 e-tron assessment: Good

In relation to all-electric SUVs, I’ve been moderately spoiled for alternative lately and Audi check automobiles have regularly sat exterior my home. First, there was the moderately 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 per week dwelling with it, feels completely suited to me.

The Q6 e-tron shares a lot in widespread with the Porsche Macan Electrical, however it 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 brisker 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 right all-electric SUV for these out there for a mid-size automobile. It isn’t one of the vital environment friendly EVs you should purchase, and the vary isn’t dazzling. Nonetheless, the Q6 is quiet, snug and enjoyable to drive. Audi has accomplished sufficient on the styling entrance to make it appear brisker than the This autumn 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
• Fast efficiency when it?s wanted
• Measurement is ideal for common SUV followers

Cons

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

Worth, 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 check automobile, it comes with all the extra extras, which implies a extra reasonably priced specification of the automobile will probably be out there for much less. In reality, the most cost effective 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 take a look at inside and outside

Whereas the Q6 e-tron doesn’t look dramatically completely different from both the This autumn or Q8, my check automobile did look just a little extra fancy. The entrance finish particularly was cool, which was helped by slender matrix LED headlights that labored extremely properly after darkish. My check automobile was in a engaging metallic blue shade, 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 check automobile is the big alloy wheels and tires, which had been 21-inch and a step-up (fairly actually) from the extra normal challenge 19-inch variants. The sample of the wheels, mixed with fastidiously chosen again trim thrives across the exterior assist to make it appear to be a cultured concoction.

I wanted to load the trunk with an array of various 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 bought 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 latest Audi fashions, particularly in the case of the inside. The Q6 e-tron is not any exception, with a appear and feel that’s on par with the opposite automobiles. Granted, there’s nonetheless some shiny plastic that displays in brilliant gentle and various much less premium plastic in lots of areas. That is an costly automobile, so some would possibly discover {that a} minor irritation. Nonetheless, I beloved sitting within the cockpit, with its splendidly snug driver and passenger seats providing a commanding view of the street.

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 prone to be handled to loads of outside crud too, which mixed with the type of mess generated by households on board ought to imply the inside will continue to exist. There’s some high-end fluff on supply 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 simple to overlook if it’s not energetic. It is a useful means for passengers to tweak settings to swimsuit their very own facet of the automobile.

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 street check. On prime of that, there was additionally a head-up show on this automobile, that 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 feel among the finest issues concerning the Q6 e-tron is the best way it could actually stand up and go. The all-wheel drive quattro automobile actually feels desperate 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 implies it needs to be simple to recharge on the go. In reality, discover a kind 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 automobile, 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 conscious of the place I’m going to cost, besides, the large and heavy really feel of the Q6 did like munching by way of the kilowatts.

Nonetheless, I did suppose the Q6 was an incredible automobile 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 moderately 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 bought even higher, with brake regen working to nice impact after I slowed to junctions or behind slower-moving site visitors.

Do you have to purchase the Audi Q6 e-tron?

This needs to be my favourite of the Quattro fashions I’ve examined lately. It feels nearly proper on the scale entrance, whereas additionally being full of a lot of nice options and capabilities. I’ve beloved 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