Audi Q6 e-tron review: More than just a pretty face?

Join us as we take a closer look at the Audi Q6 e-tron - beautiful on the outside, but what about the rest?

The Audi Q6 e-tron turns heads with its looks, but there's more to the story than just good looks. After all, we can't judge a book by its cover, and you'll be spending a lot more time driving it than looking at it.

When this beauty of a car arrived on the Carparison forecourt in stunning Ascari Blue with Mythos Black trim, heads turned, jaws dropped, and everyone was rearing to hop in the driver's seat and give it a whizz.

But did it live up to expectations? Or was it a flop?

Read on to find out.

What we drove:

Model: Audi Q6 e-tron Sport quattro
Power: Electric (285 kW / 388 PS, 462 PS with launch control)
Battery: 100 kWh
Range: Up to 389 miles (WLTP Comb)
Acceleration: 0-62 mph in 5.4 seconds
Colour: Ascari Blue metallic with Mythos Black bumpers
Price from: £69,515

Specifications correct at the time of publication

Stunning looks that live up to the hype

Let's start with what the Audi Q6 e-tron absolutely nails: its spectacular looks.

When it arrived at Carparison HQ in the metallic Ascari Blue with Mythos Black bumpers, it literally stopped people in their tracks.

The colour combination is genuinely stunning – the blue shifts beautifully in different lighting, catching depth and richness that photos struggle to capture, while the black trim adds just the right amount of aggression without tipping into racer-boy territory.

This is genuinely one of the best-looking electric SUVs on the market right now.

At 4.8 metres long, the Q6 e-tron has proper road presence, yet the clean lines and sleek profile prevent it feeling bulky or heavy-handed.

The signature Audi front end translates beautifully into the EV era, while the full-width rear light bar is distinctive without being gimmicky. Those flush door handles sit seamlessly into the bodywork, adding to the premium, aerodynamic feel.

It's one of those rare cars that looks great in photos, but see it in the flesh and just – wow.

If visual impact matters to you, we can vouch that it’ll turn heads at traffic lights and look fantastic on your driveway.

But here's the thing about cars: you'll spend far more time sitting in it driving than admiring it from the outside.

So, what’s it like inside the Audi Q6 e-tron?

High-quality finish, low-tech features

Step inside the Audi Q6 e-tron and it looks premium enough – typically Audi.

You're greeted by an 11.9-inch driver's display and a 14.5-inch wraparound infotainment touchscreen. There’s even an optional 10.9-inch passenger screen, giving you three screens across the dashboard. It's everything you'd expect from this premium German brand.

The head-up display takes some getting used to. Initially it's a tad distracting, displaying information right in your line of view. But once you adjust to it, it becomes genuinely useful and you'll wonder how you lived without it.

There are physical buttons too – not many, but enough to make the setup intuitive. No hunting through the infotainment screen just to turn on the hazards or adjust basic settings. Refreshing, we know.

The automatic wipers aren't quite so automatic, though. They turn on when it rains, sure, but then you've got a dial to manually select how heavy the rain is. It's an odd halfway-house approach that defeats the point of "automatic" wipers.

The centre console offers decent storage for all your bits, and the cupholders can be covered when not in use to maintain that clean, minimal look.

But here's what we didn't expect: manual seats.

Most cars – even Audi's smaller, cheaper Q3 e-hybrid – have electric adjustments for the front seats. But not the Q6. It's gone retro. Pump it up with a lever, pull another to slide forward or backward. You’ll have to spec up for electric adjustments.

There's plenty of space in the back, though. The rear seats are comfortable with generous legroom, and the middle seat even folds down to reveal cupholders for your passengers.

The 526-litre boot is practical enough for family use, and there's an optional 64-litre front boot available if you want separate storage for charging cables.

Material quality is good – soft-touch plastics, faux leather dashboard – but not exceptional for the price. Audi used to set the benchmark for premium interiors, but the Q6 feels more in line with mainstream rivals than matching the standards of older Audis or the Polestar 3.

It's nice, just not £70k nice. But with Audi, you’re paying for the badge and the prestige that comes with it.

Does it drive as good as it looks?

So, how does the Q6 e-tron actually perform when you're behind the wheel?

Well, hop in, put your foot down, and you can definitely feel the weight of this thing.

Despite the claimed 0-62mph time of 5.4 seconds (which should feel properly quick), there's a sluggishness to the initial response that makes the car feel considerably heavier than its performance figures suggest.

It's not-so-instant torque in this beast of an SUV – lacking that neck-snapping rush you get from typical EVs. Though this could make it a decent stepping stone for those transitioning from combustion to electric driving.

The Q6 sits high – really high, providing that commanding SUV view of the road that people know and love. But for shorter drivers, it presents genuine challenges.

This author is only 5ft 3in, so it was a struggle to say the least. Especially trying to close the doors after hopping in.

For anyone on the shorter side, the high seating position can make the car feel intimidating rather than confidence-inspiring, and there's an inescapable sense of driving something much larger and more van-like than the sleek exterior suggests.

Then there's the wet weather performance. The quattro all-wheel drive system should, in theory, provide reassuring traction in all conditions.

However, there was a noticeable lack of traction when the road was soggy that had us being more cautious than we'd expect in a premium all-wheel drive SUV.

The regenerative braking takes some getting used to as well. Like many EVs, it kicks in firmly when you lift off the accelerator, creating harsh braking that feels abrupt until you adjust your driving style. It's not a deal-breaker, but it's another learning curve.

On the plus side, the handling is better than expected given the weight and van-like feel. Turn into corners and there's decent body control, the steering provides adequate feedback, and it doesn't wallow about like some rivals in this weight class.

The ride quality is also decent on smoother roads and motorways, where the Q6 settles into a comfortable, refined cruise. But around town, it's a different story – the ride turns brittle over bumps and potholes, reminding you this is a heavy electric SUV on conventional steel springs rather than adaptive air suspension.

Overall, the driving experience is a mixed bag. It's not terrible, but it's not what you’d expect at this price point.

Range and charging: Going the distance

With a claimed WLTP Comb range of up to 389 miles from its 100kWh battery, the Q6 e-tron Sport quattro tackles range anxiety head on.

The Q6 e-tron supports rapid charging at up to 270kW, allowing a 10-80% charge in approximately 21 minutes. That's genuinely impressive and puts it among the faster-charging EVs currently available.

For home charging, most domestic setups will provide 7-11kW, meaning overnight charging will easily (and more affordably) replenish a typical day's driving.

Range and charging are genuinely strong points here - Audi's got the fundamentals of EV capability sorted.

What's good, and what's not

The Audi Q6 e-tron has genuine strengths alongside its compromises. Here's the honest breakdown.

The good bits:

• Genuinely stunning exterior design - Ascari Blue with Mythos Black, with the perfect balance of road presence and genuine beauty
• Excellent material quality throughout the cabin
• Impressive range of up to 389 miles (WLTP Comb)
• Head-up display becomes genuinely useful once you adjust to it
• Decent handling despite the considerable weight
• Generous interior space for passengers and luggage

The not-so-good bits:

• Very high driving position feels van-like and can be difficult for shorter drivers
• Poor traction and confidence in wet weather conditions
• Lacks the instant torque and eagerness expected from a modern EV
• Manual seat adjustments on lower specs
• Quirky automatic wipers that still require manual rain intensity adjustment

What's the verdict?

Overall Rating: 6/10

The Audi Q6 e-tron is a genuinely capable premium electric SUV that does several things very well. It looks spectacular, offers impressive range and charging, and provides the build quality you'd expect from Audi.

But it's also a car with some significant compromises that are difficult to overlook at this price point.

It feels like Audi's cutting costs in all the wrong places – presumably to compete with Chinese brands entering the market at lower price points.

The Q6 e-tron isn't a bad car, it's just not the complete package it should be at this price. For buyers prioritising looks, range, and the Audi badge and prestige, it might be the car for you.

Top five reasons to consider the Audi Q6 e-tron:

1. Stunning exterior design that genuinely turns heads
2. Impressive range of up to 389 miles (WLTP Comb) eliminates range anxiety
3. Three-screen dashboard setup creates a genuinely high-tech, futuristic cabin
4. Generous rear passenger space with excellent legroom for taller passengers
5. Established Audi brand prestige with strong dealer network and resale values

Would we recommend leasing an Audi Q6 e-tron?

It depends on your priorities.

If stunning looks, impressive range, and the Audi badge matter most to you, the Q6 e-tron delivers on those fronts. It's a head-turner with genuine long-distance capability and the prestige that comes with the four rings.

However, we'd strongly recommend booking an extended test drive to experience the high driving position and overall feel for yourself – especially if you're under average height. What works for some drivers might feel uncomfortable or intimidating for others.

It's also worth test-driving alternatives like the Polestar 4, BMW iX, or Geely EX5 to see how they compare for your specific needs.

The Q6 e-tron is a capable car, just make sure it's the right fit for you before committing.