Audi Q6 e-tron evaluate: Good

On the subject of all-electric SUVs, I’ve been fairly spoiled for selection just lately and Audi check automobiles have often sat exterior my home. First, there was the fairly 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 appear and feel of the Q6 e-tron isn’t dramatically totally different to the opposite Audi automobiles I discussed above, it does really feel like a more energizing and extra full bundle than these older fashions. It is likely to be new, however there are additionally loads of acquainted touches that remind me why I like these different SUVs a lot.

Beneficial

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 is not probably the most environment friendly EVs you should buy, and the vary isn’t dazzling. However, the Q6 is quiet, comfy and enjoyable to drive. Audi has carried out sufficient on the styling entrance to make it appear more energizing than the This autumn and Q8 fashions, whereas performance from issues just like the infotainment system and controls assist retain a well-recognized really feel.

Professionals

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

Cons

• Effectivity and vary feels good fairly than nice
• Inside finishes are sensible fairly 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 anticipate for a check automobile, it comes with all the extra extras, which suggests a extra reasonably priced specification of the automobile might be obtainable for much less. The truth is, 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 totally different from both the This autumn or Q8, my check automobile did look a little bit extra fancy. The entrance finish particularly was cool, which was helped by slender matrix LED headlights that labored extremely nicely after darkish. My check automobile 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 to be like equally honed, so it’s immediately recognizable however seems extra refined. One other issue that improves the looks of my check automobile is the large alloy wheels and tires, which have been 21-inch and a step-up (fairly actually) from the extra normal concern 19-inch variants. The sample of the wheels, mixed with rigorously chosen again trim prospers across the exterior assist to make it appear like an aesthetic concoction.

I wanted to load the trunk with an array of various containers throughout 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 aspect of the rear seats, I acquired much more stuff in. With loads of area for 4 or 5 individuals, this mannequin is a superb 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 relation to 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 vivid mild and numerous much less premium plastic in lots of areas. That is an costly automobile, so some would possibly discover {that a} minor irritation. Nevertheless, I beloved sitting within the cockpit, with its splendidly comfy 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 youngsters and pets. That is an SUV in spite of everything, so it’s more likely to be handled to loads of out of doors crud too, which mixed with the type of mess generated by households on board ought to imply the inside will live on. 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 know-how 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 mixture. 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 driving 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 driving force. Entrance seat passengers don’t get unnoticed although, as there’s one other 10.9-inch touchscreen on their aspect, which is simple to overlook if it’s not lively. This can be a useful manner for passengers to tweak settings to swimsuit their very own aspect of the automobile.

I saved on being shocked by a neat little characteristic which was the speaker within the headrest of my seat. This meant a lady’s voice would sometimes begin warning me of potential hazards and delays on my route as I carried out my week-long highway check. On high 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 nice however not nice

I feel top-of-the-line issues concerning the Q6 e-tron is the best way it could stand up and go. The all-wheel drive quattro automobile 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 may be carried out as much as 270kW, which suggests it needs to be simple to recharge on the go. The truth is, discover a kind of fast chargers, and this activity may be carried out 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 likely to drive EVs fairly gently, normally 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 means of the kilowatts.

Nonetheless, I did suppose the Q6 was an incredible automobile to drive. It’s easy to drive on common roads, and once I hit backroads, it was much more enjoyable. This can be a extra agile SUV than the fairly lumbering Q8 e-tron, which felt a little bit too large for me. Higher nonetheless, as soon as I’d lived with it for some time, the Q6 e-tron acquired even higher, with brake regen working to nice impact once I slowed to junctions or behind slower-moving visitors.

Must you purchase the Audi Q6 e-tron?

This must be my favourite of the Quattro fashions I’ve examined just 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?

Beneficial

Audi Q6 e-tron