Paris Motor Show 2024 Live: U.S.-bound Audi Q6 e-tron looks suave

  • Audi's fully electric mid-size SUV offers zero-emission alternative to the Q5
  • Seats five and offers up to 60 cu. ft. of cargo space
  • Takes just 22 minutes for a 10-80% fast-charging session
  • Hits 0-60 in as little as 4.1 seconds and delivers an EPA-est. range of up to 321 mi

At the 2024 Paris Motor Show, I got a chance to get up close and personal with the Audi Q6 e-tron which is arriving here in the U.S. in a few weeks. Having spent a fair amount of time with its performance variant, the Audi SQ6 e-tron, here’s what I think of it.

Design

The 2025 Audi Q6 e-tron has all the elements of a premium mid-size SUV segment. It features Audi’s signature closed Singleframe grille, complemented by quad LED headlights, a first for Audi. The muscular body is highlighted with sharp creases and a flowing roofline. With dimensions of 187.8 inches in length and a wheelbase of 113.7 inches, the Q6 e-tron boasts great street presence while offering ample interior space. Aerodynamic enhancements, like the gently sloping A and D pillars, further streamline its look.

Interior

The Q6 e-tron’s interior looks more like an evolution from the current Audis than something radically new, and that’s a good thing. Customers switching from conventional models will find a sense of familiarity and easily acclimatize with various operations, things that new-age companies like Tesla are willfully ignoring with an over-emphasis in the name of minimalism. A so-called ‘Softwrap’ extends from the doors through the entire cockpit to the center console.

Inside, the 5-seat Q6 e-tron introduces Audi’s all-new MMI user interface supported by the advanced E3 electronics architecture. A 14.5-inch OLED central touchscreen takes center stage on the dashboard, accompanied by an 11.9-inch virtual cockpit for the driver. The rear seats can be folded in a 40:20:40 configuration, providing up to 60.2 cu ft of cargo space. Advanced features such as a Bang & Olufsen premium sound system and an optional 10.9-inch passenger display elevate the overall in-cabin experience.

My experience with the Audi Q6 e-tron

Getting into the Audi SQ6 e-tron was smooth, with wide-opening doors making entry easy. Once I settled into the driver’s seat, I immediately noticed the sporty elements throughout the cabin, especially the prominent S badge on the steering wheel, reminding me this is the high-performance version of the Q6.

Inside, the large glass roof flooded the cabin with light, and the dashboard wrapped around me, adding to the sporty feel. The headroom was more than sufficient, and the lumbar and under-thigh support were spot on. The seats, unique to the S version, featured extra side bolstering, perfect for more spirited driving. The flat-bottom steering wheel was well-designed, though the haptic touch buttons were less intuitive—I’d prefer physical controls here.

The center console had a glossy piano black finish, which, though visually appealing, attracted fingerprints. Thankfully, Audi included a physical control for volume and track changes, a welcome touch amid the touchscreen features.

Moving to the back, the sloping roofline didn’t compromise headroom, but the seatback felt a bit too upright, and there was no adjustment available. Legroom was adequate for a six-footer, but the seating position felt slightly too vertical for long drives. With a non-flat floor, three passengers would feel cramped in the rear. Average-height passengers should be comfortable, though, and rear AC vents will help during hotter months.

Specifications

The Audi Q6 e-tron comes in three variants: RWD, quattro, and SQ6.

The entry-level rear-wheel-drive model delivers 302 hp (322 hp with launch control) and accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds. It features a 100-kWh battery, offering an EPA-estimated range of 321 miles with the ultra package.

Quattro models feature dual motors producing up to 456 hp, achieving a 0-60 mph time of 4.9 seconds. The performance-oriented SQ6 generates 509 hp and accelerates to 60 mph in just 4.1 seconds. All models support DC fast charging at up to 270 kW, providing an 80% charge in 21 minutes.

Price & Release Date

Starting at $63,800, the Audi Q6 e-tron is now the brand’s most accessible electric vehicle in the U.S. market, slotting below the Audi Q8 e-tron. The higher quattro models begin at $68,600, while the performance SQ6 starts at $70,600. Deliveries are expected to begin by the end of 2024 in the U.S.

TopElectricSUV says

The Q6 e-tron is not merely a ballooned Q4, thanks to technology co-developed with Porsche. Incorporating features like 800V charging, torque-vectoring, air suspension with adaptive dampers, and a 100 kWh battery, will give the Q6 e-tron a competitive edge over MEB-based SUVs from Audi, Cupra, and Volkswagen, and clear positioning as a performance-focused SUV under the e-tron umbrella.