Soothing and pleasurable Audi Q6 is a subtly handsome and rapid charging EV that runs rings round its rivals

WHAT sits between Q4 and Q8?

Correct. Q6. Audi-speak for a mid-size, all-electric SUV that slots in perfectly, in size and price, between the Q4 crossover and big-daddy Q8.

Dean Smith

Dean Smith

Now this car needed to be special.

Partly because it is built on a new state-of-the-art premium electric-only platform shared with Porsche.

Partly because it is the first electric car to be made in Ingolstadt, Audi’s historic home.

So well done, Audi.

In many ways, it is.

With an official range of up to 398 miles, rapid charging, huge boot and frunk (front trunk) and a silky air-cushioned ride, Q6 leaves its closest rivals needing to regroup and recharge.

We are talking rivals including the Mercedes EQE SUV, BMW iX and the box-fresh Polestar 3.

But range is one thing. Efficiency is another. And that’s where this 2.3-tonne, dual-motor Q6 quattro does lose some ground.

Driving deliberately sensibly for four hours I managed an unimpressive 2.8 miles per kWh.

Subtly handsome

Things should improve in that department with the rear-wheel drive, single-motor version and further still by the end of the year when a smaller battery — not the 100kWh monster in the quattro — joins the line-up for £59k.

On the outside, the subtly handsome Q6 e-tron defines itself with fancy new split-level lights which are also customisable — and large black e-tron-stamped lower door panels, for some reason.

But otherwise it looks exactly like you would expect it to.

Inside is where things get good.

A soft suede wrap runs from the doors and across the entire dashboard and a functional light bar on the top of the dash gives you visuals including state of charge, indicator directions and warnings.

Audi has adopted the more is more philosophy in the screen department.

And they’re heavily icon driven too with an all-new Android OS which is as crisp in graphics as it is slick in use.

All Q6 e-trons get the enormous panoramic curved touchscreen as standard, but if you need more screenage (which you don’t) then with the top Edition 1 spec the front passenger gets their very own which the driver can’t see while driving.

Very Ferrari. But equally as unnecessary.

The 20-speaker Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system is truly IMAX grade, too, which includes a pair in the driver’s headrest for spoken satnav commands so as not to bother the passengers. A little touch of pure class there.

While the Q6 e-tron is not the most efficient electric car in the world and the range is only really a reflection of the giant 100kWh battery, its charging stats are something to behold.

Just ten minutes on a rapid charger can give up to 158 miles.

That is rapid.

And, here’s a fun fact. It has two charging ports. One on each side for convenience.

Dean Smith

There’s also a huge boot for added practicality[/caption]

Dean Smith

Just ten minutes on a rapid charger can give the Q6 up to 158 miles[/caption]

No, you can’t plug them both in at the same time.

To sum up, then.

The Q6 e-tron is a soothing and pleasurable drive, loaded with tech — including the best augmented reality head-up display available anywhere — but be careful with the number of option boxes you’ll be tempted to tick on the order form.

The combustion-powered Q5 is Audi’s best-seller right now.

But maybe the Q6 e-tron is the way to go, if you are planning on going forwards with your family, that is.