Travel southwest from Madrid, soaring over the coast of northwestern Africa, and eventually, the dormant Mount Teide reveals itself. Part of the formation of the Canary Islands millions of years ago, this volcano has been quiet since its last eruption in 1909, yet it casts a daunting presence over the surrounding landscape—black ash stretches outward for miles.
What do typical tourists do as they draw nearer in one of Audi’s trendy new electric vehicles? Today, we find ourselves navigating around influencers. Whether you call them content makers or walking advertisements, the black ash has appealed to many of them. Groups of Instagram enthusiasts create makeshift barriers in the middle of the roadway leading to the peak, with unsuspecting boyfriends doubling as videographers and obstacles. They occupy the double yellow line, spread themselves out to eliminate unwanted figures from their shots, and style their hair for an outstanding selfie with the volcano looming behind them.
At this point, I’ve accelerated the Audi S6 into a very low geosynchronous orbit—well, at least a hundred kilometers away from viable wifi. The S6 enhances Audi’s EV offerings that will be introduced in the U.S. next summer, alongside the less robust A6 sedan—both replacing the gas-powered A6/S6, which will undergo a mild renovation to continue as the A7 and S7. Confused? Imagine being Audi’s internal naming specialist.
While the company prepares to unveil its last gasoline-powered vehicles in the coming years, Audi is actively producing new models based on VW Group’s innovative PPE architecture. This includes the robust new 2025 S6 Sportback E-Tron. This electric vehicle lineup also features the Audi Q6 E-Tron and Porsche Macan EV, all equipped with 800-volt charging capabilities, twin electric motors, a sleek aerodynamic design, and a multitude of digital displays within.
Audi aims to replace the gas-powered S6 in the most straightforward manner. To that end, behind its battery power, the new hatchback (referred to as a sedan by Audi) boasts a sophisticated design, appealing driving dynamics, and an efficient powertrain. It serves as the new rendition of the former car—but is ultimately characterized by what it doesn’t possess. It doesn’t generate synthetic noise (if you choose), doesn’t prioritize passengers over the driver—and perhaps most importantly, it doesn’t flinch when confronted with remarkable road conditions.
Audi S6 E-Tron: The Allure of a Concept Car
Audi has showcased the design of the S6 for several years, first previewing it in 2021. The production version has maintained much of the original concept. It features a plastic panel where a grille would typically be, adorned with a four-ring logo illuminated by white LEDs, and is flanked by split-LED headlights, all resting on a low front end with blackout trim forming a supportive base. The nose panel includes hockey stick-shaped elements that hint at actual grille louvers (or a reclining position on a business-class seat), while the front trim facilitates airflow around the front wheels—one of the strategies that allows the S6 to achieve a low drag coefficient of 0.23. Carved along the sides to reduce weight from the tall door panels, highlighted by ribbed black trim underneath to define its lines, the vehicle glides through the air at the rear with varied fender heights and a slender tail spoiler accentuated by LED lighting—once again featuring the four-ring logo, this time lit in red.
It’s officially a Sportback. Although Audi plans to unveil a traditional sedan configuration later, for now, this sleek design is the sole option available in the U.S.
Upon entering, the S6 presents a panoramic digital display that places the driver behind an integrated 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.5-inch touchscreen for infotainment, developed from an Android platform. For those willing to spend a bit more, Audi offers a 10.9-inch touchscreen for the front passenger nestled alongside wood, textile, and metallic accents that frame the dashboard. The central screen is positioned above slim air vents on a console which features a saddle-style drive controller, a pair of cupholders, and a backup volume knob. One of my test vehicles showcased a stylish woven trim—but in the U.S., a quilted leather finish will give the cabin a more luxurious touch.
Audi S6 E-Tron: 2-Motor All-Wheel Drive Accelerates to 60 mph in 3.7 Seconds
Before we become mere fodder for the influencer scene—aren’t we all a part of it now?—the S6 leaves a lasting impact in the ways it knows best. It excels in rapidly traversing the distance from the coast to the mountains, delivering instantaneous power that makes other vehicles vanish from view, both literally and figuratively.
As my co-driver and I depart the beach area and dive into winding roads, the substantial weight of the S6 becomes apparent, coupled with the seamless consistency of its driving behavior. The S6 asserts itself early and constantly, proving it surpasses its gasoline-powered counterparts. Yes, gasoline vehicles commonly produce more vocal excitement; we’re used to this and associate it with our emotional responses. However, while they may offer more engagement in that sense, they simply lack speed.
In the case of the S6, it boasts a 0-60 mph time of 3.7 seconds, powered by a 100-kwh battery pack located below, (with 94.4 kwh of usable energy), and dual motors enabling all-wheel drive. The current gas-powered model exceeds four seconds. The E-Tron can also generate synthetic sounds to enhance the exhilarating acceleration at traffic lights—but I opted to disable those in its more subdued drive modes.
As a side note, its top speed measures in at 149 mph, and the S6’s standard 496-hp output can elevate to 543 hp when in launch-control mode, which achieves that breathtaking acceleration time. Details on curb weight, torque figures, and range estimates are still pending from Audi. Once the coastal vistas vanish from the rearview, I push the S6 E-Tron to the imposed speed limits, and even beyond. The alerts indicating speed limit violations are silenced via the touchscreen interface, while the Drive Select button is toggled to Comfort mode, muting the loud synthetic engine noise as well.
2025 Audi S6 E-Tron test drive review, Tenerife
As I speed toward the top of a long-inactive volcano, numerous chances arise to try out its one-pedal drive mode, which is activated by shifting the drive selector to “B.” This feature caters to those who associate electric vehicles with a particular driving experience—it mimics the sensation of traditional gas engines—but it also provides various levels of regenerative braking through paddle controls. The milder levels of regen enhance the S6’s seamless motor response and added refinement, particularly in its Balanced drive mode and especially at lower speeds. Unlike certain other electric vehicles, the motors in the S6 engage and disengage without any noticeable jolts.
However, if you prefer a smoother and more balanced ride, perhaps the lesser A6 suits you better? As the dirt beneath us starts to show black streaks mingled with brown, I switch the S6 into its Sport drive modes. The sound roars through the speakers, the suspension tightens, and the steering becomes firmer, all without fuss. The serene atmosphere becomes noticeable as the increase in bump-steer and ride rigidity is felt—but it doesn’t disrupt its powerfully composed character.
With a curb weight likely exceeding 5,500 pounds and equipped with air springs and adaptive damping, the S6 demands attention when shifting into this performance-oriented mode. It’s remarkably easy to drive aggressively. Bumps in the road may rattle its wheels, yet they don’t throw the substantial steering off balance. The S6, which firmly adheres to the road thanks to Michelin Pilot Sports, 245/40R21s at the front and 275/35R21s at the rear, seamlessly carves into corners, leveraging its massive battery-generated torque to propel itself out and onto straightaways.
In essence, it’s the type of luxury EV that encourages drivers to deplete the battery as quickly as possible. Once drained, the S6’s battery can be replenished from 10-80% in as little as 21 minutes through its 800-volt system, which supports charging rates up to 270 kW. When 400-volt charging is the only option, it can treat its battery as twin packs, charging them in parallel. At home, using a 50-amp, 240-volt AC connection, the S6’s 9.6-kW onboard charger can recharge it in roughly 10 hours.
Audi S6 E-Tron: Hatchback styling with advanced technology
Audi refers to the S6 E-Tron as a sedan, but with its fixed glass and rear section that lifts to reveal a concealed cargo area, it essentially functions as a hatchback that resembles a liftback. For the sake of clarity, we’ll classify it as a car.
In terms of performance, it delivers effectively. The S6 E-Tron measures approximately 194 inches in length, slightly less than the Tesla Model S, yet it boasts a long 116-inch wheelbase that contributes to its stable ride.
However, it isn’t the most spacious vehicle within its class. The front seats offer ample room—there’s enough space to slide my hand between the well-structured seats and the door panels while enjoying the beats from the sound system. The seats are angled toward the console, leading my knees to consistently touch it. I appreciated one test car’s textile interior, though that particular treatment won’t be available in the U.S. Instead, front heated and cooled seats will be upholstered in quilted leather. With a slight increase in height and width compared to the outgoing S6, the EV variant has adequate room for our 5-foot-8 editors, both in the front and back.
However, at around 6 feet tall, with short legs and a long torso, I noticed headroom was lacking in the back seat. I touched the headliner, and my knees rose above the seat bottom—clearly obstructing much of the view through the narrow rear window. Similar findings were apparent in the Q6 E-Tron I tested last year, as well as in the Porsche Macan EV we recently reviewed. There’s ample space for four adults, undoubtedly—but where the taller individuals sit could be a pivotal factor.
The cargo area provides about 26 cubic feet, expanding to nearly 40 cubic feet when the rear seats are folded down.
The interior of the S6 features a panoramic sunroof that can be tinted section by section, and it radiates with premium materials alongside expansive screens. At times, it feels vibrant, especially when all its safety systems—such as speed limit detection, active lane control, among others—trigger their flurry of signals and alerts, while the optional head-up display directs arrows for impending turns. I would imagine it would be busier still if U.S. models had access to the custom light signatures and car-to-X communication offered in European versions—or their camera side mirrors, which wouldn’t provide a clear view to the car’s left side through my progressive lenses. Instead, we’ll see bulkier, less aerodynamic standard mirrors that offer better visibility.
We will also get features like a 20-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system, complete with headrest speakers, enabling distinct sound zones for both drivers and passengers.
As for pricing, we don’t have it just yet, but it’s speculated that the S6 Sportback E-Tron will exceed $80,000 in base configurations in Germany, climbing above $100,000 when fully equipped—this is all before the highly anticipated RS 6 E-Tron arrives, a topic that’s often avoided in discussions.
In the meantime, the S6 E-Tron stands as the leading model of the new A6 lineup. Its appeal is straightforward: it enhances nearly every aspect of the previous S6 sport sedan, improving upon it in many, if not most, respects.
If that doesn’t sway you, perhaps it could simply strike a pose in the middle of the road and toss its hair.
Image Source: VanderWolf Images / Shutterstock
