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    The 2025 Audi SQ6 E-Tron Now Provides A Better Driving Experience

    Image Source: odecam / Shutterstock

    Audi has consistently focused on performance, often showcasing the transformation that a bit of specialized tuning from Ingolstadt can yield in its vehicles.

    I was particularly impressed when, after experiencing the impressive range and charging capabilities of the Audi Q6 E-Tron quattro, I felt a stronger connection from the driver’s seat to the performance-enhanced SQ6.

    The SQ6 utilizes most of the foundational propulsion technology found in the Q6, all crafted on Audi’s new Premium Platform Electric (PPE)—a dedicated architecture for electric vehicles that is also shared with Porsche and designed without the compromises needed for combustion engines.

    As an SQ6 E-Tron, this well-proportioned sporty SUV combines a robust 509 hp from its front inductive and rear permanent-magnet electric motors. While it may not compete in extreme dynamics like the Audi SQ8 E-Tron, the SQ6 E-Tron achieves a swift 0-60 mph in just 4.1 seconds with launch control and can reach a top speed of 143 mph.

    SQ6 E-Tron Figures: Remarkable Performance and Range

    Driving this electric SQ8 in the picturesque coastal and mountainous regions of Sonoma County, California, I found the vehicle to be genuinely enjoyable. The trip computer indicated approximately 3.0 miles per kWh, suggesting it could potentially exceed its EPA-rated 275-mile range in typical driving conditions.

    Looking at the broader Q6 E-Tron lineup, Audi positions the Q6 as an electric alternative to its popular Q5. However, it feels more spacious, both in perception and on paper. Measuring 187.8 inches in length and on a 113.7-inch wheelbase, it is only , and comparable in height and width. Yet, the interior feels nearly a size larger, closing in on the space offered by the Q8 E-Tron EV family, which is a foot longer.

    The 2.3-cubic-foot frunk has enough room for a mobile charger and a small duffle, while the rear offers 30.2 cubic feet of cargo space with the seats up or 60.2 cubic feet with them folded down—a substantial increase compared to the Q5’s 25.9 and 54.1 cubic feet.

    The front cabin offers plenty of space, and the thigh bolsters and firm back support in the test SQ6 provided ideal comfort for a day of navigating backroads. I also liked the straightforward layout of the center console, which steered clear of complicated multi-tier bins. One downside, however, was the slightly short rear door openings, which may make entry a bit more challenging for taller individuals. However, at 6-foot-6, I still found I could comfortably sit behind my own driving position.

    Charges Faster than Tesla and Other German Luxury EVs

    A key advantage of the SQ6, along with its impressive packaging, is the low-profile battery design. The battery pack’s streamlined design allows for a thin and low profile, integrating its 100-kWh capacity (94.4 kWh usable) efficiently. Enhanced predictive thermal strategies for both the battery and platform enable it to frequently reach its DC fast-charging peak rate of 270 kW for the SQ6—allowing for a 21-minute charging time from 10 to 80% if a 350-kW CCS connector is available. For those relying on the Tesla Supercharger network with its lower capacity hardware (with adapter availability next year), the SQ6 can split its battery into two 400-volt packs, achieving 10 to 80% in about 35 minutes.

    The SQ6 E-Tron features an Auto regen mode that utilizes inputs from a forward-facing camera alongside navigation and traffic information. However, it sometimes makes questionable choices regarding the timing of regenerative braking. Drivers can opt for three different levels of regenerative braking: ‘D’ provides up to 0.15 g, akin to downshifting a gear in a traditional gasoline engine, while selecting ‘B’ from the shifter ramps it up to around 0.25 g, offering a driving experience similar to one-pedal operation.

    This vehicle comes as part of a well-crafted driving experience that is neither overly firm nor lacking in communication. The test SQ6 featured the 21-inch Black optic wheel package which included staggered-width 21-inch summer performance tires, that felt perfectly suited for the approximately 60-degree temperatures in Napa. The steering provided excellent weighting, and the system’s heavier settings even offered some feedback. Audi has made modifications to the front suspension geometry, securing the steering rack firmly to the subframe, resulting in a markedly different steering experience compared to the Q8 E-Tron.

    The SQ6 demonstrated remarkable stability on the road, appearing completely neutral while absorbing road imperfections more effectively than the earlier Q6 I drove, despite the SQ8 being slightly heftier at over 5,300 pounds. Its setup features a combination of frequency adaptive passive damping alongside an adaptive air suspension, enabling height adjustments and improved damping across all four wheels. The air suspension can raise 1.1 inches or drop by 0.8 inches from its standard setting, or elevate by as much as 1.8 inches in lift mode.

    The SQ6 is expected to weigh less than its 5,300-plus pounds. A potential enhancement could come from the impressive rear-wheel-steering system available on another PPE model, the Porsche Macan Electric, which offers exceptional handling characteristics. Despite this, the tuning of the SQ6 E-Tron—along with minor components such as its smaller flat top and bottom steering wheel—can make it feel more agile compared to the Q6. However, the addition of such a system would significantly boost its handling capabilities.

    Included in the options for the test SQ6 E-Tron quattro were the Black optic package accompanying the wheels, fine nappa leather seating ($1,000), Daytona Grey pearl effect paint ($595), and the comprehensive Prestige package, which adds features such as acoustic front door glass for enhanced cabin serenity, a panoramic sunroof, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, an augmented reality head-up display, and a Bang & Olufsen sound system, all available via the mid-level Premium Plus package.

    So far, the brand-new infotainment system that debuts in the Q6 has performed well, showcasing a 14.5-inch touchscreen and an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster. A 10.9-inch passenger display, positioned primarily out of the driver’s view, feels less like a gimmick than in other vehicles, granting the passenger the role of navigator, DJ, or simply an observer. The system supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with Audi claiming advancements in its voice recognition capabilities.

    SQ6 E-Tron showcases striking lighting features

    The Prestige package also includes seven digital daytime running light signatures along with digital OLED taillights, reminiscent of the artwork featured on The Police’s “Ghost in the Machine” album—though I didn’t have the chance to experience nighttime driving.

    The total price for the SQ6 E-Tron, as tested, amounted to $83,840, approximately $7,000 higher than the Q6 E-Tron I had driven previously. While the Q6 variant exuded a luxurious feeling, the SQ6 version truly asserted itself as more of a driver’s car.

    The SQ6 E-Tron is not alone in the market. In recent years, competitors such as the BMW iX and Mercedes-Benz EQE have emerged, both falling within a similar price bracket when equipped similarly, yet neither offers the rapid 21-minute charging capability.

    Audi’s new midsize electric vehicles continue to evolve, building on the original E-Tron strengths while addressing previous shortcomings. It serves as a fitting centerpiece for Audi’s lineup.

    Image Source: odecam / Shutterstock

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