2025 Audi A6 Sportback e-tron

 

 

 

Test Vehicle:

2025 Audi A6 Sportback e-tron quattro

Exterior Color: Malpelo Blue Metallic

Interior Color: Pearl Beige

Battery: 100kWh Battery with Dual Motors

Options: Paint ($595), Prestige Package ($6,300), Warm Weather Package ($1,150)

MSRP as tested: $77,240 (With Delivery/Destination)

 

Pros: Range, Smooth Ride, Technology, Comfortability, Good utility.

Cons: Rear visibility, All-touch controls

 

The Audi A6 e-tron is an all-new five-passenger all-electric luxury Sportback model that joins the traditional A6 lineup. It began hitting dealerships this past summer as the most aerodynamic and longest-range BEVs within the Audi line-up. It is offered exclusively in a Sportback body style for North American markets, with either single-motor rear-wheel-drive (A6 Sportback e-tron) or dual-motor all-wheel drive  (A6 Sportback e-tron quattro) powertrains. It is available in three trim lines known as Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige. 

 

Single-motor models deliver 375 horsepower and will get from 0-60 MPH in 5.2 seconds. Dual-motor Quattro models make 456 horsepower with plenty of torque for brisk acceleration to get from 0-60 MPH in 4.3 seconds. Also available is an Audi S6 Sportback e-tron which is a high-performance variant that features 543 horsepower, quicker 0-60 mph time (3.7 seconds), sportier suspension, and unique S-model cosmetic enhancements. 

 

Prices start at $65,900 for the RWD Premium model and climb to a $74,200 base price for the AWD quattro Prestige model. S6 Sportback models start at $78,700 and climb to over $84,600. Key competitors include the BMW i5, Mercedes-Benz EQE, and Tesla Model S. I spent a week a Malpelo Blue Prestige A6 e-tron quattro and here’s what stood out…

 

 

Exterior Styling:

The A6 e-tron’s Sportback silhouette blends sleek lines, flush door handles, and slim lighting elements for a modern, aerodynamic look.  Its profile is more like a grand tourer than a traditional sedan, giving it visual flair without straying into overly bold territory. Up front is Audi’s signature aesthetic featuring modern LED lighting. Because it’s electric, there’s a flat grille motif with a black mask look that integrates sensors without visually looking too busy. Slim LED lighting elements give the car a modern, purposeful look without aggressive styling. The lights have a welcome and departure lighting sequence that adds to its modern, luxury vibe. The profile features a long roofline that seamlessly tapers into the rear tailgate giving it a teardrop shape that feels elegant. Quattro blisters on my test model emphasize the quattro drive with their sculptural and muscular shape. As the heart of the car, the battery location is emphasized by a black insert panel in the sill area with e-tron embossed on it. The insert gives the car a flat, slim, and dynamic appearance from the side. It extends to the rear and integrates the reflectors, giving the A6 Sportback e-tron a visually stretched appearance.

 

At the back, the Sportback’s hatch design blends practicality with visual continuity. Integrated LED light elements stretch across the hatch emphasizing its width with even the four ring Audi logo lighting up in red. Like the front, the rear taillights also have a welcome and departure lighting sequence upon approaching or unlocking the vehicle. Prestige trim level S6 Sportback e-tron models also benefit from second-generation digital OLED taillights. I really enjoyed the Sportback design of this car as it’s uncommon here but offers versatility and a unique style. 

 

Wheels:

Audi has always delivered stylish wheels, and this car does not disappoint. My test car came with 20” 5-arm aero design wheels with a bicolor finish and all-season run flat tires.  Standard on the Premium models are 19” wheels and available on the S6 are 21” wheels.  Overall, the wheel designs are modern and compliment the rest of the car well. 

 

 

Lighting Personalization:

The lighting technology sets new standards in terms of individualization. On Prestige trim level models, eight digital light signatures are offered, allowing drivers the ability to personalize their car in a completely new way, depending on the selected equipment. On Prestige trim level S6 Sportback e-tron models equipped with the digital OLED taillights 2.0, the eight front digital daytime running light signatures are similarly paired with unique signatures at the rear which are increasingly evolving into a display. Ten OLED panels with a total of 450 segments are used in the rear lights of the S6 Sportback e-tron Prestige.

 

Power / Performance:

All A6 e-tron models are powered by a 100-kWh battery paired with either a single rear motor (RWD) or with Dual Motors (quattro AWD). With a system output of up to 456 horsepower with launch control, it provides the sporty driving experience Audi is known for. The Audi A6 Sportback e-tron quattro accelerates from zero to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds and has a top speed of 130 mph.  The quattro models have a noticeable jump in performance over the RWD setup which gets 375 horsepower. This car is quick and confident on the road and thanks to its electric torque, it delivers a strong low-end push. Also available on my test car was launch control which further maximized its straight-line performance capabilities. It’s refined, quick off the line, and fun to drive on the highway in and out of traffic. 

 

It comes with the Audi Drive Select system that lets you tailor the vehicle’s dynamics including throttle response, steering weight, suspension firmness (if equipped with adaptive air suspension), and even regenerative braking behavior to suit your driving preferences or conditions. Standard drive modes include comfort, auto, dynamic, individual, and various efficiency settings. In addition to Drive Select, the A6 e-tron supports regen-braking settings that affect how the car decelerates when you lift off the accelerator. Drive (D) is the standard regen with some coasting. B Mode has stronger regenerative braking that creates a one-pedal feel, slowing the car more aggressively when you release the accelerator.

 

Handling:

Just like any other Audi vehicle, the A6 e-tron is composed and comfortable in its handling. It feels stable with good body control for quick turns as well as long highway drives and relaxed driving. The dual-motor setup gives confident traction and strong torque distribution, especially in slippery conditions. Despite being a bigger and heavier sportback sedan, this car grips the road with the utmost confidence. Steering is light, but precise so you know exactly wher this car is headed. 

 

It absorbs bumps and road irregularities in a composed manner that’s ideal for long-distance cruising. An available adaptive air suspension can dynamically alter damping and ride height  to improve both comfort over rough surfaces and body control at higher speeds when you want a firmer feel. 

 

Charging / Range:

Audi’s first “low-floor” model built on the Premium Platform Electric can charge at DC fast charge speeds of up to 270kW. With the help of an advanced thermal management system, it can achieve 10-80% battery capacity recharging in as little as 21 minutes, helping get drivers back on the road quicker when using DC fast charge services. In around 10 minutes, it can add well over 100 miles of range in optimal conditions. It is also equipped with Audi Plug & Charge. At compatible Electrify America charging stations, when the charging cable is plugged in the charging process is activated automatically. The new electric Audis do not yet feature a North American Charging Standard (NACS, or Tesla-style) charging port, though Audi says it will soon be offering an adapter that allows the cars to be charged using NACS-style charging stations, such as the Tesla Supercharger network.

 

And thanks to carefully designed aerodynamics, highly efficient electric motors, and a lithium-ion battery it will deliver an EPA-estimated driving range of 392 miles for models equipped with the available ultra package. Quattro models like my test vehicle will top out around 377 miles of range and the performance-oriented S6 e-tron at 324 miles. The combination of long range and fast charging makes the A6 e-tron one of the stronger long-distance EV sedans in its class.

 

 

Interior / Technology:

Hopping inside, the A6 e-tron feels traditionally Audi with high-class materials, technology, and style.  The cabin features a minimalist style with clean, horizontal lines with a focus on screens and light surfaces. Audi’s integrated curved OLED display merges the 11.9-inch digital gauge cluster with the 14.5-inch central touchscreen for infotainment to dominate the dash. There is also an optional 10.9-inch passenger screen for independent use (e.g., navigation, media).  Audi does use a fair amount of gloss piano black materials in the A6 e-tron which look good when clean, but quickly show fingerprints and dust. 

 

The large central touchscreen is intuitive for navigation and wirelessly integrates with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto without any issues. Audi’s 11.9” virtual cockpit digital cluster is a fully customizable instrument display that replaces traditional analogue gauges (like speedometer and tachometer) with a high-resolution TFT display located directly behind the steering wheel. It brings key driving information and tech integrations right into the driver’s line of sight instead of relying solely on separate gauges and screens. You can switch between different layouts including a Classic view, Infotainment-focused view (navigation maps), or Sport mode. 

 

An available Bang & Olufsen premium sound system with headrest speakers ensures optimum sound. A highly efficient amplifier drives 20 speakers with 830 watts of power. Four of these are integrated into the front seat headrests, enabling personal surround sound, personal navigation announcements, and one-on-one phone calls. Additional speakers in the A-pillar and mid-range speakers create an incomparable 3D surround sound.

 

Overall, the Audi A6 e-tron’s cabin aims for a blend of tech-forward design, comfort, and everyday practicality. It’s visually modern and clean, tech-rich with big screens and smart connectivity, comfortable and spacious for passengers. It’s mostly premium, though some glossy surfaces and tech-centric panels may not feel as luxurious as high-end German rivals

 

Interior Lighting:

Inside, on Premium Plus and Prestige models a dynamic interaction light offers a variety of communication functions, supporting the vehicle's interaction with the occupants. The 84 LED light strip spans the full width of the interior and cockpit below the windshield in the shape of a generous arc and can serve a variety of functions. The light provides a welcome function and indicates when the vehicle is locked and unlocked; it visualizes the use of the dynamic turn signals, or adjustments to the HVAC system – red for warmer and blue for cooler – and can visualize charge level as a pulsing interaction light during charging. It also supports driver assistance; for example, the feature visualizes a red dynamic indicator light to alert the driver of danger. The dynamic interaction light is part of the ambient lighting package and will appear in the same color as the contour light when inactive. 

 

Panoramic Glass Roof:

A standard, innovative panoramic glass roof further enhances the interior with natural light. However, this isn’t an ordinary glass roof as it is made of a smart liquid crystal glass that minimizes direct sunlight and becomes opaque at the touch of a button. Electrically switchable glass components contain two film elements, between which the liquid crystals float. If no voltage is applied, the crystals form an opaque layer, making the glass roof opaque. If voltage is applied, the crystals align so the roof becomes transparent. It can be individually controlled like a "digital curtain" via a button in the roof module; customers can choose from four presets. It’s a cool feature that shows how advanced the tech is in this car. 

 

 

Seating:

With seating for five, there is no bad seat in this luxury sedan. All the seats are highly comfortable and supportive, even on longer drives. The front seats provide a sense of space with good visibility and an uncluttered dash. Leather upholstery with heated front seats come standard in A6 e-trons, while S6 e-trons get upgraded Nappa leather. The front seats are widely adjustable and powered making it easy to find a comfortable driving position. Heating, ventilation, and massage functions are available on higher trims or as part of option packages.  Rear seating is generally comfortable and well-cushioned, suited for adults on daily commutes and moderate-length trips. Rear headroom is slightly hampered by the sloping roofline and higher cabin floor, but it’s still reasonable for the average person. Overall, passenger space and comfort were good all-around in this car. 

 

 

Cargo:

The Sportback design comes in handy with cargo capability thanks to its wide opening 

power rear hatch that opens up to 26 cubic feet of cargo space behind the seats and up to 39.9 cubic feet with the seats folded. It also features a load floor that’s up to 6 feet, 2 inches long. The rear sets fold with a 40/20/40 split for versatility in hauling longer items.

 

Driver Assistance / Safety:

The new Audi A6 e-tron family comes with all the basic driver-assistance and safety technology you might expect. Standard safety and driver-assistance features include:

 

• Automatic emergency braking with Swerve and Front Turn Assist
• Adaptive cruise control
• Lane-departure warning
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Exit warning to prevent doors from opening in the path of approaching traffic
• Automatic high-beam headlights
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Rear-occupant detection
• Traffic-sign recognition
• Front and rear parking sensors

 

Other available features include lane-centering assist, augmented reality head-up display, park assist, and surround-view camera system. All the driver assist features work well and most can be adjusted in terms of strength.

 

Audi’s Adaptive Driving Assistant Plus adds further capability by supporting acceleration, braking, and lane guidance simultaneously, and in some regions can use high-resolution map data and cloud-based swarm data to improve assist behavior. The adaptive cruise and lane assist systems perform well for smooth highway driving, making long trips significantly less tiring.  

 

Final Statement:

The A6 e-tron is a good complement to the gas-powered Audi sedans. It still feels very much like an Audi, but with new advanced technology. Its impressive range and charging ability are among the best in the class and wash away any type of range anxiety. It’s styling is unique in today’s market with its sportback design that is sleek and functional. Once again, Audi’s cutting-edge use of lighting inside and outside on this vehicle makes it stand out in the parking lot. This is definitely worth a drive if you’re in the market for an engaging, all-electric, luxury cruiser.