Audi introduced its first all-electric E-tron in the form of a battery-powered station wagon back in 2018. Over the past seven years, the lineup has grown considerably, but so has electric-vehicle (EV) technology. That initial model managed just 204 miles per charge and up to 402 horsepower, while Audi's latest EV, the A6 E-tron Sportback, offers up to 392 miles on a charge and is available with up to 543 hp. That's impressive progress, but power and range aren't everything in an EV, and the company's latest has a few minor issues.
Photo: Tim Stevens
The new A6 E-tron Sportback has the appearance of a luxury sedan, but that Sportback moniker is Audi's way of describing a sharply styled hatchback. It's available with either rear-wheel drive (RWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD) and offers a potent blend of performance and luxury in a big, bold design.
The A6 comes in three trim levels—Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige—with either a single rear motor producing 375 hp or a dual-motor system with Quattro AWD and 456 hp. Those seeking more performance can upgrade to the 543-hp S6 Sportback, which is also available in Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige trims. Base prices across the lineup range from the mid-$60,000s to the high-$80,000s, including the destination charge.
Read our full 2025 Audi A6 and S6 E-tron preview for more background and details.
For this 2025 A6 E-tron Sportback review, Audi supplied two test vehicles, beginning with an A6 equipped with Prestige trim and the following options:
The A6's manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) was $77,240, including the $1,295 destination charge to ship the sedan to your local dealership from the Ingolstadt, Germany, assembly plant.
Audi also provided an S6 Prestige with the following options:
The S6's MSRP was $88,390, including destination.
Photo: Tim Stevens
The science of aerodynamics plays a key role in achieving greater range from a given battery size, and Audi's engineers have clearly been busy. Audi claims that the A6 Sportback has an impressive 0.23 drag coefficient. This helps the vehicle deliver 392 miles of range in RWD configuration, but it also leads to a design that lacks personality.
Viewed from the side, the new A6 E-tron Sportback has a very plain sedan-like shape. The low nose and prominent grille add more visual flair, but it's a look I don't particularly love. That nose is, at least, miles better than the back, which has a simple straight taillight running across the entire width of the car and little else of note.
The interior has more visual appeal, but it also has some issues. On the A6 Prestige I drove, the narrow sections of the dashboard between the displays were covered with a disappointingly fake wood veneer. On the S6, Audi replaces it with a material that attempts to resemble carbon fiber. These details give a bad first impression, reinforced by the flimsy plastics and piano-black surfaces that are common throughout.
Those are some unfortunately low points, but the rest of the interior is quite nice. Seating is comfortable, both in the front and rear, with ample headroom even in the second row. Legroom is also abundant, making this five-passenger layout a realistic option.
The cabin becomes much brighter and more spacious thanks to a standard panoramic glass ceiling, which can be selectively fogged at the push of a button to reduce glare. The outer rear seats, as well as the front seats, are heated. The Warm Weather package also adds ventilation to the A6. Overall ergonomics are excellent, and the A6 remains whisper-quiet even at highway speeds, making it an extremely comfortable place to test out your hypermiling skills.
Photo: Tim Stevens
Audi may have cut some corners on the interior materials of the new A6 E-tron Sportback, but it didn't cheap out on the displays. The A6 features up to three high-quality panels. There's an 11.9-inch digital gauge cluster behind the steering wheel, a 14.5-inch central display in the middle, and a 10.9-inch passenger display on the far right if you opt for the Prestige trim package.
If you're seeking a digital detox, this isn't the place, but we're not finished yet. Premium Plus models and higher also come with Audi's augmented-reality head-up display, which covers a significant portion of the windshield ahead and can point out your next turn. This makes it very easy to navigate complex routes, especially those involving multi-exit roundabouts or tricky city streets.
What won't help you stay on track is the gauge cluster, which is very limited in what it can display. It can't show a map view, only a simple rear view of the vehicle with a few information panels on each side. If you want anything more than the next turn or current track, you're out of luck.
When it comes to the central MMI infotainment system, Audi's latest interface is responsive and user-friendly. Performance is solid, but like many modern cars, it can be challenging to locate the desired features and settings. Thankfully, the integrated voice assistant is very responsive, making it easy to say, "Hey, Audi, show me where to turn off the lane-keeping assistance."
All of this is complemented by wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, as well as a wireless smartphone charger located in the center. Much of that functionality is mirrored on the passenger screen, with the addition of streaming movies, thanks to a display technology that appears blacked out from the driver's seat, reducing distractions.
If your eyes start wandering, a driver monitoring system quickly alerts you. That's part of a comprehensive active safety system that includes adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and lane-departure warning. Step up to the Premium Plus trim, and you can add Audi's Adaptive Cruise Assist package, which also includes lane-centering assistance.
This system worked very well in my testing. On the 101 freeway in Southern California, with Adaptive Cruise Assist engaged, the A6 stayed centered in the lane, even when the lane markings were hard to see.
Photo: Tim Stevens
The 2025 Audi A6 E-tron Sportback is available in three drivetrain configurations, starting with the base single-motor RWD model. This version delivers 375 hp and has a range of 392 miles from a 100-kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery. The next option is the A6 Quattro, which adds a motor at the front. This increases horsepower to 456 but reduces the range to 377 miles.
Finally, there's the S6, which comes standard with Quattro AWD and produces 543 hp. That's sufficient for a zero-to-60-mph time of 3.7 seconds, but the extra performance results in a range penalty: The S6 achieves only 324 miles on a charge.
Unfortunately, I wasn't able to test the single-motor version, but the dual-motor A6 was surprisingly quick. Audi has tuned the car for a calm, relaxed feel, so you need to press the throttle firmly to reach maximum acceleration. But if you press hard enough, the A6 delivers that powerful surge of power and torque that EV enthusiasts love.
The S6, of course, elevates that to another level, but it's not as drastic a step as I expected. Yes, it's faster, but I'm unsure if the extra costs and range impact are worth it.
The same goes for the handling. The S6 feels sharper and provides a slight boost in feedback when driving. Still, even the A6 with air suspension was engaging and fun to drive. Yes, these are large, heavy sedans (4,949 pounds for the base A6, 5,225 for the S6) and you can feel that weight. But they also offer great poise and confident handling.
They also have excellent compliance. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to test the base suspension on the A6, but the air suspension did an outstanding job of absorbing the roughness of some poorly maintained mountain roads. Even in the stiffest, Dynamic mode, the ride was never harsh or punishing on either the A6 or S6.
And again, even on the highway, the A6 was whisper-quiet and smooth, making this an ideal high-speed vehicle for covering long distances. With a fast-charging rate of 270 kilowatts and good range, you can cover a lot of miles in an A6.
Photo: Tim Stevens
Audi's latest EV is among its most impressive yet. Offering an outstanding balance of handling and comfort, along with ample power and range, it's a highly appealing alternative to other electric luxury sedans on the market, such as the BMW i5 or the Mercedes-Benz EQE. The few flaws in the interior don't ruin this otherwise excellent package.
Tim Stevens is a veteran automotive and technology journalist with over 25 years of experience covering a wide range of topics, from smartphones to supercars. In addition to JDPower.com, his expert perspectives have appeared in numerous national and international outlets, including print, online, and broadcast television.
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