Having grown up surrounded by various Audis, from the 5000 CS Turbos to a V8 quattro, along with several C5 A6 models and a few D2 A8s around me, you can picture my astonishment when a rear-wheel-drive 2025 Audi A6 E-Tron Sportback glided silently into my driveway.
This new iteration doesn’t merely signify the next-gen A6—of which a gasoline version is on its way due to a global step back—but also represents a transformation in the automaker’s approach and philosophy.
We experienced driving the A6 E-Tron Quattro, equipped with a dual-motor system offering all-wheel drive. However, the single-motor A6 revealed a new era at Audi to me.
The Essentials
The A6 E-Tron Sportback is entirely fresh for 2025. The exterior lacks a unique character. It’s not attractive or dainty like a Lucid, it’s not distinct like the newest BMWs (for better or worse), and it’s not showy like a Mercedes. The dual lighting-element design has been adopted, featuring LED daytime running lights separate from the headlights, and frankly, nothing in this design shouts Audi. It’s not offensive, just nondescript.
Inside, the A6 E-Tron presents a mixed experience. Build quality appears top-notch; everything feels robust, the doors open and close with a solid thump, and nothing feels loose. However, the dashboard sports a less distinctive version of a massive screen akin to a Lucid or a Cadillac suspended above the panel, giving it a generic feel, almost reminiscent of a vehicle from a Chinese manufacturer. As a long-time Audi enthusiast, I question any connection to previous models. Certainly not in terms of the recent Audi C concept, which is expected to preview the upcoming Audi design language. The glossy piano black plastic trim scattered throughout is destined to look terrible as it ages and gets scuffed. The configuration of the control panel that consolidates all buttons on the driver’s door into a single unit is borderline egregious as a cost-saving tactic.
One aspect I did appreciate was that the A6 E-Tron is indeed a hatchback instead of a sedan. This made loading larger items simpler and afforded more cargo space, particularly when the rear seats were down.
The A6 E-Tron I evaluated was a single-motor variant driving the rear wheels, producing 362 horsepower and 375 pound-feet of torque. An 800-volt electrical system pairs with a 100-kWh battery pack, only 94.4 kWh of which is usable.
The driving sensation is peculiar initially, as it doesn’t feel like other Audis. With no engine at the front, the vehicle feels well-balanced; it turns in swiftly, and the front end doesn’t push through corners. It’s reminiscent of an older BMW in an unusual twist of the timeline. The steering is light but stable. Minor adjustments aren’t required on the highway, but expecting the wheel to convey what’s happening with the tires is unrealistic.
Despite being the single-motor variant, the A6 E-Tron has ample power, achieving 0-60 mph in just over 5 seconds. It’s not excessively rapid but is quick enough off the line or during overtaking on the highway.
Range, Charging, and Efficiency
The single-motor rear-wheel drive A6 E-Tron has an EPA-rated range of 370 miles. This seems almost unbelievable, but it largely depends on your driving conditions. Achieving over 300 miles of range shouldn’t pose a problem, however.
During the first part of the week, prior to incorporating much suburban highway driving, the A6 E-Tron averaged around 3.7 mi/kWh. That metric decreased with the addition of more mixed suburban driving to the 420 miles covered over the week, resulting in 3.1 mi/kWh. This would equate to approximately 292 miles of real-world range.
That 800-volt electrical architecture facilitates fast charging from 10% to 80% in just 21 minutes.
Quick Assessment
Starting at $67,195, including a $1,295 destination fee, the A6 E-Tron is roughly on par with a base Lucid Air and is pricier than the Cadillac Lyriq crossover. The specific A6 E-Tron I evaluated was equipped with a Prestige package adding $6,300 worth of features such as adaptive air suspension, Bang & Olufsen 3D surround-sound system, and a 10.9-inch passenger touchscreen on the dashboard, bringing the total to $75,240.
In reality, the Lucid Air has a better aesthetic, greater range, and significantly outperforms Audi regarding efficiency. However, the Audi is a vehicle that, without a doubt, is well-built, free from the software growing pains typical of a startup manufacturer, offers a fully established dealership network with a reputation for service, and perhaps most crucially, no longer seems compromised regarding driving dynamics. If Audi can produce an EV that charges, feels, and drives like this now, I’m genuinely eager to see what awaits with its forthcoming, more distinctive lineup.
Audi supplied The Drive with a week-long loan of this vehicle specifically for the purpose of this review.
| 2025 Audi A6 E-Tron Sportback Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Base Price (Prestige) | $67,195 ($75,240) |
| Powertrain | single-motor | single-speed automatic | rear-wheel drive |
| Horsepower | 362 |
| Torque | 375 lb-ft |
| Seating Capacity | 5 |
| Curb Weight | 4,949 pounds |
| Cargo Volume | 29.95 cubic feet behind second row | 39.87 behind first row |
| 0-60 mph | 5.2 seconds |
| Top Speed | 130 mph |
| EPA-Rated Range | 370 miles |
| Score | 8/10 |
Quick Overview
