2025 Audi A6 e-tron and S6 e-tron: Comfort, technology, and power

• The Audi A6 and S6 e-tron are based on the PPE platform, shared with the Q6 e-tron and Porsche Macan EV.

• Range is claimed at 716 km (WLTP), and fast charging from 10 to 80% should take 21 minutes.

• The A6 and S6 look and feel a bit more alike than we’d expect.

A few months after launching its new PPE (Premium Platform Electric) with the Q6 e-tron, Audi is back at it again with the new A6 e-tron and S6 e-tron, two Sportback sedans sharing the same architecture.

Positioned as electric counterparts to the gasoline-powered A6/S6 and A7/S7, these new models will occupy the mid-size luxury sedan market, competing with the BMW i5 and Mercedes-Benz EQE.

The only body style offered in Canada will be the Sportback (a hatchback sedan), but Audi will also offer a wagon called the Avant in Europe and Asia.

Generous range and (very) fast charging

The greatest advantage of the PPE platform is its technical modernity, allowing the new A6 and S6 e-tron to stand out for their range and charging speeds.

With a 100-kWh battery as standard (an 83-kWh unit will be available in Europe), Audi has announced a range of 716 kilometers, according to the WLTP standard, for the versions of the A6 that will be available in Canada. For the S6, it’s 675 kilometers WLTP.

In normal driving conditions, we can expect a range of over 500 kilometers, since the Q6 e-tron, which shares the same powertrain, can travel 494 kilometers per charge according to the more realistic RN Can method.

During our short test drive, which involved taking an S6 e-tron up and down the side of a volcano on winding roads, we achieved an average energy consumption of 18.3 kWh/100 km, suggesting that the A6 and S6 e-tron will offer substantially greater range than their nearest rivals. This is helped by the low, 0,21 drag coefficient of the A6 e-tron, the lowest in Audi’s history.

Charging is another strong point of these models, as they benefit from an 800-volt electrical architecture, double that of most other electric vehicles on our roads.

This enables fast charging rates of up to 270 kW at a compatible Level 3 terminal. According to Audi, the battery can go from 10 to 80% charge in just 21 minutes, shortening downtimes on long road trips,  making them more pleasant than in other EVs.

A comfortable interior that is a little complex

Both the 2025 Audi A6 e-tron and the S6 e-tron offer a high level of comfort, from the standard adaptive air suspension to the multi-adjustable bucket seats, with massage function in the S6 we tested. Although headroom is a little tight in the rear, two passengers will still be able to sit there comfortably.

Their luggage will not be outdone either, as the Sportback body style provides a big, easily accessible trunk that can be further enlarged by folding down the rear seatbacks.

The dashboard features three separate screens, including one on the right-hand side that lets you control certain vehicle functions without using the central infotainment system.

Being able to delegate these adjustments to the passenger is not a bad idea, as the MMI technology installed in the A6 and S6 e-tron is not the most intuitive, and you often have to go through several menus to find what you’re looking for.

Another criticism of the interior is the presence of some hard plastics, especially on the center console and door bottoms.

An S6 that’s a bit too timid

The biggest weakness of these new Audi models is simple: the S6 e-tron doesn’t stand out sufficiently from the A6 on which it’s based.

Indeed, while the S6 is intended to be a sportier version of the A6 on paper, it doesn’t really come across as such, either in terms of design or driving dynamics.

It takes a keen eye to distinguish between the two models when you first see them, which is a little easier when you notice that the A6 has black exterior elements, while the S6 sports silver accents on the front and rear fascias, as well as the mirrors.

While both models are elegant and in line with the brand’s styling direction, we would have liked the S6 to have a more dynamic appearance, especially as this is the case with the current gas-powered version.

Inside, the differences are a little greater, with the S6 benefiting from more enveloping seats and alcantara trim on the dashboard rather than the A6’s fabric inserts.

The same is true on the road, where the S6 lacks the bite you’d expect in terms of handling and damping. The accent is cleary put on comfort, which remains just as good in the S6.

Make no mistake, the 2025 Audi S6 e-tron remains a highly enjoyable car to drive, making the most of its air suspension and directional rear axle to offer a high level of comfort, very little body roll in curves, and a surprising agility for its size.

What’s more, its 370 kW (496 hp) output, delivered by two axle-mounted electric motors, is more than enough to make for impressive accelerations, even without using Launch Control mode, which can draw up to 405 kW (543 hp) from the battery for short periods. Audi’s figures show a 0-100 km/h time of 3.9 seconds, 0.6 seconds faster than the current petrol-powered S6 and only 0.1 seconds slower than the BMW i5 M60.

The A6 e-tron delivers 315 kW (422 hp) in normal driving mode and 340 kW (456 hp) in Launch Control mode, which will satisfy the vast majority of buyers. What’s more, the A6 e-tron Quattro, the entry-level model in our market, accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h almost two seconds quicker than its BMW and Mercedes rivals.

Conclusion

The 2025 Audi A6 e-tron and S6 e-tron are thoroughly modern electric sedans, packed with technologies that enhance comfort and the driving experience, and equipped with very powerful powertrains.

Unfortunately, the S6 doesn’t do quite enough to set itself apart. This plays into the hands of the A6, which offers a similar experience, at a lower cost. Is this a conscious decision on the part of the automaker, who might be preparing a possible RS6 e-tron? For the moment, there’s no indication, but anything is possible…

The first deliveries on Canadian soil should take place in the third quarter of next year, and three versions will be offered to us: A6 e-tron Quattro, A6 e-tron Quattro Ultra, and S6 e-tron Quattro.

Prices and feature lists for each version will be announced in the months leading up to their arrival on the market.