The SQ6 is one of the most enjoyable electric SUVs to drive in its segment, with sharp handling and serious speed.
Rear seat space and practicality limit its family credentials, making it more of an empty-nester’s choice.
Audi risks losing enthusiast goodwill if it sidelines wagons and halo models in favour of SUVs.

I spent a week and covered hundreds of kilometres with the all-new 2025 Audi SQ6. Time well spent, if you ask me, because this SUV is a fascinating entry in Audi’s growing electric portfolio. On most fronts, it delivers. In about nine cases out of ten, the SQ6 makes a strong argument for itself. But like many new Audi SUVs, its very existence carries baggage, namely, the cancellation of the all-electric RS6 Avant and the absence of the A6 Avant e-tron for Canada and the U.S. For wagon lovers like me, that’s a tragedy.

Audi’s Identity Check

This SUV lands at a strange moment for Audi. Sales in the U.S. are slow and low year-over-year, following a six-percent dip the year before. Canadian numbers are ok, but let’s be honest, they aren’t steering Audi’s global strategy. Meanwhile, the R8 and electric R8 revival are gone, and though a new electrified next-gen TT is a glimmer of hope, it won’t be enough – enough to rekindle true enthusiasm for the brand.

That’s why I worry. Enthusiast products may not be huge money-makers; however, they shape a brand’s image. Take away wagons and halo models, and you risk dulling Audi’s appeal in North America. The SQ6 is impressive, but it doesn’t replace the global impact of an RS6 Avant.

Pricing and Positioning

In Canada, the base Q6 e-tron starts at $84,000. Step into the SQ6 and you’re looking at $100,000 for the Progressive trim. That brings 20-inch wheels, adaptive air suspension, Nappa leather, and dual charge ports. Move up to the Technik at $104,000 and you gain OLED taillights, a fuller tech package, and a bit more flash. My tester, an Edition One with 21-inch wheels, smoked LED headlights, and black optics, landed around $106,500.

That’s right in line with competitors like the BMW iX, Polestar 3, and Cadillac Lyriq, all hovering in the $95,000 to $110,000 range when specced similarly.

Charging and Tech

Audi’s thoughtfulness shows here. On the driver’s side, you get DC fast charging up to 270 kW. On the passenger side, you’ll find a Level 2 port for home or public AC charging. No excuses, no hassle.

Inside, Audi leans on its screen game: an 11.9-inch cluster, a 14.5-inch main touchscreen, and a 10.9-inch passenger display. The layout feels fresh and far more fluid than in an A5 or even a Q7. I’d still welcome a few more hard buttons, but the digital integration is sleek. Even the steering wheel feels special, though the door handle “switch” system is awkward and makes the door more difficult to close.

Looks That Sell

The SQ6 is a stunner. Proportions lean muscular without being cartoonish. The massive front fascia dominates, especially in the Edition One blacked-out trim, and it instantly hooks you. The Magnet Grey paint doesn’t hurt either. I’d still opt for Ascari Blue for a better effect. When I first laid eyes on it, my mind jumped to the Polestar 3, which carries a similar front-heavy, low-cabin design.

Practicality, or Lack Thereof

Here’s where the SQ6 becomes nearly a niche product. Open the tailgate and you’ll find 855 litres of cargo space. That’s massive, complete with clever storage bins and a flat floor. Road trip for two? Perfect. Three golf bags? Easy. Skis? No problem.

Now slide into the back seat and reality sets in. Legroom is tight. Headroom feels pinched. Even my nine-year-olds noted it was snug. Taller adults will find the space compromised, especially if the front seats are adjusted for anyone over 5’10. The SQ6, for all its size on the outside, isn’t a family hauler. It’s an “in-between” SUV, bridging Q5 and Q7, but not quite filling either role.

On the Road

All is forgiven once you hit the throttle. The SQ6 is quick, with adaptive air suspension keeping things flat and composed. Audi nailed the balance here as steering is sharp, ride quality is supple, and stability at highway speeds is confidence-inspiring. It rockets past traffic with ease, and through on-ramps, the suspension’s subtle corrections keep everything level.

Efficiency tricks are built in, too. “Efficiency Assist” uses regen braking to manage distances in traffic, almost like cruise control without actually setting cruise. It works, but I found it borderline annoying and shut it off after a couple of days – this isn’t a good function for slightly aggressive or worse drivers. One-pedal driving in “B” mode is excellent, though, with strong regen that can bring the SQ6 to a stop smoothly. The steering-wheel-mounted regen-mode paddles are useless.

Competition and Closing Thoughts

Against rivals, the SQ6 holds its own. It’s sharper to drive than the BMW iX and more engaging than the Polestar 3. Cadillac’s Lyriq is a little roomier and more practical, but it can’t quite match Audi’s dynamic flair. Reliability and resale? Still anyone’s guess, but that’s true of nearly every premium EV at this stage.

The SQ6 is a winner in many ways. It looks fantastic, drives beautifully, and shows Audi still knows how to make an SUV with personality. The caveats are that it’s not spacious enough for families, and it symbolizes Audi’s tilt away from wagons and enthusiast cars. This is something that I think could hurt them long-term.

So, if you’re shopping for a midsize electric SUV, the SQ6 should be on your test-drive list. Just don’t expect it to replace your A6 Avant e-tron dreams.

2025 Audi SQ6

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