Behind the wheel: Amelia and friend Holly  

I had the chance to take the all-new Audi Q6 e-tron out for a weekend drive with some friends, and I’ve got to say—it’s easily the most advanced electric SUV I’ve driven so far. From its sculpted exterior and dynamic lighting to the plush, tech-filled cabin, it feels incredibly premium.

For our weekend adventure, we explored around Melbourne city. We navigated through the CBD for our morning treaties and coffee, then headed out to St Kilda, Port Melbourne and Albert Park.

This mid-size SUV feels anything but ordinary and the drive was smooth and quiet as we explored the city – exactly what you'd expect from a luxury EV. It doesn’t just look good; it blends cutting-edge technology, a sleek design and everyday practicality into one seriously impressive package.

Audi Australia has confirmed the introduction of a new base model Q6 e-tron arriving in July 2025, offering a more affordable entry point while retaining much of the technology and premium features found in the rest of the range.

The entry level Q6 e-tron, simply known as the “Q6 SUV e-tron” retains the same feature set as the existing Q6 e-tron Performance but swaps the 100kWh (gross) battery for a smaller 83kWh (gross) unit. It will offer a driving range of 462km, compared to the 558km range of the Q6 e-tron Performance and 542km range for the e-tron Quattro.

The introduction of the new entry level Q6 SUV e-tron provides a luxury EV experience below the LCT, making it an attractive option for novated leasing.

From the moment you lay eyes on it, the Q6 e-tron makes a statement. Its sharp LED lighting and aerodynamic lines give it a futuristic yet unmistakably Audi look. It’s a big car – but that translates into a generous, practical interior that’s perfect for families or anyone who values comfort and room to move.

In a word: serene.

The Q6 e-tron is so quiet. While driving through Melbourne, I found the ride to be comfortable and easy. And despite its size, the Q6 is surprisingly easy to drive and features like auto parking and intersection crossing assist make urban driving a breeze.

The cabin feels more like a luxury lounge than a car interior. Audi Australia claims the Q6 e-tron is “the most highly specified mid-size Audi to ever come to Australia” – and it shows. It’s spacious, decked out with premium materials and easily accommodates five passengers.

The cutting-edge infotainment system, ambient lighting, and advanced technology really elevate the driving experience.

Standard features include:
• Matrix LED headlights
• Heated seats (front and outer rear)
• Tri-zone climate control
• Heated steering wheel
• Wireless phone charger with adaptive cooling
• 360-degree camera including kerb view function
• Power tailgate

The tech is seriously next-level. A sweeping 14.5-inch central touchscreen, 11.9-inch OLED driver display (which is customisable and configurable) creates a digital cockpit that’s both beautiful and functional.

And if that wasn’t enough, there is a 10.9-inch front passenger touchscreen display which allows control over music, satellite navigation and more. This screen 'turns off' for the driver while driving, reducing distractions.

A standout is the augmented reality head-up display, which projects important driving information onto the windscreen – including speed, navigation and traffic alerts – in a way that feels intuitive.

Here are a few highlights that really stood out for me when driving the Audi Q6 e-tron.

Customisable lighting: Match the interior lighting to your outfit, mood, or destination. Heading to the NGV? Set the lights to pink and arrive in style. You can also customise the shapes and motion of the exterior headlights and reverse lights. This feature added a fun element to our inner-city trip.

Auto parking: I was super excited to try this feature. I was initially nervous, but the Q6 does it all for you. It identifies a spot, you can choose the angle (reverse, parallel or perpendicular) and you let the car do the rest – steering, braking, and all. It was very impressive!

Intersection Assist: With Melbourne roads getting busier with cyclists, e-bikes and e-scooters, I found this to be a helpful feature. It monitors the area in front of and beside the vehicle at junctions and exit roads to detect oncoming objects.

Exit Warning System: Another great feature that detects vehicles and cyclists when opening doors, providing a warning light and initiating a slight delay in door opening.

Bang & Olufsen sound system: A luxury car calls for all the bells and whistles and we were very impressed with the Bang & Olufsen speakers. The crystal-clear audio made our drive feel like a concert. I enjoyed singing along to Dua Lipa, ABBA and more. (Note: only available on the SQ6 e-tron or as part of the Premium package).

Headrest speakers for directions: Separate from the music, the map directions come through the headrest speakers, providing clear guidance (available on performance and quattro variants, only in conjunction with the Premium package).

Driver’s dash: Provides all necessary information without being too distracting. It also includes a windscreen projection showing the speed limit and your speed. The system identifies traffic and distinguishes between cars and trucks, activating auto braking systems if needed. The car can read the traffic and respond accordingly. A great feature when driving in the city!