THE long-awaited Audi Q6 and SQ6 e-tron SUVs have begun their arrival into Australian dealerships, introducing what is arguably one of the brand’s most important local models in terms of overall sales.

Built upon the same 800-volt Premium Platform Electric (PPE) platform as the Porsche Macan E, the Audi Q6 e-tron range is priced from $115,000 plus on-road costs.

It will take the fight to rivals including not only the Macan E, but also the BMW iX3, Lexus RZ 450e, Mercedes-Benz EQC, and Polestar 3.

All Australian variants share a high level of specification and performance, as well as a common battery.

The 94.9kWh (net) battery pack can provide up to 568km driving range and accept charge at up to 270kW (DC), allowing a 10-80 per cent recharge in 21 minutes.

Three grades will be offered initially – the rear-wheel drive Q6 e-tron Performance ($115,000), all-wheel drive Q6 e-tron quattro ($122,500), and the sporty SQ6 e-tron quattro ($151,400).

For the Q6 e-tron Performance we find an output of 225kW/485Nm allowing a 0-100km/h time of 6.7 seconds and top speed of 210km/h. Driving range is listed at 558km based on the WLTP cycle.

The mid-tier Q6 e-tron quattro ups the ante with 285kW/580Nm output figure, 5.9 second 0-100km/h time, and identical 210km/h top speed. Driving range drops marginally to 542km, again based on WLTP calculations.

Finally, for the flagship SQ6 e-tron quattro, we find an output figure of 360kW/580Nm, 0-100km/h time of 4.4 seconds, v-max of 230km/h, and a driving range quotation of 568km – the best of all three attributed to the model’s adaptive ride height improved aerodynamics.

Feature highlights of the ‘entry’ grade include 19-inch alloy wheels, Matrix LED headlights, towing preparation, keyless entry and start, tri-zone climate control, a heated steering wheel, heated front and outboard rear seats, powered front seats with driver-side memory, and a powered tailgate with gesture control.

The Q6 e-tron Performance further offers an 11.9-inch digital instrument panel, 14.5-inch infotainment array, and 10.9-inch passenger screen, 360-degree camera system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, wireless smartphone charging pad, and DAB+ digital radio reception.

Safety technologies are abundant, with highlights including adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, blind spot warning, exit warning, lane departure warning, park assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and speed sign recognition to name but a few.

The Q6 e-tron quattro adds Audi’s S line exterior and interior styling packages, 20-inch Audi Sport alloy wheels, flat top- and bottom steering wheel, black interior headlining, aluminium pedals, and illuminated front aluminium door sill covers with S logo.

Finally, for the SQ6 e-tron quattro, and incremental to those features listed above, we find metallic paint, adaptive air suspension, 21-inch Audi Sport alloys, rear privacy glass, red-painted brake callipers, OLED tail-lights, and a panoramic sunroof.

Inside, we find an electrically adjustable steering column, augmented reality head-up display, B&O premium sound, coloured ambient cabin lighting, and S sport seats with Nappa leather and massage function (front).

In customising the Q6 e-tron duo, buyers may option the Tech Pro pack with adaptive air suspension, electrically adjustable steering column, and digital OLED taillights for $4900; or the Premium pack with panoramic sunroof, augmented reality head-up display, B&O premium sound, high-capacity USB charging ports, and acoustic front window glazing for $8900.

The Q6 e-tron Performance is further available with a Style pack adding S line exterior, 20-inch Audi Sport alloy wheels, black exterior garnishing, and rear privacy glass for $5000; while the Q6 e-tron quattro is offered optionally with a Style pack that adds 21-inch Audi Sport alloy wheels, black exterior garnishing, and rear privacy glass for $3600.

Against the tape, the five-seat Audi Q6 e-tron measures 4771mm in length, 1939mm in width, 1648mm in height, and 2899mm between the front and rear axle centres. It can hold 526 litres of cargo in the rear and a further 64 litres up front.

All variants carry a tyre repair kit in lieu of a spare wheel.

As with all Audi vehicles, the Q6 e-tron range is backed by a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty with eight-year/160,000km coverage on the high-voltage battery pack.

Roadside assistance is included for the duration of the warranty period.

At the time of publication, service intervals and pricing had yet to be announced.

Driving Impressions

The Q6 and SQ6 e-tron are deceptively roomy SUVs. Front and rear seat accommodation is generous with ample front seat adjustment for that just-right driving position.

Winding through Tasmania’s gorgeous (if lumpy) backroads, we were also impressed to find excellent outward visibility, aided of course by a high-resolution camera system when parking.

Plentiful storage and charging options add to the feeling that the Q6 e-tron pair are thoughtful in their approach to family life.

The massive array of screens is intuitive to operate, which we must say surprised us given the amount of content that bristles beneath.

The trio of screens is refreshingly easy to view in direct sunlight – and when wearing polarised sunglasses. Though we can’t say the same of the head-up display, which seems to vanish when the sunnies come out.

Importantly, as a prestige offering, the Q6 e-tron pair is impressively quiet with just a hint of wind noise from the wing mirrors at highway speeds. Tyre noise is well suppressed, even managing to quieten the often-crusty road surfaces found in Tassie’s back country.

Of course, it’s the driving experience of the Q6 e-tron we admired most. Audi has done a brilliant job of creating a vehicle that is not only responsive and brisk, but effortlessly smooth as well.

The Q6 e-tron Performance and Q6 e-tron quattro feel remarkably close in terms of outright performance, the latter offering a dynamic edge that is advantageous in tightening radius corners, or when tackling loose surfaces.

Both vehicles are surprisingly engaging, the rear-biased all-wheel drive system of the Q6 e-tron quattro a bit of a hoot when the chance to open the taps is presented.

The vehicle’s ability to communicate with the driver is a step above anything we have so far come to expect from a mid-sized battery electric SUV, the steering and suspension offering a level of engagement that is sorely lacking in the competition.

Stepping up to the SQ6 e-tron we find the additional pace and tech a delight in the corners, the air suspension fast acting when troubled by the lumps and bumps familiar to this part of the world. Add to this superb stopping power and it’s fair to say the SQ6 e-tron is the pick of the litter, though the price premium is a little up there.

We thoroughly enjoyed using the regenerative braking to set the car up for corners, adding a dab of friction braking to shift the weight over the steering wheels before committing. The level of poise and balance here is quite remarkable considering the vehicle’s size, allowing accuracy of road position that is oftentimes necessary on narrow country roads.

Which brings us to what is perhaps one of the Q6 e-tron trio’s only Achilles heel – the lane keeping nannies. As good as they are when clear lane markings are present, its ability to spot the edge of the black-top on roads without a centre line is less than ideal.

The systems seem to second guess the edge placement and adjust the steering accordingly when no clear edge is defined. It’s a scenario that is perhaps peculiar to Australian backroads, and one that is fortunately easy to override – a simple long push on the end of the indicator stalk disables the system until the next ignition cycle.

Would we let that dissuade us from recommending the Audi Q6 e-tron range? Not in the slightest. Given how well the vehicle performs against every other measure – and how infrequently owners are likely to encounter such scenarios – the intervention is nothing more than a mild inconvenience.

In every other respect the Audi Q6 e-tron range is an immensely agreeable drive.

Wonderfully proportioned, stylish, laden with safety and connectivity technology, comfortable, confident, and with a level of performance and range we think Aussie prestige buyers will warm to, this is arguably the electric family hauler we’ve all been waiting for.