Audi Q6 e-tron and SQ6 e-tron Against the Luxury EV Competition: Will It Prevail?

The first model using Audi and Porsche's collaborative PPE 800-volt platform launches in standard Q6 quattro and SQ6 e-tron quattro trim, but there's a catch: only the American market version comes with up to 456 hp on launch control for the Q6. Meanwhile, the other regions are getting 382 hp and 510 hp, respectively. Basically, that's another way to make sure it doesn't steal the clients from Porsche's Macan EV, which spreads its zero emissions wings with 402 to 630 horsepower.

By the way, Audi has dropped the ultra-confusing naming scheme where its TSI, TDI, or e-tron models had some arbitrary numerals attached to them. Now, the Q6 e-tron launches with the quattro variant. At the same time, the RWD model will launch at a later date, and there's also a Q6 e-tron Sportback in the making for anyone who doesn't care about practicality and wants to join the fashionable coupe-SUV lifestyle.

For now, the US specification for the Q6 e-tron quattro includes a nominal power of 422 hp or 456 on launch control, a zero to 60 mph (96 kph) sprint time of five seconds, and a top speed of 130 mph (210 kph) while the range estimate is over 300 miles on a single charge. It differs slightly from the other regions, which get the Q6 e-tron quattro with less power but a higher 388-mile (625 km) rating thanks to the battery with twelve modules and 180 prismatic cells and a gross capacity of 100 kWh (94.0 net).

Thanks to the new PPE architecture, there's 270-kW DC fast charging for 800-volt stations for 10 to 80% SoC in 21 minutes, plus a rather slow 9.6 kW rating for AC charging. The SQ6 e-tron quattro, on the other hand, launches to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds and has a higher top speed of 143 mph (230 kph). The MSRP for the US market is unknown, but it's not going to be cheap – in Europe, it starts from 74.700 euros (over $81k), and the SQ6 is at least 93,800 euros ($101,888 at the current exchange rate).

Hopefully, the new E3 electronic architecture will help it arrive safely on the market this summer and without the hiccups encountered by MEB models from parent company VW AG or the disasters registered in America by General Motors, for example. Of course, since this is a new entry into the Audi structure, it doesn't fight internally with many other models – it's just smaller than the Q8 e-tron and based on a new architecture also. However, the most obvious rival is the Porsche Macan EV cousin. In fact, the Macan 4 Electric starts from $78,800, which is potentially on par with the Q6 e-tron but with 402 horsepower instead of up to 456.

That makes it an interesting comparison at the base since it's easy to opt for the Audi Q6 e-tron, knowing they both have the same platform underneath and that the Audi cousin is more powerful. It's even easier to select it if you don't like Porsche's implementation of the split-headlight styling because the Q6 e-tron quattro is a bit more traditional in terms of styling. Alas, from the side and rear, they're both generic crossovers, and it's anyone's choice which is cooler and which is blander. As far as the SQ6 e-tron and Macan Turbo Electric comparison are concerned, the situation is easily reversible because the Turbo version seriously ups the performance ante to 630 hp compared to 510 hp, and the MSRP kicks off at $105,300.

In the end, the choice will depend on Audi's pricing strategy more than anything else. By the way, we can't go on without saying a few words about the Tesla Model Y. Although it's a mid-size crossover SUV, the American rival is much cheaper – it starts from $44k in RWD form, $49k as a Long Range model with an EPA range of 310 miles, and from just $52,490 as a Performance variant with a zero to 60 mph time of just 3.5 seconds. As such, it's faster and way cheaper than the Q6 e-tron quattro and SQ6 e-tron quattro, but Audi might have a slight advantage in terms of range if their rating is above 310 miles on a charge. Alas, there's nothing they can do about the pricing.

Other potential foes of the new Audi Q6 e-tron include the BMW iX3 and its Neue Klasse successor, but since it's not available in America, the only other option is the iX xDrive50 and the iX M60. It's another apples-to-oranges comparison, though, as the iX is a mid-size model like the Tesla Model Y, starting from $87k and $111,500, respectively. If the company doesn't die in the next few months, one could also consider the Jaguar I-Pace – it's an older entry into the EV world, but it's still one of the best in its class, starting from $72,500. However, no one knows what will happen with the parent company, so perhaps it's not a sane choice before the waters clear. Last but not least, you could also play with a few ideas from the mass-market side of the automotive market, such as the Ford Mustang Mach-E, the Hyundai Ioniq 5, and the Kia EV6 sibling.