Audi A6 Avant e-tron Review

The Audi A6 Avant e-tron represents a welcome shift in the electric car market, moving beyond the flood of SUVs to revive the estate segment where Audi has traditionally excelled.

This all-electric continuation of the A6 nameplate faces stiff competition from the BMW i5 Touring and newer challengers like the Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer.

Aerodynamics dominate the A6 Avant e-tron’s design philosophy. The car features a smaller, body-colored grille, flush door handles and active aero flaps to improve airflow. Digital wing mirrors also contribute to its slippery profile.

Its more understated appearance contrasts with the bolder BMW i5, while customizable LED light signatures and an illuminated four-ring tailgate badge ensure the Audi remains recognizable.

Inside, the cabin maintains Audi’s familiar aesthetic with gloss black trim, chrome accents and faux-suede upholstery. The sports seats offer excellent comfort and adjustability.

Space is generous for front passengers and adequate for rear adults, though the 502-liter boot capacity falls short of both the i5 Touring (570 liters) and ID.7 (605 liters).

Build quality shows concerning lapses. The dashboard produces hollow rattles, and some lower plastics feel unexpectedly thin for an Audi product.

Technology centers around a 14.9-inch touchscreen curved toward the driver, forming a continuous display with the 11.9-inch digital instruments. Our test car included an additional passenger screen.

The infotainment system operates logically despite lacking physical buttons. Headrest speakers work with the Bang & Olufsen sound system to create an impressive audio experience.

The digital door mirrors prove less successful – poorly positioned, lacking depth perception and offering worse visibility than conventional mirrors.

Built on the same PPE platform as the Q6 and Porsche Macan, the A6 e-tron comes with rear or all-wheel drive options and a substantial 94.9kWh battery supporting charging speeds up to 270kW.

Range varies by configuration – 435 miles for the most efficient rear-wheel drive model and 402 miles for the RWD performance variant tested. Real-world testing delivered around 280 miles with efficiency of 3.3m/kWh.

The A6 e-tron offers two main recuperation settings plus an adaptive system using navigation and camera data to manage regenerative braking. One-pedal driving isn’t available.

Power delivery in the 362bhp performance model (375bhp with launch control) comes as a linear surge rather than an instant punch, reminiscent of the old A6’s twin-turbo diesel. Mid-range acceleration proves particularly strong.

The Audi outpaces its BMW rival with a 5.4-second 0-62mph time versus the i5 Touring’s 6.1 seconds.

Handling doesn’t match its power. While steering is precise, body control falls short of the BMW’s composure. The ride can feel unsettled, especially with the 21-inch wheels, though the car excels on smooth highways.

Pricing starts at £65,000 for the Sport edition – £4,000 less than the entry-level i5, though with less power. S line models begin at £68,615 and Edition 1 at £73,615.

The performance powertrain adds £7,500, while the 422bhp quattro all-wheel-drive system costs another £5,000.

Our £87,360 test car was the Launch Edition, essentially a 1st Edition with additional features including the B&O audio system, augmented reality HUD and a panoramic sunroof with adjustable transparency.

Standard equipment is comprehensive, with adaptive matrix lights, three-zone climate control, Dinamica upholstery, heated seats throughout, the passenger display and extensive driver assistance systems included.

The A6 Avant e-tron succeeds as an electric continuation of Audi’s estate heritage. It offers attractive styling, a comfortable interior and strong long-distance capabilities thanks to decent efficiency and rapid charging.

However, its handling doesn’t match its power output, some technology feels unnecessarily complex, and certain quality aspects fall short of its primary Bavarian competitor.