I’m driving the new all-electric 2025 Audi A6 E-Tron along the tight roads that wend their way from the coastal banana plantations of Tenerife, the largest of Spain’s Canary Islands, up through pine forests to the breathtaking Teide National Park.
It’s a dreamlike black lava-strewn moonscape dominated by the 3,718-metre Mount Teide volcano. Although still classified as active, Teide hasn’t erupted since 1909.
The 2025 Audi A6 e-tron only adds to this surreal experience, such is its velvety ride and the cathedral-like silence within. Granted, the road surfaces here are mirror-smooth, but still — I feel that I’m not so much driving as I am mutely soaring through the scenery, not really connected to the earth at all.
I’ve driven many electric vehicles (EVs), and next to the Rolls-Royce Spectre this Audi has to be the quietest. Although it must be noted this 362-hp single-motor variant won’t make it to our shores. All Canadian A6 E-Trons will be of the dual-motor variety with all-wheel drive.
The Details
The 2025 A6 E-Tron — along with the sporty S6 E-Tron — will arrive in Canada in the third quarter of 2025; and while range, pricing and specs will be available closer to launch, there’s plenty to glean in the meantime.
The two A6 E-tron variants — Quattro and Quattro Ultra — will make 422 hp, while the brawnier S6 E-Tron will generate 543 hp. Sadly, we won’t be getting the wagon version. The very optimistic European testing standard pegs the A6 E-Tron with a maximum range of 716 km, which could translate to something in the mid 500s when rated for North American duty. The S6 E-Tron gets a European estimate of 675 km.
The Drag
Much of the 2025 A6 E-Tron’s inherent calm can be attributed to its 0.21 drag coefficient that, as Volkswagen Group’s slipperiest vehicle, has it minimally disturbing the atmosphere. When it comes to EVs, aerodynamics are key to eking every possible kilometre of range from the battery. Wind resistance accounts for 60 per cent of a vehicle’s total drag at highway speeds, with rolling resistance and internal frictions considerably less. Audi’s optional aero wheels can add six km to the range count, while the adaptive air suspension can chip in with another 12 km by lowering the vehicle at cruising speed.
Built on the new Premium Platform Electric (PPE) 800-volt architecture, the A6 E-Tron is Audi’s first EV in the C-segment of cars. It uses Audi’s new generation battery with 12 modules using 180 prismatic-type lithium-ion cells. More energy dense and using fewer rare earth metals, it packs 100 kWh (94.9 kWh net). With maximum charging speeds of 270 kW, the A6 E-Tron can go from 10 to 80 per cent charge in 21 minutes at an appropriate DC fast-charger.
The 2025 A6 E-Tron is an understated, elegant piece with fine detailing and a fastback hatch that serves up some real-world utility: a 502-L trunk that expands to 1,330 L with the split rear seats folded. Under the hood there’s a useful 27-L frunk. With the key in your pocket, you can step on the projected “pedal” image beneath the rear bumper to raise the hatch. Up front, pop the frunk by waving your hand above it.
As with all Audi EVs, the A6 E-Tron comes at us with a single-frame body-coloured grille surrounded by a black mask, a reverse of the look on gas-powered models. The squinting daytime running lights give the car its eyes while the main headlights are integrated into a dark mask below, rendering them largely invisible. A design signature of these EVs are the black inserts that run along the side sill area, hinting at the battery that lives under the floor.
The Lights
The 2025 A6 E-Tron is the first vehicle to get illuminated Audi rings above the rear light bar, plus there will be an illuminated Audi logo in the centre of the grille — a feature that’s unique to Canada. We’ll also have Audi’s full matrix headlights as an option now that this technology is legal. So what does that mean? No more low- and high-beam settings, as the myriad LEDs in each headlight, working with forward facing sensors, follow the oncoming vehicle (or vehicle ahead) and eliminate any light that will dazzle — or blind — the occupants.
The rear of the A6 E-Tron sports Audi’s new 3D light bar with five OLED groupings per side, with each containing 45 elements. The visual possibilities are staggering, and Audi is capitalizing on this with eight selectable lighting signatures.
The Interior
Audi is back on its game when it comes to interiors, and this fresh cabin will find its way into all products going forward. The dash is dominated by a sweeping display — 11.9-inch instrument display, 14.5-inch touchscreen using Android Automotive OS — with all the latest tech, connectivity, and AI-powered voice assistance Audi can throw at it. A signature of this new interior is a slim LED light bar that runs along the base of the windshield.
A 10.9-inch passenger screen is available. Balancing all this tech is the organic flowing aesthetic to the cabin, embraced by “soft wrap” fabric surfaces, fine metalwork, artistic ambient lighting, and topshelf build quality. Optional is a leather-free interior including the steering wheel upholstery.
Rear-seat head- and legroom are more than generous for this six-foot correspondent. The available Bang and Olufsen Premium Sound System that, with 830-watts and 20 speakers (two in each front headrest), sounds truly spectacular. Another cool option is a new panoramic sunroof with switchable electronic opacity that, for one, acts like a retractable sunshade. There’s also a striped pattern you can call up that initially seems a bit gimmicky but actually works well in diffusing direct sunlight if you don’t want to go full dark.
Final Thoughts
While the A6 E-Tron runs with a steel-sprung suspension (air suspension is optional), the S6 E-Tron gets adaptive air suspension working in conjunction with its rear-biased all-wheel drive. And with 543 hp underfoot, the rakish S6 is quick. What Audi hasn’t done here is turn the S6 E-Tron into an edgy, apex-strafing performance rendition of the base car. It’s still very much a comfortable luxury sedan, just measurably quicker with an extra layer of athleticism when calling up dynamic mode.
In the bigger picture of EV acceptance and attainability, the 2025 Audi A6 E-Tron will barely move the needle. It’s another pricey, tech-laden offering that only a few will buy. Even so, it’s a good one. Roomy, functional, handsome, quick, and luxurious, this uber-cool EV will surely draw the gaze of those shopping in this growing segment.
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