2025 Audi SQ6 e-tron: Another 5,000+ lbs, 500hp SUV Here to Save the Environment for Only $75k

Design Missteps and Performance Promises in Audi’s Latest Electric SUV

After spending some time with the new Audi SQ6 e-tron, I can’t help but wonder what happened to the design team. When my significant other laid eyes on this electric SUV, her immediate reaction was, “What’s up with that hideous grille and why is there a black plastic piece on the side?” Honestly, it raises the question: will there be a BMW-style shakeup of Audi’s designers, or are we stuck with vehicles like the SQ6 e-tron?

This hefty SUV might be labeled as “environmentally friendly” (insert eye-roll), but it’s also a performer—though not without its design missteps. Let’s dive into the details of this latest offering and see if what Audi has been cooking up is something you want to partake of. Is beauty in the eye of the beholder?

A glance at the specs

Audi touts the new SQ6 platform, which shares Volkswagen Group’s E-cubed electrical architecture with the electric Porsche Macan and Audi Q6. This tech is supposed to enhance the digital user experience, but that might not be enough to distract from the overwhelming number of screens crammed into the cabin.

The interior features an 11.9-inch driver-facing digital cockpit and a 14.5-inch central touchscreen on an unimpressively boring plastic slab. Sure, Android Automotive OS powers the interface and offers the latest tech features, but do we really need a screen that looks like it was sourced from Alibaba? Audi’s latest design decisions seem to lean toward generic GM-styled design rather than the luxurious feel we expect from the brand.

Beneath the surface, the SQ6 will be equipped with two power plants producing strong torque and horsepower, which bumps up to 509 when launch control is engaged. Audi says you should expect 60 mph in around four seconds.

Interior woes and design missteps

While the SQ6 aims for luxury, the execution leaves much to be desired. Although the interior looks inviting in photos, it is marred by cheap plastics reminiscent of the latest Audi efforts like the Q5 and A3. This is particularly disappointing given the SQ6’s price point—starting at around $75,000.

Oh, and you can't miss it, there is a mess of TV remote controls near the door handle, like the new Q5. Oh, Audi, what focus group agreed that placing controls for mirrors, seats, and lights in one convoluted location was a good idea?

I also can’t believe focus groups said, “Mmmmm, boy. I’m really attracted to all that piano black plastic.” Ask any new car customer if piano black is on their purchase consideration list, and they’ll say, “Don’t, and say you didn’t.” It attracts fingerprints, dust, hair, water spots, and scratches. Yet Audi not only puts it in the interior, they add it to the front grille and other exterior pieces. It’s as if they bought it in a fire sale.

And as for the exterior design? The Audi SQ6 is pudgy, and some of that can’t be helped because of its big EV bones. However, the SQ6 frame doesn’t determine the new elongated, squished grille—sigh—which looks like it would fit better on my toddler daughter’s pink Little Tike push car. It might as well be wearing a name tag saying, “I used to be sporty.”

All of this begs the question: Where is the aggression that once defined Audi? Audi’s elegant, timeless design, coupled with impressive performance and refinement, doesn’t exist in its new models, and one has to wonder why.

Performance: A mixed bag of power and precision

Underneath the SQ6’s sleek exterior lies a powertrain Audi hopes will excite driving enthusiasts. With dual motors delivering a combined 483 horsepower (and a boost to 510 horses with launch control), the SQ6 promises performance that matches its hefty price tag. Audi has opted for a different approach compared to the sister Porsche Macan EV, forgoing rear-wheel steering and using a more economical induction AC front motor instead of the Macan’s fancy permanent-magnet unit.

Now, let’s talk about how this SUV behaves on the road. While the SQ6 can feel a bit clinical in its driving dynamics, it doesn’t lack capability. This SUV makes quick work of tight corners and can easily rocket past slower traffic, making highway merges feel effortless in a big football lineman kind of way. Even with the noticeable weight, it balances refinement and performance. Although not what I would call Audi Sport-worthy, it has unexpected body control even on the optional 21-inch wheels paired with summer tires. Standard 20-inch wheels with all-season rubber are available for those who prefer a softer ride.

Switching to Dynamic mode sharpens the SQ6’s reflexes, giving it a bit of that whirring-spaceship EV vibe—though thankfully, that added soundtrack can be turned off for those who prefer a quieter drive. The air springs and adaptive dampers effectively absorb road imperfections without inducing too much wallowing.

Moreover, the SQ6 offers steering-wheel paddles for managing regenerative braking, which can be adjusted to provide a robust deceleration force of up to 0.25 g in its strongest one-pedal mode. For those who prefer a less hands-on approach, the Auto mode adjusts deceleration automatically based on navigation data and sensor inputs.

While the SQ6 might not be as engaging as some would hope, it offers a capable driving experience that keeps you comfortable and confident, even on narrow, rain-soaked roads.

Another missed opportunity

The 2025 Audi SQ6 could have been a standout entry in the luxury SUV market, leveraging Audi’s reputation for innovation. Instead, as with the other e-trons and even the latest Q5, it finds itself stuck between outdated design cues and a clumsy attempt at modernity. While it boasts some praiseworthy tech features, the execution raises serious questions about Audi’s design direction.

For those considering an SQ6 e-tron over, say, it’s sportier cousin Macan or even a more mundane VW ID4, you might find the SQ6 falls short of expectations for the price. As for me, it’s looking like I don’t even know who Audi is anymore. This serves as a reminder that even promising models can falter when design and material quality fall flat.

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