2025 Audi A6 Sportback E-Tron Review: A Luxury Electric Vehicle with an Abundance of Technology

      Cy Soliman

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      I’ll be honest—I approached the 2025 Audi A6 Sportback E-Tron Quattro with some skepticism. As a passionate car enthusiast with little experience in EVs, the concept of a heavily connected, tech-laden electric luxury sedan didn’t sit well with me. I braced myself for an inconvenient charging experience, overwhelming technology, and possibly a dull driving experience during my week with the vehicle. Instead, I left feeling quite impressed.

      Certainly, the overall experience of owning an EV (positive or negative) isn't solely the responsibility of the manufacturer. However, in this instance, I found Audi’s real-world range and comfort quite satisfying, and it handled long journeys and daily driving with ease. While it is indeed packed with technology that sometimes felt excessive, it exemplifies what modern luxury signifies in the era of EVs: impressive range, state-of-the-art efficiency, and a refined driving experience that can even captivate skeptics like myself.

      The Essentials

      The A6 Sportback E-Tron is among the first models built on Audi’s new PPE (Premium Platform Electric) architecture, which it shares with Porsche. It serves as a leading midsize luxury electric sedan, with a base price of $65,900, while well-equipped variants like my test vehicle exceed $75,000.

      Unlike some futuristic EVs that overtly showcase their electric nature, Audi adopts a “car first, EV second” philosophy with the A6 E-Tron, retaining familiar design elements like low, broad proportions, a sleek Sportback roofline, and understated accents. It exudes sophistication without being excessive.

      I would describe the A6 Sportback’s shape as that of a professional, practical sedan. While the overall design may not be particularly bold, it steers clear of being dull. The Sportback’s exterior shape takes center stage, with a long roofline that leads to a hatch concealing a sizable cargo area—arguably the most practical trunk in its class. I found it easy to fit my 5’8” surfboard into the trunk with the rear seats down. Audi also boasts a small frunk, which is more akin to a glovebox than a significant storage space. The sleek headlights with customizable digital light signatures add a modern touch at the front.

      Step inside, and you are welcomed by an array of screens. The main infotainment display dominates the dashboard, angled toward the driver, while a separate screen is positioned in front of the passenger. With Audi’s Virtual Cockpit gauge cluster, you are surrounded by technology. For some, this may be cutting-edge; for me, it felt a bit overwhelming. Even climate controls are touch-based. Given the prevalent sentiment of people growing weary of touch screens, one would expect the essentials to still be operable with the simple push of a button.

      Nonetheless, this is Audi, and the quality of craftsmanship is evident. The interior feels upscale, with ample space and premium materials throughout. Wood-like accents on the doors and dash elevate the atmosphere, while customizable ambient lighting adds a stylish touch. The rear seat area is spacious, and the panoramic "zebra glass" sunroof—with its electronic tinting—serves as more of a novelty than a necessity, but it is undeniably impressive.

      Driving the 2025 Audi A6 Sportback E-Tron

      On the road, the A6 E-Tron embodies the qualities expected from a luxury EV: quiet, composed, and comfortable. The dual-motor configuration provides immediate, effortless acceleration, with 456 peak horsepower and 631 lb-ft of torque, making merging and overtaking a breeze. The adaptive suspension glides over bumps, keeping the ride balanced without feeling excessively floaty. Audi’s Adaptive Cruise Assist proved to be intuitive, with precise lane centering and consistent distance from other vehicles. With heated and ventilated seats, long journeys become fatigue-free.

      Some of my favorite tech features included Audi’s voice assist and the 360-degree camera. As a frequent Siri user, being able to use voice commands to quickly set directions or check the weather was quite convenient. Additionally, the all-around cameras made parking in tight urban areas effortless—no more excuses for poor parking jobs.

      It’s reasonable to anticipate that increased technology comes with added weight. While EVs are generally heavier than traditional internal combustion engine vehicles, this one feels particularly hefty. The dual-motor Quattro weighs in at 5,192 pounds, while even the RWD variant is 4,949 pounds. Audi’s adaptive air suspension and significant torque help mask this weight, but it's still noticeable.

      A few additional complaints that may improve over time: though the regenerative braking system offers various modes, including one-pedal driving, the transitions felt awkward and inconsistent. The turning radius is frustratingly wide, complicating city driving in areas like San