Audi A6 Avant E-Tron review: electric estate leads the space race

The Audi A6 Avant E-Tron is an electric estate that has a lot to offer, both in terms of practicality and technology. This vehicle was tested during a camping trip where its large boot capacity, measuring 502 litres, was utilised to the fullest extent. The A6 E-Tron boasts numerous technological advancements, ranging from ingenious features like a foot-operated boot release with its own puddle lamp to more trivial choices such as the selection of eight LED signatures for daytime running lights.

As part of the A6 family, the A6 E-Tron is Audi's long-running executive saloon, positioned between the smaller A5 and the larger A8. Its electric counterpart competes with the BMW i5 and Mercedes-Benz EQE. While all these vehicles come with different drivetrains, the A6 E-Tron's standalone electric powertrain sets it apart.

The A6 E-Tron's body is built on the 800-volt Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture, which is also used in the Audi Q6 E-Tron SUV and Porsche Macan. It is available in Sportback and Avant variants, with prices starting from £62,590. The Avant version carries an additional £1,800 cost. The vehicle offers two battery packs: an 83kWh pack (75.8kWh usable) in the base 326hp model, and a 100kWh pack (94.9kWh) for the Performance and 462hp Quattro versions. The top-tier option, the 550hp S6, is available in both body styles.

The test vehicle being examined is the Performance-spec A6 Avant, priced at £75,075 before options. It produces 417lb ft of instant electric torque, enabling it to reach 62mph in 5.4 seconds and achieve a maximum speed of 130mph. While this may not be considered extremely fast by EV standards, it is still quite quick. The Audi's efficiency figure of 4.0-4.2 miles per kWh equates to a range of 428-443 miles, and the battery can be charged at a maximum speed of 270kW, allowing for a 10-80% charge in just 21 minutes at certain fast charging stations.

One interesting aspect of the A6 E-Tron is its rear-wheel drive configuration, which is an unusual choice among Audis. The last rear-wheel drive Audi I tested was the R8 supercar in the all-guns-blazing V10 GT RWD guise. Based on this, the A6 E-Tron is expected to be somewhat less aggressive in its driving dynamics.

The A6 E-Tron made its debut as a concept at the Auto Shanghai show in 2021 and launched in production three years later with minimal changes to its design. Its distinctive look, with a body-coloured grille and a 'black mask' partially obscuring the main headlights, makes it stand out from a regular A6. The Avant version of the A6 E-Tron is particularly well-designed, with a completely flat underside that aids in achieving a drag coefficient (Cd) of 0.24 for the Avant and 0.21 for the Sportback. These figures make the A6 E-Tron one of the most aerodynamic cars on the market.

To further reduce drag, the A6 E-Tron offers a virtual door mirror option, which projects a video feed onto screens beside the dashboard. However, these mirrors are quite expensive (£1,495) and limited to top-spec Vorsprung models. Inside the A6 E-Tron, the vehicle showcases the modern obsession with digital displays, sometimes at the expense of more traditional tactile controls.

The high seating position, due to the batteries beneath the floor, provides ample headroom (40mm more in the Avant than the Sportback) and acceptable space for three adults. The boot can expand to 1,422 litres when the rear seats are folded down, making it ideal for those Sunday morning trips to the tip. The charging cable fits in a 27-litre 'frunk' space.