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When you're lucky enough to get behind the wheel of new vehicle every week, it can take a lot to really wow you. This week's review does that and then some. It's the all-new 2025 Audi S6 Sportback e-tron luxury sedan. Think of it as the four-door sports sedan that has everything except the red carpet it certainly deserves. It's arrival couldn't come at a better time, too, given that Lexus recently announced the sad demise of its luxury sedan the LS.
Exterior
The S6 Sportback e-tron shares its new Audi EV platform with the new Q6 e-tron SUV (and I loved it, too.)
The S6 Sportback has the designation of being the most aerodynamic EV within the Audi line-up - and when you look at it, you can certainly see why. It's incredibly sleek design has a lot do with that. The Prestige trim also benefits from power soft-closing doors.
The S6 Sportback e-tron oozes sophistication in Daytona Gray Pearl and a Black Optic package with 21-inch bi-color alloy wheels, anthracite Audi rings, and black exterior trim.
Lighting is a big deal when it comes to Audis. For the Prestige, we're talking animated lighting signatures for both the head and tail lights and digital OLED taillights and by that I mean ten OLED panels with a total of 450 segments.
In back, the Audi rings are illuminated.
Perfomance
The all-electric S6 Sportback e-tron's dual-motor single-speed transmission powertrain delivers 543 horsepower (with launch control.) It's not a high-performance luxury sedan with that number (especially given its 5,000+ pound curb weight), but power and acceleration are certainly ample and Audi cites a 0 to 60 time in 3.7 seconds. It's equipped with Quattro all-wheel drive and you'll get 324 miles of range with 20-inch wheels- 302 miles with my tester's with the larger 21-inch.
Interior
An Arras Red interior is a jaw-dropper if you love multiple, vibrant displays, diamond-quilted leather sport seats, Microsuede and carbon fiber inlays. Audi's cabin design aesthetic is, as always, an understated minimalistic luxury, but make no mistake it is luxury. The interior build quality is just impeccable.
Gorgeous, colorful displays, three in all, put on a show across the cabin dash, creating what Audi calls a Digital Stage. Two are wrap-around OLED screens: a 11.9-inch virtual cockpit instrument display and a 14.5-inch center MMI touchscreen. The Prestige also features a dashboard-integrated 10.9-inch passenger side screen with a privacy screen as to not distract the driver. All three make an impressive statement.
Fine Nappa leather front sport seats with bolsters are expertly designed and crafted for supportive comfort. They are heated and ventilated, and while a massage feature is certainly a nice thought, i didn't find it to be the most robust one out there. A three-spoke flat top and bottom steering wheel features paddle shifters for regenerative braking.
The 11.9-inch digital driver's display - like the one in the new Q-6 etron - is the best I've experienced. Its resolution, color, incredible graphics and bright, bold text just make it all so easy to read and digest. As this is a sporty sedan, it also has a lap timer.
Audi's latest MMI system features fast processing times and a 14.5-inch touchscreen with brilliantly colorful graphics and outstanding navigation. It's configurable too. For instance, you can simultaneously display the weather next to your battery status. It also features handwriting recognition. This is one of the best in-car screens you'll see anywhere. An optional 20-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system is fantastic. There are even speakers in the headrests for audio as well as Audi's Voice Assistant with a really great sound quality and pretty natural delivery.
I wasn't a huge fan of the slim A/C vents in the center stack and wished for a bit more air flow up front. A clutter-free, slim, glossy black center console has your shift-by-wire transmission. Drivers up front also get 2 USB-C ports. There is a wireless charging pad but it's fairly hidden and it's a snug one, therefore not entirely easy to grab and go with it, which is likely to keep your hands off it while behind the wheel.
The sedan's Sportback design lends itself to slim windows, but there is no lack of natural lighting thanks to a very cool panoramic glass roof with switchable transparency. Be aware there is no power sunshade.
As with the exterior, lighting plays a big role in the interior. The Prestige features a dynamic 84 LED light strip across the full width of the interior and cockpit below the windshield. It's there for a few reasons, like to indicate when the sedan is locked and unlocked and to visualize your turn signals. It also pulses when charging and a Red hue alerts the drive of danger.
The S6 e-tron is a large sedan and plenty roomy - it has a wide stance, too, as Audi's tend to be, so there's plenty of elbow room. The 40:20:40 second-row offers a lot of leg-room and headroom is great too thanks to the fastback design.
Back seat passengers enjoy comfortable leather, heated seats, with wonderful headrests, along with a drop-down center armrest with small cupholders, mesh seat back pockets and 2 USB-C ports. The middle seat would also easily accommodate a fifth passenger.
Cargo space is impressive thanks to the sloped roof design.
Other standard features include illuminated door sills with S Logo.
Charging
In another Audi first, Audi says the S6 Sportback e-tron is the brand's first “low-floor” PPE model that can support 94.4 net kWh battery at DC fast-charge speeds of up to 270kW. What that means to you is that you'll get a 10-80% DC fast charging in as little as 21 mins. Other things to know: it has 800-volt charging tech, two charging ports, one on each side, both of which can be opened from the MMI system. Charging status graphics in the MMI system are great.
Safety
Standard driver assistance features include Active Front Assist, Audi Side Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Rear Cross-Traffic Assist, Exit Warning, Front and Rear Parking Sensors. You can access rear occupant detection, fatigue warning and distraction warning in the multimedia system.
The Prestige adds adaptive cruise control and road sign recognition, as well as a really fantastic augmented reality head-up display with fantastic graphics including navigation data and turn signal indicators.
Park Assist Plus
I experienced a big surprise testing out the Prestige's remote parking feature as I was able to back into a parking space using it - something I can't recall ever doing with another system. Needless to say I was impressed.
Ride and Drive
Audi engineers spared nothing when engineering the new S6 Sportback e-tron's impressive ride and drive. It can be sporty when it wants to, or stick to its most aerodynamic, range-efficient cruising side. I prefer the heavier weight of steering wheel and firmer, more responsive handling in Dynamic mode. Efficiency mode improves aerodynamics.
Its Sport adaptive suspension is really notable - it adjusts ride height at four different levels based on road conditions, speed, and also drive mode. And what quick, smooth acceleration - despite its 5,000+ pound curb weight.
Handling is fantastic, too, thanks to Audi's Quattro all-wheel drive. Also of note in this department, it's outfitted with differently sized tires on the front and rear which helps improve stability and the sporty factor.
While there is no sport roar of an engine, the sedan emits an energetic - and distinctly - EV tone in the cabin that's not too loud. Dynamic amps it up a bit.
Regen Braking
There is no lack of advanced recuperation (regenerative braking) in the S6 e-tron. Enhanced from previous e-tron's thanks to the new PPE architecture, Audi says its regen system can handle approximately 95 percent of everyday braking processes - which is pretty impressive I must say.
There is one pedal driving, two-stage steering wheel paddle recuperation, and a "B" Driving mode which basically puts you into automatic single pedal driving model for the strongest recuperation deceleration (and, yes, it is strong). You can also set it on auto regen if you prefer to let the vehicle handle it all.
Options and What You'll Pay
Options as tested include the Daytona Gray Pearl paint ($595), the 21 inch Black Optic Pkg ($1,900) and the feature-packed Prestige Package ($5,900).
Based on my experience behind the wheel, I think Audi's priced this luxury EV sports sedan perfectly at just north of $88,000.
Verdict
The 2025 Audi S6 Sportback e-tron is a head-turning luxury sport sedan full of engineering, tech and lighting advancements. It's a dream to drive.
2025 Audi S6 Sportback e-tron
- What I liked most: Design inside and out, all the displays and technology, exceptional driving dynamics.
- What I would change: A/C air flow design up front.
- MSRP: Base price $78,700. As equipped $88,390.
- Fuel Economy: 99 MPGe city/ 94 MPGe highway/ 97 MPGe combined.
- Official Color: Daytona Gray Pearl. ($595)
- Odometer reading when tested: 1,343 miles.
- Weight: 5,225 pounds. 6,327 GVWR.
- Spare Tire: Tire Repair Kit.
- Length-Width-Height: 194” long/75.7” wide/58.5” high.
- Fuel Tank Capacity: N/A. Charge ports on both sides.
- Towing Capacity: N/A.
- 2025 Audi S6 in a few words: As wow-worthy of a luxury sports sedan as they come!
- Warranty: 4-years/50,000 mile New Vehicle Limited Warranty, 12-year Limited Warranty against Corrosion Perforation; 4-year Roadside Assistance provided by third-party supplier.
- Final Assembly Location: Ingolstadt, Germany.
- Manufacturers website: Audi
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