Positioned as the sleek new benchmark of Audi’s electric lineup, the A6 Sportback E-Tron blends familiar brand restraint with the efficiency, range, and tech buyers now expect in a premium EV. It’s designed to reassure those making the leap from gas to electric without alienating them, promising refinement, practicality, and a distinctly Audi sense of polish.
But while it checks the right boxes on paper, the real question is how it stacks up in daily driving scenarios. Can this single-motor base version deliver the delicate balance of performance, comfort, and sophistication needed to keep pace with rivals from BMW, Tesla, and others? We spent time behind the wheel to find out whether this is simply a safe bet for Audi or a true standout EV in its class.
Measured Driving Experience
If anyone was worried about whether the less powerful, rear-motor-only A6 Sportback E-Tron we tested would feel sluggish, you can relax. Power delivery is generous, though it’s about refinement more than excitement. Even with launch control engaged, takeoffs are measured as opposed to overly dramatic.
While switching into Dynamic mode sharpens throttle and steering responses and firms up the suspension slightly, the E-Tron’d Audi still maintains a mostly calm demeanor.
The A6’s sprint to 60 mph isn’t exactly electrifying, but it does edge the BMW i5 eDrive40 by 0.2 tick, at 4.9 versus 5.1 seconds. Despite making a lot less torque (295 lb-ft to the Audi’s 428 lb-ft), the BMW’s lighter curb weight—about 200 pounds less—keeps it competitive.
Braking performance mirrors that of its composed launches. Pedal feel is natural, and stability under hard stops is excellent, with little dive. Stopping distances are average overall, though, especially when compared against the i5 eDrive40’s 112-foot stop from 60 mph—11 feet shorter than the Audi.
When taken more as a luxury EV proposition, the A6 balances its ride and handling well. It feels planted and enjoyable on highways and flowing roads while remaining comfortable around town. Steering is precise if a bit numb. Push harder into tight bends, and understeer emerges, with the occasional hint of oversteer on corner exit.
