The Audi A6 E-Tron Finally Takes the Fight to Tesla: Review

Audi’s been in the EV game for a while now, but it’s never really had a serious competitor in its corner. Sure, the Q6 E-Tron is great for those who want to blend into their finance job’s parking lot, but if you want something with character, you’ll have to spend at least $125,000 for an E-Tron GT. That is, until now. 

The 2026 A6 E-Tron Sportback is a new entry into Audi’s BEV lineup. While it wears an A6 badge, it shares virtually nothing with the outgoing gas-powered sedan. In fact, the E-Tron isn’t a sedan at all—it’s a hatchback. Or in Audi speak, a “Sportback.”

More importantly, the new A6 E-Tron rides on the VW Group’s 800-volt PPE architecture, shared with the Q6 and the electric Porsche Macan. The result is up to 392 miles of range on a charge, which puts it firmly in the conversation for shoppers looking to combat range anxiety.

Quick Specs 2026 Audi A6 e-tron Sportback Quattro

Motors Asynchronous Front / Permanent Synchronous Rear

Battery 100.0 Kilowatt-Hour (94.4 Kilowatt-Hour Usable)

Output 456 Horsepower

Range 377 Miles

Base Price / As-Tested Price $67,195 / $76,645

Well-Equipped, High-Quality Interior

The range is the big news here. In its base, 375-horsepower, rear-drive form, the A6 E-Tron squeezes out 392 miles before it needs more juice, making it the sixth-longest-range EV on the market today, just behind the Tesla Model S. That’s mighty impressive for a car that starts at $67,195.

At the car’s US launch in southern California, Audi didn’t have any base models to drive, which is a shame, as that version will likely draw the most buyers. Instead, we got our hands on the Prestige model with Quattro all-wheel drive. 

Starting at $74,200, this trim adds fancy extras like air suspension, a Bang & Olufsen sound system, an augmented reality head-up display, soft-closing doors, and a 10.9-inch passenger display. It also comes standard with less efficient 20-inch wheels and an extra 60 horsepower.