The Audi A6 Avant E-Tron is a car with a lot going on, both in its boot and in its spec sheet. A recent camping trip put its 502-litre load bay to the test, filled to capacity, while under the surface sits a dense package of technology that reflects Audi's engineering ambitions for its latest electric estate.

The A6 nameplate has long served as Audi's executive saloon, slotting between the smaller A5 and the flagship A8, and rivalling the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Buyers can still choose petrol, diesel or hybrid A6 models, but the E-Tron version reviewed here is a wholly different machine underneath, built to go up against the electric BMW i5 and Mercedes EQE.

Built on the 800-volt Premium Platform Electric architecture it shares with the Audi Q6 E-Tron and Porsche Macan, the A6 E-Tron comes as either a Sportback or, as tested, the more practical Avant estate, with prices starting at £62,590 and the Avant costing £1,800 more. Two battery options are offered: an 83kWh pack in the base 326hp model, and a 100kWh unit powering the 380hp Performance and 462hp Quattro variants, alongside a range-topping 550hp S6.

The test car, a Performance-spec Avant priced at £75,075 before extras, delivers 417lb ft of torque, reaching 62mph in 5.4 seconds and topping out at 130mph — brisk rather than blistering by EV standards. Audi claims efficiency of 4.0-4.2 miles per kWh, translating to a range of up to 443 miles, with rapid charging at up to 270kW allowing a 10-80 percent top-up in around 21 minutes. Notably, aside from the Quattro and S6, the A6 E-Tron is rear-wheel drive, a rarity for Audi.

Design-wise, the car closely mirrors the 2021 Shanghai concept, featuring a body-coloured grille and partially concealed headlights. Aerodynamics are a highlight, with a drag coefficient of 0.24 for the Avant and 0.21 for the Sportback, aided by an optional set of camera-based door mirrors, though these were absent on the test car.

Inside, heavy reliance on touchscreens and glossy surfaces trades some tactile quality for a tech-forward feel, though standard kit across trims includes a heat pump, three-zone climate control and an electric tailgate, with higher trims adding items like matrix LED headlights and a panoramic glass roof.

On the road, the A6 E-Tron impresses with balanced handling despite lacking air suspension, feeling closer in character to the i5 than its German rivals, even if the steering could use finer tuning and the ride stays firm.

The verdict: the Avant in Performance trim represents the sweet spot of the range — practical, well-equipped and reasonably priced for its class.

Source: City AM

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