I drove the Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron for a week — and it proves charging an EV shouldn't be a hassle

One of the challenges with switching to an EV is trying to convince people that they’re actually convenient to charge. I’ve read my fair share of horror stories about how unprepared new owners are quick to react upon realizing how it can take days to charge at home, or when they go to a station and come across cars parked at funky angles to reach their car’s charger.

With the Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron, however, charging is a breeze due to the thoughtful design that went into it. I’ve already tested the 2025 Audi Q6 e-tron, but the Sportback trim ditches the conventional SUV design that its sibling and favors a much more sporty look with its teardrop shaped profile and curvier stance.

If there’s one thing it proves to me after driving it for a week, it has to be that it’s one of the easiest EVs to charge. Here’s why.

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2025 Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron: Specifications

2025 Audi Q6 Sportback: Testing summary

Park it the way you want

Audi’s one of the few automakers that incorporate dual charging ports on its EVs, which I think is helpful because you don’t need to worry about how to park the vehicle when it’s ready to charge. I’ve been to a handful of charging stations where the cords are super short, so I’d have to park at an angle for it to reach the port in my car. But it’s less of an issue with the Q6 Sportback.

On the back driver’s side is a CCS (Combined Charging System) port that supports DC fast charging. This is the one you want to use to get the fastest charging speeds in the shortest amount of time, seeing that it’s rated to get up to an 80% charge level with 21 minutes of Level 3 charging.

Meanwhile, there’s also a second AC charging port on the rear passenger side — but it’s a slower one meant to be used with Level 1 and 2 chargers. I tested it out with Level 1 charging at home through a standard 120V outlet, resulting in an average rate of 2.88 mi/hr. That’s slightly up from the 2.84 mi/hr rate I recorded with the standard Audi Q6 e-tron.

More importantly, though, I can park the Q6 Sportback e-tron however I wish in my driveway because I can tap into either charging port. In contrast, other EVs force me to park them in one specific way. I’m all for dual charging ports and more EVs should offer them.

NACs adapter opens up access

While Level 3 charging stations around where I live are plentiful and accessible, it’s nice knowing that the 2025 Audo Q9 Sportback e-tron can also charge at Tesla Superchargers. Through the use of a NACS (North American Charging System) to CCS charging adapter, you’ll be able to do exactly this with the Q6 Sportback e-tron.

If you plan to vacation and drive long distances, having this adapter on hand is helpful because it opens access to more charging stations nationwide. In addition to locations with Tesla Superchargers, you can go to other places that offer Level 3 charging via the Q6 Sportback’s CCS charging port — like ChargePoint, EVgo, and more.

The lack of accessible chargers is one of the reasons why people are reluctant to make the switch from gas-powered vehicles. EVs don’t have the same luxury as ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) vehicles to go around the corner to fill up, so having a vehicle that can be charged in more places can ease those concerns.

Bottom Line

I really enjoy the Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron, especially when there’s way more to it than its superb charging options. In fact, it offers one of the most comprehensive head-up displays around with its augmented reality experience — in addition to other premium features like adaptive cruise control, stunning ambient lights on the inside, and a killer sound system.

Furthermore, it offers a sporty driving performance complete with speedy acceleration, confident adaptive cruise control response, and tight steering that makes me feel like I’m driving a coupe rather than an SUV. Sure, it’s pricey at $78,590 tested, but it comes with so many conveniences and premium features that it successfully bridges the gap between a high-tech gadget and a world-class driver's car.

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