Audi Q5 FY vs Audi Q6 e-tron GF

Audi Q5

FY · 2016 – 2024

The second-generation Q5 (FY), on MLB Evo.

Audi Q6 e-tron

GF · 2024 – 2026

The first-generation Q6 e-tron (GF), on the PPE 800V platform.

First car

Second car

Pick this one if…

Audi Q5

Pick the FY for the 3.0 TDI’s 620 Nm and quattro — ideally a post-facelift car with MIB3 touchscreen.

Best engine: The 40 TDI (diesel) or 40 TFSI (petrol).

Read the full guide

Pick this one if…

Audi Q6 e-tron

Pick the GF for the 270 kW DC charging and the performance RWD’s ~625 km WLTP — ideally the quattro with the larger battery.

Best engine: The quattro (388 hp) with the larger battery.

Read the full guide

Performance

EA888 45 TFSI · Petrol vs quattro · Electric

	Audi Q5	Audi Q6 e-tron
Power	245 hp	388 hp Winner
Torque	370 Nm	855 Nm Winner
0–100 km/h	6,3 s	5,9 s Winner
Top speed	237 km/h Winner	210 km/h
Power-to-weight	136,5 hp/t	165,1 hp/t Winner
CO₂ emissions (WLTP)	183 g/km	0 g/km Winner
Consumption (WLTP)	8,1 L/100km	—

Dimensions & space

	Audi Q5	Audi Q6 e-tron
Boot	550 L Winner	526 L
Boot (seats folded)	1.550 L Winner	1.529 L
Wheelbase	2,82 m	2,90 m Winner
Length	4,66 m	4,77 m
Ground clearance	20,0 cm	17,6 cm
Turning circle	11,8 m Winner	12,1 m
Towing capacity (braked)	2.000 kg	2.000 kg

Powertrain & tech

	Audi Q5	Audi Q6 e-tron
Platform	MLB Evo (longitudinal)	PPE (800-volt)
Drive	All-wheel drive	Rear-wheel drive · All-wheel drive
Engine family	EA888 2.0 TFSI · EA288 2.0 TDI · 45/50/55 TFSI e PHEV	Electric motors · RWD / quattro (PPE 800V)
Transmission	7-speed S tronic	Single-speed automatic
Fuel	Petrol	Electric
Euro standard	Euro 6d-TEMP	N/A (electric)
LEZ access	Unrestricted access (compliant under current legislation)	Unrestricted access (compliant under current legislation)

Reliability & watch-outs

Known issues

Audi Q5

S tronic (DSG) mechatronics on early cars
AdBlue/SCR issues on 2.0 TDI diesels
Early MMI infotainment quirks

Audi Q6 e-tron

Software/electronics gremlins on early 2024 cars
Long-term battery & drivetrain data still limited
PPE 800V system: high-voltage check recommended

Pros

Audi Q5

55 TFSI e plug-in hybrid does ~50 km electric
3.0 TDI (50) has 286 hp and 620 Nm
Air suspension optional

Audi Q6 e-tron

270 kW DC fast charging (10–80% in ~21 min)
Performance RWD does up to ~625 km WLTP
SQ6 e-tron has 489 hp (up to 517 hp in boost mode)

Cons

Audi Q5

55 TFSI e plug-in hybrid cuts boot space from 550 down to 465 litres
Pre-facelift MIB2 infotainment has no touchscreen

Audi Q6 e-tron

SQ6 e-tron (489 hp, up to 517 hp in boost mode) cuts range to ~598 km WLTP
Early software quirks

Driving experience

Audi Q5

Refined, effortless and supremely polished. Steering is light and accurate rather than talkative, the ride is supple and isolating, and the Q5 settles into a calm, confident lope. quattro ultra shuffles torque seamlessly for all-weather security, though it favours safe, neutral grip over playful engagement. Adaptive suspension keeps it composed and hushed on rough roads. The 40/45 TFSI petrols are smooth and willing, the 2.0 TDI pulls strongly and sips fuel, and the 55 TFSI e plug-in glides on electric power. The 7-speed S tronic is quick and smooth; the V6 8-speed tiptronic even more so. Overall a quiet, tech-rich SUV that puts long-distance comfort and easy confidence ahead of outright driver involvement.

Audi Q6 e-tron

Quiet, quick and far more efficient than the old e-tron. The Q6 rides comfortably, steers accurately with decent weighting, and feels more agile and lighter on its feet than the GE, helped by the newer PPE platform. Rear-drive is the base; dual-motor quattro adds pace and all-wheel traction. The 800-volt architecture charges far faster on suitable chargers, and the larger battery delivers competitive real-world range. It is a more modern, more rounded electric SUV than the e-tron, with the same hushed refinement and without the efficiency penalty of the early car.