It seems like every second a new sport utility vehicle, electric vehicle, or both hits the market.

Traditional sedans have taken a hit, but they’re not retreating. Instead, like the 2026 Audi A6 e-tron, they’re coming out swinging, packing in as much technology as possible to woo back customers.

EXTERIOR

And it starts strong for the A6 e-tron Sportback. This is one good-looking sedan. Leave it to Audi to make curves muscular. It will turn heads and draw compliments, even more so because it bears the styling that accompanies the Sportback designation.

Having a coupé-like profile is so common now, it often seems like the default, but Audi has managed to make it work, especially in S line trim and its 20-inch wheels. As an e-tron, there’s a new singleframe grille flanked on either side by Audi’s latest lighting technology. The second-generation OLED headlights not only animate, but can also have their pattern altered from the infotainment.

On the rear, the A6 charts a futuristic lighting signature that integrates the rear Audi rings into the wrap-around OLED bar. It’s enough to make you ignore the video camera side mirrors. Carbon fibre makes an appearance on the rear spoiler.

INTERIOR

Approach the A6 e-tron and the keyless entry creates theatre. All four door handles — if you can call them that — more on that a bit later, illuminate. Front and rear lights animate differently for entry and exit, plus there is an illuminated symbol for the operation of the kick-to-open trunk.

Back to the door handles: They don’t unfold or stick out. Instead, they stay flush, requiring one’s hand to clasp the inner void to pull the door open.

The new E3 interior is spacious, yet keeps all main controls in an ergonomic manner for ease of vehicle operation. The driver’s seat moves from its user profile-defined memory position to aid ingress and egress. Once inside, there is a great mix of materials and a quality feel to how everything has been constructed; however, the cabin is ruled by the multiple screens. Five of them, to be exact. Two of them make up the Audi MMI panoramic display, a curved design that incorporates the 11.9-inch virtual cockpit and the 14.5-inch MMI touchscreen. The unit tested was equipped with the optional 10.9-inch front passenger screen, and since it had the camera side mirrors, each door had a small screen. Pushing things further is the virtual head-up display that, instead of only projecting a flat image on the windshield, creates a three-dimensional experience when in operation.

Most of the features of the A6 e-tron — and there are many — can be automated and are powered for convenience. Interacting with them is a matter of using the crystal clear displays that respond instantly to input, touch, and voice. There is more than enough cabin refinement to enjoy the stereo, or connect with the vehicle wired or wirelessly across multiple devices at the same time. Looking up will reveal the panoramic glass roof that functions with switchable opacity.

ON THE ROAD

Motivating the A6 e-tron is a 362bhp single motor driving the rear wheels. It pulls energy from a 100kWh battery that can DC fast charge up to 270kWh. AC charging is 11kWh. The Audi can also regen up to 220kWh. Real-world range is easily over the 300-mile mark and, when paired with publicly available 150kWh and higher charging stations, range anxiety is nowhere to be found as up to 80 per cent of range can be had in minutes.

With range concerns out of the way, the A6 e-tron Sportback can be enjoyed not just as an EV, but as a car. The instant power of the electric drivetrain delivers more performance than the average driver will need. For those who will access that extra bandwidth they will find the Audi more than willing to keep up. From zero to its 210kph top speed, it’s unflappable, able to switch from comfortable cruising to sporting intent without issue as the chassis, suspension, and brakes rise to the occasion.

Great body control masks the A6’s size on narrow, fast lanes, while the standard coil spring suspension causes the car to ride over imperfections and retain maximum composure. Brakes are a last resort, since the aggressive regen slows the car in a consistent manner to inspire confidence before the physical items would be called into action to retard the velocities the A6 can reach.

The A6 e-tron Sportback looks good, drives as good as it looks, and contains all the convenience and refinement most buyer would want in this segment. It operates at the top level of EV technology, making it not just a very good electric vehicle, but a very good sedan.

Having a coupé-like profile is so common now, it often seems like the default, but Audi has managed to keep it fresh with the A6 e-tron Sportback. (Photo: Rory Daley)

There’s plenty of next level technology on the A6 e-tron Sportback, including the touch-sensitive door handles and the video camera side mirrors.(Photo: Rory Daley)

The A6 e-tron Sportback is built on the 800-volt PPE architecture, giving it 270kWh charging and over 300 miles of real-world range. (Photo: Rory Daley)

Screens dominate the interior, as the A6 e-tron Sportback has five of them. (Photo: Rory Daley)