EV | Nordic Throttle

Test Drive
This review is based on my experience during a test drive. It reflects my first impressions behind the wheel rather than long-term ownership.

The electric executive car segment is becoming more competitive than ever, and the Audi A6 e-tron is one of the latest contenders. Having previously owned an electric car myself, I was curious to see if Audi had created an EV that could genuinely impress me.

The model I drove was the Audi A6 e-tron quattro Proline Edition, equipped with the 94.9 kWh battery.

First Impressions

The A6 e-tron immediately feels like a premium car.

From the moment you step inside, it’s obvious that Audi has paid close attention to quality. The cabin feels modern, well-built and exactly what you’d expect from a car in this class. Everything is easy to use, and the layout is clean without feeling overly complicated.

One feature that stood out straight away was the passenger display. At first, I wasn’t sure how useful it would actually be, but after spending time with the car, I really appreciated it. It gives the passenger something to interact with while adding a modern touch to the overall interior.

Design

The A6 e-tron is a good-looking car overall, but I have mixed feelings about its design.

The front never really grew on me. It feels a little too plain and lacks the presence I expected from a premium Audi. It isn’t unattractive, but it also isn’t a front end that makes you stop and look back after parking.

The rear is clean and simple, although perhaps a little too simple. Audi has played it safe with the overall design, and while there’s nothing wrong with that, I found myself wishing for a bit more character.

The A6 e-tron is a car I admired more for the way it drove than the way it looked.

Behind the Wheel

This is where the A6 e-tron impressed me the most.

The handling feels confident, balanced and predictable. Despite being a large executive car, it never feels heavy or awkward to place on the road. Instead, it feels composed and reassuring, making it easy to settle into from the very first kilometre.

More importantly, it simply feels good to drive.

Some electric cars can feel isolated from the road, but the A6 e-tron strikes a nice balance between comfort and driver engagement. It isn’t trying to be a sports car. Instead, it focuses on refinement, stability and making every journey effortless.

Interior

Audi has built a reputation for producing some of the best interiors in the industry, and the A6 e-tron continues that tradition.

The materials feel premium, the seats are comfortable, and the cabin has a clean, modern design. The technology is well integrated without making the dashboard feel cluttered.

The passenger display deserves another mention because it genuinely adds something to the experience. It isn’t there simply for the sake of having another screen. It gives the passenger useful functionality and helps make the cabin feel more interactive.

Things I Didn’t Like

The biggest drawback wasn’t the driving experience.

It was Audi’s options list.

Many of the features that make the A6 e-tron feel truly special come at a significant additional cost. It’s very easy to configure the car well beyond its starting price, so it’s worth paying close attention when choosing optional equipment.

While I came away genuinely impressed, I also felt there was room for improvement. The A6 e-tron delivers exactly what you’d expect from a premium executive EV, but I didn’t leave the test drive feeling that it had become the benchmark for the segment.

Final Thoughts

The Audi A6 e-tron left a very positive first impression.

It combines confident handling, a refined driving experience and a premium interior that makes every journey feel comfortable. The passenger display is a clever addition, and the overall quality of the cabin is exactly what I’d expect from Audi.

The expensive options list is something I’d carefully consider before buying one. By the time you’ve added the equipment that really brings the car to life, the price climbs quickly. That doesn’t take away from how good the A6 e-tron is to drive, but it does make you question whether it’s still the right value.

The Audi A6 e-tron convinced me with the way it drove. It just didn’t convince me with the price it takes to get the best version of it.

Nordic Throttle Verdict

Would I drive it again?

Maybe

Pros
✓ Excellent handling
✓ Premium cabin
✓ Comfortable ride

Cons
✕ Expensive options
✕ Front lacks presence
✕ Conservative rear styling

The Audi A6 e-tron is a refined and well-engineered electric car that delivers the premium experience you’d expect from Audi. I genuinely enjoyed my time behind the wheel and came away impressed by its handling, comfort and interior quality.

However, the options list changes the conversation. The car is excellent in many ways, but getting the specification that unlocks its full potential comes at a price that’s difficult to justify. For that reason, I’d happily drive it again, but I wouldn’t rush to put one in my garage.

Buying my first electric car was something I genuinely looked forward to. I was curious to see whether EV ownership would suit my lifestyle. Unfortunately, it didn’t take long to realise it wasn’t for me.

The facelifted MG ZS EV was my introduction to fully electric driving. On paper, it seemed like a sensible choice. An affordable electric SUV, an improved battery and enough range to make everyday driving practical.

The car did exactly what it was supposed to do.

But that was about it.

What It Is

The 2022 facelift addressed one of the biggest weaknesses of the original ZS EV by introducing a larger battery.

In my experience, the car could achieve around 480 kilometres during summer and roughly 280 kilometres during winter. Compared to the earlier model, it was a significant improvement and made the car far more practical for everyday use.

If your daily driving mainly consisted of commuting or shorter journeys, the range was more than sufficient.

The Daily Feel

The MG was simple to drive.

It was quiet around town, easy to manoeuvre and inexpensive to run compared to a petrol car.

But despite spending months with it, I never really enjoyed driving it.

Longer journeys quickly exposed its shortcomings. The seats weren’t particularly comfortable, and the overall driving experience lacked the refinement I had expected. It always felt like a car built to complete a task rather than one that made you look forward to getting behind the wheel.

It got me from A to B.

Nothing more.

Handling and Ride

This was where the MG disappointed me the most.

On the motorway, whenever the road curved gently, the car would occasionally cut power, making the acceleration feel jerky and inconsistent. It felt as though one of the safety systems was intervening unnecessarily, making the car frustrating to drive over longer distances.

Ride quality also left plenty to be desired.

Despite having relatively low mileage, the suspension had already started squeaking, something I simply didn’t expect from such a new car. Small details like that immediately made me question the overall build quality.

Combined with the firm ride and uninspiring handling, the MG never felt particularly refined.

Personal Note: The Car Was Only Half the Story

The biggest lesson I took away from owning the MG wasn’t actually about the car itself.

It was about electric car ownership.

When I first bought the MG, I didn’t have a home charger. Looking back, that period was by far the most frustrating part of the experience.

Instead of simply parking the car after work, I constantly had to think about where and when I was going to charge next. Public charging became part of my daily routine, and instead of feeling convenient, it often felt like another task that had to be planned.

Winter only made things worse.

Not only did the available range drop significantly, but charging wasn’t always straightforward either. There were times when public chargers wouldn’t start immediately, forcing me to unplug, reconnect and try again before charging finally began. On their own, those moments weren’t a huge problem, but over time they became increasingly frustrating.

Eventually, I installed a home charger, and owning the MG became much easier. Charging overnight removed a lot of the planning and made everyday life considerably more convenient.

Even then, though, my opinion of the car itself didn’t really change.

It remained practical, but it never became enjoyable.

Verdict

The facelifted MG ZS EV deserves credit for making electric motoring affordable and accessible. The larger battery transformed its practicality, and for everyday commuting it performed exactly as promised.

Unfortunately, that was also where my praise ended.

The uncomfortable seats, jerky motorway behaviour, early suspension squeaks and lack of refinement meant I never formed a connection with the car. While installing a home charger improved the ownership experience considerably, it couldn’t change the way the car drove or how it made me feel.

Looking back, I’m glad I experienced electric car ownership because it gave me a much better understanding of what living with an EV is really like.

The MG ZS EV wasn’t a terrible car.

It simply wasn’t a car I ever enjoyed owning.

Nordic Throttle

Car Reviews, one ride at a time

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Audi A6 e-tron: The Drive Impresses, the Price Doesn’t