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Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron vs BMW iX3 (2021-2025)
Selected trimquattroChange trim390 mi · 100 kWh · £71,475
Selected trimPremier Edition · 2021Change trim279 mi · 80 kWh · £58,850
At a glance
In this comparison, Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron leads on value for money, motorway range and charging speed, while the BMW iX3 counters with the lowest price.
Best value
Audi Q6 Sportback e-tronRange & charging
Audi Q6 Sportback e-tronPracticality
Too close to call
Which should you choose?
Choose the Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you need the fastest charging of these options
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 2.2p per mile on off-peak electricity
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron wins almost every category - it's the clear choice unless price is the deciding factor.
ValueAudi
Audi
5.7
BMW
4.7
Motorway RangeAudi
Audi
8.3
BMW
2.2
Family
Audi
7.5
BMW
7.6
Too close to call
ChargingAudi
Audi
8.2
BMW
3.8
Cost Per MileAudi
Audi
4.2
BMW
1
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron
quattro
- 111 miles more WLTP range
- 120 kW faster rapid charging
- 12 min quicker 10-80% rapid charge
- 75 kW more power
- 0.9s quicker 0-62 mph
- 1250 kg more towing capacity
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Audi Q6 Sportback e-tronquattro | BMW iX3Premier Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £71,475 | £58,850 (better) |
| Official range | 390 miles (better) | 279 miles |
| Boot space | 511 L (better) | 510 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 22 min (better) | 34 min |
| 0-62 mph | 5.9 sec (better) | 6.8 sec |
Size Comparison
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Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron
BMW iX3
Length
Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron4,771mm
BMW iX34,734mm-37mm
Width
Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron1,939mm
BMW iX31,891mm-48mm
Height
Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron1,665mm-3mm
BMW iX31,668mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Audi Q6 Sportback e-tronquattro | BMW iX3Premier Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,771 mm | 4,734 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,939 mm | 1,891 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,193 mm | Not available |
| Height | 1,665 mm | 1,668 mm |
| Turning circle | 12.1 m | 12.1 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 461 mm spare | 509 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Audi Q6 Sportback e-tronquattro | BMW iX3Premier Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 511 L (better) | 510 L |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1373 L | 1560 L (better) |
| Frunk | Not available | 0 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 2,000 kg (better) | 750 kg |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron
- 390 mile WLTP range, longer than 95% of SUVs we track.
- Peak DC charging of 270 kW, faster than 85% of SUVs in our catalogue.
- Braked towing capacity of 2,000 kg, a stronger tow rating than 80% of SUVs we track.
BMW iX3
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron quattro |  BMW iX3 Premier Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.77m | 4.73m-37mm |
| Width | 1.94m | 1.89m-48mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.19m | Not available |
| Height | 1.67m | 1.67m+3mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.89m | 2.86m-25mm |
| Ground Clearance | Not available | 179mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 511L (better) | 510L |
| Boot (seats down) | 1373L | 1560L (better) |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 12.1m | 12.1m |
| Kerb Weight | 2,150kg (better) | 2,260kg |
| Towing Capacity | 2,000kg (better) | 750kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 100kWh (better) | 80kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 390 mi (better) | 279 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 270kW (better) | 150kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £71,475 | £58,850 (better) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | SUV | SUV |
| Available | 2025+ | 2021–2021 |
* BMW iX3: Euro NCAP applied its 2017 BMW X3 rating to the iX3 after extra checks in 2021. That rating expired on 1 January 2024.
* BMW iX3: WLTP range on 20-inch wheels; the 19-inch M Sport is rated a little higher.
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Audi Q6 Sportback e-tronquattro | BMW iX3Premier Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 390 miles (better) | 279 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 325 miles (better) | 196 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 22 min (better) | 34 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 270 kW (better) | 150 kW |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Energy consumption | Not available | 195 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 94.9 kWh (better) | 74 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 800V (better) | 400V |
| Heat pump | Not available | Standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Audi Q6 Sportback e-tronquattro | BMW iX3Premier Edition |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 5.9 sec (better) | 6.8 sec |
| Power | 285 kW (better) | 210 kW |
| Torque | 485 Nm (better) | 400 Nm |
| Drivetrain | AWD | RWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests. One car has more review coverage than the other - we show that rather than guessing.
Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron
quattro
BMW iX3
Premier Edition
No critic reviews gathered yet for this car.
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Reviews and videos discuss each model overall; the specifications above apply to your selected trims.
Prices & deals
Calculate your real costs
For a useful running-cost comparison, factor in your mileage, charging access and current petrol or diesel car alongside the EV estimate.
Compare with petrol or diesel
Compare purchase price, energy, road tax and maintenance with a petrol or diesel alternative.
Calculate company-car tax
Work out monthly Benefit-in-Kind using current and future HMRC rates.
Cost per mile
Compare EV charging costs per mile with petrol and diesel using your charging options.
Check a lease quote
Assess the effective monthly cost alongside the list price and expected depreciation.
Safety & ownership confidence
Euro NCAP - Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron quattro
Tested 2024
Adult Occupant91%
Child Occupant92%
Vulnerable Road Users81%
Safety Assist80%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Euro NCAP - BMW iX3 Premier Edition
Tested 2017
Adult Occupant93%
Child Occupant84%
Vulnerable Road Users70%
Safety Assist58%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | Audi Q6 Sportback e-tronquattro | BMW iX3Premier Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 km | 160,934 km |
What owners say
Aggregated from UK owner forums and communities - the things you only learn after living with the car.
Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron
quattro
Owners love
- Owners describe the handling as sharp and agile, feeling smaller to drive than its size suggests.
- Standard equipment is generous even on the Sport, with adaptive cruise, lane keeping, keyless entry and heated seats and steering wheel.
- The deep boot and large front storage area are praised as practical.
Watch out for
- The ride on sports suspension and larger wheels, notably the Edition 1 on 21-inch wheels, is widely described as too firm for the price.
- Several owners find road and wind noise more noticeable than in the older e-tron and Q8 e-tron.
- Early cars had software faults: a digital key that needed a dealer update, missing Wi-Fi connection and infotainment errors.
Owner tips
- Test drive the exact wheel and suspension combination you are considering, as the ride varies a lot across versions.
- A Sport or S line on smaller wheels is the comfort pick according to owners.
BMW iX3
Premier Edition
Owners love
- Owners consistently praise the smooth, quiet ride and the adaptive dampers, saying it feels like a well-sorted BMW rather than an EV experiment.
- The interior is rated highly for material quality, with physical buttons and the iDrive controller preferred over touchscreen-only rivals.
- Many owners report around 210 to 270 miles in mild weather, and efficiency of roughly 3.5 to 4 miles per kWh on gentle runs.
Watch out for
- Range on cold motorway runs falls well short of the WLTP figure, with some owners reporting 145 to 175 miles at 70 mph in winter.
- Rapid charging peaks at 150 kW, and owners on slower public chargers find stops long.
- It is built on the combustion X3's platform, so there is no front boot and the cabin design is conventional.
Owner tips
- Test-drive at motorway speed and, if you can, in cold weather to judge whether the real range suits your longest regular trips.
- Check the car's exact equipment against its build date rather than assuming the trim name tells you everything.
Buying options
Get a quote
Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
BMW iX3
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron
No active listings.
BMW iX3
- £29,6632021Car360View
Frequently asked questions
Is the Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron worth the extra £12,625 over the BMW iX3?
The Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron costs £12,625 more than the BMW iX3. For that premium it adds 111 miles more WLTP range, 120 kW faster peak rapid charging and 75 kW more power. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron or the BMW iX3?
The BMW iX3 is £12,625 cheaper to buy. The Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron is cheaper to charge, roughly £176 a year versus £216 for the BMW iX3, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the BMW iX3 comes out roughly £12,425 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron and BMW iX3 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 325 miles for the Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron and 196 miles for the BMW iX3 - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron goes roughly 129 miles further between charging stops. A rapid charge to 80% takes around 22 minutes in the Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron and 34 in the BMW iX3, so the Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron loses less time at each stop. That makes the Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron the stronger long-distance car.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron or the BMW iX3?
The BMW iX3 is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 48 mm narrower than the Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 509 mm of total clearance for the BMW iX3 and about 461 mm of total clearance for the Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron or the BMW iX3?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron and 84% for the BMW iX3. That is close enough that capacity loss should not decide between them. Both use NMC-type cells, so for daily use keep the charge limit near 80% to slow degradation. Both batteries carry a 8-year manufacturer warranty.
Go deeper on each car
Visit the full model pages for owner feedback, expert reviews, used prices and battery-health information.
Compare against other rivals
Compare similarly sized and priced electric cars before finalising your shortlist.
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See both cars in our rankings
EVcarsguide scores every verified EV on price, range, family use and running costs. Here is where this pair appears.
Where the Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron and BMW iX3 rank among the best family EVsWhere the Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron and BMW iX3 rank among the best electric SUVsWhere the Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron and BMW iX3 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron and BMW iX3 rank among the best city EVsWhere the Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron and BMW iX3 rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron and BMW iX3 rank among EVs with the biggest boots
If neither is quite right
Explore other verified electric cars that may better suit the priorities this pair does not meet.
Further reading
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
GuideBuying a Used Audi Q6 e-tron (2024 on): 83 kWh, Performance or quattro, Range & What to Check
A used Audi Q6 e-tron buyer’s guide: the 83 kWh, performance and quattro versions and the Sportback compared, warranty left, the ride and software issues owners report, realistic range, fast charging, what to pay and a printable checklist.
GuideBuying a Used BMW iX3 (2021-2025): Premier Edition or M Sport, Recalls, Range & What to Check
A used BMW iX3 (2021-2025) buyer’s guide: Premier Edition and M Sport trims compared, the battery recalls, warranty left, real-world and winter range, the 750 kg towing limit, what to pay and a printable checklist.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .