About to spend £60k on an Audi Q6 e-tron? Try these alternatives and save over £20k

If you’re in the market for a new SUV, we wouldn’t be surprised if the Audi Q6 e-tron is near the top of your shortlist. We’ve recently driven it, and there’s no doubt that it’s one of the best electric cars that the German brand has built to date. The interior is right up there with the best in class and features the latest generation of Audi’s ‘Virtual Cockpit’, plus everything is screwed together in the precise fashion we’ve come to expect from Audi. Then there’s the way it drives; smooth, comfortable and assured, the Q6 e-tron is a fabulous cruiser.

Those talents don’t come cheap, however. Base models of Audi’s mid-size electric SUV start from £60,000 – and that’s before you’ve even taken a sniff of the optional extras list. For your cash, you get a 249bhp single-motor model with a range of up to 326 miles, which are respectable, but not groundbreaking figures. Of course, Audi will sell you a Q6 e-tron with a bigger battery, longer range and more performance, but expect that £60,000 starting price to quickly inflate – top-spec models command north of £93,000.

The best mid-size SUVs – our 2024 top picks

So before you sign along the dotted line and commit your cash, we can’t help but think that there are a few alternatives to consider that are nearly as good and a whole lot cheaper – to the tune of over £20,000 less. Sure, they may lack the prestige of the four-ringed badge, and some sacrifices will have been made in certain areas, but you’ll be surprised at how close they come. There are even some areas where they outperform the Q6 e-tron, so read on to find out more…

Skoda Enyaq – the sensible all-rounder

• Priced from around £37,000

We love the Skoda Enyaq here at Carbuyer. Just like the Audi, it’s an electric SUV with seating for five, but it can be picked up brand new for over £20,000 less than the most basic Q6 e-tron. We reckon that’s great value no matter how you slice it, and we haven’t even dug into what makes the Enyaq so great.

For starters, the interior is cavernous. There’s masses of room in the second row of seats, so you won’t feel short-changed in terms of space. You get a bigger boot than the Audi, too, not to mention all of Skoda’s helpful ‘simply clever’ features dotted around the cabin. Of course, the interior design and quality isn’t as premium as the Audi, but is that worth paying £20,000 for? 

Peugeot E-3008 – for style-aficionados

• Priced from around £46,000

For some, the Skoda Enyaq will just look a bit too bland. No matter, as the Peugeot E-3008 offers a similar electric SUV experience in a chic French suit. It’s more expensive than the Skoda at around £46,000, but you’ll still be looking at about a £20,000 saving compared to even a modestly-specced Q6 e-tron.

The latest models to leave Peugeot’s factory are some of the best-looking in its history. The E-3008 is certainly bold, with its dramatic sloping roofline and claw-like LED daytime running lights, but it does the trick if you want to stand out. The same story continues inside, with a sweeping fabric dashboard and a giant 21-inch digital display – there really are few cars that feel this special in the driver’s seat.

If you’re not sold yet, the E-3008 gets an enormous battery for a class-leading range of up to 435 miles, far eclipsing that of the Audi. We reckon it’s worth considering for that reason alone, and if electric power isn’t your thing, Peugeot sells a duo of 3008 hybrids starting from well under £40,000.

Mazda CX-60 – the premium, left-field option

• Priced from around £45,000

Ok, so this one’s a bit of a wildcard. The Mazda CX-60 is a lesser-spotted mid-size SUV on our roads, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth a look in. It’s similar in size to the Q6 e-tron, but trades a fully-electric powertrain for a choice of petrol plug-in hybrid or old-school diesel engines. Despite Mazda having historically focused on the affordable end of the car market, the CX-60 is pitched as a true premium SUV contender, and it nails the brief for the most part, while coming in at around £15,000 less than the Audi.

Step into the CX-60 and it’s clear that Mazda has its sights on brands like BMW, Mercedes and Audi. Unlike the latest models from those brands, the CX-60 doesn’t shove technology in the face of the drive, instead presenting its premium materials and excellent build quality at the forefront of the cabin. The pair of 12.3-inch displays are nestled neatly into the dashboard, while the physical controls make a refreshing change from fiddly touchscreen items.

The six-cylinder diesel engines are smooth and have plenty of low-down grunt, while the petrol plug-in hybrid is equally quick while delivering great efficiency and a usable electric-only driving range. Even the top-spec CX-60 comes in at £5,000 less than the cheapest Q6 e-tron, so we think it’s well worth considering.

Why not read our list of the best mid-size SUVs for a few more suggestions?