Audi’s Q6 e-tron Dethrones the Q5 as Top-Selling Model in Third Quarter

[Source: InsideEVs]

The Audi Q5 has been a runaway success for the brand since the model was launched in 2009. It was the best-selling Audi model in America last year. And the year before that, and the year before that, and the year before that. You get the idea. However, Audi of America recently released the 2025 third quarter sales figures, and guess what? The Audi Q6 e-tron outsold the Q5 during that time.

The Q5 still has a considerable sales lead for the year, and it is unlikely the Q6 e-tron will catch it. However, as InsideEVs points out, it is noteworthy that the Q5 has been dethroned as the sales leader for the quarter. Especially by an EV. All we hear about is how demand for EVs is cooling. Be that as it may, but the best-selling Audi model right now is an EV.

Reason for Record Sales

So, how did the Q6 e-tron pull off the upset against the Q5? Well, the Q6 e-tron is a very nice SUV regardless of the powerplant. It is stylish and sophisticated inside and out, has excellent performance and is very safe. All things that families shopping for a vehicle like this are looking for.

Of course, we can’t ignore the fact that until September 30, the Q6 e-tron was eligible for a $7,500 federal tax credit. That makes the Q6 e-tron excellent value. Especially when you consider this EV SUV can rip to 60 mph in about 4.5 seconds, has all the space a family needs, and about 300 miles of range. That adds up to a pretty solid package. Enough to make 10,059 people buy one last quarter. Not counting the 240 Sportback sales.

By comparison, Audi sold 9,719 Q5 models in Q3. So, it only lost its crown by a couple hundred sales. However, it is important to note that Q5 sales are down 34 percent for the year. That doesn’t mean the Q5 is bad by any means. But it could indicate that some Q5 buyers have decided to jump over to the EV side of the fence and try the Q6 e-tron.

That should be excellent news for Audi as they remain focused on developing and delivering EVs. The Q6 is the best-selling e-tron by a large margin. The A6 Sportback e-tron is the second best-selling Audi EV, but it is outsold by the Q6 e-tron by nearly a three to one margin. So, there is still plenty of room for growth.

Keep the Momentum

Can Audi keep the e-tron momentum going? Well, the EV tax credit has expired so that is going to have an impact. And all of these vehicles are built outside of the U.S. so tariffs can play a role as well. An Audi spokesperson told InsideEVs that 2026 model-year prices have been released and there are no plans to change them, but the brand is “monitoring the situation.”

Regardless of tariffs and tax breaks, it is encouraging to see the Q6 e-tron selling so well. People are obviously impressed enough after the test drive to sign on the dotted line. Maybe you should test drive one for yourself?