JOHN MURDOCH'S DRIVE TIME: We test out the Audi Avant A6 e-tron and reveal how ISUZU is ready to launch its first electric pick-up to the UK

The elegant looking Avant is just what you expect from Audi and prices start from around the £65,000 mark so it is not cheap.

In this instalment of John Murdoch's Drive Time, John tests out the Audi Avant A6 e-tron and reveals how ISUZU is ready to launch its first electric pick-up to the UK early next year.

There is no shortage of electric SUVs on the market but if you don’t want the bulk then estate cars can be an option.

Only a small number of electric estates are available and one of them is the classy and stylish Audi A6 Avant e-tron.

The elegant looking Avant is just what you expect from Audi and prices start from around the £65,000 mark so it is not cheap.

Entry models are powered by a 83kWh battery, while the Launch Edition model I sampled comes with a 100kWh battery as do Performance and Quattro versions of the estate.

The smaller battery model is good for 383 miles according to WLTP figures while the Launch Edition can do up to 402 miles but as usual this depends on conditions and driving style.

I have to say I did not get anywhere near the claimed mileage but that is not unusual as I have never got anywhere near the ranges claimed in any electric car or SUV.

The good news is that the Avant can be charged from 10-80 per cent in just 20 minutes from a 270kW charger and you can get an extra 180 miles of range in just 10 minutes if you can find the most powerful charge points.

My Launch Edition model delivered 374bhp through its rear wheels and sprinted to 62mph in just 5.4 seconds.

Plenty quick enough for me but you can cut a second off that figure if you opt for the 455bhp Quattro model.

The power was smoothly delivered with virtually no noise.

You can select from a number of driving modes but I found Comfort to be the best setting and it allowed the Avant to feel composed and refined at all times, even on less than perfect surfaces.

The suspension soaks up bumps and the acoustic glazing and sound insulation mean that the cabin is always nice and quiet.

The Avant is crammed with all the latest technology and a huge central touchscreen dominates and there is also a driver's display and a head-up display.

A great feature is a touchscreen for the front passenger which means that they can change all kinds of things without the driver having to take eyes off the road.

Sadly, there are no separate controls for the heating system and you have to use the touchscreen.

There is a great sound system and a panoramic glass roof which can be switched from transparent to opaque and all the other luxury features you would expect from an £87,000 Audi.

The test car came with optional rear view cameras instead of wing mirrors and they beam images onto a pair of screens built into the door mirrors.

They are fine when you get used to them but I dread to think what they would cost to replace if someone clips them in a car park.

They do fold and apparently their improved dynamics add a few miles to the car's range.

Like most estates the Avant is very practical and the boot offers 502 litres of space, rising to 1422 litres with the rear seats folded flat.

There is also a handy additional space under the bonnet where the charging cables can be stored.

As you would expect from an Audi, the build quality is excellent and all the materials are top class.

It also boasts all the latest safety and driver aids and this e-tron is certainly one of the best electric vehicles on the market but it does have a hefty price tag.

FAST FACTS:

Price: £87,360.

Mechanical: 374bhp electric motor driving rear wheels via automatic transmission.

Max speed: 130mph.

0-62mph: 5.4 seconds.

Range: 402 miles.

Insurance group: 40.

CO2 emissions: Zero.

Bik rating: Two per cent.

Warranty: Three years/60,000 miles, eight years/100,000 battery.

Overall rating (out of 5): 4.5.

Meanwhile, ISUZU has announced prices for its new electric D-Max EV pickup which will start from £59,995 excluding VAT.

The three model line up will top out from £62,495 for a D-Max eV-Cross with the D-Max eDL40 coming in from £60,995.

The production-ready model will launch with two premium trim levels based on the brand’s best-selling specifications, DL40 and V-Cross, featuring a dual-motor system, 66.9 kWh battery, and the durability that defines the Isuzu D-Max.

The naming convention aligns with the existing diesel-powered range, reflecting the fact that the EV versions retain the same core capability, premium features, and rugged DNA as the internal combustion engine D-Max DL40 and V-Cross models.

Neil Scott, national sales manager at Isuzu UK, said: "There’s nothing else like it in the market today that combines zero-emission driving with full commercial capability.

"With high levels of equipment as standard, refined ride quality, and Isuzu’s legendary toughness, the D-Max EV offers true value and a sustainable solution for fleets and professionals alike."

Pre-sales will begin later this year, with first UK arrivals in February 2026.

Customer deliveries are scheduled to follow in March.

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