Audi e-tron (2019 – 2022) Review
Audi e-tron (2019 – 2022) At A Glance
Every all-electric premium SUV that the Audi e-tron competes with plays its own different role, whether it’s the practical one (Tesla Model X), the sporty one (Jaguar I-Pace) or the techy one (Mercedes EQC). The Audi’s role is that of the luxury car, thanks to a comfy ride, impeccable refinement and flawless interior quality, and it’s a role the car plays incredibly well. The e-tron is a very classy and desirable car, and one that’s very easy to recommend. Read on for our full review of the Audi e-tron.
Never one to shy away from filling an untapped niche within its model line-up, it didn't take Audi long to jump on the electric SUV bandwagon. First came the Tesla Model X, then came the Jaguar I-Pace, while the Audi and it’s other main rival - the Mercedes-Benz EQC - arrived at pretty much the same time. Prestige SUV EVs might be a relatively new thing, but that’s one heck of a talented field from the off. 2023 has seen the Audi e-tron's replacement - the Audi Q8 e-tron, which in essence is a facelifted e-tron with improved range.
If you're looking to buy a used premium electric SUV, though, the Audi e-tron is likely to be on your list and the e-tron’s trump card is undoubtedly the luxury it delivers, and it delivers it in a variety of ways. The first of them is Audi’s trademark quality.
The cabin is nothing short of a sensory delight, with beautiful, thoughtfully finished materials and a standard of assembly that feels like it could withstand a nuclear blast.
Yes, the Audi e-tron’s various touchscreens could be easier to use, especially while you’re on the move, but there’s no denying the high-tech feel and the drama they add to the interior, on top of all that quality. The cabin also has lots of space and bags of creature comforts, making it feel even more like a luxury limousine on stilts.
Also reminiscent of a luxury limousine is the refinement that the Audi e-tron displays. Electric motors are much quieter than combustion engines, and that’s a very good start, but the job is finished incredibly well by seriously impressive suppression of wind- and road noise. At a steady motorway cruise, there’s not much more than the scenery rushing past your windows to let you know that you’re moving at all.
The Audi e-tron is good to drive in other areas, too. The more powerful 55 version we’ve tried has more than enough pace for most drivers, while the standard air suspension provides a really good balance of comfort and control.
Granted, you’ll pay a lot to buy one, but the same applies to all its rivals and you’ll enjoy low day-to-day running costs. The e-tron can’t match its best rivals for driving range, either, but unless you regularly drive more than 150 miles in a day (which not many of us do) then it’s unlikely that these small differences are going to make any significant difference.
Looking for a second opinion? Check out heycar's review of the Audi e-tron.
Audi e-tron (2019 – 2022) handling and engines
Audi e-tron (2019 – 2022): Handling and ride quality
The Audi e-tron gets air suspension as standard, and it provides a really good balance of abilities. The ride isn’t quite flawless - you do feel some bigger lumps and bumps banging their way into the cabin - but most of the time, on most surfaces, it’s really comfortable.
Switch the car from Comfort mode into a sportier setting, and things get firmer, so you’ll want to avoid this setting over battered urban streets. It’s the one you’ll want on fast, undulating back roads, though, because it gives the car better control over its vertical movements, stopping the body from bobbing up and down.
The standard four-wheel drive gives loads of grip and traction, while the tight body control ensures that direction changes aren’t too overly dramatic. However capable the e-tron is in the corners, though, it’s still not as enjoyable as a Jaguar I-Pace, which feels more nimble and has sweeter steering.
Audi e-tron (2019 – 2022): Engines
There are two versions of the Audi e-tron, known as the 50 and the 55. We haven’t yet tried the 50 with its power output of 312PS, but we’ve had a shot in the 55, which has a maximum of 408PS. That’s identical to what you get in the Mercedes EQC, and slightly more than the Jaguar I-Pace.
There is a difference, though. While the other two cars have that power on tap the whole time, the Audi only delivers it when you stick the drive selector into S mode, and then only for bursts of a few seconds at a time.
Otherwise, the output drops to 360PS, which extends the car’s 0-62mph time from 5.7 seconds to 6.6 seconds. It should also prolong your battery’s useful lifespan, though, so it’s probably worth it.
Even then, the performance is pretty brisk and instantaneous, whether you’re getting away from the mark or putting your foot down on the move.
The single-gear arrangement also means your progress isn’t made staccato by pesky gearshifts. What’s more, the E-Trom is impressively quiet, even by EV standards, with incredibly good suppression of wind- and road noise.
Audi e-tron (2019 – 2022): Safety
Most EVs perform very well in crash tests because batteries have very stiff structures, and they’re usually built into the central structure of the vehicle. If you need proof, the e-tron’s five-star Euro NCAP rating should help provide it.
All e-trons come with automatic emergency braking and lane departure warning, on top of all the usual airbags and electronic aids to maximise traction and stability. The Launch Edition also comes with a cross traffic alert system (that prevents you pulling out into the path of traffic) and a semi-autonomous adaptive cruise control system.
Audi e-tron (2019 – 2022): Towing
Because EVs are comparatively heavy compared with regular cars, they could be fairly tempting for those who tow regularly, provided that they only tow reasonably short distances. With a maximum towing weight of 1800kg, the e-tron is identical to Mercedes EQC on that score, and way better than Jaguar I-Pace, but all of them are quite a way behind the Tesla Model X for maximum capacity.
Engine | MPG | 0-62 | CO2 |
---|---|---|---|
50 quattro | - | 6.8 s | - |
55 quattro | - | 5.7–6.6 s | - |
e-tron S | - | 4.5 s | - |
Audi e-tron (2019 – 2022) interior
- Boot space is 615–1725 litres
- Euro NCAP rating of five stars
Dimensions | |
---|---|
Length | 4901–4986 mm |
Width | 1938–2190 mm |
Height | 1616–1705 mm |
Wheelbase | 2928–2995 mm |
Audi e-tron (2019 – 2022): Practicality
The e-tron can’t live with the Tesla Model X, which is considerably bigger and is offered with seven seats. Compare it with other electric SUV rivals such as the Jaguar I-Pace and Mercedes EQC, though, and things look a lot rosier.
The front seats have plenty of space, and the rear of the cabin is roomier than in both its main rivals, with a shade more legroom and headroom. There’s enough shoulder space to fit three across the rear bench, too. Whoever’s in the middle pew will have to put up with a narrow seat with rather firm cushions, but there’s more foot space than in most cars thanks to a rear footwell that’s almost flat.
The boot is roughly the same size as the Jag’s at 615 litres and bigger than the Merc’s, so most families will be content with the amount of cargo space. The rear seats also drop in a 40-20-40 configuration (more versatile than the Jag’s 60-40 split) allowing you to boost your cargo capacity to as much as 1725 litres.
Audi e-tron (2019 – 2022): Quality and finish
If anything, the way the Audi e-tron is assembled is even more impressive: every panel fits together with pin-point precision, and you’ll find no hint of squeaks or rattles. Even the panels tucked away in the lower reaches of the cabin are of a uniformly high grade.
The different versions have slight variations in interior styling and the nature of the leather on show. But essentially, all e-trons feel like proper luxury cars. And importantly, they feel every bit as posh as the Mercedes EQC, which is also very impressive on this score, and considerably posher than the Jaguar I-Pace and Tesla Model X.
Audi e-tron (2019 – 2022): Infotainment
The Audi e-tron’s centre console has two screens. The 8.6-inch one on the bottom handles the air-conditioning system, while the top one - measuring 10.1 inches - takes care of pretty much everything else. It all looks great and delivers a really high-tech feel to the cabin.
The graphics are sharp and the responses are lightning quick, so you won’t be left waiting for the screen to catch up with your inputs.
However, the sheer amount of functions to find your way through can be rather bamboozling, and like with any touchscreen, it’s more distracting to use than traditional knobs and buttons, because you have to concentrate so hard on hitting exactly the right part of the screen.
All the functionality you’d expect is covered including navigation, DAB radio, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and wireless phone charging.
There’s also a clever function that lets you precondition the car by turning on and setting the climate control through your smartphone before you get in. Upgrade to the Vorsprung model, and this functionality is extended: you can also switch on your heated seats and your window de-icers. The Vorsprung also gets cameras to replace the door mirrors.
Audi e-tron (2019 – 2022) value for money
Audi e-tron (2019 – 2022): Prices
By the time the Audi e-tron went off sale in 2022, its entry price was a shade over £60,000. However, with a variety of trims and power outputs, plus options on top of that, it was perilously easy to push the cost into six figures.
For a used Audi e-tron, you’ll be looking at spending around £30,000 for a three-year old model with 40,000 miles on the clock. That’s less than half what you would have paid when the car was new, so represents strong value in the used market for such a well made and able EV.
That attractively low price for a used model is for the 50 model, so if you want that quicker 55 you will have to adjust your spending to around £34,000 for a car of the same age and mileage.
Audi e-tron S Line variants get going from around £38,000 for a three-year old example, while the desirable Vorsprung will see you spend from £55,00 for a two-year old car.
Audi e-tron (2019 – 2022): Running Costs
Both the Audi e-tron 50 and 55 will charge in less than an hour if you can find a super-high capacity rapid charger of 150kW, but that time might tip just over the hour mark on a slower connection.
Juice your car up overnight in a 7kW wallbox charger, as most buyers will, and the 50 will take around ten hours while the 55 will take more like 14 hours.
You don’t want to know how long a full charge would take on a three-pin domestic socket, but that’s not something we’d recommend doing on a regular basis anyway. That kind of cable is supplied for emergencies, though, as is a 4.5-metre Type 2 cable for public AC charging, and it’s also worth noting that the e-tron uses the CCS (Combined Charging System) socket standard, meaning it’s compatible with most connector types currently in circulation.
Whichever version of the Audi e-tron you pick, it won’t be cheap to ensure. Some sit in group 49 for insurance, but most sit in group 50, which is the priciest group there is. At least as a used car, you won't have to pay road tax on the e-tron, which claws back a saving for you.
Reliability is a bit tricky to comment on, but in theory, EVs should be easier and cheaper to maintain because they have fewer moving parts, That might be just as well, because Audi finished worryingly near the foot on the manufacturers table in the 2019 JD Power Vehicle Dependability Survey.
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As the luxury limousine of electric cars, even the entry-level Audi e-tron needs to come with enough creature comforts to make its occupant feel spoiled.
As such, Technik trim comes with air suspension, leather upholstery, two-zone climate control, cruise control, LED ambient lighting, heated front seats, keyless go and a powered tailgate, not to mention all the infotainment and safety kit we mentioned earlier.
Sport models add front sports seats and more USB sockets (some in the rear), but not much else, while S line cars add very little other than a few styling upgrades.
The Launch Edition car gives you those cameras that replace the door mirrors, along with electric steering adjustment and a panoramic roof. Oddly, though, those trim levels only apply to the 50 model. The 55, meanwhile, comes in either basic trim or Launch Edition trim.
Audi also offered the S line trim that came with a sportier look, while the Vorsprung and S Vorsprung offered yet another take on the theme with added kit such as 22-inch alloy wheels, front sports seats, and a Bang & Olufson stereo.
Dimensions | |
---|---|
Length | 4901–4986 mm |
Width | 1938–2190 mm |
Height | 1616–1705 mm |
Wheelbase | 2928–2995 mm |
Miscellaneous | |
---|---|
Kerb Weight | 2370–2730 kg |
Boot Space | 615–1725 L |
Warranty | 3 years / 60000 miles |
Servicing | 18000 miles |
Costs | |
---|---|
List Price | £60,560–£102,160 |
Insurance Groups | 42–50 |
Road Tax Bands | Exempt |
Official MPG | - |
Euro NCAP Safety Ratings | |
---|---|
Adult | - |
Child | - |
Pedestrian | - |
Overall | 5 |
On sale until April 2023
On sale until May 2022
SUV | |||
---|---|---|---|
Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
Vorsprung 50 313 71.2kWh Quattro S Tronic 5dr Auto | £81,885 | - | 6.8 s |
On sale until November 2020
SUV | |||
---|---|---|---|
Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
50 71kwh Quattro 313ps Launch Edition 5dr Auto | - | - | 6.8 s |
55 95kw Quattro 408ps Launch Edition 5dr Auto | - | - | 6.6 s |
On sale until August 2020
SUV | |||
---|---|---|---|
Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
55 95kw Quattro 408ps 5dr Auto | - | - | - |
On sale until June 2020
SUV | |||
---|---|---|---|
Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
55 95kw Quattro 408ps Edition 1 5dr Auto | £89,490 | - | - |
Model History
- October 2018: Audi e-tron revealed
- February 2020: Audi e-tron 50 Quattro priced from £59,900
- July 2020: Audi reveals e-tron S
- July 2020: Audi e-tron range streamlined
- November 2021: Software update provides early Audi e-tron 55 quattro models with a free range boost
October 2018
Audi e-tron revealed
Full sized all electric EV SUV first shown in Europe at Paris Motor Show, available in the UK from early 2019 at an RRP of £70,805 and competing directly against the Jaguar i-Pace.
Front and rear electric motors with a system output of up to 300 kW and 664Nm of torque, 5.7 second 0-60, top speed of 124mph and a range of 248 miles in WLTP tests.
Standing 4,901 millimetres long, 1,935 millimetres wide and 1,616 millimetres high, the Audi e-tron offers the space and comfort of one of the brand’s typical full-size models. With a wheelbase of 2,928 millimetres, it has ample space for five occupants, and its total luggage capacity of 660 litres ensures that it can also comfortably accommodate their luggage.
Comprehensive range of charging options for home and on the move, and by the latest in-car communication, entertainment and assistance technologies, the Audi e-tron is perfectly placed to make the transition to fully electric driving as seamless as possible for devotees of the four rings.
A new quattro generation – the electric all-wheel drive – provides for superlative traction and handling on any terrain and in any weather conditions. It continuously and fully variably regulates the ideal distribution of drive between the two axles – within a fraction of a second. In most cases, the electric SUV mainly uses its rear electric motor in order to achieve the highest efficiency. If the driver demands more power than it can supply, the electric all-wheel drive redistributes torque as required to the front axle. This also happens predictively even before slip occurs in icy conditions or when cornering fast, or if the car understeers or oversteers.
With Audi drive select, the driver can vary the characteristics of the Audi e-tron between seven profiles depending on the driving situation, road conditions or personal preferences. The system also influences the standard air suspension with adaptive dampers. The pneumatic springs adjust individually to the road conditions depending on the speed and the driver’s preferences, varying the ride height by as much as 76 millimetres. At higher, motorway-appropriate speeds on longer journeys the e-tron is therefore able to adopt a lower stance in the interest of aerodynamics, and consequently of range.
Innovative recuperation system is responsible for up to 30 per cent of the range. The electric SUV can recover energy in two ways: by means of coasting recuperation when the driver releases the accelerator, or by means of braking recuperation when the brake pedal is depressed. In both cases, the electric motors function as a generator and convert the kinetic energy of the Audi e-tron into electric energy. At up to 0.3 g of deceleration, the electric SUV recuperates solely via the electric motors. This is the case well over 90 percent of the time. The wheel brakes are involved only when the driver decelerates by more than 0.3 g using the brake pedal. They respond extremely quickly, thanks to a new electrohydraulic actuation concept. Audi is the first manufacturer worldwide to use this concept in a series production vehicle with electric drive. When braking from 62mph, for example, the Audi e-tron can recuperate electric power with a maximum of 300 Nm (221.3 lb-ft) and 220 kW. That corresponds to more than 70 percent of its operating energy input. No other series production model can achieve such a value.
Depending on the driving situation, the electrohydraulically integrated brake control system decides whether the SUV will use the electric motor, the wheel brake or a combination of the two acting on each axle individually for recuperation. The transition between electric and hydraulic braking is smooth and homogeneous, so the driver does not even notice it. Brake forces remain constant.
February 2020
Audi e-tron 50 Quattro priced from £59,900
A new entry-level Audi e-tron is now available to order, available in three new trim levels: Technik, Sport and S Line.
Power comes from two electric motors providing 313PS and 540Nm of torque. Officially, it'll cover 190 miles on a charge and can rapid charged up to 80 per cent in 30 minutes.
Entry-level Technik models feature 20-inch alloy wheels, LED headlamps and contrast finish bumpers, and inside offer heated and electrically adjustable front seats upholstered in Twin leather, MMI Navigation Plus and the Audi Smartphone and Audi Music interfaces, among many other fixtures.
Sport models add 20-inch five-arm contrast grey alloy wheels, and inside gain features such as sport seats upholstered in Valcona leather, additional Audi Music Interface access for rear passengers and Audi Phonebox wireless charging.
In line with other Audi models, S line versions are marked out by more dynamic S line styling and feature sport suspension – in this case a specially tuned version of the adaptive air set-up that is standard for all e-tron models. The e-tron 50 S line also adds larger 21-inch alloy wheels, body-coloured bumpers, privacy glass and Matrix LED headlamps with front and rear dynamic indicators. Inside, an extended leather pack, matt brushed aluminium inlays and a three-spoke S line steering wheel are among the features that further elevate the cabin ambiance.
At the top of the rankings in equipment terms, the Launch Edition model is identifiable by way of its black styling elements taking in the Singleframe, window trim strips and front and rear bumper, by its exclusive 21-inch alloy wheels from Audi Sport and, probably most strikingly, by its virtual door mirrors, which replace the conventional door mirrors and use cameras to project images of the e-tron’s surroundings onto OLED displays in the cabin.
Inside, a full-length panoramic sunroof and powered steering wheel adjustment expand the list of comforts, while a variety of upgrades heighten the air of technological sophistication. These include a step up from the standard Audi virtual cockpit to the virtual cockpit plus, bringing additional ‘e-tron’ and ‘sport’ layouts for even more comprehensive driver information, plus additional driver assistance systems that form part of the standard Tour Pack. This pack bundles together everything from adaptive cruise assist and lane departure warning to the predictive efficiency assistant promoting the most charge-conscious driving style.
Several supplementary systems also complement the pack, including Audi side assist blind spot monitoring, cross traffic assist, a 360-degree camera and even an exit warning system, which visually alerts occupants to the presence of oncoming cyclists and other potential hazards when opening the vehicle doors.
The Launch Edition also incorporates a comfort remote preconditioning system, which is a higher functioning version of the remote preconditioning system fitted as standard elsewhere in the range. Where that enables the driver to use the myAudi app to remotely activate the primary heating and ventilation system so that it reaches the temperature that was programmed when the vehicle was last driven, the more advanced version also permits remote adjustment of the desired temperature and can also control seat heating and ventilation, steering wheel heating (if fitted) and window heating.
A 7kW home wall box charger is currently available at no extra cost to all e-tron and e-tron Sportback customers. In the e-tron 50, a full charge of a depleted battery using one of these wall boxes can be completed in around 10.5 hours.
In order to achieve the highest efficiency, only the rear electric motor is active in most driving situations, but the two driven axles can operate as an ‘e-quattro’ all-wheel-drive system, helping to shore up the e-tron 50 in all road conditions and to propel it smoothly as well as silently to 62mph in seven seconds on the way to a top speed of 118mph.
The front electric motor is activated predictively when needed, and the regulation of the electric all-wheel drive is extremely fast, highly connected and very precise. In combination with modern suspension components including air suspension and the e-tron’s low centre of gravity, it provides excellent dynamics and stability.
The lower gross weight of the e-tron 50 quattro also contributes to efficiency, as does the advanced thermal management system with its standard thermal pump. This system regulates the temperature of the interior as well as the battery and cools the electric motors, the power electronics and the charger. In this way it ensures that the high-voltage components enjoy a long service life and enables fast charging with direct current (DC).
Like the more powerful version of the electric SUV, the Audi e-tron 50 quattro also recuperates energy via its two electric motors, with priority given to the rear motor, during more than 90 percent of all deceleration actions. This means that the energy from practically all normal braking manoeuvres is recovered and fed back into the battery. The newly developed wheel brake system with electrohydraulic actuation is activated only when the force of deceleration exceeds 0.3 g. This results in short braking distances in all situations.
Audi e-tron 50 quattro UK OTR Pricing – February 2020:
Audi e-tron 50 quattro Technik £59,900
Audi e-tron 50 quattro Sport £62,600
Audi e-tron 50 quattro S line £66,700
Audi e-tron 50 quattro Launch Edition £72,700
July 2020
Audi reveals e-tron S
New e-tron S uses a three-motor setup to produce a combined output of 370kW and 973Nm of torque. It's combined with a 95kWh battery to provide a range of up to 223 miles. Prices start from £87,000 with orders opening in summer.
July 2020
Audi e-tron range streamlined
The e-tron is available in 50 quattro form with a WLTP-certified range of up to 195 miles, or with a larger battery as the 55 quattro capable of travelling for up to 247 miles between charges. Each of these options can now be combined with a choice of five trim lines – Technik, Sport, S line and the new additions Black Edition and Vorsprung.
All include features such as alloy wheels of at least 20 inches in diameter, adaptive air suspension, LED lighting, the Audi Virtual Cockpit and the touch-screen MMI Touch system with its dual monitors. The MMI system can be controlled either by a fingertip or via voice control, and has been further enhanced for this latest generation model through the integration of the considerably more powerful, third generation MIB 3 modular infotainment platform. It can now access speech recognition software in the cloud during its formulation of responses to spoken commands for even more accurate comprehension and feedback.
November 2021
Software update provides early Audi e-tron 55 quattro models with a free range boost
Owners of an Audi e-tron from the 2019 or 2020 model years can now travel farther on a single charge – a new software update will extend their car’s range by up to 12.4 additional miles. The update is now available to UK customers and can be installed free of charge at Audi service centres.
The software features behind this efficiency enhancement expand the usable capacity of the high-voltage battery. As a result, the 95 kWh battery in the Audi e-tron 55 quattro delivers more net usable power – 86 kWh capacity therefore translates into increased range. The software update for all Audi e-tron 55 quattro production vehicles built between mid-September 2018 (model year 2019) and the end of November 2019 (model year 2020) can now be installed free of charge at Audi service partners. In the UK, 1655 e-tron vehicles are compatible with the update, which will also include a complimentary health check.
In addition to the battery capacity, the new software also optimises the control of the front electric motor. In normal driving mode, the motor attached to the rear axle is responsible for propulsion. For improved efficiency, the front electric motor is now almost completely disconnected and powered off – and only when more power is needed do both motors come into play. This makes it possible to even more effectively exploit the major advantage of the asynchronous motor concept, i.e., currentless operation without electrical drag losses.
Furthermore, the update also improves cooling. The highly flexible thermal management system, which consists of four separate circuits, regulates the temperature of the high-voltage components even more efficiently. Modifying the control system made it possible to reduce the volume flow rates in the coolant circuit, thus reducing energy consumption. The cooling system is the basis for fast DC charging, long battery life, and consistent driving performance, even under high loads.
What to watch out for
Report of failure of driver's side door mirror screen in June 2019 Audi eTron. From the start the driver's mirror screen has regularly intermittently failed whereby the screen goes blank. On some occasions the screen will only come back on when the car is turned off and on again, which is not feasible on motorways. The dealer told owner that Audi was aware of the defect in May before the car was delivered The dealer also informed the owner informs us that Audi has incorrectly advised that the fault does not make driving the car illegal. In fact, i t is illegal for commercial vehicles and has been for decades. In cars, i t is not illegal to drive without the passenger side mirror , provided the other two mirrors (offside mirror and interior mirror ) are intact. You legally need two working mirrors and one must be on the driver's side . It's also a definite MoT failure.
12-10-2019:Another report of camera/door mirror failure in an Audi eTron with no immediate repair available. Reader's guests arrived in one. Out of interest he plugged the it into an ordinary 13A socket via a power meter. This showed it was drawing 10A, just over 2300W. It was plugged in for 15 hours and the meter showed it had taken 35kWh on board. The car's claimed range had increased by 70 miles. However, their return journey of an actual 55 miles (in light traffic mainly on dual carriageways) knocked the claimed range down by (co-incidentally) 70 miles. (The ambient temperature was such that little or no heating or cooling would have been required.)