Experience the perfect blend of luxury and electric performance with the 2023 Audi e-tron and e-tron Sportback. These sleek and stylish SUVs offer a sophisticated driving experience with their all-wheel-drive powertrain, impressive range, and cutting-edge features. Let’s explore what makes these electric vehicles stand out in the market.
Introduction
The Audi e-tron and e-tron Sportback are luxury SUVs that seamlessly combine elegance with electric power. Unlike some other electric vehicles, these models don’t scream “electric” with their sleek design and traditional grille. Both models feature a powerful all-wheel-drive powertrain that generates 355 horsepower, delivering an exhilarating driving experience. With an EPA-estimated range of up to 226 miles, you can embark on long journeys with confidence. In Sport mode, the e-tron can even produce up to 402 horsepower momentarily, adding an extra thrill to your drive.
What’s New for 2023?
For 2023, Audi has made several updates to the e-tron and e-tron Sportback trims. The base Sportback SUVs now come standard with a black headliner, enhancing the interior aesthetics. The e-tron Sportback Prestige trims now include new standard equipment such as 22-inch five-spoke wheels, orange front and rear brake calipers, rear side airbags, Audi’s Matrix-design headlights, and the Black Optic exterior package. The e-tron S and e-tron Sportback S trims boast carbon square inlays and the LED interior lighting package as standard features. Additionally, the Prestige trim levels of these models now offer Audi’s Matrix-design headlights for enhanced visibility.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
When it comes to pricing, the entry-level Premium trim level offers an attractive starting point. Paired with the sleek Sportback design, this combination ensures that the e-tron turns heads wherever it goes. The Premium trim comes with upscale standard features such as 20-inch wheels, blind-spot monitoring, heated front seats, four-zone climate control, leather upholstery, and a panoramic sunroof. To further enhance the driving experience, we recommend opting for the optional Convenience Plus package, which adds black exterior trim, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and a 360-degree camera system. If you require towing capabilities, consider adding the Tow package, which allows you to utilize the e-tron’s impressive 4000-pound towing capacity.
EV Motor, Power, and Performance
Underneath the stylish exterior of the e-tron and e-tron Sportback lie two electric motors—one at the front axle and another at the rear. These motors work in harmony to provide electronic all-wheel drive, with the rear motor taking on the majority of the workload. In regular driving situations, the combined power output is 355 horsepower and 414 pound-feet of torque. However, engaging Sport mode briefly unlocks a thrilling 402 horsepower and 490 pound-feet of torque. Our driving impressions reveal that the e-tron delivers swift acceleration and maintains composed stability on the road. Its snappy acceleration, typical of electric vehicles, provides an exhilarating experience, while the smooth and quiet ride quality showcases its luxury credentials. The e-tron’s stopping system effortlessly blends its traditional brakes with regenerative braking, ensuring precise control. While the regenerative braking system of the Sportback model we tested didn’t enable one-pedal driving, the e-tron still retains traditional SUV characteristics, including a towing capacity of up to 4000 pounds. For those seeking even more power, the e-tron S and e-tron Sportback S models boast triple motors, resulting in an impressive output of 496 horsepower and 718 pound-feet of torque. According to Audi’s estimates, these models can reach 60 mph a full second faster than their non-S counterparts.
Range, Charging, and Battery Life
The regular e-tron offers an EPA-estimated driving range of 226 miles, while the Sportback version provides a range of 225 miles. Although these figures are respectable, some competitors, such as the Jaguar I-Pace and the Tesla Model X Long Range, offer slightly longer ranges. For those who opt for the more powerful e-tron S or e-tron Sportback S, the range decreases slightly. The e-tron S achieves an EPA-estimated range of 208 miles on 20-inch wheels and 181 miles on 21- and 22-inch wheels. Similarly, the e-tron Sportback S achieves 212 miles and 185 miles, respectively, on a single charge. To ensure convenient and efficient charging, every e-tron model features an impressive 150-kW fast charger. With this charger, the e-tron can replenish 80 percent of its battery capacity in just about 30 minutes. By comparison, the Jaguar I-Pace, for example, takes longer to recharge its battery with its 100-kW DC charger. For those using a more conventional 240-volt outlet, the e-tron can be fully charged in approximately nine hours.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPGe
The e-tron SUV is expected to achieve a combined MPGe rating of 78, while the Sportback model achieves a slightly lower rating of 77 MPGe. During our testing, we conducted a 75-mph highway fuel-economy route, which formed part of our comprehensive evaluation. The regular e-tron achieved an observed MPGe of 67, while the Sportback achieved 75 MPGe in the same test. For comparison, the Jaguar I-Pace we evaluated achieved 64 MPGe in similar conditions. For more detailed information about the e-tron’s fuel economy, we recommend visiting the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
While the Audi e-tron and e-tron Sportback excel in terms of electrified systems and performance, their interiors are equally impressive. These five-seat crossovers feature a cutting-edge and practical cabin design. The dashboard is adorned with multiple high-resolution screens, including Audi’s digital gauge cluster, known as Virtual Cockpit, and two flush-mounted touchscreens in the center. The e-tron offers a range of upscale options, such as a head-up display and massaging front seats, to further enhance the luxurious feel. Thanks to the neatly packaged underfloor battery pack, the e-tron boasts a flat floor, contributing to its spacious interior. The regular e-tron offers a generous cargo area, with 29 cubic feet of space behind the back row and 57 cubic feet with the seatbacks folded flat. While the Sportback’s sloping roofline reduces these figures by 2 cubic feet, it still provides ample room for your belongings. In fact, we were able to fit seven carry-on suitcases behind the Sportback’s rear seats, only one less than in the regular e-tron.
Infotainment and Connectivity
The e-tron and e-tron Sportback come equipped with an advanced infotainment system that revolves around dual touchscreens. The top 10.1-inch display allows easy access to standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto apps, as well as the available Bang & Olufsen audio system. The lower 8.8-inch unit is primarily used for controlling the climate settings. The system also offers several power points, a subscription-based Wi-Fi hotspot, and an optional wireless smartphone charger for seamless connectivity.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Audi prioritizes safety in the e-tron and e-tron Sportback by equipping them with a range of standard driver-assistance technologies. These technologies provide added peace of mind on the road and can be further enhanced with available adaptive cruise control and self-parking assist features. For comprehensive information about the crash-test results of the e-tron SUV and e-tron Sportback, we recommend visiting the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include forward-collision warning, automated emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-departure warning.
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Audi offers a competitive warranty package for the e-tron and e-tron Sportback, ensuring peace of mind for owners. The limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles, while the powertrain warranty extends for the same duration and mileage. Additionally, the electrical components are covered for eight years or 100,000 miles. However, it’s worth noting that no complimentary scheduled maintenance is included.
Specifications
| Specifications | |
| 2020 Audi e-tron Sportback | |
| VEHICLE TYPE | front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door hatchback |
| PRICE AS TESTED | $89,490 (base price: $78,395) |
| MOTOR TYPE | 2 induction AC motors, 184 and 224 hp, 228 and 262 lb-ft; combined output, 402 hp, 490 lb-ft; 86.5-kWh lithium-ion battery pack |
| TRANSMISSION | 2 single-speed direct drive |
| CHASSIS | |
| Suspension (F/R) | multilink/multilink |
| Brakes (F/R) | 14.8-in vented disc/13.8-in vented disc |
| Tires | Bridgestone CrossContact LX Sport, 265/45R-21 108H M+S AO |
| DIMENSIONS | |
| Wheelbase | 115.0 in |
| Length | 193.0 in |
| Width | 76.2 in |
| Height | 65.0 in |
| Passenger volume | 102 ft3 |
| Cargo volume | 27 ft3 |
| Curb weight | 5819 lb |
| C/D TEST RESULTS | |
| 60 mph | 5.1 sec |
| 100 mph | 13.3 sec |
| 120 mph | 22.2 sec |
| Rolling start, 5–60 mph | 5.2 sec |
| Top gear, 30–50 mph | 2.3 sec |
| Top gear, 50–70 mph | 3.0 sec |
| 1/4 mile | 13.8 sec @ 101 mph |
| Top speed (governor limited, mfr’s claim) | 125 mph |
| Braking, 70–0 mph | 182 ft |
| Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad | 0.84 g |
| C/D FUEL ECONOMY | |
| Observed | 73 MPGe |
| 75-mph highway driving | 75 MPGe |
| Highway range | 220 miles |
| EPA FUEL ECONOMY | |
| Combined/city/highway | 77/76/78 MPGe |
| Range | 218 miles |
Conclusion
The 2023 Audi e-tron and e-tron Sportback offer a luxurious and exhilarating electric driving experience. With their sleek design, impressive performance, and advanced features, these SUVs are ideal for those seeking a stylish and eco-friendly vehicle. Whether it’s the regular e-tron or the sportier Sportback variant, both models deliver a range of driving enjoyment and comfort. With a competitive price point and a range of customizable options, there’s an e-tron to suit every taste and preference. Upgrade to the future of luxury with the 2023 Audi e-tron and e-tron Sportback.