10 Things You Need to Know About the 2019 Audi e-Tron

2019 Audi eTron Burlington dealership ・ Photo by Herb Chambers Companies

The all-new 2019 Audi e-tron is the first electric SUV from Audi, combining the efficiency of an electric with the elegance and versatility of a luxury SUV. Audi designed it to truly be an electric Audi, not just a middling effort at an electric vehicle with an Audi badge.

Audi loyalists will find it stays true to the brand’s image, while those who are considering the move to electric will find plenty of reasons to finally make the switch. Here are 10 things you should know about the all-new 2019 Audi e-tron.

1. This is every bit a luxury car.

Some electric vehicles take a Spartan approach with lots of hard plastics, fabric seats, and interiors that don’t provide much in the way of comfort. Audi, however, is a luxury brand and the e-tron is every bit a luxury car. Standard features include leather seating surfaces and eight-way power-adjustable seats with four-way power lumbar, heat, and ventilation up front.

There’s also a panoramic sunroof, wood inlays, and four-zone automatic climate control. Adding to the upscale vibe is a leather-covered multifunction steering wheel, front and rear illuminated door sill inlays, and an interior lighting package. Even before you add a single option, the Audi e-tron provides a genuine luxury car experience.

Photo by Audi

2. You have your choice of two trim levels and a limited edition.

The Audi e-tron is available in two trims. The base Premium Plus comes in at $74,800 while the Prestige is priced at $81,800. As a luxury vehicle, the e-tron is well-equipped even in the base trim, with features including a Bang & Olufsen 3D Premium sound system, a 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen with navigation, and wireless smartphone charging.

The Prestige adds Valcona leather seats, massaging front seats, power door closers, and a driver assistance package. There is also a limited-edition e-tron called the Edition One. Only 999 units are being built with unique Daytona Gray paint, Volcano Gray Ash wood inlays, exclusive wheels, and Dynamic Orange brake calipers.

Photo by Herb Chambers Companies

3. The Audi e-tron currently gets a hefty federal tax credit.

The federal government offers tax credits as an incentive to buy electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, but those incentives won’t last forever. How much of a credit you get depends on the size of the vehicle, the size of the battery, and how many of these vehicles an automaker has sold overall.

The Audi e-tron is currently eligible for the full $7,500 federal tax credit, which makes a big difference in your bottom line. There are also state and local tax credits available, depending on where you live, that are worth checking out. These tax credits can make the Audi e-tron more affordable and easier to work into your family budget.

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4. There’s more room for cargo then you might think.

Smaller electric vehicles focus purely on efficiency and don’t offer much utility, with minimal cargo room and sometimes no towing capacity at all. The Audi e-tron is a mid-size SUV, so Audi made sure it has the capability people expect from one.

The interior offers 28.5 cubic feet for cargo behind the rear seats or you can fold them down for up to 57 cubic feet of cargo room. The e-tron can easily handle luggage for a family getaway or manage supplies for that weekend project. If your cargo needs are greater, then you can tow up to 4,000 pounds with the available towing package. There are also standard roof rails that further expand on the e-tron’s ability to handle cargo.

Photo by Audi

5. Quattro electric all-wheel drive is standard equipment.

In addition to cargo capacity, a big reason for purchasing an SUV is capability. The Audi e-tron features standard electric all-wheel drive with an electric motor mounted at each axle to quickly and efficiently distribute torque. Whether you’re experiencing wheel slip due to icy roads or taking a corner hard, the system keeps you in control.

There’s also a choice of drive modes, including off-road mode. You might not envision taking your e-tron up a rugged mountain road, but Audi built the e-tron to be up to that challenge. Finally, an air suspension system adjusts at the press of a button to increase the vehicle’s ride height for extra ground clearance.

Photo by Audi

6. This is the fastest-charging electric SUV you can buy.

One of the challenges of owning an electric vehicle is waiting for it to charge. It takes only a few minutes to gas up your internal-combustion car, but stopping to charge an electric car takes some time. That’s not a big deal if you’re charging while you’re at home or at the office, but it can be a bit off-putting if you’re on a road trip.

The Audi e-tron takes some of the sting out of that wait with the ability to charge at a 150-kW DC fast charger. That translates into roughly 54 miles of range in 10 minutes or 163 miles of range in 30 minutes, which is the fastest charging speed of any electric SUV.

Photo by Audi

7. Forget range anxiety. The Audi e-tron delivers range tranquility.

Range anxiety keeps many people from making the jump to an electric vehicle. The Audi e-tron has an EPA-estimated range of 204 miles, which, although not the longest range available in an electric SUV, can easily cover a typical day’s driving. Combined with its fast charging, Audi is aiming to replace range anxiety with what it calls range tranquility.

For longer adventures, the infotainment system provides a map with a blue highlighted circle that outlines a rough estimate of your current driving range in the area. It also makes planning a longer road trip easy, suggesting charging stops and estimating the time you’ll need at each one marked out along your proposed drive route.

Photo by Audi

8. Boost Mode gives you extra performance when you need it.

One of the biggest differences you’ll notice when you first drive an electric vehicle is the instant torque when you hit the accelerator. The e-tron features an electric motor mounted at each axle and a 95-kWh battery to produce 355 horsepower with 414 lb-ft of torque in normal operating conditions, which is enough to mash you back into your seat.

Then there’s Boost Mode. Boost Mode automatically engages when you put the transmission in Sport, which you can do at any time. This unlocks the vehicle’s full power output briefly, giving you 402 horsepower and 490 lb-ft of torque along with a 0-60 mph time of 5.5 seconds. If you’re looking for fast acceleration, give it a try.

Photo by Audi

9. The paddle shifters aren’t actually paddle shifters.

It’s not uncommon to encounter sporty cars with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. These let you mimic driving a manual transmission, giving you that extra bit of control without the fancy footwork. The e-tron has what looks like paddle shifters, but they do something different in this vehicle.

Rather than upshifting and downshifting, they increase or decrease the strength of the regenerative braking system, which helps recharge the battery while you drive. The lowest setting is almost unnoticeable, while the highest setting makes it feel like you applied the brakes the second you lift your foot from off the accelerator. You can adjust the setting while you drive to your personal comfort level.

Photo by Audi

10. You can’t just walk into the dealership and buy one.

Unlike most cars on the market, you can’t simply walk into your local dealership and buy and an Audi e-tron. It’s made-to-order, so you must reserve one and there’s currently a waiting list. The bad news is you’ll be in for a bit of a wait, but the good news is that by ordering your e-tron, you can get it exactly the way you want rather than simply having to select one from dealer stock.

Deliveries started in May, with those who were first to reserve their e-tron just now getting their orders. A limited number of e-trons are available for test drives, so contact your local dealer to schedule time behind the wheel.

Photo by Audi