2020 Audi e-Tron Road Test and Review

2019 Audi e Tron front three quarter ・ Photo by Audi

It’s a brilliant billboard: a beauty shot of the new 2020 Audi e-tron and the words Electric Has Gone Audi in big, bold, black letters. The new e-Tron isn’t Audi’s first electric vehicle, but it is the German automaker’s first all-electric SUV, and it’s its best EV ever.

A bit larger than an Audi Q5, the 2020 Audi e-Tron is a mid-size five-passenger SUV with standard all-wheel drive. But it isn’t just an electrified Q5. It’s an all-new vehicle, sharing many of its design elements with the Audi Q8, and it delivers the style, luxury, and performance expected from an Audi with a base price above $75,000. The e-Tron is also at the cutting edge of the luxury EV SUV class. Competitors include the Tesla Model X and the Jaguar I-Pace.

Up to 402 Horsepower

Like many Audi models, the 2020 Audi e-tron is available in two trim levels: Premium Plus and Prestige. Each is powered by a smooth and silent pair of electric motors, one powering its front axle and the other powering the rear. The juice comes from a sizable 95.0-kWh battery pack mounted under the floor. And there’s plenty of power. The motors generate a combined 355 horsepower and 414 lb-ft of torque. However, put the transmission in Sport mode and the output can temporarily jump to 402 hp and 490 lb-ft. The Audi’s transmission has a single gear, which is common in EVs. Audi estimates the SUV’s driving range at 204 miles, which is less than the Jaguar I-PACE and considerably less than the Tesla Model X.

Pricing for an Audi e-tron Premium Plus starts at $75,795, including a $995 destination charge. The Prestige model costs $7,000 more. These prices are competitive for the luxury electric SUV space. The base price of the Tesla Model X is about $76,000 and the Jag starts at just over 70 grand.

Photo by Audi

Sophisticated, But Conventional Style

Audi could have gone wild with the design of the e-Tron. We’re glad it didn’t. It basically looks like any other Audi suv: clean, elegant, and sophisticated. But also sporty and youthful. Curvaceous and intricately detailed. Every panel is cut by character lines, including the hood and fenders, that pick up the light, giving the surfaces an organic, dynamic quality. It shares its grille with the Audi Q8, and in typical Audi fashion, there’s an abundance of subdued aluminum trim. No chrome.

At 115.1 inches, its wheelbase is the same as a full-size Range Rover’s, but the e-Tron is just 193 inches long, so it’s nearly 4 inches shorter than the Rover. It’s also about 10 inches longer than a Q5. Twenty-inch wheels are standard, but our well-equipped Prestige test vehicle wore a sexy set of optional 21s. Other options drove its as-tested price to about $90,000.

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Family-Friendly Interior

With its long wheelbase, the new 2020 Audi e-tron seats five very comfortably. There’s an impressive amount of rear legroom, considerably more than you get in an Audi Q5, which has a big hump in the floor that severely compromises the comfort of the middle passenger in the backseat. Because the e-Tron is an EV, that hump is history and three teenagers fit comfortably, while the Audi’s onboard Wi-Fi kept them happily connected.

The Audi e-tron also offers more cargo space than the Q5. There’s 28.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind its backseat, which is also more than you get in the Jaguar I-PACE and about twice as much as you get in a Tesla Model X. But be aware, the Audi’s steep rear glass cuts down its ability to carry taller cargo. Fold down its rear seats, and that space expands to 57 cubic feet, which is still more than the Jag. The e-Tron can also tow up to 4,000 pounds.

Photo by Audi

Cool Brown Leather Cabin

Our Siam Beige test vehicle arrived with Okapi Brown leather upholstery that impressed everyone. You couldn’t open the door without being struck by the color and the richness of the Audi’s standard dark brown walnut wood inlays. Most passengers look around and exclaim “wow, this is nice” before climbing in.

Overall, the Audi’s interior materials are of an extremely high quality, and the fit and finish approaches perfection. Standard features on the Premium Plus include navigation, heated and cooled front seats, a Bang & Olufsen sound system and a 360-degree camera, which gives you a bird’s-eye view of the e-Tron and its surroundings. The Prestige adds power door closures, a head-up display, and massage for the front seats. The Audi’s power-adjustable driver’s seat is very comfortable with just enough bolstering to hold you in place during hard driving. Forward visibility is excellent; even the A-pillars have been carefully shaped to maximize your sightlines, and the side mirrors are large to minimize your blind spots.

Photo by Audi

Technologically Impressive Interior

Also standard on the 2020 e-Tron Prestige is Audi’s Virtual Cockpit digital instrumentation, which offers two display options on the 12.3-inch instrument cluster. There’s even a setting that minimizes the gauges in favor of a large navigation map or other information. It’s easy to click between the two with a button on the steering wheel. There are also two other large screens in the e-Tron: one for the climate controls and another for its intuitive infotainment system. Unfortunately, they accumulate fingerprints.

The layout is similar to the one Audi uses in the A7 performance sedan, and the screens function like an iPad. However, unlike an iPad, they give you some haptic response, which helps keep your eyes on the road. The Audi’s shifter doubles as a support for your wrist, which is clever. Functions can also be controlled by voice commands. With so much technology, the Audi’s cabin may look like something out of Star Trek, but it’s all very natural to use.

Photo by Audi

Perfect Sport/Luxury Balance

From behind its leather-wrapped four-spoke steering wheel, it’s easy to forget the 2020 Audi e-tron is powered by electricity. And honestly, after a few days, you just don’t care. It drives like a world-class sports luxury sedan, striking the perfect balance between luxury and sport. It’s fast, responsive, and engaging, but it's also comfortable and compliant with a quiet interior. Audi says the e-Tron can hit 60 mph in just 5.5 seconds and has a top speed of 124 mph.

The Audi’s steering is quick and light. Its brakes are powerful, but a little grabby in the city, which takes a little getting used to. Its Quattro all-wheel drive system, combined with the e-Tron's low center of gravity and huge tires, provides impressive handling, but there is some body roll. We expected a harsh ride with the optional 21-inch tires, but the e-Tron remains smooth even over rough roads.

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Less Range Than Rivals

Audi says the 2020 e-Tron can be driven 204 miles if you start with a full charge. We didn’t quite get that far. After charging the Audi’s battery pack overnight, we recorded range distances of 190 miles, 178 miles, and 184 miles. That's not bad, and it's more than enough to be driven every day by most folks without any range anxiety, but the Tesla Model X and Jaguar I-Pace do offer more range. The Jag’s range is about 235 miles, and the Tesla’s range is up around 325 miles. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates the Audi’s efficiency at 74 MPGe city and 73 MPGe highway.

The Audi’s charge port is hidden behind the e-Tron badge on its left front fender. Plug it into a standard household outlet and its battery pack will be fully charged in about 30 hours. It takes about nine hours to charge its depleted batteries on a more powerful 240-volt outlet. At certain fast DC charging stations, the e-Tron can recoup 80 percent of its battery capacity in about 30 minutes.

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Many Advanced Safety Systems

Advanced technology is also found in the new Audi e-Tron's many active safety systems. Audi pre sense city is standard on every e-Tron. It detects obstacles ahead, including pedestrians, at speeds up to 52 mph. When it detects a potential collision, it can initiate full braking. The Premium Plus model also gets Audi pre sense rear, which monitors the traffic following the vehicle. If the system determines an impending collision, it prepares the car for impact by closing the windows and sunroof. It also cinches the front seatbelts and prepares the brakes for quicker response.

LED headlamps and a rear cross-traffic alert are also standard. Unfortunately, the parking assist system is overly sensitive and goes ballistic when parking in tight spaces. Optional on the base model but standard on the Prestige is the Driver Assistance Package, which adds several other potential lifesaving high-tech systems. These include Pre Sense 360, Audi adaptive cruise assist with maneuver assist, and active lane-departure prevention with emergency assist.

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One of the Best

The new 2020 Audi e-Tron is one of our favorites in the very competitive luxury EV SUV category. Just as Audi’s gas-powered SUVs check all the right boxes, the e-Tron packs an impressive combination of technology, comfort, performance, efficiency, and style. It’s also fun to drive, which makes it very easy to recommend.

No, the Audi doesn’t have the battery range of its rivals, but its range is more than sufficient. And its fit and finish and overall build quality are also way ahead of anything from Tesla. If you’re looking for an electric mid-size luxury SUV, the 2020 Audi e-Tron an excellent overall choice.

Photo by Audi