2022 Audi e-tron Review: An EV For Everyone

The Audi e-tron has been around since 2019 as one of the few all-electric vehicles that seem normal. While the likes of Tesla have been innovating with the alternative propulsion method, Audi's design and feel of the e-tron have been applied in an intentionally subdued manner. While this may bother those who want everyone to know just how sanctimonious they are for buying an electric SUV, it's the perfect answer for those who want their battery-powered automobile to look and feel like a regular car. Jaguar has taken a similar route with its I-Pace, but which is better? Or should the Tesla Model X remain your default choice for advanced electric mobility? With the e-tron generating up to 402 horsepower and 490 lb-ft of torque from its dual electric motors, it's certainly worth considering. And when you take into account that the price of the Audi e-tron is thousands of dollars less than the Tesla, it becomes all the more attractive. Let's see if it's good enough to dethrone the king.

2022 e-tron Exterior

Dimensions

2022 e-tron Performance

Handling and Driving Impressions

Okay, so straight-line performance is not what this SUV is about, but how does it actually feel to drive? Well, as a rather lardy machine, it's not all that agile, despite the battery packs being mounted as low in the vehicle as possible. There's quite a bit of understeer when you enter corners with vigor and the fact that the rear motor is more powerful does little to correct this flaw. Nevertheless, the feel of the steering in Sport mode is pretty good, with appropriate weight and decent levels of feedback. Thanks to its variable-ratio setup, it's still easy to maneuver at low speeds. The brake pedal is a little less universally loved, however, as some have found it easy to modulate while others have felt that the regenerative braking system is too prominent to make smooth stops a simple exercise. We thought it was well set up.

The real question, though, is not if this SUV performs well when treating it like a sports car, but if it is any good as the luxury EV it aims to be. Fortunately, the adaptive air suspension system gives us no reason to fault this vehicle. A test drive will quickly show that it's comfortable and compliant without being floaty and there's enough firmness that you don't feel as if the car is about to tip over. Big and small bumps alike are soaked up with ease and the electronics do an excellent job of maintaining traction when you're on slippery surfaces too. We doubt it'll be as capable as a Range Rover off-road, but it seems to be able to hold its own.

2022 e-tron Interior

2022 e-tron Trunk and Cargo Space

Warranty

US NHTSA Crash Test Result

Verdict: Is the 2022 Audi e-tron A Good SUV?

The Audi e-tron is a heavy vehicle that weighs even more than the Q7 SUV, but, along with upcoming models like the e-tron GT, Audi is making sure that electric vehicles are attractive alternatives to regular cars. Sure, it doesn't have the range of some of its competitors and it doesn't have the handling ability of gasoline-powered vehicles, but it finds itself in the middle of these two categories in a way that is actually impressive. It blends the best of both worlds by mixing usable real-world range and efficiency with an overall package that you don't have to be a tech geek to understand. It looks and feels homely while still standing out just enough to let traffic wardens know from a distance that you have the right to move freely in congested cities. It's luxurious, well-equipped, safe, and good-looking. If you're on the fence about switching to electric vehicles, the e-tron is the perfect choice. All of the benefits of EV power with none of the drawbacks combine to make this a brilliant SUV. Well done, Audi. Well done indeed.

2022 Audi e-tron Comparisons

2022 Audi e-tron vs Jaguar I-Pace

The 2022 Jaguar I-Pace manages 394 hp and 512 lb-ft of torque, and although that's not as much power as the Audi can put out, it produces that output constantly rather than just for short bursts. Nevertheless, despite impressive handling and gorgeous styling, we have to recommend the Audi e-tron. It's more spacious, more practical, and more ergonomic. The I-Pace has a much improved new infotainment system but it has fewer standard luxury features, although the cabin itself is certainly a stylish piece of design. However, the Jag hasn't been reviewed by the USA's ratings agencies for crashworthiness yet. For those who value driving and style above all else, the Jag is the winner, but as an overall package, we prefer Ingolstadt's effort.

2022 Audi e-tron vs Tesla Model X

Tesla's Model X has made practical EV motoring a more prominent part of the auto industry, but it's not cheap. With a base price of $104,990, it's nearly 40 grand dearer than the base Audi e-tron and $20k more expensive than the top e-tron trim. However, although its dimensions are very similar in many respects to those of the e-tron SUV, it offers a lot more cargo space with up to 87.8 cubic feet of volume in five-seater guise. On that note, the Model X can also seat six or seven occupants depending on the configuration. You also get the benefit of regular updates throughout its life cycle, and it's a lot faster with a sprint to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds in the normal dual-motor Model X. That said, the interior looks and feels sparse, albeit executed in a stylish and modern manner. If you don't mind futuristic interior design and few luxury features, the Tesla is great. For those who want their cars to feel "normal", we'd opt for the cheaper and fancier e-tron.