Used 2022 Audi e-tron

The 2022 Audi e-tron is a luxury midsize SUV with an all-electric drivetrain and a maximum range of 222 miles. Size-wise, it fits between the conventional Q5 and Q7 SUVs that we all know and possibly love.

For those who prefer a more athletic roofline, Audi offers the e-tron Sportback. The Sportback is mechanically identical, but looks more like the popular sloped-roof SUVs such as the BMW X6 and Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe.

For those seeking higher performance with zero emissions, the new-for-2022 e-tron S — in both straight-ahead SUV and Sportback body styles — should be intriguing. These variants make a maximum of 469 horsepower and a mighty 717 lb-ft of torque.

When it launched in 2019, the e-tron was Audi’s first leap into electric vehicles (EVs). Don’t confuse it with the newer e-tron GT sports sedan or the Q4 e-tron small SUV. Those models expand Audi’s EV portfolio, but it all started here, with this e-tron midsize SUV.

Both the 2022 Audi e-tron and the sleeker e-tron Sportback are smooth-riding SUVs that prioritize comfort. Which is no bad thing for a luxury marque. Even models with 21-inch wheels offer supple cushioning over the worst bumps.

Because the e-tron’s big battery pack is a structural element in the chassis, the whole vehicle feels robust even when encountering potholes. Combine that with the supreme quietness of the electric powertrain and Audi’s extensive noise countermeasures, and you have an SUV that’s relaxing to drive.

Part of that sweet ride comes from the air suspension system. Click the drive mode button over to Dynamic and the e-tron’s moves sharpen, the ride firms slightly.

When the snow comes, the e-tron has an allroad mode. And a specific off-road mode raises the suspension for added clearance. It’s an excellent feature for those who need to negotiate the occasional dirt road.

The only improvement in the driving experience we’d like to see is an easier way to control the amount of brake regeneration. We’d also like the option of true one-pedal driving — where lifting off the accelerator slows the vehicle car to a stop, while recharging the battery in the process.

Because of its substantial battery, the e-tron is heavy. You can feel that weight when hustling along a mountain road.

Dig deep into the accelerator pedal, and this Audi is quick. But don’t expect it to leap off the line like a Tesla and reach 60 mph in three seconds. This luxury SUV takes about 5.5 seconds when Boost mode is activated. That’s plenty of speed for most buyers.

Some buyers, though, are going to want more. Which is where the e-tron S comes in. With Boost mode engaged, this S drivetrain creates 469 horsepower to achieve a sprint from standstill to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds. That’s a time more usually associated with lightweight sports cars, not 3-ton SUVs.

Torque, the ability to create thrust, is a particular positive with electric motors, and they can achieve their maximum output almost immediately. The e-tron S makes a considerable 717 lb-ft with its three motors. The rest of the e-tron lineup has two motors.

Like most upscale Audi models, the e-tron has an interior fitted with materials, textures, and colors that are warm, expensive-looking, and pleasing to touch. The central dash displays are split in two. The top 10.1-inch screen is for the infotainment system and the lower 8.8-inch unit is for climate controls.

The infotainment system is intuitive to use. And even though this is a tech-forward interior, Audi wisely chose to retain a physical knob to control the audio volume.

The sleek shifter looks and feels like a piece of art. The center console between the front seats is less successful. It’s essentially a deep bucket split down the middle with large openings in the sides. So reaching for things, cleaning the console, and keeping it organized is difficult.

Rear passengers enjoy their own climate control functions on a mini screen. Rear legroom is also generous.

Fold those rear seats down, and there’s almost 60 cubic feet of space. For comparison, the larger Q7 has about 10 cubic feet more, and the smaller Q5 has about three cubes fewer. Thanks to its sporty roofline, the e-tron Sportback has about the same amount of space as a Q5.

Unlike some electric vehicles, the e-tron doesn’t sport any odd design that sets it apart from mainstream vehicles. Instead, Audi refined its traditional style and created a familiar and arguably quite handsome SUV. This is the electric luxury SUV for those who want to slip through traffic in relative anonymity.

The large closed-off aluminum grille and the charging port(s) are some of the only clues that this is an electric vehicle. The full LED headlamp and taillamp signatures certainly deliver an upscale look, as do the large wheels and tires, as well as the contrasting brake caliper colors on some models. Speaking of wheels, Audi offers some great designs up to 22 inches in diameter.

The Sportback body style trades a bit of cargo space for that sloping roofline to convey a sportier and more athletic personality. And we think it’s the Sportback model that can pull off the e-tron’s most vibrant colors — like Catalunya Red or Antigua Blue — most successfully.

ADAPTIVE AIR SUSPENSION
Adaptive air suspensions are often extra-cost options, but the e-tron has it as standard. The ride quality is exceptional, as is the body control when Dynamic mode is selected. The e-tron S models have a sport-tuned adaptive air suspension.

AUDI VIRTUAL COCKPIT
A leading-edge EV deserves interior tech to match. Audi’s Virtual Cockpit is one of the best-executed gauge clusters of any luxury automaker. You can configure the 12.3-inch digital driver information display screen in a multitude of ways, including a big, beautiful route map taking center stage.

With such an extensive list of standard equipment in the lowest Premium trim, some buyers may feel that upgrading to a more expensive version is unnecessary.

For $65,900 (less than last year’s model), the entry level 2022 e-tron comes with an air suspension, all-wheel drive, 4-zone climate control, 20-inch wheels, panoramic sunroof, Virtual Cockpit gauge cluster, LED lighting, heated steering wheel, power-adjustable steering column, and more.

On the safety front, every 2022 e-tron has forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, front/rear parking sensors, and lane-departure warning.

Trim levels for the 2022 e-tron are Premium, Premium Plus and the new Chronos Edition, which replaces the Prestige on non-Sportback models.

Options for the Premium trim include ambient cabin lighting, heated/ventilated/8-way power-adjustable front seats, adaptive cruise control, plus a Bang & Olufsen sound system. And there’s a Black Optic package with 21-inch sport wheels and orange brake calipers.

The new Chronos Edition adds Chronos gray exterior paint, S-line exterior, Black Optic package, digital Matrix-LED headlights, black 21-inch wheels with orange brake calipers, black headliner, Volcano Gray ash wood inlays, and rear side airbags.

The e-tron Sportback brings a Convenience Plus package to its Premium trim, which includes the Driver Assistance package, top-view camera system, and the Black Optic exterior.

The e-tron Sportback’s Prestige package has massaging front seats, cabin air ionization and fragrance, full leather upholstery, multi-colored ambient LED cabin lighting, and more. A new Black Optic Plus package adds 22-inch sport wheels and orange brake calipers.

A towing package is available to handle trailers up to 4,000 pounds.

Two electric motors propel the 2022 e-tron and its Sportback counterpart. In the new-for-2022 e-tron S SUV and Sportback, there are three. They’re all energized by a massive 95-kWh battery pack set below the floor.

The 2-motor setup produces 355 hp and 414 lb-ft of torque. Or 402 horsepower and 490 lb-ft of torque with Boost mode engaged. The three motors in the e-tron S models generate 429 horsepower or 496 horsepower with Boost mode, and 717 lb-ft of torque.

Every e-tron and e-tron S has an electronic form of all-wheel drive, with power distributed between the wheels according to the conditions of the moment.

Charging the battery from 5-percent capacity to 80 percent requires about 30 minutes on a DC fast charger. With a Level 2 charger at home, a full recharge takes around 10.5 hours. The battery pack is covered by an 8-year/100,000-mile warranty, whichever happens first.

The regular e-tron SUV is rated to travel 222 miles on a single charge. The Sportback can cover 218 miles. The e-tron S SUV is estimated to travel 208 miles on its standard 20-inch wheels, or 181 miles with 21-inch wheels. And in an interesting turnaround, the e-tron S Sportback should manage 212 miles on 20s, or 185 miles on 21-inch or 22-inch wheels.

Two asynchronous electric motors (e-tron)
355 horsepower (402 w/Boost mode)
414 lb-ft of torque (490 w/Boost mode)
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 78/77 MPGe (SUV), 76/78 MPGe (Sportback)
EPA-estimated range on a full charge: 222 miles (SUV), 218 miles (Sportback)

Three asynchronous electric motors (e-tron S)
429 horsepower (496 w/Boost mode)
717 lb-ft of torque
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 72/75 MPGe (SUV, 20-inch wheels), 62/64 MPGe (SUV, 20-inch/21-inch wheels), 73/78 MPGe (Sportback, 20-inch wheels), 64/66 MPGe (Sportback, 21-inch/22-inch wheels)
EPA-estimated range on a full charge: 208 miles (SUV, 20-inch wheels), 181 miles (SUV, 21-inch/22-inch wheels), 212 miles (Sportback, 20-inch wheels), 185 miles (Sportback, 21-inch/22-inch wheels)