A review of the Audi e-tron: what can the premium crossover do?
Following the trend, many automakers have begun producing electric cars to carve out their own niche in the wake of Tesla’s stylish and popular models. Audi has also jumped on this trend. The company released a premium electric crossover called the Audi E-Tron, designed for those who appreciate style and comfort.
After its release, following extensive analysis and debate, experts began comparing this model to Tesla. But in terms of its specifications, Audi’s new model turned out to be significantly better than the famous Model X—at least in terms of comfort and pricing. Therefore, the car deserves a detailed review.
Based on its appearance alone, you wouldn’t guess that the car is powered by an electric motor. At first glance, one might think it has a standard internal combustion engine. But when compared to competitors in the electric vehicle market, this model looks premium and powerful. The new model is unlike any of the previously released versions in this automotive niche.
Interior and Exterior Design
The body turned out to be very beautiful and eye-catching, as the designers took great care to refine every detail to create a high-quality car that meets buyers’ needs. Everyone notes the well-designed headlights and the large radiator grille. In terms of its dimensions, the car resembles the Q7, but it’s not too large.
The main distinguishing feature of this new model is its cameras. They double as side-view mirrors, so there are no actual protrusions on the car’s body. The company adopted this design to improve aerodynamic performance. In terms of specifications, the drag coefficient has been reduced to 0.27. Safety has also been enhanced due to the absence of additional protruding elements.
Some car owners may find this inconvenient, which isn’t far from the truth. It takes some getting used to, but after a while, you’ll stop noticing the inconveniences and come to appreciate all the charm and comfort it offers. One drawback of the design is the lack of viewing angle adjustment, but the sensors allow the camera to capture most of the road, which makes up for this limitation. Additionally, the screen isn’t always clearly visible in sunny weather. Such situations are rare and usually occur only when the sunlight hits the screen at an unfavorable angle. However, in terms of safety, these cameras have become much more reliable. They don’t get dirty from mud or rain, are frost-resistant, and don’t develop an icy crust. They feature a night mode, and in the dark, these mirrors are more convenient than traditional ones because they provide a clearer view of the road. Plus, they don’t blind the driver when a car approaches from behind, since the headlights’ light isn’t reflected into the driver’s eyes. Rain doesn’t splash onto them, so the image will always be clear and free of blurring.
The E-Tron’s interior has a stylish and modern look. There’s no futuristic design or extravagant details, unlike in a Tesla, for example. The company decided not to overcomplicate the interior and replicated the standard design of the “Q” lineup. Only the large screen was borrowed from Tesla. Inside, there are two large multimedia panels:
- one is for climate control;
- the other for controls.
The gearshift knob also has an unusual design. It looks modern, yet fits comfortably in the palm of your hand. Ergonomics are ensured by its smooth lines.
Despite the Audi Q2L E-Tron’s compact size, the interior is quite spacious. There’s a large trunk, and the interior can comfortably accommodate up to five people, regardless of their build or height. If necessary, the rear seats can be folded down. When folded, the trunk capacity automatically increases to 1,725 liters.
Key Specifications
Everyone knows that Tesla has the longest range, and few have managed to surpass it in this regard. Audi decided not to overlook this parameter and to prioritize long-distance driving, so they equipped the E-Tron with a high-capacity battery. Its capacity is 95 kWh, which is close to that of the Tesla Model X. The car can easily travel 400 km on a single charge, but the actual range is lower.
In winter, when the battery discharges more quickly—and with the heater and climate control running—the car will travel about 290–310 km. This figure is lower than that of the Tesla, but when you also factor in the price, everything becomes clear.
A used Audi e-tron costs $30,000. A Tesla, on the other hand, can cost up to $70,000. You can buy an Audi Q2 at a great price on our company’s website. The “turnkey” price of the car is only $29,000, which is much lower than market rates. We’ll ship the car from the U.S. with affordable shipping. The reduced price more than makes up for any discrepancy in the driving range. At the same time, the car looks every bit as good as a Tesla—it’s just as stylish and eye-catching.
The charging time for the Audi Q2 depends on the power source it’s connected to. It takes more than a day to fully charge from standard 220-volt outlets, while charging from a 380-volt outlet takes 12–15 hours. For example, in Europe, there are plans to increase the number of high-speed charging stations with a power output of 150 kW so that the car can be fully charged in half an hour. This will allow drivers to use the vehicle without interruption and travel significant distances.
Pros and Cons
Attractive design, fast charging, and spaciousness—all of these features are very appealing to buyers, but the car’s performance falls far short of expectations. The car is responsive, but compared to its competitors, its acceleration isn’t the best. Accelerating to 100 km/h in 3 seconds, like a Tesla, is out of the question—but there’s no real need for that kind of acceleration in a family car anyway. By design, the model is a calm, composed vehicle, so its lack of speed isn’t particularly noticeable.
In terms of handling, the Audi has significantly outperformed the Tesla Model X. On a smooth highway, the car rides as smoothly as possible, and you can fully appreciate the automatic steering assist. On uneven surfaces, the steering wheel shakes only minimally. When it comes to off-roading, the ground clearance can be increased to 220 mm, turning the crossover into a full-fledged SUV.
Comparison
There aren’t many noteworthy electric vehicles on the market. Tesla models make up the bulk of the market, as they have few competitors.
Only the Mercedes EQC and Jaguar I-Pace come close to Tesla’s performance. The Audi E-Tron has proven to be quite competitive. This premium-class crossover is fairly fast. It accelerates to 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds. Its competitors from Jaguar and Mercedes do it faster, but the price difference is significant. Tesla’s electric car accelerates twice as fast—in 3.2 seconds. The list of popular models also includes the Tesla Plaid, which boasts an even higher acceleration time.
The Audi electric car is a comfortable option for families, and its attractive design will appeal to fans of gasoline-powered crossovers. Currently, the Audi Q2 is available at a discounted price. For this price, the owner gets good technical specifications and very fast battery charging.
