2021 Audi e-tron

Is the Audi e-tron a Good SUV?

Yes, the 2021 Audi e-tron is a good luxury electric SUV. The e-tron is comfortable and relaxing to drive day to day, thanks to its smooth-riding air suspension, spacious and quiet interior, and top-notch cabin materials. Its electric all-wheel-drive system enables surefooted handling and snappy acceleration. The e-tron also comes well-equipped with advanced tech and safety features, and its dual-screen infotainment system is user-friendly.

Why You Can Trust Us: 26 Reviews Analyzed

We’ve analyzed 26 Audi e-tron reviews, as well as data points like reliability ratings and fuel economy estimates, to help you make the best car-buying decision possible.

This 2021 e-tron review incorporates applicable research for all models in this generation, which launched for 2019.

U.S. News Best Cars has been ranking and reviewing vehicles since 2007, and our staff has more than 75 years of combined experience in the auto industry. To ensure our objectivity, we never accept expensive gifts from carmakers, and an outside firm manages the ads on our site.

Should I Buy the Audi e-tron?

You should definitely consider the Audi e-tron if you’re shopping for a luxury electric SUV. The e-tron offers all the comfort and refinement that buyers have come to expect of Audi SUVs but with the silent operation and instant acceleration that only an electric vehicle can provide. The only real downside is the e-tron’s 222-mile driving range on a full charge. That should suffice for daily commutes and the occasional road trip, but it’s not ideal for high-milers. If that sounds like you, check out longer-range luxury electric SUVs like the Tesla Model Y or Model X.

Find a 2021 Audi e-tron for sale near you »

2020 vs. 2021 Audi e-tron: What's the Difference?

There are two main differences between the 2020 and 2021 e-tron models. Audi adds a new entry-level Premium trim for 2021, which reduces the e-tron’s starting price from $74,800 to $65,900. Additionally, the e-tron SUV’s battery pack receives an update, boosting its total driving range from 204 to 222 miles.

Compare the 2020 and 2021 e-tron »

Here are the key changes for the Audi e-tron over the last few years:

• 2019: all-new SUV
• 2020: Sportback body style added
• 2021: less-expensive Premium trim joins lineup; driving range gets 18-mile increase

If you're considering an older model, be sure to read our 2019 e-tron and 2020 e-tron reviews to help make your decision. Also, check out our Best New Car Deals and Best New Car Lease Deals pages to learn about savings and discounts you can find on new vehicles.

How Much Does the Audi e-tron Cost?

The 2021 Audi e-tron SUV has a $65,900 starting price, which is a bit higher than average for the luxury hybrid and electric SUV segment. The starting price rises to $69,100 for the coupelike e-tron Sportback.

Check out our U.S. News Best Price Program for great savings at your local Audi dealer. You can also find excellent manufacturer incentives on our Audi deals page.

Audi e-tron Versus the Competition

Audi e-tron vs. Tesla Model Y

The Tesla Model Y beats the Audi e-tron in a few important areas. The Model Y has a longer driving range of up to 326 miles on a full charge, and it’s backed by Tesla’s expansive Supercharger network, which makes it easy to find a fast-charging station. The Model Y also undercuts the e-tron on starting price: $50,000 versus $65,900. Without question, the Model Y is a better value and a more practical luxury electric SUV, but the e-tron is the better luxury vehicle. It has a nicer interior, an easier-to-use infotainment system, and a gentler ride.

Compare the e-tron and Model Y »

Audi e-tron vs. Jaguar I-Pace

The Jaguar I-Pace narrowly beats the e-tron in terms of driving range. It offers up to 234 miles of range on a full charge, whereas the e-tron is rated at 222 miles. The Jaguar also feels a bit zestier to drive, and it accelerates more ferociously. If you’re looking for a sporty EV, the I-Pace is a great pick. On the other hand, the e-tron is a bit more refined. It features higher-quality cabin materials and a simpler infotainment system. It’s also priced around $4,000 less than the Jaguar.

Compare the e-tron and I-Pace »

Compare the e-tron, Model Y, and I-Pace »

e-tron Interior: Relaxation Chamber

e-tron Cargo Space

The Audi e-tron SUV has 28.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind its rear seats and 56.5 cubic feet with these seats folded. That’s about average for the luxury hybrid and electric SUV class. The e-tron Sportback offers a comparable 27.2 and 54.5 cubic feet, respectively.

How Many People Does the e-tron Seat?

The Audi e-tron is offered in SUV and Sportback body styles. Both have five seats and four doors. The front seats are comfortable and supportive, and there’s generous headroom and legroom, even for taller occupants. Outward visibility is good to the front, sides, and rear. The back seats aren’t as supple, but there’s still adequate space for two adults to fit comfortably, along with plenty of room for smaller kids and teens. Better still, the Sportback model doesn’t sacrifice much headroom in exchange for its stylish coupelike roofline.

Leather upholstery, heated and power-adjustable front seats, and a heated steering wheel are standard. Ventilated and massaging front seats, heated rear seats, and rear sunshades are available.

e-tron and Child Car Seats

The Audi e-tron has two complete sets of LATCH connectors for the rear outboard seats and a tether anchor for the rear middle seat. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the e-tron Sportback's LATCH system the highest rating of Good for its ease of use.

e-tron Interior Quality

The e-tron’s interior styling is somewhat daring in comparison to other Audi models, but it’s a nice fit for a forward-thinking luxury electric SUV. There are many crisp digital displays, a plethora of soft-touch plastics, and a bit of wood and metal here and there, as well as splashes of leather. Build quality is top-notch, and the same attention to detail has been applied to insulating the cabin. The e-tron remains bank-vault quiet, even at higher cruising speeds.

e-tron Infotainment, Bluetooth, and Navigation

The Audi e-tron is equipped with a sleek dual-screen infotainment system. The upper 10.1-inch touch screen manages the stereo, navigation, and smartphone integration apps like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the lower 8.6-inch touch screen adjusts the climate control and vehicle settings.

This layout can seem overwhelming at first, but it becomes intuitive with practice. The menus are straightforward, the graphics are sharp, and the icons are easy to see. The system also benefits from haptic feedback. In essence, the screen surface vibrates when touched, followed by an audible click so you can tell if the system detected your input.

The Virtual Cockpit display is similarly easy to use. This 12.3-inch display takes the place of a traditional gauge cluster, and it’s configurable so you can view as little or as much information as you want, including a navigation view with Google Maps.

• Standard infotainment features: 10.1- and 8.6-inch touch screens, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, Bluetooth, two USB ports, HD Radio, and satellite radio
• Available infotainment features: wireless device charging and a Bang & Olufsen sound system
• Additional standard features: quad-zone automatic climate control, proximity keyless entry, push-button start, a hands-free power liftgate, and a panoramic sunroof
• Other available features: power soft-closing doors

For more information, read What Is Apple CarPlay?, What Is Android Auto?, and What Is Amazon Alexa Auto?

Read more about interior »

e-tron Performance: Runnin' on Elec-trons

e-tron Engine

The Audi e-tron’s powertrain consists of a 95-kWh lithium-ion battery pack and two electric motors, one powering the front wheels and the other powering the rear wheels. This electric all-wheel-drive system is rated at 355 horsepower and 414 pound-feet of torque, but it can provide up to 402 horsepower and 490 pound-feet of torque in short bursts.

That’s quite a lot of muscle, and the e-tron feels every bit as powerful. The Audi shuttles quickly and quietly around town, thanks to the smooth yet immediate torque from the electric motors, and it can zip from zero to 60 mph in a brisk 5.5 seconds. Passing power is abundant and readily available, even at high speeds. The big takeaway is how relaxing and effortless the e-tron is to drive. It feels just as composed gliding between stoplights as it does barreling down the freeway.

e-tron Range and Charging

The Audi e-tron SUV has an EPA-estimated driving range of 222 miles. This range dips to 218 miles for the e-tron Sportback variant. That should be more than enough range for the average daily commute, but it pales in comparison to what you get with SUV rivals like the Tesla Model X and Model Y, which provide up to 371 and 326 miles, respectively.

Charging the e-tron using a 240-volt household-style power outlet or at a Level 2 public charging station can replenish the battery pack from zero to 100% in around nine hours. Level 3 charging stations, such as those offered by Volkswagen’s Electrify America initiative, can fast-charge the battery from zero to 80% capacity in 30 minutes.

e-tron Ride and Handling

The Audi e-tron possesses great overall driving dynamics. Its adaptive air suspension does a fine job of soaking up bumps and dips in the road, yielding a supple and well-cushioned ride, even on particularly rough pavement. The steering is responsive, and the e-tron feels stable around turns, with minimal body lean. The brakes provide smooth and consistent stopping power as well, which can’t be said of all electric vehicles.

e-tron Towing Capacity

The Audi e-tron has a maximum towing capacity of 4,000 pounds when properly equipped.

Read more about performance »

e-tron Reliability

Is the Audi e-tron Reliable?

The 2021 Audi e-tron has a slightly above-average predicted reliability rating of 3.5 out of five.

Audi e-tron Warranty

Audi covers the e-tron with a four-year/50,000-mile limited warranty and an eight-year/100,000-mile battery warranty.

Read more about reliability »

e-tron Safety

e-tron Crash Test Results

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the 2021 Audi e-tron SUV the highest rating of Good in all five crash safety tests performed. The e-tron Sportback earned an additional Good rating in the head restraints and seats test, which was not conducted on regular e-tron SUV. Depending on the trim, the e-tron's headlights received a Good rating or the second-highest rating of Acceptable for forward visibility.

The IIHS uses a different scale for grading collision avoidance features. The e-tron earned the highest rating of Superior for its standard front crash prevention systems.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the 2021 Audi e-tron an overall safety rating of five out of five stars, with five stars in the side crash and rollover tests and four stars in the frontal crash test.

e-tron Safety Features

Standard advanced safety features:

• Rearview camera
• Blind spot monitoring
• Rear cross traffic alert
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Forward collision warning
• Automatic emergency braking
• Lane departure warning
• Automatic high-beam headlights

Available advanced safety features:

• Surround-view parking camera system
• Adaptive cruise control
• Lane keep assist
• Traffic sign recognition
• Head-up display

Read more about safety »

e-tron Dimensions and Weight

The Audi e-tron is 16.1 feet long, and it has a curb weight of 5,754 pounds.

Where Is the 2021 Audi e-tron Built?

Audi builds the 2021 e-tron in Belgium.

Which Audi e-tron Model Is Right for Me?

The 2021 Audi e-tron is offered in two body styles – SUV and Sportback – and three trim levels: Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige. The entry-level Premium trim in either body style is a good pick for most shoppers. It comes standard with many convenience and safety features, and it’s priced at less than $70,000. Notably, all trims are outfitted with the same electric powertrain.

Audi e-tron Premium

The e-tron Premium trim starts at $65,900 for SUV models and $69,100 for Sportback models, and it comes equipped with two electric motors, a lithium-ion battery pack, and all-wheel drive.

Standard infotainment features include 10.1- and 8.6-inch touch screens, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, navigation, HD Radio, satellite radio, Bluetooth, and two USB ports. Also standard are proximity keyless entry, quad-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, heated and power-adjustable front seats, a heated steering wheel, a hands-free power liftgate, a panoramic sunroof, an adaptive air suspension, 20-inch wheels, and a driver’s-side charging port.

Standard safety features include front and rear parking sensors, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and LED headlights with automatic high beams.

Audi e-tron Premium Plus

The e-tron Premium Plus starts at $74,800 for SUV models and $78,000 for Sportback models. This trim adds ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, wireless device charging, a Bang & Olufsen sound system, a surround-view parking camera system, road sign recognition, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and driver’s- and passenger-side charging ports.

Audi e-tron Prestige

The e-tron Prestige trim starts at $79,100 for SUV models and $82,300 for Sportback models and gains perforated leather upholstery, massaging front seats, rear sunshades, power soft-closing doors, and a head-up display.

Check out our U.S. News Best Price Program for great savings at your local Audi dealer. You can also find excellent manufacturer incentives on our Audi deals page.

See 2021 Audi e-tron specs and trims »

The Final Call

The 2021 Audi e-tron rises through the ranks of the luxury hybrid and electric SUV class, owing to its gorgeous interior, comfy seats, blissful ride, and authoritative acceleration. It also offers one of the easiest-to-use infotainment systems in this segment. While the e-tron may not be able to match its Tesla Model X and Model Y rivals in overall driving range, there’s still plenty to like about this all-electric Audi.

Don't just take our word for it. Check out comments from some of the reviews that drive our rankings and analysis.

• "As an Audi, the E-Tron Sportback seems quite good. It is quiet, comfortable and feature-rich, as a $70,000 luxury car should be. This may well be enough to bring Audi’s fans back into showrooms, but will it grow the customer base? For now, it seems that E-Tron is more likely to bring existing Audi customers into the electric fold, rather than bringing outside electric buyers into the Audi fold." -- Autoblog
• "Audi's answer to the burgeoning breed of all-electric crossovers isn't as stylish as the Jaguar I-Pace or as innovative as the Tesla Model X. Instead, the 2020 Audi e-tron is intended to magnify the advantages of EVs in a more traditional package that exemplifies the company's luxury pedigree. With standard all-wheel drive and a 4000-pound towing capacity, the two-row crossover has the capability many SUV shoppers expect. While its 200-plus-mile range isn't groundbreaking, Audi thinks that's more than enough for most daily commutes." -- Car and Driver (2020)
• "Like that old yarn about first impressions, automakers only get one shot at their first EV. In the case of the e-tron, Audi has delivered one that exceeds expectations. It has managed to at once be a cutting edge luxury EV that is easy to drive and quickly become familiar with, and yet be a practical SUV that can do real SUV things, including towing and off-roading. Most of all, it’s an Audi, and one that shines a bright light on the brand’s electrified road ahead." -- Kelley Blue Book (2019)