2019 Audi e-tron Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

byMark TakahashiCorrespondent

　　Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the zzdcar YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.

　　

What's new

The Audi e-tron is an all-new electric vehicle204 miles of rangeFive-passenger seatingPart of the first e-tron generation introduced for 2019

　　Among the small but growing class of electric vehicles, the 2019 Audi e-tron has a lot going for it. As with rival EVs such as the Jaguar I-Pace and the Tesla Model X, the e-tron benefits from acceleration that is smooth, silent and swift. On top of that, the e-tron presents important advantages such as a large cargo area and a refined interior.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below

　　

2019 Audi e-tron EV Insights

Trim:e-tron Premium Plus quattro

　　Premium Plus quattro 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD) - $74,800 MSRPPrestige quattro 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD) (Most Popular) - $81,800 MSRP

　　

Estimated Range Based on Age

　　185 milesThe range for a used 2019 Audi e-tron is estimated to be 185 miles because electric cars typically experience 1-2% of range loss per year, with slightly faster degradation over the first 50,000 miles as the car settles into its long term state, according to Recurrent's study of 15,000 EVs.

　　EV batteries lose 1-2% of range per year. Est. range for this car is 185 miles.Electric cars typically experience 1-2% of range loss per year with slightly faster degradation over the first 50,000 miles as the car settles into its long term state, according to Recurrent's study of 15,000 EVs.

　　Estimated range mapThis map is a visual representation of the possible one-way and round-trips by this vehicle (on a full charge) from the geometric center of Rutland, North Dakota. The depicted ranges are based on the estimated new vehicle range value provided by the EPA, rounded down to miles for one-way and miles for round-trip. Actual range will vary depending on the condition of this vehicle’s battery pack, how you drive, driving conditions and other factors.Map display generated using: © openrouteservice.org by HeiGIT | Map data © Recurrent contributors | Recurrent

　　from 58067

　　

EV Battery Warranty

　　8 yrs or 100,000 milesThe federal government requires that EV batteries be warrantied for a minimum of eight years or 100,000 miles. The EV battery warranty includes replacement if your battery capacity drops below a certain percentage of the original capacity.

　　Estimated battery warranty remaining is 3 years or 30,000 miles for this car.Warranty remaining value is based on the vehicle year, and on driving 14,000 miles per year. Confirm exact warranty coverage for each vehicle with the dealers and the manufacturer before purchasing.

　　

Charging at Home

　　10 hours

　　Total Charging Time (240V outlet)

　　SAE ComboStandard port for most electric models. Supports Level 1, Level 2, and DC Fast charging.

　　Plug Type

　　

EV Tax Credits & Rebates

　　$4,400

　　Available Rebates. Restrictions apply.

　　Federal Credit

　　$4,000

　　Restrictions: Under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offers taxpayers a Used Clean Vehicle Tax Credit equal to 30% of the sale price up to a maximum credit of $4,000 for the purchase of a used plug-in electric or hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. Beginning January 1, 2024, Clean Vehicle Tax Credits may be initiated and approved at the point of sale at participating dealerships registered with the IRS. Dealers will be responsible for submitting Clean Vehicle Tax Credit information to the IRS. Buyers are advised to obtain a copy of an IRS "time of sale" report, confirming it was submitted successfully by the dealer.

　　For the vehicle to qualify: Price cannot exceed $25,000. Need to verify the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Must be at least two model years older than the current calendar year in which the vehicle was purchased. Must be sold through a dealership, private sales not permitted. Not have already been transferred after August 16, 2022, to a qualified buyer.

　　For individuals to qualify: Must meet income eligibility, depending on modified adjusted gross income (AGI) and tax filing status. Must not be the first owner of the qualifying vehicle. Has not been allowed a credit under this section for any sale during the 3-year period ending on the date of the sale of such vehicle. Purchased for personal use, not a business, corporation or for resale.

　　To learn more, visit Recurrent

　　Utility EV Charger Offer

　　$400

　　Restrictions: Otter Tail Power offers EV owners a rebate of up to $400 towards the installation of a Level 2 charging station. To qualify for this rebate, the customer and/or charging station must meet the following requirements: Receive electricity from Otter Tail Power.

　　To learn more, visit Recurrent

　　

Cost to Drive

　　$98/mo

　　e-tron

　　vs

　　$183/mo

　　SUV Avg.

　　Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　

Am I Ready for an EV?

　　EV ownership works best if you can charge (240V) at home or at work This typically means a 240V home installation, but you could also have a similar setup at your office or other places your car is already parked for several hours each day. Don't expect a regular household outlet (120V) to suffice unless you've got a plug-in hybrid, in which case overnight charging at home is feasible.

　　If you can’t charge at home, charging at a charging station could take at least 10x longer than at a gas station With public charging infrastructure still in its infancy, the user experience can be maddeningly inconsistent. Tesla owners tend to rave about the reliability and speed of the company's proprietary Supercharger stations, but rival DC fast options have thus far been plagued by technical issues and overcrowding. It's an evolving landscape and our best advice is to do your research on the available options for the EV you want to buy.

　　Adding a 240V home charging system could cost up to $1,600 or more If your existing electrical service can handle the additional demands of EV charging, you may be able to add Level 2 charging at home for less than a grand, including installation. But your costs will multiply if you need to upgrade your electrical panel or add a dedicated circuit.

　　Also helping the Audi e-tron's case is its standard 150-kW DC fast-charge capability, which Audi says can get the vehicle from zero charge to 80% full in a scant 30 minutes. This charging rate is quicker than what a Tesla Supercharger can do. However, finding a charging station capable of such blazing power is a different matter as the supporting charging network, VW's Electrify America, is still in its nascent stages. Also, maximum range is estimated at 204 miles, which is less than what a lot of other EVs can do.

　　But overall we'd say you needn't worry too much about the 204-mile range. As long as you're not planning on frequent road trips, it's sufficient. Otherwise, this legitimately luxurious and spacious five-passenger SUV just happens to be powered by electricity.

　　Notably, we picked the 2019 Audi e-tron as one of zzdcar' Recurrent for this year.

　　

zzdcar' Expert Rating

8.2 / 10

　　

Trim tested

　　Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the Audi e-tron Prestige.

　　

Scorecard

Overall	8.2 / 10
Driving	7.5
Comfort	9.0
Interior	8.5
Utility	8.0
Technology	8.5

　　

Driving

7.5

　　We're fans of the e-tron because it is quick in an effortless and unassuming sort of way. It corners with steadfast confidence and stability, and its brakes are more than powerful enough to respond to panic-braking situations. It steers accurately too, but the connection lacks that special something that makes you want to grab the keys and go for a drive for no particular reason.

　　Our biggest misgiving has to do with the brakes' touchiness, making it hard to stop smoothly in routine driving. Also, Audi has shied away from offering the lift-throttle regenerative braking modes that have proven to make other electric cars fun to drive, and we think that's a missed opportunity.

　　

Comfort

9.0

　　Wow. Need we say more? The e-tron is one comfortable machine. Its air suspension delivers a sophisticated and stable ride on a variety of road surfaces, and the cabin is oh-so-quiet without feeling like a sensory-deprivation chamber. It's hushed in here, but the background resonance of the cabin gives it a homey feel, if that makes any sense.

　　Driver and passenger alike will enjoy the comfort and sumptuousness of the seats, and the quad-zone climate control system is powerful enough to keep all passengers comfortable to their personal satisfaction. We don't often find the latter in all-electric SUVs, so it's heartening to see that Audi didn't compromise here.

　　

Interior

8.5

　　The Audi does a lot of basic things very well. It is easy to get in and out of because the seats sit at the perfect height and the door openings are nicely squared off. Passengers will enjoy abundant room, and the driver gets the bonus of a great driving position and an unobstructed view.

　　The controls, on the other hand, are a mixed bag. The drive mode shifter is unique yet intuitive to use, and many of the smaller controls buttons work fine. The problem has to do with the overreliance of touchscreen interfaces for the infotainment and climate control systems. They look stunning but are overly complex.

　　

Utility

8.0

　　The Audi e-tron can make you forget that it's an EV. The cargo hold is accommodating and easy to load, and the volume expands nicely when you fold the seats. There's also a small cargo hold under the hood.

　　You'll find a decent amount of clever storage space inside with the exception of small cupholders. But the e-tron is particularly good when it comes to fitting child safety seats. The e-tron also has a decent tow rating of 4,000 pounds, but fast-charge stations aren't suited to those with trailers. However, you can certainly use the hitch as a mount for a bike rack.

　　

Technology

8.5

　　Though we wish the infotainment system had a couple of hard shortcut buttons and maybe a tuning knob, the rest of the setup is great. The navigation maps it displays are exquisite, and the audio system produces excellent sound quality. Smartphones are easy to connect thanks to Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and the latter even works without plugging in. USBs abound, and even the rear-seat ones can transmit data up front.

　　As for driver aids, the standard suite of crash avoidance tech includes automated emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic monitoring and intervention, and lane keeping assist. The optional adaptive cruise control has a lane-centering function that makes freeway traffic even less of a slog.

　　

Which e-tron does zzdcar recommend?

　　The base Premium Plus trim comes with a long list of standard features that will easily satisfy most shoppers. The optional Driver Assistance package adds the advanced safety features that are standard on the Prestige trim.

　　

2019 Audi e-tron models

　　The 2019 Audi e-tron, a five-passenger electric SUV, is available in Premium Plus and Prestige trims. Power from the 95-kWh battery is sent to a pair of electric motors. There's one in front and one in back, giving the e-tron all-wheel drive. Maximum output is 355 horsepower. But if you put the e-tron in Sport mode and completely press down on the accelerator pedal, the e-tron is capable of an 8-second, 402-horsepower boost mode.

　　Every e-tron will come with 150-kW DC fast-charging capabilities that can restore 80% of the driving range in only 30 minutes. New owners will enjoy 1,000 kWh of free charging through the growing Electrify America network. For home-charging solutions, Audi has paired with Amazon Home Services to simplify purchasing and installation.

　　Standard features for the Premium Plus e-tron include 20-inch wheels, an adaptive air suspension, LED exterior lighting, auto-dimming and power-folding mirrors, a panoramic sunroof, roof rails, a power liftgate, keyless entry and ignition, a virtual instrument panel, four-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, and heated and ventilated power front seats with driver-seat memory functions.

　　On the tech front, you get Audi's MMI infotainment system with a 10.1-inch main touchscreen and an 8.8-inch lower touchscreen, a navigation system, a wireless charging pad with signal booster, a surround-view camera system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Audi Connect Care communications, and a 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system with satellite radio. Standard advanced safety features include forward collision warning and a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert and vehicle exit warning.

　　The optional Driver Assistance package adds adaptive cruise control with Audi's Traffic Jam Assist semi-automated driving system, a traffic sign reader, front cross-traffic collision warning with automatic emergency braking, and lane keeping assist.

　　The Prestige includes all of the above and adds power door closers, a head-up display, dual-pane acoustic front window glass, front-seat massage functions, upgraded leather upholstery, rear window sunshades and a cabin air purifier.

　　Options include 19- or 21-inch wheels, a towing package, side airbags for rear passengers and the Cold Weather package, with a heated steering wheel and heated rear seats.

　　Jump to:Related 2019 e-tron articles

　　

2019 e-tron Highlights

Trim: Premium Plus quattroPrestige quattroPremium Plus quattro

　　

Base MSRP	$74,800
EV Tax Credits & Rebates	$4,400
Engine Type	Electric
EPA Electric Range	204 miles
Cost to Drive	$98/month
Total Charging Time (240V)	10.0 hours
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	28.5 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles
EV Battery Warranty	8 years / 100,000 miles