Driving Audi's e-tron Sportback
Audi’s e-tron, one of the original premium German electric vehicles, has a new sibling called Sportback. Substituting a sleek, teardrop-shaped side profile for the more practical boxy SUV shape, the e-tron Sportback sure is a looker, especially in S Line trim, with a blacked-out front “grille,” giant 22-inch wheels, and orange brake calipers. As you walk up to it, LED lights animate themselves into life; it looks expensive, futuristic, and at the moment, quite unlike anything else on the road.
It is as lovely to drive as it is to look at. Even on those giant wheels, the e-tron Sportback rides beautifully, thanks in part to standard-fit air suspension that automatically adapts to your driving style (or lets you choose from a half-dozen drive modes manually). Twin electric motors deliver a seamless rush of acceleration that feels much stronger than the 402-hp on-paper rating would suggest; that such speed comes with such silence shows how hard Audi’s engineers have worked on sound insulation and refinement – there are no squeaks or rattles, and the slickly-styled body cuts cleanly through the air with very little wind noise.
Inside the Sportback's Superior Interior
Easily the best part of the e-tron Sportback (or any e-tron) is its interior. Audi built its reputation on gorgeous interiors rendered from the best materials, and this electric SUV is no different. The seats are fabulous – supportive in the corners but supremely comfortable on long drives, and with a delightful layer of soft cushioning over a firm base. The dashboard, door panels, console, and all the fixtures feel like they’re hewn from a solid block, such is their solidity.
Real aluminum trim and variable LED lighting add a high-tech feel, as does a pair of touch screens for all major controls. While I’m not a fan of touch controls in general – they require you to take your eyes off the road to use them – these two panels are at least quick-responding and have haptic feedback. The infotainment system pairs quickly with your phone and offers wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality, with a wireless charging pad integrated vertically into the spacious console. (Occasionally, CarPlay, paired with my iPhone XS, was a bit laggy, but it seemed more like a glitch than something systemic.)
Thanks to its tall architecture, the Sportback’s sloping roofline doesn’t really compromise rear-seat space as much as you might think. While there’s a little less headroom on paper compared to the “regular” e-tron, there’s still more than enough, and a long wheelbase means there’s plenty of room to stretch your legs, too. The cargo area is large and flat, accessed through a huge rear hatch, and you’ll only wish you’d got the boxier e-tron if you regularly pack your SUV to the rafters. Otherwise, go for the Sportback: it casts a more distinctive profile on the road that’s in keeping with its high-tech nature.
Some Range and Efficiency Lag
Speaking of technology, driving the e-tron Sportback is a reminder of how quickly electric vehicle technology has advanced. While the Sportback is a relatively new model, the original e-tron was introduced in 2019 – and while three years doesn’t seem long in regular-car terms, EVs are developing more rapidly.
While its interior certainly isn’t as luxurious as the e-tron Sportback, Audi’s forthcoming Q4 e-tron does offer a surprisingly similar amount of space, a benefit of being designed as an electric vehicle from the ground up, rather than being adapted from a gasoline vehicle. The e-tron and e-tron Sportback are derived from an extended-wheelbase Audi Q5, which is an excellent gasoline SUV, but space is wasted for an engine “room” that is now occupied by a small front trunk and power electronics, and the integration of the 95-kWh battery into the floor forced some packaging compromises.
In 2019, the e-tron’s 218 miles of range and its 150-kW charging ability were relatively state-of-the art; now they’re equaled if not bettered not only by luxury competitors like Tesla’s Model Y and BMW’s iX, but also by more mainstream models. For instance, that same Q4 e-tron offers superior range (241 miles) and efficiency from a smaller 82-kWh battery for over $20,000 less.
While the range and efficiency stats make a difference on paper, they’re not likely to make a difference in real life. 218 miles (or, during my frigid few days with the car in the depths of winter, 150-170) is more than enough to cover all the driving you’re likely to do in a day, with overnight top-ups from a level 2 home charger setting you up with a full “tank” every morning. On longer trips, 150-kW charging is good enough to give you a 150 miles or so of range in about the same time as you’ll need for a cup of coffee. (There are two level 2 charge ports, one on either side of the car behind a powered door; the left-side port can also take DC fast charging.)
The Verdict
Still, there’s something very likeable about the e-tron Sportback, its charm coming from a combination of its distinctive style, spacious interior, and its feeling of luxury. The things that compromise it slightly as an electric vehicle – its steel body, adapted from conventional SUV, its relatively conventional interior, its 5,800-lb weight – also give it a sense of familiarity for those switching from gasoline. Its design, its interior, and the way that it drives make it an appealing package regardless of how it’s powered.
300 Miles in the Audi e-tron Sportback
Our time behind the wheel of the e-tron Sportback came during one of the coldest weeks we’ve experienced in Canada, cutting into its range. But we loved its sure-footed all-wheel drive.
0 miles
The e-tron Sportback feels every bit as expensive and well-made as its $70,000-plus as-tested price would suggest. The interior is gorgeous, the seats are comfortable, and the technology is easy-to-use.
55 miles
There's a surprising amount of space under that sleek rear hatch: fold down the rear seats and the e-tron Sportback has more than 54 cubic feet of cargo room.
127 miles
With temperatures well below freezing, we’re far from achieving the EPA’s estimated 218-mile range; with heater cranking, seat and steering wheel heater on, and snowy road conditions, range is closer to 170 miles. We stop at a 100-kW DC fast charger at a local mall for a quick top-up.
200 miles
On the Monday of a long weekend, we spend some quality time behind the wheel and discover this is really a fantastic vehicle to drive, with superb and seamless acceleration, sure-footed handling despite the poor weather conditions, and excellent refinement.
257 miles
Plugged into a different charger at a different local mall. 150-kW fast charging ability means that we’re able to fill up in as much time as it takes to grab a quick coffee. EVs built off newer architectures may offer the ability to charge faster, but will require charging infrastructure to be upgraded; not many public chargers offer more than 150 kW.
