2021 Audi e-tron Review

Name: 2021 Audi e-tron Review
Brand: Audi
Price: 30974 USD

2021 Audi e-tron Prestige quattro 4dr SUV Exterior. European Model Shown.

+111

We liked the e-tron when it first came out, but it's lost some of its luster as it gets on in years. It's still a right-sized machine that feels like a two-row version of the Audi Q7, and the electric powertrain only adds to the experience with smooth, effortless power. A quiet, stable, almost cosetting ride adds to the appeal. However, its sub-250-mile range and distracting-to-use touchscreen interface limit its appeal.

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2021 Audi e-tron Review

byChristian Wardlaw^{Correspondent
Christian Wardlaw has worked in the automotive industry since 1994. He has written nearly 10,000 car-related articles and tested and reviewed more than 2,000 vehicles over the course of his career. Chris is a correspondent at Edmunds and was the first editor-in-chief of Edmunds.com in the 1990s. He has also contributed to Autotrader, CarGurus, J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, NADAguides, New York Daily News Autos and WardsAuto. His mom claims that his first word was “car,” and Chris believes that Miata is always the answer.}

Pros

Smooth and decisive acceleration
Spacious interior
Comfortable seats and ride
Lots of standard and available safety and tech features

Cons

Infotainment operation can be distracting
Regenerative braking effect isn't as strong as in many other EVs
Estimated driving range falls short of top rivals

What's new

Maximum range increases from 204 to 222 miles on a full charge
New entry-level Premium trim
Premium Plus and Prestige trims now feature charging ports on either side of the vehicle
Part of the first e-tron generation introduced for 2019

Overview

Saying the Audi e-tron is an electric vehicle is sort of like saying the iPhone is ... a phone. You get what it is just by seeing the geeky name. But there is more to the 2021 Audi e-tron than just a faux-futuristic self-descriptive name. The 2021 e-tron is one of our favorite luxury electric SUVs, essentially offering all the opulence, comfort and performance you'd expect from something like an Audi Q7 but with the power coming from electrons rather than internal combustion.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

2021 Audi e-tron EV Insights

Trim:

e-tron Premium

Estimated Range Based on Age

edmunds TESTED

234 miles^{The range for a used 2021 Audi e-tron is estimated to be 234 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 234 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 map^{This 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 Columbus, Ohio. 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 © OpenStreetMap contributors | Leaflet} from

Charging

SAE Combo^{Standard port for most electric models. Supports Level 1, Level 2, and DC Fast charging.}

Plug Type

10 hrs

240V Home Charging^{Estimated total charging time when using a 240V outlet. This is either a 3-prong or 4-prong outlet used for appliances, for example a clothes dryer.}

EV batteries should be kept at 30-80% charged to extend battery life.

When can I use NACS/Tesla charging stations?

EV Battery Warranty

8 yrs or 100,000 miles^{The 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.}

According to GeoTab’s data, if the observed degradation rates are maintained, the vast majority of batteries will outlast the usable life of the vehicle.

Estimated battery warranty remaining is 5 years or 58,000 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.}

EV Tax Credits & Rebates

$4,000

Available Rebates. Restrictions apply.

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 https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/used-clean-vehicle-credit

See All EV incentives

Cost to Drive

$85/mo

e-tron

$201/mo

SUV Avg.

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

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.}

Learn more about EV charging

See All EV Insights

When the e-tron was introduced in 2019, it had a short list of viable EV competitors. Now however, there are rivals all over the place. Vehicles such as the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Polestar 2 have debuted. The e-tron also does battle against class heavyweights including the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y.

For 2021, the e-tron starts at a lower price and Audi adds a new Sportback version (reviewed separately), but its biggest improvement is an additional 18 miles of EV range for a total estimate of 222 miles. Is that enough to keep the e-tron competitive in such a rapidly expanding segment? Read our full rating of the Audi e-tron below to find out.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Good

7.7

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

7.5/10

How does the e-tron drive? We're fans of the e-tron because it is quick in an effortless and unassuming sort of way. However, it corners in a way that makes you plainly aware of its 5,822-pound curb weight. The brakes are powerful enough, but we've found that newer EVs have found a way to bring about more confidence through the pedal itself. Additionally, the maximum regenerative braking setting is too weak to enable true one-pedal driving in which almost all routine stops can be done by easing off the throttle. This cool and fun EV trait is absent here. Not a deal-breaker, but a missed opportunity. Thankfully, the steering is accurate and responsive for everyday driving situations, and it makes threading this EV through traffic easy.

Comfort

9.0/10

How comfortable is the e-tron? 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 inside, but the background resonance of the cabin gives it a homey feel, if that makes any sense.

Driver and passengers 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

8.0/10

How’s the interior? 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 but took some getting used to, while many of the smaller buttons work fine. But the infotainment and climate control systems rely too heavily on touchscreen interfaces. They look stunning but are overly complex.

Technology

8.0/10

How’s the tech? We wish the touchscreen interface had a couple of hard shortcut buttons and maybe a tuning knob, but the rest of the setup is solid. The navigation maps it displays are exquisite, and the audio system has excellent sound quality. There are handy USBs around, and even the rear-seat ones can transmit data up front, a neat trick most other cars can't do. Wireless CarPlay and Android Auto are here too.

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 less of a slog. The forward collision warning system did howl at us more than once when nothing was in front of the car, and we would like a little more refinement from Audi's safety systems.

Storage

8.0/10

How’s the storage? The Audi e-tron can make you forget that it's an EV. Its 28.5-cubic-foot 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-charging stations aren't suited to vehicles with trailers. However, you can certainly use the hitch as a mount for a bike rack.

Range and Efficiency

6.5/10

How are the range and efficiency? The all-wheel-drive e-tron Quattro has an EPA-estimated range of 222 miles when equipped with the standard 20-inch wheels like our test car had. We exceeded the EPA's estimate on our standardized real-world EV range test route, traveling 248 miles on a single charge. This indicates the e-tron should meet its range estimates when driven conservatively and in temperate climates, though it offers less range than much of its competition.

Efficiency, or how much electricity the e-tron uses when driving, isn't quite as good as in newer EVs. We measured 38.4 kWh used for every 100 miles of driving, which is less efficient than practically every EV we've tested except the Rivian R1T.

The e-tron comes with an 11-kW onboard charger that Audi estimates can charge from zero to full in about 10 hours on a Level 2 home EVSE (assuming you've got the right hardware and under optimal conditions). It also has DC fast-charging capability up to 150 kW and can sustain that rate for some time, which can recharge the battery from 0% to 80% capacity in about 30 minutes. Audi provides 250 kWh of complimentary charging (good for two years) on the Electrify America network.

Value

7.0/10

Is the e-tron a good value? The e-tron is pricey for what you get. Similar features, more advanced driver aids, and far more range can be had for less money these days. However, the e-tron does feel well built, with tight tolerances and a bank vault-like quality to most of the switchgear. Our only problems come down to refinement and the quality of the materials themselves. If Audi paid slightly more attention to its interior materials and refined its driver aids, the e-tron as it stands would be a much better buy.

The warranty and roadside assistance coverage are solidly average, and although Audi does provide some free public fast charging, it's less generous than what most of the competition offer.

Wildcard

6.5/10

Our biggest misgiving is just how vanilla this car feels from behind the wheel. You might think all EVs lack personality, but rivals like the Ford Mach-E, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Polestar 2 have all found ways to give EVs a real character — especially when you compare them to the e-tron. It might have been one of the first luxury EVs on the market, making it plenty novel in its heyday, but the e-tron is now one of the most vanilla cars on sale. Hey, progress comes at you fast.

Which e-tron does Edmunds recommend?

The addition of a base Premium trim level to the e-tron's lineup this year has made this electric SUV more affordable than in years past. We'd recommend going one of two ways to maximize value: Get either a Premium trim with Convenience package, which will equip the e-tron with many desirable safety features, or go with the Premium Plus trim level, which comes standard with them.

2021 Audi e-tron models

The 2021 e-tron is offered in three trim levels: Premium, Premium Plus and Prestige. Power is drawn from the 95-kWh battery pack and sent to a pair of electric motors. There's one in front and one in back, making the e-tron all-wheel-drive. Maximum output is 355 horsepower with a boost to 402 horsepower for up to 8 seconds when the transmission is in Sport mode. Range is estimated to be 222 miles and the e-tron has fast-charging capability up to 150 kilowatts. Highlight features include:

Premium
This new, lower-price base trim includes:

Adaptive air suspension
20-inch wheels
LED headlights
Leather upholstery
Heated front seats
Heated steering wheel
Panoramic sunroof
Four-zone climate control system
10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto
10-speaker stereo with satellite radio

Safety features for the Premium include:

Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing)
Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)

A Convenience package is available with Premium trim. It contains a Black Optic package and a Driver Assistance package with:

Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front )
Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane)
Emergency assist (detects an unresponsive driver and brings the e-tron to a safe stop)
Turning assist (detects when a driver is making an unsafe turn across approaching traffic and automatically stops the e-tron)
Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the e-tron and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
Rear automatic braking (brakes if sensors detect an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle)

Premium Plus
Adds to the standard Premium equipment with the Driver Assistance package detailed above plus:

Additional charging port on right side of SUV
Matrix LED headlights
Ventilated front seats
Heated rear seats
16-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system
Wireless phone charging and an onboard signal booster
Traffic sign recognition (alerts the driver to new road signs, including speed limits and stop signs)

Prestige
Includes more luxury with:

Dual-pane acoustic glass for a quieter cabin
Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line on the windshield)
Extended leather on dashboard, console and armrests
Massaging front seats
LED interior lighting
Rear window sunshades
Soft-close doors (catch as they're being closed and gently pull shut)
Interior air ionization and fragrance system
Intersection assist (warns you of cross traffic in an upcoming intersection)

A Towing package is available for all trim levels and gives the e-tron a 4,000-pound towing capacity. Digital matrix LED headlights are an exclusive stand-alone option for the Prestige model.

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2021 Audi e-tron.

5 (36%)

4 (10%)

3 (14%)

2 (12%)

1 (28%)

3.1

28 reviews

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Most helpful consumer reviews

Smooth ride, need more range

Waynerm002, 04/22/2021

2021 Audi e-tron Premium Plus 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD)

Th e-tron offers a quiet cabin, with a good ride quality. The material inside are really nice, as expected of Audi however, storage in cabin isn't as much as one would expect from a dedicated EV. The stated range isn't as good for driving at high speeds but it gets the job done for the daily commute. Zero, is 0 when it comes to range, doesn't have any reserve so keep that in mind. We can …

A whole lot to love

Steve K, 11/13/2020

2021 Audi e-tron Prestige 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD)

I actually bought a 2021 e-tron, but that's not in Edmunds' system yet. I've only owned the car a few weeks, and I'm a huge fan. Smoother than my old Mercedes E-Class, comfortable and well suited for my needs. This might not be the car for you if you frequently take 500 mile trips. If you want a faster sardine can with more range, buy Tesla. If you want a smooth and comfortable ride …

Car is great - Electronics getting better

Frustrated Audi Buyer, 03/31/2021

2021 Audi e-tron Premium 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD)

Updated April 1, 2023 - upgraded to 4 stars from 2 stars Audi has made some decent updates to the software which definitely improves the overall experience. It still does dumb quirky things with CarPlay (Random connect / disconnect, switch off radio and opens MyAudi app on your phone after connecting, etc.) but it's workable. Lane keep assist works different depending on if you're using …

Worst car I have ever owned

J, 11/20/2021

2021 Audi e-tron Prestige 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD)

The e-tron was just not ready for prime time. I have never taken a car in for service more than this one, and all in the first year of ownership before I ditched it. Audi and the dealerships did not stand behind the e-tron at all. When CarPlay failed to work for the 100th time, they gave me a 6 page pamphlet to figure it out myself. Of course, nothing in the documentation solved the …

See all 28 reviews of the Audi e-tron

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2021 e-tron Highlights

Trim:

Premium

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$65,900
EV Tax Credits & Rebates	$4,000 Based on income
Engine Type	Electric
EPA Electric Range	222 miles
Cost to Drive	$85/month
Total Charging Time (240V)	10 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

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the e-tron models:

Audi Pre Sense Front: Warns if a front collision is imminent and applies the brakes if the driver doesn't respond in time.
Audi Side Assist: Notifies the driver if a vehicle is lurking in a blind spot or if rear cross traffic is approaching when in reverse.
Vehicle Exit Warning: Alerts passengers when a vehicle or bicyclist is approaching from behind, to prevent them from opening a door into traffic.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall4 / 5
Driver4 / 5
Passenger4 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover5 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover9.2%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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2021 Audi e-tron Review

2021 Audi e-tron Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

2021 Audi e-tron EV Insights

Estimated Range Based on Age

Charging

EV Battery Warranty

EV Tax Credits & Rebates

Cost to Drive

Am I Ready for an EV?

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Range and Efficiency

Value

Wildcard

Which e-tron does Edmunds recommend?

2021 Audi e-tron models

Most helpful consumer reviews

Smooth ride, need more range

A whole lot to love

Car is great - Electronics getting better

Worst car I have ever owned

2021 e-tron Highlights

Safety

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