Audi e-tron Sportback review

By James Disdale

10 Jul 2022

Move Electric rating: four stars out of five

Sell it to me in a sentence…

The smartly styled Audi e-tron Sportback takes the ease-of-use, luxury finish and calming comfort of the standard Audi e-tron and wraps it all in a sleek, coupe-inspired body.

An SUV that’s also a coupe - are you sure?

Yes indeed. In fact, it’s all the rage these days, with buyers who want to stand out further from the crowd but don’t want to abandon the rugged, high-riding stance of an SUV. In the case of the e-tron Sportback, it means you get the same variety of battery and motor options as the standard electric car, plus an EV driving experience that’s one of the most refined and luxurious there is, which is a big compliment given the quality of the competition.

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Of course, there are some downsides, not least the fact that the Audi’s fashionable looks mean it’s not quite as roomy for those sitting in the back and there’s also a slightly smaller boot. Yet perhaps the biggest niggle is the price which, model-for-model, is higher than the more spacious and sensible standard e-tron. This really is a case of getting less for more.

Okay, let’s put that on the back burner for now. What are the highlights?

Put aside its attention-grabbing looks and perhaps the biggest selling point of the Sportback is its relative normality. If you're keen on the benefits of electric power but aren’t ready to commit to something that looks and feels like it comes from the year 2055, then the e-tron is just the ticket, because in many ways it feels as familiar as any normal Audi.

That’s particularly true of the interior, which effortlessly blends the brand’s premium appeal and crisp design with all the latest tech. Yes there are more TFT displays and touch screens than the average internet cafe, but the rest of the cabin is dripping in upmarket materials while the quality of the finish is second to none.

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The Sportback is simple to drive as well, with accurate steering, strong grip and powerful brakes, while four-wheel drive traction means you can hit the road regardless of the weather. It’s not a small car, but it’s surprisingly easy to place on the road and park, thanks in no small part to the various parking sensors and cameras. Better still, there’s the option of four-wheel steering, which gives the big Audi surprising agility.

Yet the e-tron’s trump card is its impressive comfort, its soft air springs giving the car the sort of smooth ride that makes even the most tattered and torn road feel like it's been treated to freshly laid Tarmac. It’s whisper-quiet on the move as well, the well-insulated interior as hushed and calm as a well-run library.

There are also some lovely flourishes, such as the neat digital door mirrors. Designed for greater aerodynamic efficiency, these wand-like additions feature small rear-facing cameras that feed images to small screens mounted on the insides of each front door just below the window. You’ll need a few miles to get used to them, but once you do they become second nature.

Even more appreciated is the fact that there are two charging ports, with one on each front wing. If you’ve ever pulled up to a fuel pump in a regular internal combustion engine car only to discover the filler’s on the other side of the car, then we don’t need to explain how useful this is. Better still, the flap covering the plug is powered, so you can open it remotely on the key - it doesn’t make it any more useful, just a bit cooler.

Right, what are the numbers?

Like the standard e-tron, the line-up for the sleeker Sportback is fairly straightforward, with a choice of two lithium ion battery sizes and three different motor options, all of which deliver the sort of eye-widening performance that’ll have most sports car owners fumbling for their book of excuses.

More importantly all versions are quattro four-wheel drive that feature at least two electric motors (the flagship models has three!) that drive the front and rear wheels. Not only does this layout help improve performance, it takes the stress out of driving when the weather turns nasty.

The entry-level model is badged as a 50 and features the smaller 71kWh battery that powers a pair of motors that deliver combined power output of ‘just’ 230kW (309bhp). Its more aerodynamic shape means the Sportback can travel a little further than the standard e-tron a single charge, promising 201 miles compared to 197 miles. However, the sprint from 0-62mph stays the same at a more than fast enough 6.8 seconds.

Even so, the 300kW (402bhp) 55 version is faster still, and will demolish the standard start 0-62mph benchmark in a very brisk 5.7 seconds. More importantly, it packs a larger 95kWh battery that claims up to 259 miles between charges – a figure that looks good on paper, but is significantly lower than models such as the Jaguar i-Pace and BMW iX.

For the ultimate in bar room bragging rights you’ll need the high performance e-tron S flagship, which boasts not two, but three motors (a pair at the back and one at the front) that combine to deliver a crushing 370kW (496bhp) and 0-62mph in a neck-snapping 4.5 seconds. Yet while it uses the same chunky 95kWh battery as the 55, all that extra performance means the range to a claimed 223 miles.

At least you shouldn’t spend too much time waiting for the Audi to charge. When using a rapid DC CCS charger, the Sportback can charge at up to 150kW, meaning all versions go from 10 to 80 percent capacity in just 30 minutes, which means you won’t be hanging around at the services, even on longer journeys.

With a 7kW domestic wallbox you’ll need a little more patience, but given most owners plug-in overnight that shouldn’t be an issue. Either way, the 50 model needs 10 hours for a full charge, while an extra fours is needed for the 55 and S. All three feature an 11kWh on board charger, allowing them to hook up to faster 22kW AC public charging points or to homes with a three-phase electricity supply.

The impressive numbers continue when it comes to towing, because unlike many EVs the Sportback will happily haul hefty loads. With a braked towing limit of 1,800kg, the e-tron will put many internal combustion engines to shame - although it’s worth noting that pulling such a heavyweight load will make a serious dent in your range.

What about that reduction in space?

In fairness, while the Sporback is slightly more of a squeeze than the standard, it’s hardly cramped. That sloping roofline means occupants over six foot tall sitting in the back will find headroom is a little more limited, but legroom is exactly the same.

Even the drop in boot space is relative, because while the Sportback’s load area is reduced by 45 litres, it’s still a very handy 615-litres, plus there’s useful storage under the floor for charging cables. And with the rear seats folded flat, there’s a cavernous 1665 litres.

And the rest of the interior?

Well, you certainly won’t be short of toys to play with, especially on the flagship S Vorsprung that will see your wallet relieved of an eye-watering £106,000. There are also Sport, S Line and Black Edition versions that are almost as lavishly equipped. Yet for most the entry-level Technik will deliver all the kit you’re ever likely to need, such as leather trim and keyless entry, plus safety equipment including autonomous emergency braking and lane departure warning.

And of course it’s an Audi, so the cabin looks great and the quality is top notch. You feel like you’re being pampered every time you climb aboard as you revel in the luxurious materials and settle into the supremely supportive seats. It’s not a cheap car to buy, but there’s no denying the Sportback feels like it’s worth every penny.

Okay, what’s the bad news?

Well, while those screens look good and are sure to impress passengers, they can be a fiddle to use on the move. They respond well enough, but there are so many functions contained within the various sub menus that

While the Sportback is fast enough in all guises to feel like it can set your trousers on fire, keen drivers won’t be as entertained as they are in a Jaguar i-Pace or even a BMW iX3. The big Audi is accurate and composed, but it doesn’t feel as engaging or as light on its feet as the Jaguar. Maybe it’s a bit much to expect driver fun and nimble handling in a big SUV, but if you are going to put the word ‘sport’ in the car’s name….

Anything else? Well, the range trails most of its rivals, but if it fits into your lifestyle then that maybe won’t be an issue. More of a niggle are the prices, which are up to £2,000 more model-for-model than the more practical e-tron. It’s not a huge amount given that the entry-level Sportbrake starts at over £60,000, but it feels a bit cheeky of Audi to charge more for what is effectively less car.

So what else should I consider?

Well, not to bang this drum too much, but the standard e-tron really should be on your shopping list. It’s still a handsome looking machine and drives every bit as well as the Sportback, yet it also has more space inside. Oh, and it doesn’t cost as much.

If you like the fact the Audi looks fairly normal on the outside, then maybe the BMW iX3 should be on your radar. At a glance it could be mistaken for a standard X3, but its rear-mounted 286bhp motor and agile chassis make it fun to drive, plus it claims up to 285 miles on a charge.

Yet the e-tron’s closest challenger is the Jaguar i-Pace, which blends handsome looks and a near 300 mile range with a luxurious and lavishly equipped interior. It’s a fraction less roomy and practical than the Audi, but for many the car’s more exciting driving dynamics will be enough of an incentive to pack a little lighter when going away.

Verdict

Like its SUV sister, the e-tron Sportback isn’t the most exciting to drive, but the sleeker looks do give it undeniable kerb appeal. It’s also supremely comfortable and refined, helping take the stress out of almost any journey. Yet there’s no escaping the fact you could buy the standard e-tron and get the same comfort, quality and range for less cash.

Audi e-tron Sportback specifications

Price from: £63,835
Motors: Electric permanent magnet synchronous
Gearbox: Automatic
Driven wheels: four
Maximum power: 370kW
Maximum speed: 130mph
0-62mph from: 4.5-6.8 secs
Electric range (official): 214-261 miles
CO2 emissions: 0g/km
Tyres from: 255/50 R 20
Kerb weight excluding driver: 2445-2730kg
Gross vehicle weight: 3280kg
Height: 1615mm
Length: 4902mm
Wheelbase: 2928mm
Width with mirrors folded: 1935mm
Maximum boot capacity: 615-1665 litres