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The new 2022 Audi e-tron is Audi’s entry into the EV SUV segment and it’s a beauty. With its normal looks and luxurious interior, is it the EV for you?
What’s New for the 2022 Audi e-tron
Updates to the new 2022 Audi e-tron are focused on option packages. Things like orange brake calipers, the Prestige trim is replaced by the Chronos Edition, and the Sportback receives some extra optional packages. In addition, every trim gets optional 21-inch wheels, with the Sportback version gets 22’s (or as I used to call them, double-dubs).
The new Audi e-tron may look like a typical Audi SUV, but it’s anything but typical once you get past the familiar exterior. Audi has kept its design language throughout the e-tron and even kept the distinctive and now nonfunctional Audi grille. The powerplant under the hood is anything but average Audi, though. Instead, two electric motors are at each end with a bias toward the more powerful rear powerplant. Yes, this mid-sized luxury SUV EV still manages to be quick, but with the Tesla Model X as its competition, does the Audi e-tron match up? Let’s see if the 2022 Audi e-tron is a good look into the future of Audi or only a good concept that still needs more updates.
2022 Audi e-tron – media.audiusa.com | Shop 2022 Audi e-tron on Carsforsale.com
The Breakdown
Class-leading interior luxury
Superb build quality
CLass-leading quietness
Extremely heavy at 5,800 lbs
Not as quick as expected
The e-tron has a lot of potential
2022 Audi e-tron Specs
- 432 cell battery / 10 hour charge / 80% fast charge in 30 minutes
- 355 horsepower with base setup
- 414 of torque with base setup
- 3 available trims
- 28.5 cu-ft. of cargo space
- 56.5 cu-ft. of cargo space with seats down
- 12.3″ configurable Virtual Cockpit
- Audi’s comprehensive standard driver-assists
- High voltage battery limited warranty
2022 Audi e-tron Powertrain
The new 2022 Audi e-tron is Audi’s latest attempt to take a bite out of the Tesla EV elephant. Of course, not every company that creates a product category gets to keep its leadership, but so far, Tesla isn’t close to being conquered. There won’t be a Tesla killer anytime soon, and, performance-wise, the new Audi e-tron doesn’t come too close to challenging Model X. However, maybe Audi is onto something in making the e-tron more Audi instead of trying to beat Tesla at their own game.
Although the 2022 Audi e-tron in Chronos trim is projected to hit 0-60 in 5.5 seconds, it won’t feel like it. Maybe it’s the heft of this SUV that deceives us. Yes, it’s a quick acceleration time, but no quicker than its Q5 family member who posts the same time to 60. And that Audi Q5 is a good $20,000 less than the e-tron, just without the electric power.
For EV comparison, I recently took a look at the Model X, which can rocket to 60 mph in less than 4 seconds. That’s not going to happen in the e-tron, even though it’s similarly priced. Maybe that’s the beauty of the new Audi e-tron though. What you have with the 2022 Audi e-tron is a very typical and capable Audi SUV that does its job more efficiently and quietly than it would with an internal combustion engine. It’s familiar even though it’s an EV.
Everything is supremely smooth and comfortable driving most highways. The new e-tron’s cornering performance is somewhat of a letdown, however. Yes, we like the typical Audi steering that’s perfectly weighted, if not a little numb. But Audi’s sport suspension DNA didn’t make it into this e-tron SUV. Yes, it has an active air suspension and the standard Audi drive settings are accessible, but even the adaptive air suspension’s “sport” setting doesn’t provide enough support for this 5,800-pound vehicle.
Regardless of the terrain, you have linear power to a top speed of 124 mph. And, if it weren’t for the little Jetson’s cartoon vehicle sound that Audi added, you’d wonder if the engine was even on. The new e-tron measures performance by whether or not it quietly, comfortably, efficiently, and quickly gets you to your destination.
2022 Audi e-tron Electric Range & MPGe
The EPA hasn’t released full numbers on the 2022 Audi e-tron, but it’s safe to assume that it’ll reach the 78 combined number from 2021 models. Getting caught up in the MPGe numbers is pretty easy when initially checking out EVs. But what you need to zero in on is the range. For example, the EPA says that the current Audi e-tron will get you 204 miles between charges. However, like most of EPA’s fuel mileage figures, you should take that with a bit of skepticism.
Current Audi e-tron owners say that its range is more like 180 miles. Of course, just like an internal combustion engine, electric fuel mileage depends on your driving habits. Yet, compared to the Model X with its range of a similarly estimated 360 miles, you can see where Audi’s lower range may bring some range anxiety.
While on the road, if you’re accustomed to a Tesla or Nissan Leaf‘s use of one-pedal driving that uses brakes to regenerate charge to the battery, be aware that the Audi, surprisingly, doesn’t have that function. You can still adjust raking regeneration aggressiveness with paddles located on the steering wheel where shift paddles generally are.
We think the typical Audi e-tron driver will be comfortable driving in everyday situations since they’ll charge it up at the end of the day. Charge costs will vary, but it may cost around $12-$20 a fill-up at home, depending on your location. Audi says it’ll charge in eight hours, but experience says if you use a standard wall plug, it will take you nearly 12 hours.
However, charging can be expensive once you leave home and use networks like VW‘s supported Electrify America. Some users are reporting nearly $80 for a DC fast charge, which is pricey. In that situation, an 80% charge is supposed to take around 30 minutes, but you should plan for a more extended stay.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
Where the new 2022 Audi e-tron SUV excels is in the area of interior comfort. For almost $90,000, you get the absolute best Audi interior that we’ve ever seen. The interior is where the e-tron also beats out any Tesla in my opinion.
If there’s one thing that owners of the Model X have complained about is the interior’s simplistic design, mediocre build, and material quality. In comparison, the 2022 Audi e-tron Chronos wraps you up in a comforting cocoon of aniline leather, natural wood, aluminum, massage seats, and ionizing fragrances that will transport you to any location in superb relaxation. Currently, and until Mercedes brings out its EQ line of vehicles, the new e-tron is the best interior that you’ll find in an EV.
Unlike Audi’s standard heated seats, the top-of-the-line e-tron Chronos sport seats allow you to adjust the back and bottom cushion seat bolsters to adapt to your width. And the thigh support will change further for those who have longer legs. Overall, the seats are supportive, maybe aggressively so, but you’ll appreciate that support on longer drives.
The previously mentioned massage function will only give you 15-minutes of work, so you may find the need to restart that thing constantly. It’s not going to replace your sports masseur, but it comes with the car, so you may as well use it as often as you can.
One thing we currently can’t seem to do without is Audi’s ionizer system. It provided an addicting selection of fragrances for the interior that you’ll have to experience. We don’t know how many hundreds of dollars it will cost to replenish the scents, but it just might be worth it for destressing any commute.
The 705-watt Bang & Olufsen sound system has 19 speakers, a subwoofer, and, well, sounds spectacular. Additionally, the tranquil interior of the e-tron will allow you to hear the music at lower levels than you’ve ever heard.
Regarding cargo, the e-tron doesn’t have a third row, so your cargo area is somewhat more generous than it could be. It has 28.5 cubic feet behind the 2nd row and, once that row is flat, expands to 56.5 cubic feet. In addition, the rear seats will collapse by using manual levers inside the rear tailgate.
We appreciate the manual release function, but once they’re down, you have to put them back by hand like you would in a basic Mitsubishi Mirage. We wish that Audi could have made these electrically operated for a $66,995 starting price. Even a Ford Explorer has that option. Plus, it’s an EV, so is it too much to ask that everything operate electrically?
2022 Audi e-tron Entertainment & Technology
With its three-screen setup, the e-tron dash will be very familiar to those who’ve been in recently updated Audi’s. The 2022 Audi e-tron’s 12.3-inch configurable Virtual Cockpit is impressive – especially with its Google Earth map. In addition to the standard Audi configurations, the e-tron adds a setting that puts the charging information front and center.
The 10.1-inch haptic feedback touchscreen has the latest version of Audi’s MMI interface, and it’s speedy. Pinching and zooming on Waze works as quickly here as it does on the phone. Moving through menus is similar in speed to an iPad. The bottom screen controls your climate control system and works quickly and efficiently. This infotainment system with all its futuristic screens is actually fun to use.
Safety Features
We also want to give kudos to the 2022 Audi e-tron’s capacitive touch steering wheel that forces you, while using adaptive cruise, to keep your hands on it, so the warning reminders stay away. No hands-free allowed.
The new 2022 Audi e-tron comes with Audi’s comprehensive standard driver-assists, but doesn’t have an autonomous driving mode like Tesla. Instead, the active cruise system will pilot you as long as you don’t have to move around traffic – leaving that chore of turning to you. Even without the Autopilot features, it’s on par with Nissan‘s excellent ProPilot Assist system.
2022 Audi e-tron Trims & Pricing
Premium – $66,995
The 2022 Audi e-tron Premium receives heated front seats, four-zone climate controls, a panoramic sunroof, and leather seats. Safety assists included standard blind-spot monitoring. Audi’s 360-degree camera system and other active safety systems are optional. All-wheel drive is standard.
Premium Plus – $75,895
The new e-tron Premium Plus has Audi’s always capable AWD. Extra standard equipment consists of adaptive cruise control, and the unique Virtual Cockpit system. Additionally, Audi tosses in a panoramic sunroof, 705-watt B&O sound system, multiple ambient lighting choices for the interior, and other conveniences you’ll appreciate.
Chronos – $84,495
The 2022 Audi e-tron Chronos is loaded with luxuries and conveniences. Matrix-design LED headlights light up the road with brighter light, and you can keep your eyes on that road with the heads-up display. The 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system is standard on the Chronos trim and pumps 755-watts of 3D sound from a 16-channel amp. And all of this can be experienced while sitting in heated and ventilated premium leather seats.
Warranties
Audi’s limited and powertrain warranty is 4 years or 50,000 miles. The battery has an 8-year/100,000-mile high-voltage battery limited warranty on Audi e-tron vehicles that says, “Battery capacity decreases with time and use. Warranty coverage may not return battery capacity to an “as new” condition with 100% net capacity.” So at least you know.
What we think
2022 Audi e-tron – media.audiusa.com | Shop 2022 Audi e-tron on Carsforsale.com
We’re conflicted with the new e-tron. Its interior is terrific and we appreciate the idea of driving an EV that doesn’t look like a spaceship, but we miss the sporty Audi character. Its ride is perfect for cruising, yet you will feel its hefty weight in turns. Again, we love that it’s an EV, but if you want range, you would be better off saving money with a gas-powered Q5, especially when it comes time for the high-cost refill of that battery charge.
If your range fits within the 2022 Audi e-tron’s limits and you want a beautifully ordinary looking and somewhat exclusive SUV EV that treats you like royalty, then this is your ride.
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