Audi e-tron Sportback (2020 – 2022) Review

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/audi/e-tron/In Audi-speak the Sportback tag usually means a sleeker, more coupe-inspired version of a conventional model. And so it is with the Audi e-tron Sportback. It’s clear to see the visual similarities between the two electric cars, but the e-tron Sportback is slightly shorter, narrower and considerably lower than the regular e-tron, with a heavily curved roofline.

Its size screams SUV but the bodyshape is more hatch-like - calling it a coupe might be a little generous, but if you cringe at the thought of an SUV then the sleeker exterior may be just the ticket.

The Audi e-tron Sportback range mirrors that of the regular Audi e-tron, so the range begins with the 50 model that has a 71kWh battery and twin electric motors giving four-wheel-drive and a claimed range of between 192 and 204 miles. A more than healthy 313PS and 540Nm of torque mean it can reach 0-62mph in 6.8 seconds.

Above that is the 55 model which has a larger 95kWh battery and a claimed 247 to 263 mile EV range. Higher outputs of 408PS and 664Nm of torque when in boost mode means it can reach 62mph from zero in just 5.7 seconds.

Top of the range is the e-tron S Sportback, which uses the larger battery and an extra electric motor for up to 503PS and 0-62mph in just 4.5 seconds.

As for trim levels, the Audi e-tron Sportback originally started with the S Line model as the entry point, followed by the Launch Edition and the Vorsprung model at the top of the tree. In mid 2021 Technik, Sport and Black Edition models were added to the range. 

On the inside the Audi e-tron Sportback feels a little more sporty than its regular SUV sibling, helped by the standard sports seats and additional helpings of leather throughout the cabin.

As you might expect the interior is a high-quality experience, with fine build quality and excellent materials. It’s also screen-heavy, with the twin-screen MMI Touch system in the centre console as well as a digital instrument display.

If you were hoping that the e-tron Sportback would deliver bigger thrills than the e-tron SUV then you might be a little disappointed.

For the most part there’s little to choose between the two in how they tackle a twisty road. The slightly reduced size of the Sportback and subsequent lower centre of gravity means it feels a little more agile, but they are both still sizeable and fairly heavy machines.

The reassurance of quattro four-wheel-drive and the firm suspension means it is secure and capable. Plus, with plenty of performance on offer whichever model you choose, it will be more than enough for most buyers.

What the Audi e-tron Sportback is better at is covering ground with complete ease. It is particularly refined in terms of noise levels, even for an electric car, and as long as you don’t choose a model with giant wheels the ride comfort is impressive too.

Where the Audi e-tron Sportback possibly falls a little short is range, with key rivals offering better long distance capability, but if this is not an issue then it could be an attractive used EV purchase, especially given how affordable it is as a used buy.

Audi e-tron: Range and charging times

One area where the game has already moved on for the Audi e-tron Sportback is range. Even with the large battery in the 55 model, its weight and relative inefficiency means the maximum official range is only around 24 miles, while for the 50 model and its smaller battery it can dip below 200 miles. In real-world conditions this means a couple of hours a motorway speeds before a top up may be required.

If longer journeys are not something you do often then it may not be an issue, but rival offerings like the Polestar 2 or Jaguar I-Pace offer superior range.

A 7kW home wallbox will charge a 50 model in 10.5 hours from flat, while the 55 model will take 14 hours. At the other end of the scale, on a 150kW fast charger it will take around 30 minutes to go from 10%-80%.

It’s also worth noting that models from summer 2021 onwards had a 22kW on board charger available as an option, instead of 11kW, allowing quicker AC charging. Something worth keeping an eye out for on used models if you plan on public charging regularly. 

The Sportback name might fool you into thinking this is a performance car and to a certain degree it does offer a more engaging driving experience than the regular Audi e-tron. But overall this is a car designed for comfort and composure rather than outright thrills.

All versions have quattro four-wheel-drive and the combination of its smaller overall size and the substantial battery pack being low down in the body means it feels very secure and unflappable when cornering. The steering is quick and accurate so although it does not offer a huge amount of feel, the whole package inspires confidence.

The Audi drive select system means you can also alter the stiffness of the air suspension to suit the conditions or your driving style.

The e-tron Sportback is at its best when you are not in so much of a hurry, with the impressive ride quality and exceptionally low noise levels making it an ideal choice for covering distances with minimal effort.

The Audi e-tron Sportback is available in two versions - the 50 and 55. The 50 model has a 71kWh battery and offers 313PS and 540Nm of torque

The 55 version has a larger 95kWh battery and offers 364PS and 561Nm, although this is increased to 408PS and 664Nm for eight seconds when the gearbox is in S mode and the battery has sufficient charge.

The e-tron Sportback 50 will offer enough performance for most people with its 0-62mph time of 6.8 seconds more than adequate for an SUV this size. It world it delivers the smooth and linear acceleration you expect from an electric vehicle.

Once on the move, the acceleration available is brisk, while the feel of the brake pedal is a strong point, making it easy to get the level of braking and regeneration you want.

The 55 version is notably more powerful but it's the bigger battery and longer range which makes it the more appealing option. Its acceleration is strong even in normal driving - 0-62mph takes 6.6 seconds unless you engage S mode in the transmission, unleashing the extra performance which means it can complete the same sprint in just 5.7 seconds, albeit for a limited period.

Euro NCAP has not tested the Audi e-tron Sportback, but it tested the near identical Audi e-tron SUV in 2019 and awarded it a full five star rating, so it is likely that the e-tron Sportback would achieve the same score.

Standard safety equipment on all models includes cruise control, lane departure warning and a rear-camera enhanced parking system.

Both versions of the Audi e-tron Sportback have an unbraked towing capacity of 750kg and a braked towing capacity of 1800kg.

The Audi e-tron Sportback gives a little away to the larger Audi e-tron on account of its more sporty bodystyle, but this is still a spacious car and unless you regularly need to load up with five people and all their luggage it is unlikely you will find it inadequate.

For those in the front seats, there is a generous amount of space, with plenty of adjustment in the seating position. In the back there is inevitably less headroom than in the Audi e-tron, but even adults of six feet plus in height should still find there is enough space.

Legroom is also impressive and it can seat three across the back in relative comfort, helped by the absence of a bulky transmission tunnel for whoever is in the middle.

As for the boot space, there is 515 litres available as well as a further 60 litres under the bonnet. Fold the rear seats and you have 1665 litres to play with. There’s plenty of storage space dotted around the cabin too, including a generous cubby between the front seats.

Buyers expect high standards from Audi and the Audi e-tron Sportback does not disappoint. If anything it feels a step above the usual Audi levels. The whole cabin is impressively constructed and it is almost impossible to find any materials that could be considered cheap.

There’s plenty of leather even on the S Line models while higher-spec versions feel even more plush. It provides a genuine luxury feel even if you are sat in the rear seats.

As standard, all versions of the Audi e-tron Sportback come with the MMI Touch system, which means a twin screen arrangement - the lower screen is 8.6-inches and looks after the climate control settings, while above it is a 10.1-inch screen which manages all the other functions.

There’s also a digital instrument display of 12.3-inches which has Audi’s Virtual Cockpit, so as well as displaying the usual functions it can be configurated to show nav, media and telephone functions.

The system itself works very well, with clear, sharp graphics and good response times, but while there is logic to having two screens to cover different functions it may take some getting used to. Using them on the move can be a little fiddly. It’s handy then that the Virtual Cockpit means you can view several functions without having to look away.

The standard specification is also good, with navigation, Bluetooth, DAB, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as wireless phone charging all included.

With a relatively limited production run of three years for the Audi e-tron Sportback (before it became the Q8 e-tron Sportback) there aren’t thousands of examples to choose from on the used market, but there are bargains to be had. 

We found several examples for £20,000 or less, even in the more powerful 55 guise, with less than 60,000 miles, which is almost a third of the original list price. At the top end of the market there are late 2022 examples in high spec Vorsprung guise with modest mileage for under £40,000.

Going on the basis that you would choose an EV if you have the ability to charge at home, keeping an Audi e-tron Sportback topped up should be inexpensive. 

Insurance costs are likely to be high however, with the 50 S Line in group 44 up to group 48 or even 50 for the 55 model depending on the trim level. Main dealer servicing won’t be cheap, but roughly in line with an equivalent petrol or diesel Audi. Audi does service plans which are worth looking at.

As with all EVs, there are less moving parts than a petrol or diesel car, but that's not to say that things don't go wrong. And when they do they're expensive to fix. Common issues include faults with the charging system, repairs for which can run into several thousand pounds. Rear motors failures that require full replacement are not unheard of either. An Audi warranty is strongly recommended...

The Audi e-tron Sportback S Line comes with:

• Heated and electrically adjustable front seats
• Leather trim
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Electrically heated door mirrors
• Alloy wheels
• Climate control
• LED headlights
• Cruise control
• Lane departure warning
• Rear camera parking system
• Air suspension
• Audi Virtual Cockpit
• MMI Touch infotainment with twin touchscreens
• DAB
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Bluetooth

Audi e-tron Sportback Launch Edition adds:

• 21-inch alloy wheels
• Virtual door mirrors
• Panoramic sunroof
• Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus
• 360 degree camera
• Adaptive cruise control

Audi e-tron Sportback Vorsprung models include:

• 22-inch alloy wheels
• Power door closure
• Heated steering wheel
• 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system
• Super sports seats