Review of the Audi e-tron Sportback: Performance, Features, and More

This is the review of the Audi e-tron Sportback, the newest addition to Audi’s electric line-up. Yes, that means it runs entirely on electricity and electricity alone. It doesn’t have an engine, it costs 457,000 Dirhams in the UAE, and competition comes in the form of the Tesla Model Y and the Mercedes-Benz EQC. However, I have a feeling this is going to be a lot better. Read on to find out why…

Performance

Powering the Audi e-tron Sportback is a 95 kWh battery pack that delivers 400 horsepower and 655 Nm of torque to two electric motors – one on each axle. Although the e-tron isn’t the fastest among its rivals, it still manages a 0-100 km/h sprint in 5.7 seconds, hits a top speed of 200 km/h, and navigates corners at speeds most SUVs would not dare to.

When cruising around town or driving down the highway, the e-tron Sportback is extremely quiet. Yes, all electric cars are quiet due to the absence of an engine, but this feels particularly refined. There is very little road noise that enters the cabin, and wind noise is nearly non-existent.

Range, which tends to be a big concern for electric car drivers, stands at 375 kilometers on a single charge. While that number might be lower compared to its rivals, the e-tron is equipped with regenerative braking – meaning that each time you lift your foot off the accelerator pedal or press the brakes, the kinetic energy used to push the car forward is converted into electricity and saved in the battery for later use. Think of it as automatic charging while you drive.

Speaking of braking, the e-tron Sportback features paddle shifters behind the steering wheel that can be used to slow the car down. Each tap increases the level of energy recuperation:

• Level 0: Drives like a regular car.
• Level 1: Increases the electric motor’s deceleration for greater energy saving.
• Level 2: Enjoys the true joys of one-pedal driving.

Having driven the e-tron Sportback for a couple of days, I can confidently say that the e-tron has everything a traditional Audi offers, from air suspension to multiple drive modes, and it maintains the same level of luxury and refinement. In fact, because it looks and drives like a regular Audi, many people who sit in it would not even realize that it’s electric. This seamless integration makes it easy for people to adopt the electric vehicle lifestyle.

Interior

Inside, it’s the same design and quality you would find in any modern Audi. Everything is exactly where you would expect it to be, and the interior is molded around three large screens:

• The digital instrument cluster known as the Virtual Cockpit.
• Another screen to control features like satellite navigation and mobile phone connectivity.
• A third screen below it to manage the climate control system, seat ventilation, and input destinations on the sat-nav.

Being a Sportback or an SUV Coupe, you might not expect much headroom or legroom in the back, but that’s where it surprises you. Compared to the standard e-tron, the Sportback has just 2 cm less headroom, which is negligible. Making the journey even more comfortable for backseat passengers is a 4-zone climate control system, cup holders, and several USB charging outlets.

Features

Being an Audi and a high-tech one at that, the e-tron Sportback comes with a long list of features:

• Panoramic roof
• Wireless phone charger
• Satellite navigation
• 360-degree cameras
• 3D parking

However, what will truly impress you are the virtual mirrors. Unlike traditional Audis, the e-tron Sportback is equipped with cameras instead of side mirrors, relaying your rearview onto screens inside the cabin. This feature is unlike anything else available and is definitely one of the e-tron Sportback’s stand-out features.

Additionally, the e-tron understands natural language, allowing you to have a conversation with it. For example, if you say, “I’m feeling hot,” it will lower the A/C temperature. If you say, “I’m hungry for Italian,” it will provide a list of nearby Italian restaurants. If you request navigation to a location, it will initiate the navigation system for you. It’s a great feature!

Exterior

The Audi e-tron Sportback shares nearly the same length, width, and height as the Audi Q8. There isn’t much to differentiate the e-tron Sportback from its petrol-powered siblings, apart from the absence of tailpipes, a fuel tank cap, and traditional side mirrors.

Familiar Audi design elements include the Single Frame Grille, which is present on all other Audi models. However, on the e-tron Sportback, it has been closed off for better aerodynamic efficiency, with five slats left open in the middle for battery cooling.

Along the sides, the 20-inch alloy wheels hide orange brake calipers, and the fastback or sloping roof design creates a sporty aesthetic. The dual charging outlets on either side of the car ensure convenience, whether your home charging box is mounted on the left or right side of your garage.

At the back, the e-tron Sportback looks stunning, featuring a lip spoiler on the boot lid, a full-length LED light strip, and a broad stance that gives it a planted road presence. Boot space measures 615 liters, but with the seats folded down, you get a massive 1,655 liters of storage, along with useful under-floor storage.

Verdict

I have said it before, and I will say it again: The Audi e-tron Sportback looks like a normal Audi, feels like a normal Audi, and drives like a normal Audi. That’s a positive aspect because Audi has made the transition to an EV lifestyle as easy as possible. The real question is, with an 8-year / 160,000-kilometer warranty on the battery and 440 electric vehicle chargers scattered around the UAE, are you willing to purchase an EV? If you are, then let InsuranceMarket.ae™ save you time and money, and get you the best car insurance quotes in the country.