Used Audi E-tron 2019-present review

The Audi E-tron was released in 2019 and was the firm's first production electric car. Its mission was to put the German brand firmly on the EV map.

Did it succeed? Definitely, yes. The model has already impressed with its luxury, practicality and tech, making it not only an attractive buy when new, but now also a good used option, aided by some tempting and more affordable prices.

Times have changed since the E-tron's launch, though, and these days there are plenty of rival electric SUVs to choose from – notably, the BMW iX3, Jaguar I-Pace and Mercedes EQC. Plus, Audi itself has two more E-tron models to catch your eye, the GT and Sportback, and the E-tron itself has now become the Audi Q8 e-tron.

So, does the E-tron still deserve a place on your shopping list if you're looking at used electric cars? Let’s delve into it, starting with what powertrains are available.

At the entry-level end, we have the 230kW 50 Quattro 71kWh version. It packs 313bhp and a 6.8sec 0-60mph time. The next step up is the 300kW 55 Quattro 95kWh variant, with 408bhp and a 6.6sec 0-60mph time.

Then, we have the E-tron S – or, more specifically, the 370kW S Vorsprung Quattro 95kWh. This range-topping model gets 503bhp and a 4.5-second 0-60mph time, making it the quickest of the bunch. That said, it’s still slower than the fastest Tesla Model X.

In terms of trims, Technik and Sport are the most affordable. Standard equipment on the former includes heated front seats, part-leather upholstery, two-zone climate control, LED headlights, power-folding door mirrors, a powered tailgate, electrically operated and heated front seats with four-way lumbar adjustment, keyless go, cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, a rear-view camera and air suspension.

S Line is your mid-range option. It comes with a sporty body kit, 21in alloys, adaptive sports air suspension, matrix LED headlights, privacy glass and extended leather. At the very top, Vorsprung adds enormous 22in alloys, power-closing doors, virtual door mirrors, a 360-degree parking camera, a panoramic sunroof, keyless entry, heated front and rear seats, an electric steering column, extended leather trim and ambient lighting, a head-up display, a 16-speaker B&O sound system, blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control with steering assist.

Out on the road, the E-tron’s air suspension does a grand job of wafting you along when it’s in Comfort mode. Indeed, it deals with all manner of lumps and bumps better than the EQC and Model X, and is roughly on a par with the I-Pace for comfort. For the smoothest ride, go for cars with the Technik and Sport trims' 20in alloy wheels, although the 21in rims you get with posher trim levels, along with adaptive sports air suspension, don't hugely impact ride comfort.

The E-tron weighs more than 2.5 tonnes with the driver on board but still handles bends pretty tidily. The wide tyres provide lots of grip, the steering is precise enough and the suspension does a good job of preventing the car from leaning like a certain well-known Italian tower through corners.

A 10.1in touchscreen, which sits above an 8.6in touchscreen climate control panel, gives you access to the stereo, phone and sat nav settings. It looks sharp and responds promptly to prods, and it's easy to use when you're parked up. Finding the correct area of the screen to press is quite distracting when driving, though.

Behind the steering wheel, there’s a 12.3in digital display that Audi calls the Virtual Cockpit. It replaces conventional instrument dials and can display a broad array of information clearly.

Front and rear passenger space is excellent, as is boot space. In our tests, the E-tron managed to swallow eight carry-on suitcases below its load cover. There's a second, smaller boot at the front of the E-tron, although it's really only big enough for the charging cables.

If you're interested in finding a used Audi E-tron, or any of the other electric cars mentioned here, head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at great prices.

Used Audi E-trons start at around £28,000. That’ll get you a 2019 example with low mileage, badged 50, in Technik or Sport trim. Going to S Line will cost you a bit more, with 2020 models available for circa £30,000. Spend between that and £40,000 on 2021 and 2022 cars. Vorsprung sees a substantial jump in price – to around £47,500. For E-tron S variants, which are common in Sportback form, expect to pay upwards of £55,000.

Range

Officially, the 50 quattro can do 198 miles with a full battery, although you're more likely to get 150 miles or so in real-world driving. The 55 quattro on the other hand increases that official number to 254 miles and the e-tron S 223 miles. That's a decent range, although it's below par by today’s standards. For example, the Ford Mustang Mach-e in Extended Range RWD form has an official range of 379 miles.

Servicing and insurance

As with conventionally powered Audis, the E-tron comes with a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty, while its battery is covered for eight years or 100,000 miles (whichever comes first). Insurance groups are high, so the E-tron is likely to be costly to insure.

Sport trim gets you all the essentials and then some. The more desirable option is S Line, but it currently comes with a significant price increase – as do all the higher trims. Instead, we’d recommend spending the money on upgrading from the 50 Quattro to the 55 Quattro for the boost in range – 198 miles to 254 miles (official).

Our favourite Audi E-tron: 55 Quattro Sport

The Jaguar I-Pace matches the E-tron in many areas and is even available for cheaper prices on the used market. It also has a fantastic range of electric powertrains, offering good performance and range.

If you’d prefer an electric SUV that’s a bit more, let’s say, pizzazz, have a look at the Tesla Model X. Not only is it immensely practical, packed full of tech and surprisingly sharp to drive, but it’s also capable of embarrassing sports cars in a straight line.

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If you're interested in finding a used Audi E-tron, or any of the other electric cars mentioned here, head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at great prices.