Should You Buy a 2021 Audi E-Tron Sportback EV Over a Tesla? [Full Review]
Click to Subscribe! ► goo.gl/x9qFdW
I'm in the market for an electric car, and somehow I have been able to convince a few manufacturers to let me borrow their cars to check out! I just spent a week in this 2021 Audi E-Tron Sportback, the ever so slightly sportier, slantier version of the E-Tron SUV. With a range lower than the Tesla Model X and Model Y, why would any potential EV buyer choose this Audi? Today, let’s find out with this in-depth review!
For those that are interested in my 1980s/1990s car videos, don't worry-more videos on my fleet of mostly broken Radwood era cars are coming soon! :)
===========================
Follow Hello Road!
KZhead ► / helloroad
Instagram ► / _helloroad
Twitter ► / _helloroad
Facebook ► / helloroadofficial
Buy a Shirt! ► helloroad.tv/shop
Follow Me!
Instagram ► / mrethantufts
Twitter ► / mrethantufts
===========================
Table of contents:
0:00 Intro
1:04 Overview
1:37 Exterior
3:00 Interior Front
7:02 Interior Rear
8:02 Cargo
9:05 Driving Impressions
9:45 Power/Acceleration
11:10 Ride/Handling
12:49 Brakes
13:34 Range/Efficiency
14:54 Charging
15:53 Price
16:21 Competition
17:29 Verdict
===========================
Music used in this episode:
- Selected tracks by Kia Orion ( • Video )
- "Rio" by 1000 Names
- "Bush Week" by Nihilore
- Selected tracks from the KZhead music library
If you were in the market for a luxury electric vehicle, what would it be? For those that are interested in my 1980s/1990s car videos, don't worry-more videos on my fleet of mostly broken Radwood era cars are coming soon! :)
I am currently considering the Q4 e-tron. But the e-tron is much more luxurious and a used one would be of a great value. I am still undecided.
I bought the e-tron SUV. Test drove the Tesla X and Y and the interior didn’t feel like a nice car. If I spend $75k on a car I want it to be comfortable and luxurious. If I didn’t need a new car this year I would have waited for reviews of the Lyriq or GV70 Electric, but right now the e-tron is the best built and equipped luxury EV.
Here in Europe the Audi is the better choice. The charging network with HPC is better than the SC Network. Very different to other countries. Here the Model x is nearly a non-seller in comparison with the e-tron. Yes, the Model x is faster, has better accelleration and better range. But on the other side a luxury car should be quiet, comfortable with a perfect built quality. Here Audi wins
Audi builds cars! Tesla assembles parts..
I couldn’t agree more with your statement.
The charging curve on the e-tron makes up for the lower range. I’ve gone from 8% to 80% in 24 minutes and 80 % to 100% in another 13 minutes. At 96% you still get 65 kw. My Chevy Bolt has seen 50kw very few times for a few minutes. Although Tesla charging rate is faster max speeds are just present for certain amount of time not up to 80% but the e-tron can keep max speeds way past 80%
Thanks man! Will get mine somewhere next month... Test drive first ;) - good video!!!
One of your best videos yet. They just keep getting better. Thank you !
Thanks for the kind words, and thanks for watching! :)
Amazing video! Great content, music, cinematic recording drone work. Awesome all around. I am subscribing!
Thank you!! Glad you enjoyed it, and thanks so much for subscribing! :)
excellent review brother !
It’s sharp, and that interior is really nice. Another awesome video, Ethan. 😊
Thanks so much for watching!!! :) :)
On the 2021 etron Apple Carplay is a paid Function On Demand. I was furious when I found out after I paid for ALL the bells and whistles. Also: there is another compartment UNDER the frunk, just lift out the floor plate.
it would make a good driver but not something i would get even though i like EVs . the electric rate in my area is 103% higher then the national average , the winters up here would be brutal on the batteries where -40 temps are often the highs which could cut the range in half . one day when battery tech finally catches up id consider one, for now im hitting 50mpg in my cr-z hybrid and i can drive it year round
Better question is should you buy it over the Audi Q4 etron and the answer is no since for 3/4 of the price you will get updated technology updated motors better efficiency more range and more interior space. If you are keen on the larger exterior size of the etron then you wait for the 2022 model year refresh which will feature all the EV technology updates that Audi has learned since designing the original etron most importantly fixing its range problem
One day I stopped at store that just so happened to have a fast charger and there was another car that finished charging and as I waited for him to unplug he looked at me funny because I pull up with the e-Tron next to his car and the charger and he was pleasantly surprised to learn that it was another electric car and said that he had no clue that Audi made an electric car.
After testing driving the Model 3, Leaf Plus, Niro EV, Kona EV, BMW i3, FIAT 500e, IONIQ electric, to name a few, I was all set to buy a Chevy Bolt. Then on a very last minute whim I drove a 2017 Volt LT and immediately fell in love. While I didn't get to go fully electric as I wanted, with a commute of 6 miles one way, and almost any shopping I could ever want to do within a 20 mile radius, the Volt has been great! I've got my eye on the new Ford Maverick hybrid, but hoping for a plug in variant announcement.
Volts are great! Like you said, perfect for short commutes where you can stay EV only, but flexibility to easily take longer trips. And a plug-in Maverick would be cool. Hope they go that route. :)
How did the chevy bolt drive vs the volt? I was thinking of purchasing the bolt.
Watch the Out of Spec Motoring review of the Audi Etron. While the range is lower, it actually chargers faster than the Tesla's due to a better charging curve. That makes this a better EV.
In the uk Audi pay for a free pod point to be installed, even though I didn’t qualify as it was a lease…nice👍
150 KW charging power yes, but the charging curve is phenomenal! While other cars have higher peaks but way lower charging curves. Worth to mention it mate ✌️
Yeah, Tesla's charge at more than 200KW for a few minutes and then down it goes and they slow down to a crawl after 80%. I can do more than 500 miles with just two small stops that are barely enough to go to the toilet and have an espresso. That for me is essential to mention.
Nice review and nice car. Audi was and is very good with interior design, and this car screams familiarity for existing owners. The only slightly unrelated question I have: when can we have a 20k USD electric car with a nice design and a respectable range? Because looking at your fleet and all the older cars you are reviewing I cannot happen but notice that back in the old times simple cars were also fun. They were likeable companions who made your everyday a bit more fun in one way or another. But now we seems to have more expensive machines which have less souls...
Thanks!! For a new EV at $20k, battery costs need to come down. As more EVs get produced, this may happen eventually. Though I have seen lightly used Bolts for under $20k. I actually think the 1st gen Bolt is simple and fun. Decent acceleration, low maintenance costs, and it comes in fun colors!
Great review and great timing too as I've been shopping EV's lately. For a couple decades now Audi has ruled the interior design kingdom and it looks like this E-Tron continues that momentum. But all of that weight? Ugg man, how does it get so dang heavy! As a competitor to the Tesla, this Audi seems like a more pedestrian version at a big time cost savings. But for me, that price tag instantly makes it far outside my grasp.
Thanks man! Yeah, that is a problem with these big EVs, they're so heavy. The Hummer EV is going to be 9,000 lbs! Insanity.
The weight comes from a lot of things that other EVs won’t give you. Big ass battery but Audi has a big buffer therefore not letting you use about 10% there is a reason for this. Dual pane glass on some trims, heavy glass. Noise insulation, the doors on this thing are very solid and heavy quality doors not tin can doors. A big ass spare tire, almost no EV bothers with this since you would be adding extra weight that may or may not be used, that goes for new gas cars too. Heavy powered seats with massage functionality, heavy . Real leather , heavy, everything is quality heavy material that don’t rattle , heavy. I mean they could build a lighter car but people will complain about not being an Audi because of cheap noisy interior with lots of road noise. This car is dead silent for a reason, hopefully in the future there will be lighter quality materials that safe weight and can be use on cars. I’m actually used to the weight now and it makes for a real smooth ride.
I think it is cool cause its like a tank
I just done exactly this, sold my Kia EV6 for what I boyught it for 18 months ago, got my huge deposit back, planned to buy a Tesla M3 or Y, test drove. went to Audi in the Tesla, test drove a use e-Tron 55 Launch Edition with every option selected with 25k miles drive, for cheaper than the Kia was with £0 deposit. I went back to Audi, the e-tron beats the Kia and Tesla in kit and refinement. Tesla's as great for range, but I dont need that 300+ miles carry on, I though I did with the Kia but I didnt. Also the e-Tron charges just as fat as the EV6 because of its amazing charge curve, over 80-100KW speeds at 80-90%. e-Tron is something very special! the kit that comes with the car is out of this world, of course bacuse its an Audi, a real Audi.
You know how to choose the right words. You are good!
😀😀😀
I hated x6 wen it came out but also was quite into this it's like a saloon on donks without the big wheels. It's kinda skateboardy🛹 aswell
Is it true that Audi battery replacement cost $35k
The E-Tron looks WAY better than the Model X.
Official EPA mile range: I-PACE 234 miles > Sportback 218 miles
Love e-tron sportback
I am a 21 Tesla Model Y Performance owner (humble plug to watch my vids on YT). My wife owns a 21 Tesla Model Y Long Range. Both are great. That being said, the range on the MYP is real world, about 260ish, if that. Though I love it, its ride quality isnt that great, as bumps are like craters, and road noise is pretty noticeable. Im thinking about trading for a 22/23 Audi e tron Sportback with the Chronos trim. I can deal with the 218-230ish range, less acceleration, but the one foot driving regen, and iffy charging network gets me. What would you or others in this comment section do? Thoughts? Real world issues bro! HA!
$103,000 according to a guy I approached who just bought one. Are people leasing this or financing? I saw this in black and it looks aggressive compared to this white one. Too expensive.
E tron will come with increased range later this year....
I don't think Tesla's should be compared to real cars. When you look at their build quality (or the lack of it), it's obvious Tesla's aren't proper cars. They are toys for tech nerds. Nothing more. To anyone who wants to "call me out": Wait until Tesla can align their panels properly and doesn't forget to pain entire sections of their exterior. Then you can call me out and I will actually listen.
218 miles…95kwh battery!? wow. Didnt’ realise it was that inefficient - borderline half Tesla. Even the ID4 which this shares the platform of gets a lot more than that with a smaller 77kwh battery. The other etrons were thirsty but this is nuts
You are misinformed. This does not share the same platform as the ID4.
Tesla feels like a GM compared to an Audi
has anyone approached you mistaking you as Sebestian Vettel?
Haha not yet!!
I don't like the name E-Tron Audi uses for like 8 different cars with varied sizes, performance and price points it sounds like they are all the same car but they are very different from each other.
Yeah the naming convention could really use improvement!
As a 2018 Tesla Model 3 owner, I say this: I'm not buying an EV with less than 400 miles range. Also, the non Tesla EV DC charging infrastructure in the USA is pretty piss poor...
Tesla interior is either love it or hate it. I personally hate it. The exterior of a Tesla leaves a lot to be desired too. The Audi charges faster than Tesla. The only real advantage of Tesla is slightly more range in the real world and not the paper figures. The non performance model of the Tesla model X is only slightly faster too as per some drag racing videos I have seen on KZhead but Audi also has a performance model of the E tron too with the S and three motors.
For luxury definitely not Tesla, Tesla - even a Model S feels dirt cheap and i don't like this wannabe futuristic interiour anyway. I really like the Audi interior, but it is simply not worth the money. Maybe one of the higher end CH crossovers. Zeekr 001 looks like an awesome Porsche/Jaguar mix - that with the Audi interior and i'd buy one in a heartbeat.
These are junk. Do some research 1. HV Battery recall (LG chem) exactly like Chevy Bolt no remediation plan in place. 2. Leaking sunroofs causing $20k damage not covered under warranty 2. Front/rear motor replacement due to leaking coolant. $20k to fix, No redesign or remediation.
"hAudi, i'm just like any other Audi!"
For those of you who know your French, I have a hunch that the E-tron is not going to sell well at all in French speaking countries. For those who don't know French, look up the translation. VAG did NOT think this one through at all!!!!!!
Haha yes, I was going to mention that in the video!
Wow! How unfortunate for Audi in French-speaking countries! Reminds me of the old Chevy Nova for Spanish-speaking countries: The Chevy "No go".
This thing is slower than a Tesla, has less range, and weights 1,000 POUNDS more?? I know it's more luxurious, but dang, 1,000 pounds worth?
Actually it's the Jaguar iPace that is 1,000 lbs lighter. Tesla Model X and this Audi E-Tron are a similar weight, but the Model X is a bit larger. All that extra weight goes into luxurious materials, apparently :)
Still outsell Model X worldwide....
F**K...I would buy a Lada Niva over a Tesla!!! LOL :) ;)
I mean, I'd buy a Lada Niva over a lot of cars... but I'm weird so....
Love your reviews, man but... well, this Audi falls under my Grandma's rule of "if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all." I suppose that's because the nicest thing I could say about it is that I'd rather buy a Hyundai and set the $40,000 I'd save on fire.
I actually really like the E-Tron. I just doesn't have the range to compete with a Tesla. Though I do think there are some buyers that would accept the trade off of less range for way more luxury. I can't justify an $80k car no matter what it is, but some people can :)
@@HelloRoad Don't get me wrong, I agree with your statement in the video about it being more to entice Audi drivers to go electric than it is to convert Tesla buyers, which is perfectly fine for Audi if that's their expectation as well. The "way more luxury" statement piques my curiosity, though. You already know I'm not comparing the Audi to a Tesla, so I'm wondering what you think that extra $40k buys as far as luxury? I'm not talking about the hypothetical affluent Audi buyer, either. I'm talking you, personally. I'm genuinely curious.
Haha spoken like a non-luxury car owner.
Nothing like an Audi interior. The range of the E-Tron is pathetic tho.
Yeah, the range isn't quite competitive. Though for me it did consistently do better than EPA estimates.
Its charging curve make that up. Only Taycan can challenge it.
Yes😂
So basically get a Model Y is what I'm hearing. In this car it's heavier, more expensive and with that 100kw battery is less efficient. It has less cargo space than the Model Y and gets less range to the charge. Not to mention the sunroof is quite small in comparison. Luxury is cool but this car accomplishes with 3 screens compared to the Model Y achieving with just 1. So get a Model Y because even without the EV tax credit it's still cheaper and it looks like the money you'll save you can actually splurge on some Model Y upgrades and accessories and still have a few thousand left...
It s called preference. Not everyone want a Tesla or Model Y.
You should try driving them back to back. Number rarely describes the real-world experience.
I own both an E-Tron and a Model Y. They each have their strengths. I prefer the Audi, my wife prefers the Tesla. Hard to say one is the clear choice, it's more about what's important to you. Fast and sporty, and ok with cheap interior? Tesla. Fast enough and super comfortable luxury everything? Audi.
With that range and that so limited power???!!!! OF COURSE NOT. Oh… and no e-padel….. what a mess of a EV…
Yeah sure, I've got $70,000 randomly in my bank account to blow on a globalized piece of shit. Rather buy a 1980 Bronco and spend the rest on ammunition. First vid of yours I've disliked.
Tesla is a horrible designed car at interior.