Experienced by Adrian McQueen
Photography by Adrenaline Lifestyles
Audi has been at the top of my list of quality vehicles to drive. So I had no doubt that an electric version would measure up quite nicely. This time I was loaned the 2022 Audi E-Tron Quattro with the Chronos Edition package for review. I was excited to see what Audi had in store for me.
The Audi e-tron is a battery electric mid-size luxury crossover produced by Audi since 2019. The e-tron was unveiled as a concept car at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show, with the final production version revealed in San Francisco in September of 2018, and then publicly debuted at the 2018 Paris Motor Show. This is Audi’s first battery electric mass production car.
Upon first look, you will notice that the e-tron mimics the Audi Q8 styling. Even with the name “Tron” it is not designed as a futuristic sci-fi vehicle. The e-tron sits on 21-inch 5 double-V-spoke design wheels that have a black finish. The orange brake calipers really set it off. The Chronos Edition that we were supplied with also includes LED matrix headlights, the Black Optic package, and S-line exterior bits. The model that we received came in a Mythos Black Metallic hue.
The inside of the e-tron has a black headliner, gray ash wood interior accents, and rear-seat side airbags. The e-tron is a five-seat crossover with massaging front seats and a spacious cargo area. The e-tron includes 12-way heated and ventilated front seats, power door closers and a panoramic moonroof.
The dashboard has a virtual cockpit, a head-up display, a 10.1-inch infotainment screen, a smaller 8.6-inch touchscreen display and Amazon Alexa voice control. The infotainment system has the Audi Smartphone interface with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a navigation system, a Wi-Fi hot spot, satellite radio, HD Radio, Bluetooth and USB ports. There is also a Bang & Olufsen 3D surround-sound stereo that blasts crystal clear sound throughout the cabin.
The quattro electric all-wheel drive uses dual asynchronous electric motors with adjustable regenerative braking. The energy recuperation happens when both when the driver releases the accelerator and when applying pressure to the brakes. The two electric motors are split up, one mounted in the front and one in the back. The motors push out 184 and 224 hp, 228 and 262 lb-ft., with a combined output of 402 hp at 490 lb-ft. The e-tron had great acceleration with a smooth and quiet ride. I would not call it a corner carver, but there was little body-roll as I went into turns.
The Audi e-tron is powered by a 95 kWh battery pack with active liquid cooling, of which 86.5 kWh is usable. I used EVgo to charge the e-tron and after about 30 minutes I would get to 80% of a full charge. This was roughly a little over 200 miles of range. I tend to get range anxiety but this was enough for a day of local driving and then settling in for another charge during the evening hours. If you are using a 240-volt outlet, the e-tron can be fully charged about nine hours. The e-tron clocks in with 78 MPGe in the city, 77 MPGe on the highway and 78 MPGe combined.
Audi is high on safety and the e-tron was right in line with other models. The e-tron comes with front and rear parking sensors, lane departure warning, automatic high-beam headlights, and a rearview camera. There is also Audi Pre Sense Rear (blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert) and Audi Pre Sense Side, which uses sensors to detect an oncoming side impact. There is a vehicle exit warning system, adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist, intersection assist, lane keep assist, a surround-view parking camera system and traffic sign recognition.
The 2022 Audi e-tron is in a competitive market going up against the Tesla Model X and the Jaguar I-Pace. Audi backs the e-tron with a four-year/50,000-mile limited warranty, a Powertrain warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles and Electrical components are covered for eight years or 100,000 miles and no complimentary scheduled maintenance. The model that we tested came in at $86,505.00 .
I really enjoyed the Audi e-tron with its’ luxurious design and smooth handling. The interior is luxurious and the infotainment system is top notch. Audi definitely ranks near the top of its class. Please enjoy the photo gallery.
