Anyone Cross-Shopping the Audi e-Tron SUV?

[manitou202]

I've had an E-tron for almost three years. It has been flawless in terms of reliability. Possibly the most comfortable and quiet EV on the market (iX is probably similar). As mindstormsguy mentioned above the range isn't the best but it charges incredibly fast. I've driven it on several long road trips (>800 miles each way) with no issues.

The biggest downsides I see compared to the R1S is storage and performance. The E-tron has a tiny front truck (if you could even call it that) and doesn't have three rows. The R1S is significantly larger. The E-tron is also relatively slow for an EV, and is definitely a city SUV and not off-road capable.

At this point we are holding out for the R1S because we really want a three row EV (3 kids plus dogs) and I won't go back to a Model X (we owned one for several years). There really isn't anything that directly competes with the R1S. The new Mercedes EQS will have 3-rows but will probably be much more luxurious and cost $110k+. The Model X now starts at $115k which is crazy. The only other comparable SUV is the Hyundai Ioniq 7 and Kia EV9 but it could be 24 months before those are available.

If you need something soon and are serious about the E-tron, the iX is definitely something to consider. It has more range, slightly more room, and a much better infotainment system. But as you mentioned it costs a lot more. The E-tron is probably one of the most underrated EVs on the market.

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[mindstormsguy]

Oh yeah, one other thing I think might be worth mentioning. The e-tron rides much better than the R1T (and presumably the R1S). The suspension is quieter (you can't hear the suspension on e-tron, which is not the case for either R1T I've driven), and the e-tron just feels more composed. The damping is better on the e-tron. Getting out of the Rivian and into the e-tron, the Rivian really does feel like a truck. This doesn't bother me, because the Rivina is a truck. But if someone doesn't care about the extra capability that the R1 affords, then they might actually like the Audi better. The BMW sounds like it's even better...the only issue is that you have to avoid looking at it when you get in or out.

Of all those options though, the Audi is definitely the least distinguishable as an EV. Inside and out, it just feels like an Audi. Is the majority of ways this is a very good thing. But if you want the stereotypical "EV things", you might miss them in the EV.

Honestly, I kind of feel like the F-150 might be similar in that regard (except for the frunk). The Lighting is an F-150 that happens to be an (apparently good) EV. The e-tron is an Audi SUV that happens to be a good EV.

But the comment about off roading are correct. The e-tron has an offroad and alltrack mode, but all that really means is "raise the air suspension". It's obviously no problem in snow or on a gravel road. I don't think anyone would actually consider any sort of legitimate off roading in one though. (Again, like any other Audi).

The R1T has a better back seat than the e-tron though. And the e-tron is quite decent in the back (and I'm 6'3").

 

[McRat]

I did not notice a better ride quality between the R1T and eTron. This assumes you've set the R1T to All-Purpose, Normal, Soft.
The only serious place to test ride quality is RR crossings, potholes, unimproved roads, etc. It is too easy to mistake sound for vibration on smooth pavement.

The Audi wins in the interior sound levels and amenities. But it can be difficult to find the eTron with the amenities you want, and without the ones you hate (trailer hitch and oversized rims comes to mind).

IMO, the eTron as it's currently sold is overpriced for what you get. I doubt it will hold it's value as well as many others in it's price range.

 

[Mysta]

Honestly depending on the final size(they said it was supposed to be 3 row suv size) the Polestar 3 will be the first real competitor, but it will lean towards more sport than offroad. Unfortunately it won't be out till early next year.

 

[WildBlueYonder]

Rumor has it that the 2023 eTron will have a number of updates including a bump of range to 300+ miles.

https://topelectricsuv.com/news/audi/audi-e-tron-new-range/

Lots of rumors abound, but I keep hearing the longer range etron won't be coming to North America until later in 2023, if in 23 at all. On an etron forum a person posted a pic of their 23 order, still shows a 95kwh battery. Also thinking of getting an etron. Rented one by me from turo for a few days, it was pretty nice.

 

[RayzorBEV]

My friend has a eTron. I contemplated for a few minutes and decided eTron is just not for me. It's too small inside and cargo space is lacking. The range is not there, Can't go off road, pricey to buy and maintain. R1T, with all its teething problems is still a superior product, IMHO...

 

[mindstormsguy]

My damping comment is specifically regarding some “high speed” speed bumps on the road to my house. (Long speed bumps made for 15-20 mph, not short parking lot style speed bumps). I’ve taken them with a lot of different vehicles. The R1T has a weird difference in how the front vs rear takes the bump. Similar to my ZR2. It’s just truck like. The etron takes it better. I didn’t try every suspension mode on the Rivian, but I tried a couple, and I found that it didn’t make an appreciable difference.

I got my etron for 60k when they were heavily discounted for a while. That’s for the top trim, and with the hitch (which I wanted). For 60k, it was a steal.

All of that said, I can’t wait to replace the etron with the R1T. It’s got the range, the bed, the towing capacity, and still a really nice interior.

 

[timf]

Lots of rumors abound, but I keep hearing the longer range etron won't be coming to North America until later in 2023, if in 23 at all. On an etron forum a person posted a pic of their 23 order, still shows a 95kwh battery. Also thinking of getting an etron. Rented one by me from turo for a few days, it was pretty nice.

The 2023 MY e-tron is just a carry over model. The all-new model won't be coming until at least the 2024 model year, which likely means no earlier than fall 2023.

 

[echerod]

Similar boat.

I have a July to September delivery window for an R1T but Rivian refuses to respond to any of my emails, which is starting to annoy me. And as I see all the reports of glitches pile up on these message boards, my enthusiasm for Rivian is waning...

The iX isn't as ugly to me as it is to some but seems pretty limited in cargo space. I'm starting to take a closer look at the EQB, which seems in the same ballpark as the e-tron:
https://www.mbusa.com/en/future-vehicles/2022-eqb-suv

Local dealer says they'll have them in stock in the coming months. 260 mi estimated range. $60K.

EQB is smaller than the etron, more similar to a Q5.

 

[manitou202]

EQB is smaller than the etron, more similar to a Q5.

Correct. The E-tron is essentially an electric Q8. Similar size and interior.

 

[DJG]

My damping comment is specifically regarding some “high speed” speed bumps on the road to my house. (Long speed bumps made for 15-20 mph, not short parking lot style speed bumps). I’ve taken them with a lot of different vehicles. The R1T has a weird difference in how the front vs rear takes the bump. Similar to my ZR2. It’s just truck like. The etron takes it better. I didn’t try every suspension mode on the Rivian, but I tried a couple, and I found that it didn’t make an appreciable difference.

I got my etron for 60k when they were heavily discounted for a while. That’s for the top trim, and with the hitch (which I wanted). For 60k, it was a steal.

All of that said, I can’t wait to replace the etron with the R1T. It’s got the range, the bed, the towing capacity, and still a really nice interior.

Just replaced mine with the R1T. The Rivian definitely isn't as smooth or quiet a ride as the eTron, but then again almost nothing is. That's pretty much exactly what it was designed for and they didn't have to make any compromises in that pursuit. They didn't try to make it light, they used dual pane glass all the way around, they even sound insulated the wheel wells. The eTron's doors are noticeably heavier than the Rivian's doors, despite being notably smaller.

Rivian isn't the best off roader, the most luxurious, the most comfortable or the sportiest vehicle you can buy. It is, however, perhaps the only vehicle on the planet that gets compared/discussed in each of those segments, which is it's true brilliance.

 

[yizzung]

EQB is smaller than the etron, more similar to a Q5.

I put down a $1000 deposit. We’ll see. I actually worry that the R1S is too big for my needs. It’s all making me rethink whether the R1T may end up being the right fit. Would be helpful to see these things in person.

 

[xcb5]

We had a ‘19 etron and flipped it in anticipation of the big mileage increase for MY23. Well…

The ‘23 will NOT have 300 mile range. There’s no mention of it it anywhere.


2023 e-tron / e-tron Sportback The brand’s first fully electric SUV returns for the 2023 model year with new trim enhancements. The previously optional black headliner has now been made standard for the 2023 e-tron Sportback. Other standard features for the 2023 e-tron Sportback occur largely in the Prestige trim level. Standard on the e-tron Sportback Prestige trim are 22-inch 5-spoke-Turbine design bi-color wheels, dynamic orange front and rear brake calipers, rear side airbags with illuminated safety belt buckles, and Digital Matrix-design headlights. Additionally, the Black optic exterior package on the e-tron Sportback comes standard with the Prestige trim level. The sport-oriented e-tron S and etron S Sportback see the addition of carbon square structure inlays and the LED interior lighting plus package as standard. Rounding out the changes, the Prestige trim level of both the e-tron S and e-tron S Sportback now receive Digital Matrix-design LED headlights as included equipment. Also, for the 2023 model year, the potential federal tax credit of up to $7,500 is still expected to be available to customer

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