2022 Audi e-tron S Sportback
MSRP Range: $87,400 - $92,400 Price range reflects Base MSRP for various trim levels, not including options or fees.
- 2023
- 2022
2022 Audi e-tron S Sportback Review
byBrent Romans
Senior Manager, Written Content
Brent Romans has worked in the automotive industry since 1996. He has written or edited thousands of expert car reviews and road-tested hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Brent is a senior manager of written content at Edmunds and previously contributed to publications such as Super Street and Petersen's 4-Wheel & Off-Road. His personal car is a 2019 BMW M2 Competition, which he bought for its ideal combination of performance, style and practicality.
Pros
- Spacious interior
- Comfortable seats and ride
- Lots of standard and available safety and tech features
Cons
- Infotainment operation can be distracting
- Regenerative braking effect isn't as strong as in many other EVs
- Estimated driving range falls short of top rivals
What's new
- New tri-motor e-tron S Sportback debuts
- Part of the first e-tron generation introduced for 2019
Overview
There aren't many electric SUVs on the market, but the ones that exist are all pretty darn good. That's certainly the case with the Audi e-tron Sportback, which boasts a smooth ride, impeccable cabin materials and plenty of premium features among its positive attributes. This Sportback is the sporty-looking version of the regular all-electric e-tron SUV. Its sloping rear roofline adds style, but you sacrifice a little cargo space and rear headroom in the process.
Audi e-tron S Sportback EV Insights
Trim:
e-tron S Sportback Premium Plus
Range
212 miles
EPA Estimated Range
EV batteries lose 1-2% of range per year. Est. range for this car is 180 miles after 8 years.Electric cars typically experience 1-2% of range loss per year with slightly faster degradation over the first 50,000 miles as the car settles into its long term state, according to Recurrent's study of 15,000 EVs.
Estimated range mapThis map is a visual representation of the possible one-way and round-trips by this vehicle (on a full charge) from the geometric center of Ashburn, Virginia. The depicted ranges are based on the estimated new vehicle range value provided by the EPA, rounded down to miles for one-way and miles for round-trip. Actual range will vary depending on the condition of this vehicle’s battery pack, how you drive, driving conditions and other factors.
Map display generated using: © openrouteservice.org by HeiGIT | Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors | Leaflet
from Charging at Home
10 hoursStandard port for most electric models. Supports Level 1, Level 2, and DC Fast charging.
Total Charging Time (240V outlet)
SAE Combo
Plug Type
EV Battery Warranty
8 yrs or 100,000 milesThe federal government requires that EV batteries be warrantied for a minimum of eight years or 100,000 miles. The EV battery warranty includes replacement if your battery capacity drops below a certain percentage of the original capacity.
EV Tax Credits & Rebates
Cost to Drive
$85/mo
e-tron S Sportback
vs
$208/mo
SUV Avg.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
Am I Ready for an EV?
EV ownership works best if you can charge (240V) at home or at work This typically means a 240V home installation, but you could also have a similar setup at your office or other places your car is already parked for several hours each day. Don't expect a regular household outlet (120V) to suffice unless you've got a plug-in hybrid, in which case overnight charging at home is feasible.
If you can’t charge at home, charging at a charging station could take at least 10x longer than at a gas station With public charging infrastructure still in its infancy, the user experience can be maddeningly inconsistent. Tesla owners tend to rave about the reliability and speed of the company's proprietary Supercharger stations, but rival DC fast options have thus far been plagued by technical issues and overcrowding. It's an evolving landscape and our best advice is to do your research on the available options for the EV you want to buy.
Adding a 240V home charging system could cost up to $1,000 or more If your existing electrical service can handle the additional demands of EV charging, you may be able to add Level 2 charging at home for less than a grand, including installation. But your costs will multiply if you need to upgrade your electrical panel or add a dedicated circuit.
Audi is further enhancing the e-tron Sportback's appeal for 2022 with a new performance-oriented e-tron S Sportback. The e-tron S has an additional motor, bringing the total to three for this all-wheel-drive SUV. Combined output is 429 horsepower, which can be temporarily increased to 496 hp. Audi estimates that the e-tron S Sportback can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds using launch control. (The standard 355-hp model does 0-60 mph in as little as 5.5 seconds.)
If you're tired of being smoked by Teslas at a freeway on-ramp, the e-tron S Sportback might justify its considerable price increase over the regular e-tron. But there's still the issue of the e-tron's range, which falls short of expectations with just 212 miles on a full charge, according to the EPA. And that's with the stock 20-inch wheels. Get the bigger 22-inch wheels and range drops to 185 miles. We like the e-tron S Sportback, but we also suggest checking out the new BMW iX, which is similarly powerful and luxurious but has considerably more range.
Which e-tron S Sportback does Edmunds recommend?
A case can be made for any e-tron trim, but the Premium Plus is the sensible choice if you're getting an S. You get a few extra features with the Prestige, but we don't think it's worth spending more to get them.
Audi e-tron S Sportback models
The 2022 Audi e-tron S Sportback comes with all-wheel drive and three electric motors good for a combined power output of 429 horsepower and 596 lb-ft of torque, or temporary boosting to 496 hp and 717 lb-ft. Audi sells it in Premium Plus and Prestige trims. Range estimates vary from 185 miles to 212 miles depending on configuration.
Helpful shopping links
Compare the Audi e-tron S Sportback
Audi e-tron S Sportback vs. Audi Q4 e-tron
Audi's electric lineup grows this year with the introduction of the Audi Q4 e-tron SUV. The Q4 e-tron is smaller, less expensive and less powerful than the e-tron. Cabin quality is up to Audi's typically high standards, however, so going with the Q4 means you're only missing out on the standard e-tron's extra space and quicker acceleration.
Audi e-tron S Sportback vs. Tesla Model Y
The Tesla Model Y costs thousands of dollars less than the e-tron S Sportback even if you get the range-topping Model Y Performance. That said, the e-tron gives you the upscale interior design and premium materials that you'd expect of a vehicle in this price range. You also don't run the risk of Audi putting in a silly yoke steering wheel or adding whoopie cushion sound effects halfway through the e-tron's life cycle.
Audi e-tron S Sportback vs. BMW iX
Audi sees new competition this year in the form of the BMW iX. Like the e-tron, the iX is a midsize SUV that brings a lot more to the table than just a love-it-or-hate-it exterior design. Acceleration from the standard dual-motor setup (producing 516 horsepower) is rapid, the ride is comfortable and the cabin is suitably high-tech. There aren't many drawbacks with this big luxury EV, but its starting price is quite a bit higher than the e-tron's.
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FAQ
Is the Audi e-tron S Sportback a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2022 e-tron S Sportback both on the road and at the track. What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the e-tron S Sportback has 27.2 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Audi e-tron S Sportback. Learn more
What's new in the 2022 Audi e-tron S Sportback?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2022 Audi e-tron S Sportback:
- New tri-motor e-tron S Sportback debuts
- Part of the first e-tron generation introduced for 2019
Is the Audi e-tron S Sportback reliable?
To determine whether the Audi e-tron S Sportback is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the e-tron S Sportback. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the e-tron S Sportback's average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2022 Audi e-tron S Sportback a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2022 Audi e-tron S Sportback is a good car. Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2022 e-tron S Sportback is a good car for you. Check back soon for the official Edmunds Rating from our expert testing team Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2022 Audi e-tron S Sportback?
The least-expensive 2022 Audi e-tron S Sportback is the 2022 Audi e-tron S Sportback Premium Plus 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $87,400.
Other versions include:
- Premium Plus 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD) which starts at $87,400
- Prestige 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD) which starts at $92,400
What are the different models of Audi e-tron S Sportback?
If you're interested in the Audi e-tron S Sportback, the next question is, which e-tron S Sportback model is right for you? e-tron S Sportback variants include Premium Plus 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD), and Prestige 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD). For a full list of e-tron S Sportback models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more