2023 Audi e-tron SUV Review: Nice Upgrade from the VW ID.4

Written by EVNN Staff

The 2023 Audi e-tron is a compact all-electric SUV that is based on both the e-tron series and Volkswagen ID.4. Although it may not be as fast as some other electric cars, it should appeal to new electric vehicle drivers due to its familiar appearance and driving dynamics. The e-tron has a stylish and comfortable cabin and modern technology and is sure to satisfy more experienced EV drivers. This luxury SUV is almost a foot shorter in length than the first-generation e-tron, which debuted in 2019. It has a better range per charge and a starting price of $22,000 less. Although it shares many of the same electric powertrain components as the cheaper Volkswagen ID.4, the 2023 Audi e-tron interior and features are enough to give it a higher price tag. Keep watching to find out more about the 2023 Audi e-tron.

2023 Audi e-tron: Sleek and Aerodynamic

The exterior of the 2023 Audi e-tron is generally sleek and aerodynamic. It features a simple yet stylish design with an LED running bar, a functional stylistic grille, and cooling vents for the front motor and battery. The car has 20-inch wheels and wing mirrors that are folded in for an aerodynamic look. It also has black roof rails with a satin finish and black window treatment with a gloss finish. The exterior has black accenting on the roof and the Audi logo in the tail lights. The rear of the car is further accented with a stylish diffuser. The back of the Sportback model has some unique design elements, including a continuous LED tail light and a spoiler that extends partially up the rear glass. There is a strip that allows for visibility under the spoiler. The e-tron branding is molded into the rear bumper, a standout feature. Overall, the car looks good but nothing too special for an SUV, but there is little to indicate that the vehicle is electric, aside from subtle badging on the sides and back.

Familiar Interior

The 2023 Audi e-tron’s cabin is just like their gas-powered counterparts, and superior to Tesla’s Model Y.

The interior design of the 2023 Audi e-tron is more similar to that of the company’s gas-powered vehicles. The dashboard of the 2023 Audi e-tron is characterized by its angular shape and a bold metallic accent. Potential buyers will also like that the main display is positioned in a way that is easily visible to the driver. The steering wheel has flat sections at the top and bottom, which complements the faceted styling of the cabin. The touch-sensitive buttons on the 2023 Audi e-tron may occasionally register unintended inputs, which can make them somewhat challenging to use. There is a considerable amount of plastic inside the vehicle, but it is high quality and appropriate for the entry-level luxury market. The interior materials and build quality are superior to those of the Tesla Model Y. The cabin of the 2023 Audi e-tron has a flat floor and offers plenty of legroom. There are power outlets and USB-C charging ports for devices. However, taller passengers may need more headroom, which is a significant drawback. Luckily, this issue is addressed in the standard model.

Audi MMI Infotainment

The Audi e-tron has a unique two-screen setup.

The 2023 Audi e-tron features the latest version of the MMI system and includes a standard 10.3-inch digital gauge display. The infotainment system boasts a large 11.6-inch touchscreen. One of the standout features of the 2023 Audi e-tron is its infotainment system, which is a significant improvement over the Volkswagen id4’s infotainment screen. The Audi system is more intuitive and has crisper graphics. It is also quick and easy to use. One thing to note is that the Prestige trim doesn’t have 360 cameras. The volume control has been redesigned and is now a spinning dial, although it is no longer a knob. The climate control system has hard buttons located below the volume control dial. The MMI system also includes a floating panel with a drive selector that can be pushed forward and backward to engage different drive modes. There is also a button for park and traction control and a drive select function. One potential downside of the infotainment system is that it is finished in piano black, which can quickly become dirty and fingerprinted. The Premium Plus trim level includes satellite radio and a wireless phone charger. The charging pad holds your phone upright with a spring-loaded clip and can accommodate larger iPhones with a bumper case. The top Prestige trim level has a navigation system, a 10-speaker Sonos audio system, and an augmented reality head-up display. If you have a destination selected, this display will use animated arrows to indicate turns and lines to highlight the edges of curved roads.

Cargo Space

The 2023 Audi e-tron has a cargo capacity of 24.8 cubic feet behind the rear seats, which can be increased to 53.1 cubic feet when the seats are folded down. The Sportback model has slightly more cargo space, at 26.1 and 54.4 cubic feet, respectively. For even more space, the cargo floor can be dropped a few inches to create an underfloor compartment where you can store the included charging cable, as the 2023 Audi e-tron does not have a front trunk. However, it has ample storage space in addition to its cargo area, including average-sized cupholders, a storage bin in the armrest, and pockets on the doors. There is also a unique water bottle holder in the front doors that can hold a one-liter bottle. 

Audi Performance

Combined with the standard 40-horsepower single-motor drivetrain, the 2023 Audi e-tron battery pack has a capacity of 77.0 kWh and can deliver a range of up to 265 miles. You get 236 miles with the square back and 242 miles with the Sportback from the all-wheel-drive 50 powertrain setup. The e-tron 50 and  e-tron Sportback 50 models, which have an electric motor driving each axle, can give you 295 horsepower. The 2023 Audi e-tron can be fast-charged using DC chargers with a maximum capacity of 150 kW. This allows the battery to replenish from 5% to 80% in 36 minutes. A full charge takes 7.5 hours using a level 2 charger. 

The 2023 Audi e-tron may not have a one-pedal driving function, but it does come with steering wheel-mounted paddles that can increase or decrease regeneration when approaching slower traffic. This is helpful, although the brake pedal itself may not always smoothly combine regeneration and actual braking. 

e-tron Safety Features

The 2023 Audi e-tron is also one of the safest in its class according to Euro NCAP crash tests. It earned a full five-star rating. It received high marks in several categories, including adult safety, child passenger protection, pedestrian impact, and active safety systems. All e-tron models have standard safety features such as multiple airbags and Audi’s Pre-sense Front autonomous emergency braking system with pedestrian and cyclist detection, traffic sign recognition, and Swerve and Turn Assist. Meanwhile, higher trim levels offer additional safety features such as exit warning, rear cross-traffic assist, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and a reversing camera.”

2023 Audi e-tron Pricing and Options

SUV model is very much like the gas-powered Q4
Sportback model

The base 40 e-tron has a starting price of $49,995, which includes a $1,195 destination charge.

The dual-motor 50 e-tron costs an additional $5,000, and the Sportback model starts at $57,995. All Audi e-tron models come standard with several advanced safety features. These include a forward collision warning system that includes automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, a blind-spot monitor that offers rear cross-traffic alerts, and parking sensors in the front and rear of the vehicle. The Premium Plus trim adds adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. The top Prestige trim includes matrix-design headlights that block out parts of the high beams to prevent blinding other drivers and a traffic sign reader. 

If you feel like electric cars such as the Ford Mustang Mach-E, the Kia EV6, the Hyundai Ioniq 5, the Volkswagen ID.4, and Skoda Enyaq are overrated or are maybe too common, then the 2023 Audi e-tron is a great alternative. The 2023 Audi e-tron doesn’t advertise on speed but it’s an overall great purchase.  Experience a peaceful and smooth ride with the 2023 Audi e-tron, no matter the road conditions. This electric vehicle offers unparalleled comfort and ease, with no need for artificial engine noises, just silence, and great performance.