Audi e-tron Sportback Review

The Audi e-tron Sportback is a sportier-looking version of Audi’s large electric SUV - here’s everything you need to know about it

Strengths & weaknesses

The Audi e-tron Sportback is a large electric SUV that’s closely related to the Audi e-tron. The Sportback name signifies that this model has a different body style - it has a more sloped rear roofline than the e-tron, which gives it a sportier, more coupe-like appearance. It’s also a little bit more expensive than the normal e-tron like-for-like.

Here you can find out everything you need to know about the e-tron Sportback and also the e-tron S Sportback, which is treated as a separate model by Audi but is really just a top-spec version - it adds more powerful motors and has some other small tweaks, but it’s fundamentally very similar.

The e-tron Sportback has pretty much all the same traits as the normal e-tron SUV. It’s comfortable, easy to drive, roomy and fast, although the sloping roofline means there’s a bit less space inside. This is pretty much the only difference, though - when you’re driving, there is so little difference that you wouldn’t notice which version you are in without looking back to see the roof shape.

The e-tron Sportback is available with the same 50 quattro and 55 quattro variants as the standard version, which have 313hp and 408hp respectively, plus the e-tron S Sportback that has 503hp. However, the sleeker shape means that the Sportback models have a little more total range between charges - there’s a maximum of 259 miles available with the 55 quattro.

Rivals for the Audi e-tron Sportback are the same as those for the normal model, since it’s so similar overall. You could argue that the Jaguar I-Pace is even more of a rival for the Sportback than the normal e-tron, as it has a stylish design, and the Tesla Model X is less of a rival because of its greater interior space, but both could be considered as alternatives for the e-tron in both guises.

Should I get an Audi e-tron Sportback?

High-quality interior with lots of standard equipment
All versions are fast and easy to drive
Comfortable and really quiet, especially at low speed

More expensive than the normal e-tron
Less practical than the normal e-tron
Not as good to drive as the Jaguar I-Pace

If you are prepared to pay the extra money over a normal Audi e-tron to get the Sportback model’s sleeker looks, then it’s almost as good as that car - but since it’s less practical, even though it’s only by a small amount, you’ll have to really care about the way your car looks to make that decision. Looking at it pragmatically, the normal e-tron is the better buy.

You do get a little bit more range than with the normal e-tron but in reality the difference isn’t enough to make a difference. The e-tron has up to 254 miles of range and the e-tron Sportback has up to 259 miles, and that five-mile difference will be even smaller in real-world conditions. The e-tron Sportback is comfortable, quiet, easy to drive, packed with tech, roomy and has plenty of performance, so in isolation it’s an excellent electric family car.

Audi e-tron Sportback (2020-present): models explained

Audi e-tron Sportback

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Audi e-tron S Sportback

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Audi e-tron Sportback

The Audi e-tron Sportback is a large electric SUV that joins the normal Audi e-tron in the brand’s SUV range. It has a sleeker, more sloping roofline at the back than the e-tron, but the Sportback is otherwise extremely similar - from the front, you might never notice the difference.

The e-tron Sportback is available in the same 50 quattro and 55 quattro forms as the normal e-tron. The numbers show the power level of each version and 'quattro' is Audi’s name for four-wheel-drive, which all models use, as they have individual motors powering the front and rear wheels. The 50 has 313hp and can travel for up to 201 miles on a single charge, while the 55 has 408hp and can drive for up to 259 miles.

Audi e-tron S Sportback

The e-tron S Sportback is a more powerful version with 503hp. It’s able to go from 0-62mph in just 4.5 seconds, which is identical to the e-tron S. This version has a bit less total range than the 55 quattro model even though both use the same battery, at 224 miles according to official figures.

It’s pitched as the sportiest version and even sits as a standalone model on the Audi website, but you can consider the S model to be a top-spec version of the e-tron Sportback, as it’s not particularly sporty, because it’s a very heavy car.

The e-tron S Sportback has its own trim range, though: it’s available in S and Vorsprung forms.The base version gets 21-inch alloy wheels, a styling pack and a sporty steering wheel as standard, while the top-spec car has 22-inch rims, an upgraded sound system, a heated steering wheel and extra safety kit.

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Which Audi e-tron Sportback to buy: trim levels

Trim Equipment Deals
Audi e-tron Sportback Technik Limited stock: Even the entry-level model is really well equipped, and comes with 20-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, sat-nav, smartphone connectivity, digital dials and climate control.
Audi e-tron Sportback Sport Limited stock: Upgrade to the Sport model for different alloy wheels, sporty leather seats and a centre armrest. This version probably isn’t worth the extra cash - we’d skip straight to S line if you want to upgrade.
Audi e-tron Sportback S line Limited stock: This model comes with larger 21-inch alloys, adaptive LED lights, air suspension and tinted windows. The air suspension is the star of the show here and makes the car better to drive.
Audi e-tron Sportback Black Edition Limited stock: The Black Edition lives up to its name and has black exterior trim for a sportier look, plus dark 21-inch alloy wheels and a flat-bottomed leather steering wheel on the inside.
Audi e-tron Sportback Vorsprung Limited stock: The Vorsprung gets huge 22-inch alloy wheels, ‘super’ sports seats, adaptive 'Digital Matrix' LED lights and an upgraded Bang & Olufsen sound system.

 
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Best Audi e-tron battery and motor

As with the normal e-tron there are two batteries to choose from in the Sportback range: the 50 quattro and 55 quattro. The former uses a 71kWh battery and has a range of up to 201 miles from a single charge. The electric motors in this version produce 313hp and it can go from 0-62mph in 6.8 seconds.

To get the larger 95kWh battery you’ll want to move to the 55 quattro model, which has a range of up to 259 miles - the best of all the models in the e-tron lineup. It also has a more powerful motor with 408hp, so it can go from 0-62mph in just 5.7 seconds. This is our pick of the range, although if you mainly do local trips then the 50 model will be absolutely fine.

The top version is the e-tron S Sportback, which uses the same battery as the 55 quattro but has 503hp and can go from 0-62mph in just 4.5 seconds. This model is designed to be sportier to drive but it has a reduced range as a result and can manage only 224 miles on a single charge.

 

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Best Audi e-tron Sportback model for…

There are quite a few models in the e-tron Sportback range, from the base model 50 quattro Technik to the most expensive and flash e-tron S Sportback Vorsprung. As with virtually any car model range, there is a sweet spot to be found that balances price and the equipment you get, which in this case is skewed toward the lower part of the range, because you get loads of kit as standard.

A key decision will be which battery you choose, too - the 50 version will be perfect for people who are planning to use the car for local trips, while the 55 version is best for longer journeys. Both can be charged using rapid charge stations, though, so long trips are fine in any model as long as you stop in the right places to recharge.

Audi e-tron Sportback 50 quattro Technik: The entry-level model isn’t missing any key bit of equipment, so it’s the best value overall. The smaller battery still has plenty of range for most people and it’s comfy and easy to drive like all the other versions.
Audi e-tron Sportback 55 quattro S line: If you want to do some long family trips then the extra range of the 55 model is welcome, plus the air suspension you get as standard here means you can enjoy the driving experience more as well.
Audi e-tron S Sportback: The e-tron S Sportback has more than 500hp so it’s very fast and powerful. It’s no sports car, and the Jaguar I-Pace is better to drive, but it’s the one to go for if you only care about performance.
Audi e-tron S Sportback Vorsprung: This top-spec model is the least appealing from a value-for-money perspective - it has loads of kit, yes, but you pay a lot of money for that and the best parts of the e-tron Sportback are present in every version so you really don’t need to upgrade this far.

 

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Audi e-tron Sportback rivals

Jaguar I-Pace

BuyaCar prices from £20,199
Monthly finance from £298.28*

Mercedes EQC

BuyaCar prices from £27,758
Monthly finance from £465.87*

Tesla Model X

BuyaCar prices from £33,690
Monthly finance from £910.79*

The Audi e-tron Sportback has many of the same rivals as the normal e-tron, simply because there aren’t a lot of electric SUVs with a focus on style over practicality in the same vein as the Sportback variant.

This means the car is a rival for the Jaguar I-Pace, which is a bit smaller and not as practical but is better to drive, and the Tesla Model X, which is larger and more practical but expensive and doesn’t have the same level of quality as in the Audi.

There are some other alternatives including the Mercedes EQC, or even Audi’s own Q4 e-tron Sportback, which is a smaller model with the same flowing rear roofline design - and it’s even able to offer more range than the e-tron Sportback, though it’s not as roomy.

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Audi e-tron Sportback practicality: dimensions and boot space

Audi e-tron Sportback dimensions

The Audi e-tron Sportback and e-tron S Sportback are the same length, at 4.9m long, and height at 1.6m, but the S model is a bit wider. All variants are very big and heavy. This means that they’re not that easy to fit in tight spaces, though tech such as parking sensors helps with that.

These dimensions mean that the e-tron Sportback is a bit bigger than the Jaguar I-Pace, but smaller than the Tesla Model X. It’s also very close to the non-Sportback e-tron, although the different roofline means that there’s not quite as much space inside.

CLICK TO READ OUR FULL STORY ON AUDI E-TRON SPORTBACK DIMENSIONS

Length 4,901mm - 4,902mm Width 1,935mm - 1,976mm
Height 1,615mm - 1,616mm Weight 2,445kg - 2,730kg

 

Audi e-tron Sportback boot space

The e-tron Sportback’s boot is 615 litres, or 1,665 litres if you fold down the rear seats to open out the total space. This is a bit less than the 660 litres and 1,725 litres you get in the normal e-tron, but it’s still plenty for family life and although there’s a bit less headroom in the back as well, it’s not cramped inside.

Taller adults will prefer the back seats of the normal e-tron but the e-tron Sportback is still fine for most people and legroom is plentiful. It’s still a bit more practical than a Jaguar I-Pace, too, which has 577 litres of boot space, increasing to 1,453 litres with the seats folded.

CLICK TO READ OUR FULL STORY ON AUDI E-TRON SPORTBACK BOOT SPACE

Seats up 615 litres Seats down 1,665 litres

 

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Audi e-tron Sportback reliability

If you’re moving from a petrol or diesel car to an electric car then you should know that because there are fewer moving parts, it’s usually said that electric cars are much more reliable than what came before. There’s little data on the e-tron as compared to other electric cars yet, but there’s no reason to think it won’t be dependable.

The 2021 Driver Power customer satisfaction survey showed that Audi was in 23rd place out of 29 car manufacturers as rated by owners, which hints that the experience of buying and owning an Audi might not be up to scratch. Other premium car makers such as BMW were also rated poorly in the poll, though.

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Audi e-tron Sportback warranty

The Audi e-tron Sportback comes with an eight-year warranty for the batteries that covers you for up to 100,000 miles, but the rest of the car uses Audi’s standard warranty. That means all other parts of the e-tron Sportback are covered for 60,000 miles or three years, which is on par with most other car makers.

You can add to the warranty cover with one of Audi’s new car extended warranty packages. These will cover the car for up to four years or 75,000 miles or five years or 90,000 miles - giving you added peace of mind.

3 years 60,000 miles

AVERAGE REPAIR COST PAID BY WARRANTYWISE: £643 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON USED CAR WARRANTIES

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Used Audi e-tron Sportback: should I buy one?

The Audi e-tron Sportback is comfortable, easy to drive, packed with equipment, has a decent amount of range and is quiet and smooth on the move. It’s also fast and powerful no matter which model you choose, plus it has lots of room inside, a big boot and the interior is very high quality.

Yet, the normal version of the e-tron offers all of these traits with even more space inside and more rear headroom. It’s even a bit cheaper than the Sportback, so this version is our recommendation. If you really love the way the Sportback looks, it’s a great choice, but the presence of the better-value e-tron model shouldn’t be ignored.

You could also consider that Audi’s own Q4 Sportback e-tron model is much better value - it still has a good amount of space inside and offers more than 300 miles of range. It’s not as upmarket or luxurious as the e-tron Sportback but is definitely worth considering.

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Best Audi e-tron Sportback deals

Audi e-tron Sportback

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Audi e-tron Sportback S line

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Audi e-tron S Sportback

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The Audi e-tron Sportback 50 quattro Technik model is our pick of the range for value for money - it has enough range for most drivers, especially those who do mostly local trips, and lots of standard kit. It has a range of around 200 miles, but the ability to fast charge it means it could work for longer journeys, too.

The 55 quattro model is the better option for long journeys, though, as it can manage up to 259 miles of range on a single charge. The more powerful motor means that it’s also faster in a straight line, although none of the models in the e-tron Sportback range are particularly fun to drive beyond being able to accelerate quickly.

The S line trim comes with standard-fit air suspension, so could be worth looking out for. This tech allows you to choose between softer and firmer settings depending on the road you’re on, so it can make the car more comfortable or more enjoyable to drive when you need it.

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*Representative PCP finance - 2018 Ford Fiesta 1.0 ST-Line Hatchback:

  PCP representative example     APR rates available    
  Cash price £12,000 APR 7.90%   Value of loan From  
  Fixed monthly payment £218.12 Annual mileage of 8,000pa   £25,000+ 6.9%  
  Total cost of credit £2,755.55 Term 48 months   £12,000-£24,999 7.9%  
  Optional final payment £4,285.79 Loan value £12,000   £8,000-£11,999 8.9%  
  Total amount payable £14,755.55 Deposit £0   <8,000 9.9%  

 

BuyaCar is a credit broker, not a lender. Our rates start from 6.9% APR. The rate you are offered will depend on your individual circumstances.
 

Other Editions

e-tron (2018)

The Audi e-tron is a high-end electric SUV with a top notch interior, lots of equipment and plenty of range per charge