Test drive Audi e-tron Sportback 55 quattro: we travel with the 408 CV electric

Little by little the charging network is expanding along our motorways, and battery electric vehicles now have ever greater range, both factors allow us to set off on a trip or holiday over medium distances and not die trying.

Precisely to check whether it is possible to make a long journey with the Audi e-tron Sportback 55 quattro, we have carried out this test on the route between Madrid and Vigo. In total 606 km for an electric car that promises 400 km on the WLTP cycle. Can you travel with an electric car? Does this Audi e-tron Sportback meet its homologated range when we hit the motorway? We will answer all these questions in this test.

Design: strikingly eye-catching, above all because of its wing mirrors

The Audi e-tron Sportback is a very eye-catching SUV, firstly because it is something of an unknown compared with other electric alternatives, and secondly because of its striking camera-based mirrors (an optional extra).

Although its huge 21-inch wheels signed by Audi Sport are far from discreet, even the front is imposing, but nothing arouses more curiosity than the two side cameras that act as rear-view mirrors. Both have excellent resolution, showing what they record on two touchscreens inside the cabin (which allow adjustment).

The most notable thing about these “mirrors” is the good image quality: glare is avoided in particular, and they offer superior quality, even at night. That said, when it comes to manoeuvring with precision, during the days we tested this e-tron Sportback, I could not get used to the cameras. I find them imprecise when we have to manoeuvre accurately, and their adjustments are limited. The good part is that they incorporate blind-spot warning, making them very comfortable on country roads or motorways.

Inside, this SUV is very spacious, sharing technology with the top models of the four-ring brand’s range, standing out for its fit and finish quality. The dual screen lets us use the navigation, multimedia system, the climate control, and even “write” navigation addresses by hand.

The instrument panel is fully digital, so there are three screens spread throughout the cabin, which gives an avant-garde touch, together with the design of straight, multi-level lines, aimed primarily at the driver. Another detail I found interesting is the gear selector, very original, high quality and much more elaborate than in other premium or similar electric vehicles.

The front seats are very comfortable, with a high but comfortable driving position. In our unit they had multiple electric adjustments, massage function, ventilation (highly recommended if you opt for leather) and heating. Thanks to the various adjustments, we will not suffer on a long journey.

The rear seats are spacious, wide enough for three adults, and two will ride as in a saloon. The coupé-style roofline slightly limits headroom, although fortunately there is more than enough legroom.

The boot has a high loading lip, electric tailgate and false floor. It has a capacity of 550 litres, the 60 litres of the false floor standing out.

Engine and performance: 408 CV, two motors and quattro all-wheel drive

The Audi e-tron Sportback 55 has two electric motors (one on each axle) which together deliver 408 CV of power, with 664 Nm of torque. That said, the weight (2.5 t) and its dimensions play a decisive role in its performance, with a 0 to 100 km/h acceleration in 5.7 seconds. As a note on the photograph, since the motors are located on the axles, there is plenty of space under the bonnet, which is used as an extra compartment to store the charging cables, for example.

It is a car that gains speed quickly, but its weight is noticeable and it is certainly not light. It stands out for smoothness, as a good electric car should, and in dynamic mode we get a behaviour that comes closer to the 408 CV shown on the specification sheet.

Handling: extremely versatile

If we want a car that performs well in all kinds of environments, the Audi e-tron Sportback undoubtedly fulfils its purpose. Proof of this are the different driving modes it offers: Off-Road, All-Road, Efficiency, Comfort, Dynamic and Individual.

These modes affect the feel and immediacy of the accelerator, the firmness of the steering and the height of the air suspension, which is very practical, as it allows stable driving at high speeds or calm driving on a broken road or unpaved track.

In dynamic mode, its horsepower is noticeable, although it is still not a sports car: it gains speed quickly and corners very well despite its dimensions. We will not miss power at any point, and the air suspension in its lower, firmer setting gives us stability.

In efficiency mode, low consumption takes priority: the response is more delayed and lazy, but ideal for day-to-day use or when we want to save energy. Comfort mode improves accelerator response but keeps the suspension in a soft setting to filter road imperfections.

The All-Road mode stands out. It seems a priori nonsensical (having a dedicated Off-Road mode), but in reality it has proven otherwise. In this mode it raises the suspension almost to the top, only one level below the Off-Road mode, while optimising traction. It is a practical mode for driving on tracks or uneven asphalt, where the suspension reacts much more gently (it is also very handy for areas with many speed bumps).

The Off-Road mode fully raises the traction, disconnects the stability control and prepares the drivetrain for use entirely off the asphalt, also providing hill descent control. It is a mode more suited to off-road routes, always bearing in mind that this is an SUV and not a true off-roader.

Battery: 95 kWh (86.5 kWh usable), allowing it to reach 400 km of range

Is it possible to reach the 417 km of range this e-tron Sportback is homologated for? Yes, although it will be on country roads or motorways driving in efficient mode. If you have decided on an e-tron, better the 55 version, which offers a 95 kWh capacity (86.5 kWh usable).

The battery can be charged at up to 150 kW, although unfortunately there are hardly any places to charge at that power. If we have a 150 kW fast-charging post we can charge from 0 to 80% in about 50 minutes.

If we charge at a CCS Combo 50 kW connector, we can go from 0 to 80% in 80 minutes. At 22 kW semi-fast charging points this e-tron Sportback charges at only 11 kW, so the average full charge time is around 8 hours.

Finally, charging from a standard socket at 2.3 kW, the time needed to charge fully exceeds 40 hours (on average, over 10 hours — depending on the power available — it can charge 10-20% from this kind of socket). During the test we plugged it in several times to a standard socket that did not reach 2.3 kW, so each night it charged 10-12%.

As a practical detail, it has two charging ports on either side, one fast (CCS Combo) and the other standard, and the flap closes automatically when we disconnect the charger.

Consumption: high relative to its rivals, reasonable for its performance and size

Average motorway consumption on the Madrid to Vigo route, with air conditioning on and cruise control at 120 km/h, was 23 kWh, while consumption in urban environments or short journeys is around 28 kWh.

The best figure we obtained on a long country road journey with calm driving, where the figure drops to 20-21 kWh.

So reaching those 417 km of range is feasible, but only if we drive on country roads and are careful with the accelerator.

On the road: Madrid > Vigo in real driving conditions

The range test could not have had a better scenario: a very hot day (around 30 degrees outside) and a motorway journey between Madrid and Vigo (specifically Nigrán) covering an exact distance of 606 km. The challenge was to make the trip with just one charging stop and therefore not waste too much time, something that seems easy with this Audi which promises 400 km of range.

Leaving Madrid the heat is intense, so I set the climate control to 22.5 degrees in automatic mode, and since it has ventilated seats, I also switch on the driver’s seat at the lowest level.

I enter the destination in the navigation and I notice, curiously, that the range shown drops (it is very curious that when entering a destination the range becomes conservative), and very helpfully the navigation system tells me my destination is beyond the car’s range, and asks whether I want to look for a charging point. Unfortunately, the databases of all the electric vehicles I have tested barely list charging points, so I ignore it, because the point I want to use is not in the database anyway.

The plan is to stop at Villalpando (an Easycharger point), a stop that is 233 km from Madrid and 370 km from Nigrán. I continue on the route and for now the range is sufficient, contrary to what the navigation system suggests. But, despite the heat, the air conditioning and everything else, on arrival I still have more than 25% battery capacity left.

During the stop, after connecting it to a CCS Combo 50 kW connector, in just over an hour, the e-tron Sportback is fully charged to continue the journey. After the charging stop I run the numbers again and theoretically it would reach the destination (370 km) without recharging, but with very little battery to spare, so after 200 km I decide to stop again for just 15 minutes in Puebla de Sanabria at a fast-charging point (CCS Combo 50 kW) to make sure of the range without any scares.

In short, with its 86 kWh batteries we covered 600 kilometres with two stops — one of them very brief, adding up to a total charging time of an hour and a half.

Equipment: technologically complete

As a good premium SUV, this Audi has a huge range of available equipment, standing out especially the driver assistance systems (blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control with steering-wheel controls, etc.).

On the downside, the sensitivity of its sensors is such that at the slightest thing they warn us of a collision risk, that we are very close to another vehicle when parking, that something has come close to our side. In short, its sensitivity surprised me.

The navigation and entertainment system is very complete, with all kinds of functions and easy ways to enter data, such as writing a destination or the precise voice control that lets us operate the whole system easily.

As is often the case with electric vehicles, this Audi e-tron Sportback had a programmable climate control, a real advantage for when we go to the beach and want the car to be cool on our return, or in winter, when we get in and want a comfortable temperature.

Verdict and price

What I liked most about the e-tron Sportback is its versatility, and that is why it has no rival. Let me explain: there are several electric cars on the market, but there are no 100% electric cars with all-wheel drive, adjustable air suspension and certain off-road capabilities. This SUV allows us, in electric mode, to enjoy off-road outings or more agile, sporty driving, all without resorting to a combustion engine or a hybrid system.

Its efficiency as an electric car can be improved; there are other electric cars on the market that are more efficient and manage to cruise on the motorway below 20 kWh, but it makes up for this with its practicality in other areas.

The starting price for this Audi e-Tron Sportback is 74,520 euros, although the 55 version with greater electric range rises to 87,000 euros base price.

That said, the arrival of this Audi e-Tron Sportback, in terms of finish, technology and performance, is in line with its price, something not all electric cars can boast.

Photos | Test team