Key Takeaways
- The Audi This fall e-tron Sportback e-tron now presents extra energy and effectivity, making it a compelling choice.
- Regardless of minimal modifications in appears to be like and design, the increase in efficiency is a significant enchancment.
- Practicality is a key characteristic of the Audi This fall, however premium fashions include a hefty price ticket.
I loved my latest encounter with the Audi Q8 e-tron, even when it was just a little too massive for my wants. It’s a typical problem: Choose your manner by means of the best electric car choices on the market and bulk is a daily characteristic. Fortunately, the This fall e-tron Sportback comes as a way more manageable package deal. In actual fact, so far as SUV designs go, I’d say it’s nearly proper for what I need from this kind of EV.
We’ve reviewed earlier incarnations of the Q4 e-tron and the Q4 e-tron Sportback, each of which had been strong sufficient propositions. Whereas it’s not a lot totally different to have a look at from the skin, Audi has furnished the latest version of the This fall with some refined tweaks that assist make the EV even higher than earlier than. A lot of the enchantment revolves round extra energy and improved effectivity, with the mannequin you see right here packing 335bhp through a twin motor, fully-automatic setup. So, if you’d like sportiness, with out the dimensions, the Audi This fall e-tron might be for you.

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Value, availability, and specs
The Audi This fall e-tron can get costly, particularly when put up in opposition to one thing just like the vastly fashionable Tesla Mannequin Y. The Sportback mannequin begins at $58,200 within the US. My take a look at automotive got here with all of the toys although, which ramps up the on-the-road worth to a hefty £64,185 (almost $83,000).
Design and construct
Enterprise as regular
Whereas the newest iteration of the This fall e-tron may not be dramatically totally different from its predecessors, Audi has made some minor design changes. The LED headlights on my automotive appeared nice and, higher nonetheless, they had been glorious after darkish. I’m into the smoother look of the outside, with the entrance finish being improved by some trim elaborations. The impact on the again is strong too, with the taillight bar working effectively.
Contemplating it is a mid-size SUV, I believe the general look of the Audi This fall is kind of conservative and having much less bulk to cope with, as per the Q8 e-tron means it is rather more inviting. Area ranges are nonetheless good although, and I significantly just like the trunk space, with a powered liftback that opens as much as reveal a pleasant flat loading entry level and loads of room for absolutely anything actually. Granted, the Audi This fall e-tron is not probably the most thrilling factor I’ve seen this 12 months, however it’s undeniably sensible.
A refreshing inside
Predictable however sensible
I can’t say I discovered the This fall e-tron presents a dramatically totally different expertise from the Q8, however that’s hardly a criticism. The Audi design group has caught to its tried and examined inside formulation, which implies a cockpit that’s purposeful reasonably than thrilling, whereas nonetheless managing to be comfy. This extends to the rear seats too, with lots of storage choices for passengers to maintain their stuff shut at hand. On a regular basis requirements like energy plugs fall simply handy too.
Again up entrance, I nonetheless discover the gloss black plastic a bit distracting as a consequence of how reflective it may be in harsh daylight. However, the general impact is spectacular, and I additionally love the body-color matched dashboard trim elements, which looks like lots of effort to go to. Fairly how many individuals will discover this stubble contact stays to be seen, however commendable ending and a eager eye for element is what ceaselessly units the premium German manufacturers other than the competitors.
The know-how breakdown
Heaps to boost the journey
Audi’s infotainment system has been round for some time now and feels virtually interchangeable regardless of the mannequin I drive. That’s positive by me as it really works effectively, and I’m not confronted with spending time selecting by means of menus and sub-menus attempting to get my head round it. Central to the options and performance is the marginally enlarged 11.6-inch central touchscreen, which is as crisp and clear as I’ve present in some other Audi.

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Battery, vary, and efficiency
Higher vary and punchier too
I’ve been vastly impressed with the This fall e-tron Sportback. It feels rather more targeted than that massive and ponderous Q8 e-tron, which was enjoyable however simply felt just a little too unwieldy in tight areas. The This fall is extra fascinating to drive and positively extra manageable. In actual fact, with that additional energy on faucet, there’s lots of enjoyable available, and it is a lot simpler to steer round slim roads with out breaking into a chilly sweat as partitions and hedges get perilously shut, like they do with the Q8 e-tron.
The This fall is extra fascinating to drive and positively extra manageable.
Unsurprisingly, the This fall e-tron Sportback excels on the freeway too, with glorious journey high quality and close to silent drivetrain providing a really stress-free expertise. That is supplemented by the improved vary, which for this mannequin is formally 323 miles. I discovered the determine to be fairly correct too, and contemplating its design, the mid-size SUV is definitely fairly frugal with regards to energy consumption.
Naturally, at any time when I began enjoying round with the drive modes, the efficiency did undergo, however general, I believe the This fall e-tron Sportback takes the stress out of longer journeys. It is a feisty factor although, with the This fall e-tron able to accelerating from zero to 60 miles in simply 5.4 seconds, though the highest pace is a barely much less spectacular 112mph. I did discover that acceleration was greater than able to catching passengers unaware. The utmost charging price is as much as 175kW as effectively, which is respectable sufficient for fast pitstops out on the street.
Must you purchase the Audi This fall e-tron Sportback
The Audi This fall e-tron Sportback may not appear like a brand new automotive, and I get that the familiarity would possibly make anybody surprise in regards to the enchantment of this newest version. Nevertheless, the actual magic arrived after I obtained behind the wheel of this mid-size SUV as a result of it delivered some actual surprises as soon as I hit the street. Higher nonetheless, it is a automotive that’s splendidly comfy, with that aspect of issues being helped immeasurably by the 20-inch wheels shod with fairly excessive profile tires. Anybody eager to personal a mid-size SUV that’s each potent and extra environment friendly than ever would do effectively to get behind the wheel of 1 pronto.
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