When you think of luxury German vehicles, Audi is one of the top names that come to mind. When you think of EVs, they might not be the first one that pops into your head, but the automaker is working hard to change that.
2022 is going to be a big year for the Audi EV. The car manufacturer offers a wide range of electric vehicles, from sleek and sporty, to more utility-based vehicles. You’ll find that 2022 Audi electric vehicles are surprisingly affordable compared to some of its top competitors.
Technically, all the EVs that Audi offers are from the e-tron lineup. However, there are three main family groupings of EVs. Before we dive into the specifics of each model, here are some things that are available on all models.
All-wheel drive
Called e-torque vectoring plus in the GT models and quattro all-wheel drive in the e-tron and e-tron Q4, this all-wheel-drive capability is in all models.
Driver assistance
All EV models come equipped with Audi pre sense front-facing driver assistance. As far as side and rear driver assistance, it’s outfitted in all models, although it varies between cameras and radar detection.
Wireless Apple CarPlay
With all Audi EVs, you get the hands-free convenience of wireless Apple CarPlay.
Now that we’ve touched on what each model has in common, here’s a rundown of the three families of Audi EVs, describing their many features and distinguishing between all the model variations available.
Audi e-tron family
The Audi e-tron is a powerful, midsize SUV with a 4,000-pound towing capacity. If you want to take your e-tron off-road, you can do that with an air suspension that automatically adapts to your driving dynamics. With the e-tron, you’re getting a few inches more in the length and width department than its compact cousin, the Q4.
The e-tron is equipped with a 95 kWh battery that charges fully in 10.5 hours. The motor will let you hit 0-60 mph in 5.5 seconds. The 402 max HP output is set to max out at 124 mph. Audi’s driver assistance provides a unique virtual 360-degree rotating camera, allowing you to toggle between camera angles for lane changes.
Audi e-tron S (starting at $84,800)
With the e-tron S, you get everything you do with the regular e-tron but amped up slightly. This means you’re getting 94 more horsepower, shaving 1.2 seconds off your 0-60 time. This Audi EV also has three separate motors powering the quattro all-wheel drive, providing superior performance.
The Audi e-tron S has special exterior features, such as uniquely designed front and rear bumpers and aluminum finished roof rails and mirror housings. In the interior, you’ll enjoy lux diamond-stitched leather seats.
Audi e-tron Sportback (starting at $69,100)
The distinctive primary difference in the e-tron Sportback is all in the name — sportback. Although you’ll be sacrificing some cargo room, you’ll have a sleeker, more sporty-looking crossover.
Audi Q4 e-tron (starting a $43,900)
The Audi Q4 e-tron is the more affordable and slightly more compact version in the series. Audi says it’s the perfect balance between its Q5 and Q3. The Q4 isn’t designed for towing, and the 201 HP engine will get you from 0-60 mph in 7.9 seconds with a max speed of 99 mph. The Q4 comes with a smaller capacity battery (82 kWh).
While the Q4 seems lacking in many features, it has one that is unique to it. The Q4 is the first Audi model to feature an available augmented reality head-up display. So you get real-time vehicle info (speed, vehicle distance, and driving range) seamlessly right in your line of sight.
Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron (starting at $52,700)
The same goes for the Q4 as the regular e-tron — sportback means less cargo space and a sleeker design, but for more money.
Audi e-tron GT (starting at $102,400)
Rounding out the e-tron family is the sportiest and most costly GT series. At first glance, you can tell they are gunning for Tesla directly with this sleek four-door model.
First, let’s talk performance. The e-tron GT dual-synchronous motor delivers a whopping 522 HP, going from 0-60 mph in an impressive 3.9 seconds, with a max speed of 152 mph. Like the e-tron, you’ll get a super smooth ride with its adaptive air suspension.
A unique feature of the GT series is its e-sound technology. This tech incorporates the traditional sounds of a powerful combustion engine over the naturally quiet electric motor, giving you a more exhilarating experience. The sound can be adjusted both inside and out for urban and rural driving. You can hear a sampling of the sound on the Audi website.
The battery in the e-tron GT has the most capacity out of any of the series — a 93 kWh lithium-ion. The battery is capable of 270 kW charging using 800-volt technology, charging up to 75% of the battery in around 23 minutes on a public DC fast charger. There’s also an onboard route planner that pinpoints charging stations during long road trips.
The interior of the e-tron GT is “simply stunning” (as described on the Audi website). Its seats are outfitted in Dinamica and leatherette for a plush, luxurious feel. The driver and passenger seats have a cockpit feel, equipped with aluminum shift paddles behind the steering wheel coated with sustainable Alcantara material.
Audi RS e-tron GT (starting at $142,400)
The RS e-tron GT is the cream of the 2022 Audi electric vehicle crop. Like the S model of the regular e-tron, you’re getting a significant boost in power with the RS GT. You’ll get an additional 115 HP (637), lowering the 0-60 time to an incredible 3.1 seconds. With that added power, you’ll hear the difference with e-sound plus equipped in the RS.
Another distinctive feature of the Audi RS e-tron is its lightweight carbon-fiber roof, which gives it a lower center of gravity for increased performance. Also, inside the RS, you’ll find a sportier yet still luxurious design.
Final thoughts on Audi e-tron EVs
You can probably tell that, like many people, we’re excited to see Audi’s new line of 2022 e-tron EVs in action. There truly is something for everyone. Whether you have a need for speed, require something with enough power to tow, or just want a little more space for the family — Audi offers it.
