The 2022 Audi e-tron and e-tron Sportback represent the future of automobiles, powered not by fossil-fuel-burning combustion engines, but by electric motors.
With Tesla square in its sights, the 2022 Audi e-tron falls short of the Model X’s range but dominates in many other areas. Audi is known for its elegant cabins and high-quality materials, and here the e-tron knows no equal. However, the e-tron’s exterior isn’t as radical or forward-thinking as the Jaguar I-Pace and Tesla Model X, although it is less expensive.
Audi loads the e-tron with a generous standard equipment list and even more generous option sheet. The e-tron SUV and Sportback provide something for everyone, as long as everyone has more than $65,000 to spend on a car.
The difference between the e-tron SUV and e-tron Sportback is minor. The Sportback’s raked rear design makes it more stylish, even if it lessens interior cargo volume slightly.
One significant change for 2022 involves the trim lineup. The e-tron SUV and Sportback offer Premium and Premium Plus grades, but there is no Prestige trim in the SUV lineup. Instead, a new Chronos Edition takes its place. The Sportback keeps the Prestige option as its highest trim.
The other significant event is the arrival of the new-for-2022 Audi e-tron S and e-tron S Sportback. These are more powerful versions with three electric motors, as opposed to two in the rest of the e-tron lineup.
All 2022 Audi e-tron models are eligible for a $7,500 federal tax credit. There are also various state incentives. And Audi offers 250 kWh of free charging over two years using the Electrify America network.
2022 Audi e-tron Premium (Starting at $65,900), e-tron Sportback Premium (Starting at $69,100)
With a starting price over $65,000, the Premium trim has enough features to satisfy those more interested in the e-tron for its electric powertrain than for all-out opulence.
The e-tron and e-tron Sportback share the same dual asynchronous electric motors and 95.3 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. The combined output is 355 horsepower, with a jump to 402 horsepower for short sprints in Boost mode. The e-tron’s range covers an estimated 222 miles. An electric version of Audi’s Quattro all-wheel drive is standard.
The 2022 Audi e-tron Premium rides on 20-inch alloy wheels attached to an adaptive air suspension that varies the e-tron’s ride height up to three inches. The e-tron’s headlights and taillights use LED bulbs, and a rear spoiler sits atop the hands-free power liftgate.
The e-tron’s cabin is as luxurious as Audi can make it, with leather and Alcantara trim, leather upholstery, power-operated panoramic sunroof, and an 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with 4-way power lumbar support and memory. The front seats are heated, and the power tilt and telescoping heated steering wheel includes shift paddles and hands-on detection.
An 8-inch touchscreen controls the 4-zone climate system, and rear passengers have their own touch controls for the left and right seating positions. The system includes pre-heating and cooling when the battery is fully charged and can even be programmed to come on 30 minutes before a scheduled departure time.
A 10.1-inch touchscreen handles entertainment, Audi Drive Select, and navigation. Included in the e-tron’s navigation is a route planner that determines when and where you’ll need to recharge, then charts guidance to one of the many Electrify America charging stations.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto are present, as are two front USB ports. Audi Connect services are included with a limited trial to Connect Care emergency and car assist, Connect Prime, and Prime Plus with access to Wi-Fi, traffic conditions, and parking information.
Audi’s Virtual Cockpit replaces traditional analog gauges with a 12.3-inch configurable LCD view screen. Various display styles include a conventional speedometer or a full-screen 3D view of the navigation guidance using Google mapping.
Safety and driver-assist features are abundant in the 2022 Audi e-tron, beginning with eight airbags, including driver and front passenger knee airbags. Driver aids consist of automatic high-beam headlights, lane-keeping assist, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, front and rear parking sensors, Audi Pre-Sense Basic and rear pre-collision preparation, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.
Although Audi highly recommends using a high-voltage charging station, the e-tron does come with a compact charging system that can connect to 110- or 240-volt household outlets.
Optional equipment for the Premium trim includes the Convenience Plus package that adds Audi active lane assist with emergency intervention, a 360-degree camera system, plus adaptive cruise control with Traffic Jam Assist, Turn Assist, Maneuver Assist, and Predictive Efficiency Assist. The Black Optic package brings black exterior trim.
Other options include rear-seat side airbags and a tow package increasing the e-tron’s tow rating to 4,000 pounds.
With the $1,095 destination fee, the 2022 Audi e-tron Premium comes to $66,995. On a 60-month loan at 3%, the monthly payment is $1,204. See 2022 Audi e-tron Premium models for sale
2022 Audi e-tron Premium includes:
- Virtual Cockpit – Audi’s 12.3-inch digital display is calibrated especially for EV use, with configurable screens showing speed, power usage, infotainment, and navigation.
- Pre-Sense Basic – Can anticipate a collision or accident and preps the passenger compartment by tightening the seat belts and closing the windows and sunroof.
- Wireless Apple CarPlay – Allows connectivity with an Apple iPhone sans the wire. A USB port is still required for using Android Auto.
- Panoramic sunroof – Let in lots of light or — when open — lots of air.
2022 Audi e-tron Premium Plus ($74,800), e-tron Sportback Premium Plus ($78,000)
The Premium Plus trim adds all the features from the Premium’s Convenience package, plus ambient interior lighting, Matrix LED headlights with dynamic turn signals, LED taillights with animation, and ventilated front seats with 4-way power lumbar.
Audio duty is covered by a 705-watt/16-speaker Bang & Olufsen 3D Premium sound system, while smartphone charging is handled by a wireless charging pad with a signal booster.
Premium Plus trim offers a Black Optic package featuring 21-inch wheels and orange-painted brake calipers.
With destination, the 2022 Audi e-tron Premium Plus comes to $75,895. On a 60-month loan at 3% financing, the payment is $1,364, or about $160 more each month over the e-tron Premium. See 2022 Audi e-tron Premium Plus models for sale
2022 Audi e-tron Premium Plus includes:
- Adaptive cruise control – Allows the e-tron to maintain a safe distance from the traffic ahead. Traffic Jam Assist automatically regulates speed, braking, and acceleration in tight traffic.
- Bang & Olufsen 3D Premium audio – This amazing audio system pumps 705 watts through 16 speakers, filling the e-tron’s cabin with brilliant highs and booming bass.
- Ventilated front seats – The opposite of heated seats, these ventilated front seats move cool air along the occupant’s back and legs, helping to reduce sweating in hot weather.
- LED taillights with animation – Enhances the turn signal with a clever animated light show courtesy of the pre-programmed LEDs.
2022 Audi e-tron Sportback Prestige ($82,300)
For 2022, the Prestige trim is offered only on the e-tron Sportback.
This top-line e-tron Sportback includes all the Premium Plus standard and optional equipment, plus cool visual upgrades such as multi-color ambient interior lighting.
Upholstery consists of Valcona leather, and the heated and ventilated front seats gain a massaging feature. Also included are Intersection Assist (forward cross-traffic alert), head-up display, heated rear seats, and rear side-window shades.
Another Prestige-only feature is the Air Quality package that delivers various fragrances through an ionized air distribution system. Black roof rails and 21-inch wheels come with the Black Optic package.
Options for the Prestige include these two packages, rear-seat side airbags, and Digital Matrix LED headlights that can be programmed to project incredible animated light shows on walls or the ground.
With destination, the 2022 Audi e-tron Sportback Prestige costs $83,395, adding about $130 to the cost of a Premium Plus. See 2022 Audi e-tron Prestige models for sale
2022 Audi e-tron Sportback Prestige includes:
- Massaging front seats – Help relieve fatigue and muscle ache by moving the lumbar adjustment in multiple directions and various settings.
- Air Quality package – Allows occupants to select between winter and summer fragrances pumped into the cabin. The system has a calming effect on most people, with various levels ranging from subtle to strong.
- Side-window shades – Allows rear seat passengers to manually pull up side-window shades, perfect for when the sun’s relentless rays won’t let up.
- Head-up display – Projects essential information such as speed and navigation directions onto the windshield, allowing the driver to stay focused.
2022 Audi e-tron Chronos Edition ($83,400)
Unique to the e-tron SUV, the Chronos Edition features the same equipment as the e-tron Sportback Prestige but adds Chronos Gray exterior paint, S line exterior treatment, Black Optic package, black 21-inch wheels, rear-seat side airbags, and Volcano Gray ash wood inlays.
As the e-tron Sportback Prestige and e-tron Chronos Edition are only about $1,000 difference, the final monthly payments will be within $20 of each other.
See the Review and Road Test by KBB:
See 2022 Audi e-tron models for sale
2022 Audi e-tron S Premium Plus ($84,800), 2022 Audi e-tron S Sportback Premium Plus ($87,400)
New additions for 2022, the e-tron S and e-tron S Sportback each deploy three electric motors for a combined output of 402 horsepower (496 with Boost mode engaged) and a massive 717 lb-ft of torque. Maximum range is 208 miles, but that will be affected by the optional 21-inch wheels — 20-inch wheels are standard. The e-tron S Sportback is also offered with 22-inch wheels.
Every new e-tron S also comes with a sport-tuned adaptive air suspension, Nappa leather upholstery, power-adjustable steering column, and the B&O audio system. It’s equipped much like the regular e-tron in Premium Plus trim.
With the $1,095 destination fee, the 2022 Audi e-tron S Premium Plus comes to $85,895. On a 60-month loan at 3% and $5,000 down, the monthly payment is $1,543. See 2022 Audi e-tron S Premium Plus models for sale
2022 Audi e-tron S Prestige ($89,800), 2022 Audi e-tron S Sportback Prestige ($92,400)
This highest trim level of the e-tron S SUV and e-tron S Sportback variants adds side and rear windows of dual-pane acoustic glass (making the already super-quiet cabin even more serene), multi-colored ambient LED cabin lighting, rear side-window shades, and a head-up display.
With the $1,095 destination fee, the 2022 Audi e-tron S Prestige comes to $90,895. On a 60-month loan at 3% and $5,000 down, the monthly payment is $1,633. See 2022 Audi e-tron S Prestige models for sale
