Audi introduced its e-tron electric SUV for 2019. Now it has followed it up with the 2020 Audi e-tron Sportback. The two models are mechanically identical and mainly differ in styling. Put simply, the Sportback is a regular e-tron with a tapered rear roofline. It looks sleeker than the regular e-tron but has a little less rear headroom and cargo capacity. The e-tron — regular or Sportback version — is one of just a few luxury electric SUVs available.
The Audi e-tron Sportback matches the power output of the standard e-tron at 355 horsepower and 414 lb-ft of torque. A special Boost mode can be activated to increase output to 402 hp and 489 lb-ft, but only for 8 seconds. That was sufficient enough to propel the standard e-tron to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds at Edmunds’ test track. The Sportback feels just as lively when given the juice, and we expect it to return similar, if not slightly quicker, times.
The Audi e-tron Sportback has many things going for it. We think it’s a bit more practical and solidly built than Tesla’s Model X with a quieter and more luxurious cabin. But the Tesla certainly has more attractive numbers when it comes to range, performance and price. The Sportback’s loss of rear headroom and cargo space isn’t a huge compromise. But when combined with a higher price, it’s hard recommending it over the more conventional e-tron SUV.
The 2020 Audi e-tron Sportback is offered in three trim levels: Premium Plus, Prestige and Edition One. Power is derived from the 95-kWh battery pack and sent to a pair of electric motors. There’s one in front and one in back, making the e-tron all-wheel-drive. Maximum output is 355 horsepower with a boost up to 402 horsepower and 490 lb-ft of torque in Sport mode for up to 8 seconds. Range is estimated to be 218 miles, and the e-tron has fast-charging capability up to 150 kW.