What's the point of the Audi e-tron 50 SUV? In-depth 2021 review with Ginny Buckley / Electrifying

[@Plex86]

Sold around 11k here in Norway . So all depends on the charging setup in a country . Here everyone who buy a car have charging st home and we have plenty of 150 KW chargers in Norway

[@markbaarsbergen36]

So I get the range feedback. But here in NL, as well as in Norway, we’ve got loads of fast chargers. Lease fee and EV tax is cheap and majority of people don’t drive > 260Km per day. So only on your annual road trip to go skiing you’ll have to charge fast 3 times (25min) and also Germany has fairly ok (and expanding) fast charge coverage. I therefore wonder if the Etron 50 misses its purpose or the UK just misses proper fast charging infra.

[@welfiblablabla]

You guys in the UK should finally get some more HPChargers so you can stop bitching about slow charging speeds...😅 the eTron is the charging king among non-tesla EVs, which makes it more than capable to make longer trips😉

[@intothemultiverse1033]

Or as you allude to...get a Tesla 😉 and have no charging worries.

[@attilaistok6168]

Agree.. but with brexit they might go back to 43kw ? 😁

[@onthefly7265]

the Range is so bad

[@drew9312]

Charging king? Are you joking? The range is terrible, as is performance and handling, especially for the price.

[@welfiblablabla]

@@drew9312 Have you actually driven one? Because it drives so well.

[@kong_oystein]

We have a e-tron 50 and a e-golf (6 years now). We do cross country trips with our kids several times a year, even at wintertime. The e-tron i our primary car, and i just really good. As one of my collegues said «the children has lesser range, than your car» The one charge we need, fits perfectly with a short rest and a hot dog 😀. Well, I chould mention that we live in Norway...with plenty of 150 KW superchargers, and 50 % of all car sales is electric. When i check my driving statistics, about 1 % of our trips in the e-tron requires charging on the road. Both the e-tron and the e-golf is perfect for both daily commuting and for longer trips👍😎 , at least for my family!

[@jonbolger3564]

I get mine next week - never driven Audi before, and I can't wait to drive this - it is a superb car and does all and more that I need - as always, there is a car for everyone and this one is for me!

[@KV-zg3oh]

How are you finding it jon

[@REV-EV]

160 miles of real-world range in such an expensive luxury car absolutely sucks. I think Audi needs to work hard on reducing weight and improving efficiency so that the customer feels the value of their investment on the road.

[@chrisbeale9022]

All these reviews talk about ‘eeking out the range’, in this case to 160 miles. You can knock another 20 miles off that in the real world unless you are prepared to arrive at a charger with nothing in the battery (and there happens to be one exactly where you need it). I drove an E-tron 55 for 2000 miles over four weeks in the UK, carefully and within speed limits, and never managed more than 165 miles before battery level and charger route planning forced a charging stop. I met another 55 owner at Ionity Gretna a few weeks ago who had not managed better than 170 miles from his car. Reviews should talk about ‘practical range’ which takes into account battery reserve and charger availability. I’m not excluding Tesla from that as, although the charger infrastructure is better at the moment, there isn’t availability everywhere. I drive an I Pace which is better than any E-tron at about 220 miles ‘practical range’ and it’s just about usable as a business car with the odd inconvenient diversion to en route charge. ‘Practical range’ needs to be 300 miles before an EV can be considered effortless to operate and only Tesla can do that at the moment.

[@jericoba]

I’m sorry but, isn’t the point of EVs the fact that they have an electric motor? Is not Tesla’s success story that they managed to make an EV that is suited as an everyday, normal car yet fully electric? Why should EVs be quirky? Sure, they can have new useful features but that isn’t really the EV’s private party trick. I’m not saying this Audi is the best EV, it’s not, but looking and feeling like a ”normal” car is not automatically bad. Again, what sets EVs apart from the ICE lineup is that fact they have a different drivetrain. That’s basically it, albeit an absolute essential difference.

[@tomattime]

Another excellent and honest review. The reduced battery size and corresponding range is inexplicable for a vehicle that should be wafting along the motorways (when we can again!)

[@JeanPierreWhite]

It's a bit unfair to keep going back to the 90 minute charge time on a 50kW charger. The 150kW chargers will come and this car is ready for that. In Europe the e-tron has proven to be one of the fastest charging EV's out there and it keeps charging quickly up to high SOC levels. This is a key feature which is a sleeper feature for now in the UK, but its strength will come to pass.

[@marlenevenaas7803]

E-tron 50 can be charged at the maximum of 125 kW

[@h.-j.schneckenburger785]

In Germany, there is a simple reason for this model ... The e-tron 50 is subsidized by the state with the environmental bonus because of the base price of fewer than 60,000 euros. But I am of the opinion that Audi has to work on the efficiency of this model ..

[@SirHackaL0t.]

Which cars have issues with hill starts? I’ve never heard of anyone having an issue with a hill start in an EV.

[@davidkniveton7792]

I know exactly what the point of that Audi is - it's to pose on the school run and in the gym car park, same as almost every other SUV

[@drew9312]

Totally agree- the e-tron is particularly poor value (e.g. range, performance, handling, no OTA updates) for the high price.

[@KV-zg3oh]

Yep looking forward to this in March

[@kone1976]

Most boring review of etron. Moaning about the battery size pretty much through out. Only issue in UK is lack of 150kwh charges at the moment. For most people 130 miles a day is more that enough. Charging times are quoted from nearly empty to full. Most people will keep charge 20-80%. Although Audi doesn’t really slow down charging at the top end. Please get the facts right if you start quoting numbers.

[@alexdalgleish1061]

Came up with a random city, Oxford. 100-150kw CCS expect to travel 9-30 miles to find these. Could save a little time over 50kw one but not much.

[@daveiwhittle]

Mm maybe things have moved on since this video with respect to charging stations but on my longer journeys I have been able to find rapid chargers, the rest of what you said is fair enough. I still love driving it though although I do have another EV that I use every day 🙂

[@drew9312]

Really good, honest review. You’ve been much more refreshingly critical than many established motoring journalists (mostly men)- well done for bravely commenting on the negatives too. I thought the same after having a loan of this car.

[@Chriswales]

All good points but it's still likely to sell since you won't have to pay the London congestion charge with one. Just had a look and the ones on sale have less than 10,000 miles so they are being used as 2nd cars for the very rich.

[@angela1984a]

It could also have been sized as an A4 Avant, A5 Sportback or A6 Avant. But unfortunately SUV's sell and that's why almost every EV is also an SUV/Crossover... Audi's second EV however seems to be A5 Sportback/A7 sized. Hopefully that form factor will be more efficient...

[@agordonforme6797]

Who cares about range at the moment. I’ve done 1500 miles in 8 months including 2 weeks on holiday in Devon.........

[@jorgel2329]

Beautiful etron

[@keitharksey8622]

very confused ref towing limit..... apparantly 35 and 40 can only tow 1000kg braked and the 50 can only tow up to 1200kg. Whilst my seat ateca 1.5 petrol can pull 1600kg... Crazy

[@msngth]

Did you move out from carbuyer?

[@Krylle]

No one charges to 100% (90 minutes) on a road trip. From 5-10% and up to 80%, the Audi e-Tron is one of the fastest cars on the market. If you doubt it, watch TeslaBjørns videos. Calling it a "second car" (because it's to no use of anything else) is just ... well... it makes you sound exactly like all the old ICE-review-men.

[@alexc6946]

I really enjoy your reviews. It feels like you’re telling a story and the flow is great. Keep it up. I’m a subscriber :)

[@alexdalgleish1061]

Great review as always. But missed interesting bits. Could you do easy motorway miles to a 150kw charger, you have got an hour's time saving to play with. Also being smaller size in kw than planned, price should have dropped as a result. Bet deal to be had on a nearly new one if bide your time too.

[@benrgrogan]

At the moment at least it seems most of the 150kw chargers are in the South East of the UK, so it's not feasible for many of the commuters in the UK who'd most benefit from the chargers.

[@kellymay9826]

I don’t have one yet but I’d echo the Norway hotdog comment, you’d usually want a stop around that range.

[@nigelweir3852]

It really does live up to its name after all

[@DanRyzESPUK]

Thanks for the honest review! Keep it up!

[@26DR715]

Lovely car but bloody expensive i will stick with my i3, looking stunning as usual ginny ❤

[@paddyc20]

I have 2 i3 an just bought one of these.

[@JC-jv3qq]

Agree that Audi's regeneration strategy is bad. One pedal driving is absolutely amazing.

[@MMM18092]

It's manually adjustable. The reviewer didn't know that.

[@JC-jv3qq]

@@MMM18092 I’m familiar with the left gearshift paddle trick. Unfortunately it forgets this setting fast. So you have to restore it often. There’s also a general setting that will allow more regeneration, but it’s still very weak compared to Tesla,i3,Leaf

[@MMM18092]

@@JC-jv3qq Thanks, didn't know that. Strong regen isn't for everyone but I agree it's nice to have the choice.

[@swampy1234]

What's the diff between technik and black edition?

[@paddyc20]

What looks mega. One looks shit ha

[@paddyc20]

Its a q8. Not a q7

[@Wasabi9111]

I’m in search of the ultimate isolation/relaxation vehicle and the etron is the best that I’ve driven so far under $90k usd. But as an EV, it’s lacking. Are there other cheaper options? The ipace and taslas are very loud on the highway.

[@bimlico]

160 miles or 257 kms range? Are you kiddin me? I recently filled my 9 year old BMW 520d. I did 350kms, mostly at motorway speeds. The computer showed I was getting 53mpg. Amazing economy. It was smooth and quiet, and I still had 720kms left before needing to refill, which I could have done in 3 mins, at any one of thousands of filling stations. Your point about 90 mins in a filling station with cranky kids is well made. I ain't getting rid of my diesel anytime soon.

[@timcostello4408]

A great review with a clear position on the purpose of the car

[@rtfazeberdee3519]

it should have been A3 size.

[@angela1984a]

It could also have been A4 Avant, A5 Sportback or A6 Avant sized. But unfortunately SUV's sell and that's why almost every EV is also an SUV/Crossover...

[@bavariancarenthusiast2722]

That's already on the market, called ID3....and there will be the Q40 coming - looking really good

[@davidmordecai9890]

No one pedal driving is a deal breaker. It’s the best thing about driving an EV.

[@bimlico]

That was a very honest review Ginny. For once you weren't banging the drum about EVs being the answer to all our environmentalists bleating. You honestly showed the shortcomings of this car, and they are many. We all know that the infrastructure for EVs simply doesn't exist at present, and I for one will not be ditching my diesel until the infrastructure is hugely improved. 90 mins to charge on a Bank Holiday weekend, and that's if the damned thing is working or doesn't have a huge queue. No chance. Then think about restless kids in the back. NOOOOO thank you.

[@StrikerTube]

Depends on the country you live in. here in Norway insfrastructure is great and A LOT of people have their own chargers at home. Goverment support neighborhoods if they want to set up a electric charger at home.

[@drew9312]

Yes, had a decent loan for 4 days from Audi. I wouldn’t comment without driving it. I will admit it was comfortable & well made like my previous high performance Audis but disappointing otherwise.

[@MMM18092]

The regen function has nothing to do with the brakes. Plus the E-tron has manually adjustable regen (that's what the padels are for). Pretty poor reviewer not to know these basics.

[@donvanvliet9477]

Do you know the basics? The brake pedal is not directly connected to the brakes. When you press it, the car will decide whether to use just regen or to also apply the discs. You look when you brake, you will see the power meter showing how much regeneration the car is deciding to use whilst you brake. You will see that the braking system uses far more regeneration when braking than even the second level of regen that is available when selected by using the paddles.

[@christianbjurstedt1911]

@@donvanvliet9477 Thanks, not sure why I didn’t know that.

[@herbman8]

But it can't do over the air software update nothing new and exciting to look forward to . yikes ☹

[@ronbiggs53]

Not everyone wants to be seen by family and friends as some Eco warrior by owning an EV. In fact I believe the marketing philosophy from the car industry has actually slowed its progress, who wanted to own a Prius 10 years ago, or in fact today! Make EV,s look futuristic, ok, but not Eco Warrior. Tesla showed the industry the way ahead and the sluggish car industry are scrambling to catch up; beautiful high tech is the future, not quirky idiosyncratic.

[@anthonyworley2891]

This is a Audi but it not going to bring new people to the brand. Think about it I live on the south coast and I just need to pop up to say Oxford. Yes do the maths its just not going to work unless you have the time to find a fast recharging point. These cars are bought by people who are using them as a tool for work and time costs money so you are right Ginny that it can only be used as a second car. Seems to me that it is too expensive to just sit on the drive saying to the world look at me I’m a runabout that is too big to pop to the local shops.

[@jaz4280]

Dated, or soon will be. Suits traditional Audi people! Will it be enough to be profitable for the company. Good balanced review.

[@BHBeckenbauer]

My neighbour just got one and says he’s getting 140 miles range in current temperatures. I get 160+ from my i3 😁

[@thestreets2954]

i agree

[@robsmith1a]

They are way behind Tesla when it comes to efficiency. Inefficiency also means less miles added per minute charging. I am biased because I don't really enjoy driving large cars (especially if they are also quite wide). Assuming battery supply issues are resolved in a couple of years these will probably depreciate quickly making them into a viable second car.

[@billturner6564]

It's of no concern that the 50 has a range of 160 miles because the 55 has a range of 210 miles and that's utterly useless as well 😅 so just get the cheaper 50 and use it as a city run about... that's what it is I just did a 4400 mile holiday in Europe in my old diesel A6 I did 700 miles per tank with a roof box and bike rack it took me 5 minutes 2 fill up and I never ever worried about finding fuel ... I stoped at 2am in Germany for a P and there was an Etron at the charger the guy was just staring at his phone in front of the car for 10 minutes then he got in his car and moved 2 the next charger and then the next after 15 minutes I drove of and left hi there stood in front of the charger at 2 am ...... I got 2 my hotel in France about an hour later and as I fell asleep I wondered if that poor guy was still stood there ? EVs ate totally useless for normal transport They are a religious artificial of faith for the very ritch 😂 Diesel is millions of times better less pouting and safer but you choose to tax it in to oblivion So people will be forced to wast there life at the side of the road 😅 I will buy an Audi etron soon because here in Britain in 2024 I can buy a 2020 car with 40 thousands miles for 15000£ I can charg it at home for 7p kilowatt and pay 0.00 tax But it will be a second/ there'd car and will not be taken out of the city Everyone can see how popular this car is because a 2020 Q7 is still 32.000£ right now 😅

[@Reddylion]

Nice electric car.

[@cadriver2570]

I really feel like animal skin seats shouldn't be a highlight for the upper trim levels. It's terrible for animals, and the environment. We should look to more sustainable materials in EVs.

[@quincys4823]

It's a Q8

[@TheGolfer29]

The infrastructure isn’t in the UK to purchase or lease a fully electric car. Hybrid is the way forward

[@douglasallingham-mills3216]

NO RANGE NO NETWORK MORE LIES

[@Ro32da72]

An enthusiastic review of a car that, unfortunately, looks almost obsolete before it's on sale. And what are they ~£60k - crikey. For that kind of money I'd want more than 'normal'.

[@JustinReidUK]

Woah!!!! Asking us to click like, subscribe and bell notify one the video/KZbin.... Whoop! Makes a refreshing change to your co presenter telling us to go to your website to do it *face palm*. He's about as technological as Drop Dead Fred. With the overt drive to get website add revenue I've always skipped KZbin adds but if you carry on getting the interaction terminology right then I don't mind watching a few adds here. Btw, I have been to your site a couple of times but was underwhelmed and wondered why I was there. Now I'm over the shock of the KZbin terminology I'm going to have to watch the video again, should help your viewing figures a little 😂

[@midlandgeordie]

An impractical 2nd car!!! You will need to be very rich!!

[@oldfossil8670]

Well I think most Audis are rented

[@tommyvercetti7854]

when will legacy automakers stop trying to make "second cars"?

[@pigeonpoo1823]

This is, first and foremost, a tax and congestion charge dodge. So Audi knows it will sell even if it had a couple of Double A's with the range of an unfit cyclist. But this monster is saving the planet, so you know, thanks lawmakers

[@oliverstemp9132]

So don't buy this one then

[@minniesaab7255]

💚💙💚💙💚💙💚

[@mrmuds8624]

Yet another sort of stupid review. How often do you really do more 120-150 miles in a day? I can't remember the last time I did that sort of miles in a single day. This whole thing about it only being suitable as a second car is a whole load of twoddle. I'm pretty sure I've read that the average UK commuter journey is something 30 miles in a day. Even on a 3 pin plug over night, it would only take about 6 hours overnight to replenish the batteries overnight with that sort of mileage.

[@robsmith1a]

I had a Zoe ZE40 for three years and the winter range of 140 miles was only just enough for my use. 140 miles is only a 70 mile trip in each direction and given that most places where you stop to park don't provide charging being able to do the return trip saves a lot of hassle (last thing I want to do is to have to stop on the way home after a day out on a relatively short journey). Kia manage way more range from an E-Niro on a smaller battery and that vehicle is easily large enough for most people. I do agree that demanding much more than 200 miles range isn't necessary for the vast majority of people but given the price of the Audi it should be more usable as a first car.

[@SusieSmart]

I personally think she explained it quite well. The e-Tron 50 is £60,000 and for that money it has a pretty pitiful range. A range that, as a second car would be perfectly acceptable but not many people spend £60,000 on a second car. People normally buy SUV’s because they have a family and they want to be able to chuck all there stuff in it and go on holiday, like Ginny said. According to A Better Route Planner, to get from where I stay in Dundee to Blackpool it would take, including 3 charging stops, 5hrs and 54 mins in the e-Tron 50 (doing roughly 2.5 mi/kWh at 65 mph). If the same run was done in a Tesla Model Y Long Range it would take, including a single 22 minute charge, 4 hrs and 39 mins (the Y doing 3.5 mi/kWh at 65 mph). That’s in a car that’s meant be be around £5,000 cheaper than the e-Tron, has a higher cargo capacity than the e-Tron and also have the option of 7 seats which the e-Tron doesn’t.

[@TheRichardHonor]

I think it's just the wrong side of an acceptable range though. At motorway speeds, you'll be stopping about every hour and half, with quite a long stop at 50kW. Much smaller and cheaper cars do far better, so it just feels weak for the price.

[@Tom55data]

It comes down to the "market" for that car. That is the point. The e-tron is a big SUV with the relevance to the public. Most big SUV like this will do 2 miles a day on the school run to create as much disruption to the local streets as possible. They will never go off road. The other cachet is that they drive 3 inches from your arse on the motorway (freeway/autobahn) and do long journeys. For most people a small efficient car is the most sensible route, with a battery size that will do what you want. The "time to charge" is a efficiency thing - saying as motor journalist say - small battery means it does not take long to charge is stupid - I only charge my T-M3 LR for 4 hours at night as that is cheap rate, BUT it means I can go 120-140 miles on that 4 hours of charge as I can get 4 to 5miles/kWh. Nothing to do with battery size - all to do with efficiency. I big SUV = crap efficiency (this e-tron only get around 2 miles/kWh), and poor handling. Going back to marketing, Audi, Merc and Jaguar create massive SUV's cos of course - the largest market share is big SUV's and they are fashionable. Then they found they sell badly - really badly in the US. They missed the point entirely - the EV market is at the early adopter stage (Norway is an exception), and early adopters of green tech for both techi and greeny reasons buy efficient cars that are aspirational - cool, clever do the job they were intended and get great miles/kWh. The SUV market is very different.

[@mrmuds8624]

@@TheRichardHonor What I'm trying to say is, out of small office of around 25 people where I work, I don't know of anyone that travels anywhere near that amount daily. If you're talking about value in terms of range, you can't touch the Kona/e Niro. As far as doing trips like that, obviously if you do them regularly then you would factor that in when you come to purchase. For me personally my commute to work is only 20 miles each way, so call it 45 miles max with a trip to the supermarket or something so this would not be an issue for me (if I could afford this sort of car, which I can't)

[@wilkoone9155]

Sandy Munroe said that rather than buying an Audi Etron, buy a Skoda Enyaq instead and save yourself about ten grand! #SandyMunroe

[@josh3221ify]

Any car should be made to go on longer journeys when the need arises, even a mini, its not that small anymore. What's the point of making electric cars to save the planet, when people will need multiple passenger cars for short, long trips.

[@smoothmicra]

Nice to see a car for the people. A second car to pick up the kids from school at the bargain price of £60K entry level; I'm off to buy two. One on charge, one to drive right? Hold on, 13 hours home charge? Okay, I'll buy three, when they are practically giving the car away may as well take advantage.

[@Gamingessa786]

Petrol and diesel all the way no wounder the electric cars have lost value 😮

[@findacarbuyer]

Buy Lexus nx at auction

[@jondanir]

Not as good to drive like an Tesla Model X??? I can't take this seriously...

[@MatteoTortello_com]

♻️🔋👏💪🔝❤️

[@AKA001]

Yeah nah. Audi named the etron in 2009. Eleven years and this is what they came up with. The death of Audi is neigh.

[@nigelweir3852]

Boring ,another Audi that look the same , forgot the point , has the efficiency of a brick

[@slartybartfarst9737]

140 miles practical with a 20 mile buffer, for £60K and average to drive car, not for me. Grabby brakes or hill start problems not in a 2012 Tesla. 100,000 miles over 6 years in my Tesla Model S P85 does 250 miles with 20 mile buffer and Tesla Superchargers are 24/7 100% on line. The Audi will be faced with the UK public charging network, good luck with that. Seems like a waste of £60K but Audi fans heres your Audi

[@Mod-rw9cw]

Why would anyone want one of theses hideous things. They are too big and disgusting and driven by little people with tiny genitals that can't even drive them. Have you ever watched one being parked ???