Get Hotcars Premium. Start your free trial today
Audi's new electric crossover combines futuristic technology with a sporty drivetrain for a truly futuristic driving experience.
The 2022 Audi e-Tron S is here to push things forward in the electric luxury SUV segment. Being one of the few offerings in the space that offers all the luxury and comfort under the $100,000 mark, the e-Tron S will win the hearts of enthusiasts and family buyers with its exterior silhouette that looks both sporty and classy. The luxurious cabin is filled with all the relevant tech and features, and the MMI infotainment system is onboard too.
Competing with the likes of the Tesla Model X and Jaguar I-Pace, this Audi starts at $85,995 and comes in two trim configurations. The long list of optional features on offer adds to the customizability factor, and it gets all the driver-assistance tech as standard. The triple electric motor setup offers snappy acceleration, and the 95-kWh battery pack provides 208 miles of range. Before going forward with the purchase, here are 10 things you need to know about the 2022 Audi e-Tron S.
RELATED: 10 Things To Know Before Buying The 2022 Audi e-Tron GT
The luxury cabin of the 2022 Audi e-Tron S makes it quite a comfortable place to be in. The interior comes fitted with premium leather with contrast stitching, and there is an abundance of carbon fiber inlays and aluminum inserts, all of which add to the ambiance.
The S Sport seats come wrapped in Valcona leather with diamond stitching and that adds to the comfort factor tremendously. The beautifully integrated digital gauge cluster and the large infotainment screen give the cabin a more technologically advanced feel as well.
All the trims of the 2022 Audi e-Tron S come with triple electric motors, one in the front axle and two in the rear axle. The combined power output of this dual electric motor setup comes out to 469 hp and 717 lb-ft of torque; however, the rating could go to 496 hp by engaging the boost.
The 0-60 mph comes in 4.3 seconds and the quarter-mile can be done in around the 13-second mark. The top speed is electrically limited to 125 mph as well. In comparison, both the Jaguar I-Pace and BMW iX gave out a lower 0-60 mph time. However, it was the Tesla Model X that did the best 0-60 mph time of just 3.8 seconds.
RELATED: Why The Audi E-Tron GT Is Almost As Fun To Drive As An ICE Car
Coming with a 95-kWh battery pack that is positioned under the floor of the 2022 Audi e-Tron S, this SUV could do 208 miles with a full charge. The 150-kW fast charging is standard for all the trim configurations and this helps to replenish 5%-80% of the battery in just 30 minutes of charging.
This makes it faster than the Jaguar I-Pace which comes with 100-kW DC charging. The e-Tron S is rated at 77 MPGe combined as well. However, the range is superior for the Jaguar I-Pace and the Tesla Model X, as the former offers 234 miles, and the latter can do 371 miles in the Long Range trim.
Towing is going to be one of the biggest criteria of American family buyers and the 2022 Audi e-Tron S doesn't disappoint one bit. When equipped with the optional towing package which is retailed for an MSRP of $750, the 2022 e-Tron S can tow a maximum of 3,300 lbs.
With this towing package, Audi offers a tow hitch receiver and towing seven-pin connector, making it very ideal for towing boats and caravans with ease. The Jaguar I-Pace offered a lower maximum tow rating than the 2022 Audi e-Tron S. However, the Tesla Model X can tow close to 5,000 lbs.
Regenerative braking is an essential function of electric vehicles and the 2022 Audi e-Tron S comes with it as standard. This helps in slowing the car down well upon the release of the gas pedal and it also replenishes the battery.
However, unlike some of the segment rivals, the 2022 Audi e-Tron S doesn't offer a one-pedal driving mode, which is a great miss. The traditional braking system consists of a 4-wheel disc brake setup with 15.7" and 13.8" ventilated front and great rotors. Other safety features such as brake assist, automated emergency braking, and ABS with EBD are standard too.
RELATED: Here’s How The New Electric RS Q E-tron E2 Can Help Audi Win The 2023 Dakar
The long list of technology features that are offered as standard in the 2022 Audi e-Tron S makes it a very enticing proposition for the segment. Even the base Premium trim gets many upscale features such as heated front seats, four-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, and a panoramic sunroof.
However, get the e-Tron S Premium Plus trim which is priced at an MSRP of $79,195 to get the impressive Bang & Olufsen sound system with 3D sound and the Audi virtual cockpit plus. The top-spec e-Tron S Prestige trim comes loaded with a head-up display, power soft closing doors, and manual sunshades for the rear doors.
Being a premium Audi, the customizability and personalization options are plenty. The multiple 20" alloy wheel designs, 10 exterior color palettes, and the $7,900 Audi exclusive special paint color help to customize the exterior of the e-Tron S well. There is also a black optic package on offer which gets 22" alloy wheels and black exterior accents.
The interior contour seat package is a $2,000 option that offers individual contour front seats, Valcona/Milano leather upholstery, memory for the front passenger seat, and ventilation and massage support. The four interior upholstery color combinations are offered too.
The 2022 Audi e-Tron S comes with all the relevant driver-assistance and safety features as standard. This includes the features such as Audi pre-sense front, adaptive cruise control with lane guidance, top view camera system, intersection assist, automated emergency braking, forward collision monitoring, and Audi side assist with the pre-sense rear.
The basic safety features such as airbags, traction control, stability control, tire pressure monitoring system, and ABS with EBD are onboard all the trims too. Constructed in high-tensile steel and aluminum, the build quality is expected to be solid like that of the regular e-Tron. The regular e-Tron received a 5-star rating in the NHTSA crash test as well.
RELATED: This Is What Makes The Audi Skysphere Concept So Cool
The warranty coverage of the 2022 Audi e-Tron S is very similar to all the other fully electric offerings from the manufacturer. It comes with four years or 50,000 miles of limited warranty. The powertrain warranty is also for the same time duration and mileage as the limited warranty.
Like all the segment rivals, Audi offers electric warranty coverage for eight years or 100,000 miles and that takes care of all the electrical gremlins that might come in the years of ownership. However, this Audi managed to receive a recall for the rearview camera image issue according to the NHTSA.
The dual touchscreen display that is present in the 2022 Audi e-Tron S offers all the functionalities that you would require from a car in just a hand's throw distance away. The 10.1" touchscreen displays everything related to connectivity and entertainment and the lower 8.8" unit showcases HVAC and seat functionalities.
The standard connectivity features include Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, subscription-based wi-fi hotspot, Bluetooth, and voice recognition. However, you would need to opt for the optional packages if you need wireless charging. The Bang & Olufsen audio system takes care of the audio duties.
Mohith is our in-house motorcycle mechanic and automotive geek. He loves riding and driving at the limits, and you would frequently notice him on racetracks at the weekends. Mohith is someone who would redline anything that comes with a motor - even our office lawnmower. He often does cross-country road trips in his trusted 300ZX and you could find him riding his CB750 quite often through the streets of Pasadena as well as on the Moore Motorsports racetrack.