Audi’s parent company, Volkswagen, is betting on electric vehicles, so it’s no surprise that its luxury arm is making its own models. The e-tron features a suite of cutting-edge features backed by the latest technology. Its electric powertrain delivers up to 426 horsepower and 596 lb-ft of torque in its top trim level, and all offer a refined luxury experience once inside. Some of its highlights include an LED headlight, adjustable air suspension, dual front touchscreens and a digital gauge cluster, and heated and cooled seats. If Audi is trying to reach the executive class with this car, it shows that the brand has done its homework. However, the new e-tron naming convention is a bit confusing, as the e-tron SUV is now the Q8 e-tron, which is different from the e-tron GT and Q4 e-tron. Maybe Audi should ditch it and start naming cars with predatory animals.
One thing the new Audi e-tron line may not have for this is the company’s reputation for reliability. RepairPal ranks it 28th out of 32 brands, a pretty poor showing. According to Edmunds, the e-tron will likely see $1,934 in repairs and $6,382 in maintenance. Although the actual repair bill is modest, the maintenance cost is very high.
