2021 Audi e-tron Sportback

Overview

Audi introduced the E-tron Sportback last year as a sleeker variant of its all-electric E-tron mid-sized crossover model.

What’s New/Key Changes From Last Year

For 2021, the E-Tron Sportback sees minor changes to its option packages and carries a lower starting price.

Available Trims

The E-tron Sportback comes in Progressiv and Technik trims, both of which wear Audi’s “55” label to indicate its place in the brand’s power output pecking order.

Speaking of output, the E-tron Sportback gets its motivation from front and rear electric motors to provide AWD traction and performance. Promised driving range is 351 km.

Standard Features

Progressiv trim’s exterior wears 20-inch alloy wheels with all-season tires, passive keyless entry, a hands-free power tailgate, air suspension, aluminum window trim and roof rails, stainless steel door sills, and heated/auto-dimming/power-folding side mirrors.

Inside, the E-tron Sportback boasts cabin pre-conditioning, navigation, a digital gauge cluster, satellite radio, Audi’s smartphone interface, heated front seats, four-zone climate control, a heated steering wheel, leather upholstery, power front seats with driver memory, electric steering column adjustments, LED front signature lighting and taillights, panoramic sunroof, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, garage door remote, and cruise control.

The standard safety package comprises blind spot monitoring, forward collision avoidance, rear-end collision mitigation, front and rear parking sensors, automatic high beams, and LED matrix headlights with washers.

Technik trim’s exterior adds are a unique wheel design, wet-arm wipers, and puddle lights.

High-tech upgrades come in the augmented gauge cluster, head-up driver display, top-view camera with parking aid, Bang & Olufsen stereo, wireless smartphone charging, and aluminum dash buttons with haptic feedback.

Audi ups Technik trim’s comfort and style with ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a leather-trimmed dash, upgraded interior lighting, an air quality package, four-way front passenger power lumbar, acoustic side glass, power door closers, and rear side window sun shades.

Key Options

E-Tron Sportback options come bundled in four packages.

Both trims offer an adaptive cruise assist package that includes its namesake feature, plus active lane assist, emergency assist, intersection assist, and traffic sign recognition. New for 2021, this package keeps the base model’s heated steering wheel.

Progressiv trim can be augmented with a convenience pack of heated rear seats and four-way power front passenger lumbar, plus ventilated front seats and a top-view camera, both of which are new to the package for 2021.

Technik trim offers a luxury package of Valcona/Milano leather upholstery with front contour/massage seating, leather dash trim with contrast stitching, and leather door arm rests and knee pads.

Finally, you can option either trim with a cosmetic package that blacks out the grille and window trim and roof rails.

Fuel Economy

As of this writing, Audi had not published the 2021 E-Tron Sportback’s energy consumption estimates. However, given the car’s minimal changes compared to last year, we expect those figures to be similar to 2020’s ratings of 3.1/3.0 Le/100 km (city/highway). We’ll update this article when Audi releases its 2021 model year economy information.

Competition

Key among the E-Tron Sportback’s competitors are the high-profile Tesla Model Y and Model X, compact and mid-sized crossovers whose starting prices bracket that of the Audi.

Luxury buyers can also consider the Jaguar i-Pace and Polestar 2 in their search for a premium all-electric utility vehicle.