2022 Audi E-Tron GT Review: The Future Has Arrived

I adore Porsche, but perhaps you don’t want an electric Tycan. Maybe you’re just not ready to drive an electric Porsche or perhaps the styling just doesn’t do it for you. Thankfully, Zuffenhausen makes other great vehicles and with Audi e-tron GT, you’ll get the Porsche experience without the pricetag.

The 2022 Audi e-tron GT is built on a platform of shared components with other vehicles of the Volkswagen Group. Another VW Group vehicle, the e-tron GT, shares the Taycan’s J1 chassis, high-performance 800-volt design, and dual-motor layout. If you’re looking for a quiet car with an explosive performance, then this is the perfect Audi for you.

The design speaks for Audi e-tron GT.

The e-tron GT and the Taycan seem quite similar in outline. But they’re still very different. The e-tron GT looks tough and aggressive. The Audi’s large, menacing nose is dominated by the brand’s signature hexagonal grille. The front third of the e-tron GT features large headlights and muscular haunches.

Despite the limited space afforded by the J1 platform, the e-tron GT’s interior stands out as a cut above many EVs in the same price range. The carbon fiber strip on the dashboard and the shape of the climate controls on the center stack both feature sharper angles and give the car a more athletic appearance than a Porsche. The cabin is sleek and modern, and it’s built with sturdy materials.

Comfort guaranteed

The e-tron GT has an unconventional cabin in certain ways. The Audi’s front seat hip point and height are both quite low. The normal leatherette and faux suede inlays are soft and pleasant to sit on. Stylish and comfortable Nappa hides are paired with honeycomb stitching and 18-way power-adjustable seats with massage and ventilation round off the package.

The e-tron GT has a comfortable ride for any passenger. A standard three-chamber air suspension, with front and rear wishbones and a multi-link design, respectively, pulverizes cracked and rutted roads.

When technology meets connectivity

A digital instrument cluster and infotainment system are standard in e-tron GT. The multi-media interface relies heavily on touch input and has a simplified interface with readily accessible shortcuts and a permanent “home” button. The 10.1-inch screen displays images with impressive clarity, but the lack of color variation is boring. In case you don’t like Audi’s interface, you may always switch to Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

Audi’s MMI interface also has a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster known as the Audi Virtual Cockpit. There are stunning graphics, and very few controls on the wheel are required. Toggles on the left and right let you flip between pages, a scroll wheel lets you make fine-tuned modifications, and the View button lets you choose between a meter- and a list-based interface.

In addition to a state-of-the-art top-view camera setup, my e-tron GT was equipped with a head-up display and Bang & Olufsen 3D sound. The last part isn’t revolutionary, particularly among German luxury brands, but I really like it.

Nothing comes before safety

Active safety features such as lane departure, frontal collision, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic warning are all standard on the e-tron GT. The $7,200 Prestige option set includes active safety equipment that makes the e-tron GT SAE Level 2. Adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assistance are standard equipment.

Intelligent integration prevents drift and successfully handles lane incursions. Matrix LED headlights, part of the Prestige option group, are already impressive, and they’ll become much better if the government authorizes their anti-dazzle technology.

Attention to range

The EPA estimates that the e-tron GT’s 93.4-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery will get you 238 miles. That’s probably an understatement, just like the Porsche Taycan’s range (227 miles with the same-sized battery).

The Audi is also similar to the Taycan because it uses an 800-volt system with rapid charging speeds. The e-tron can be charged to 80% capacity using a 350-kilowatt direct current (DC) fast charger in about 22 minutes. Audi provides three years of complimentary DC charging for e-tron GT owners on Electrify America.