Nearly new buying guide: Audi E-tron

Out on the road, the E-tron’s air suspension does a grand job of wafting you along in Comfort mode, dealing extremely well with all manner of lumps and bumps. The car weighs more than 2.5 tonnes with the driver on board but still handles pretty tidily around bends. The wide tyres provide lots of grip, the steering is precise enough and the suspension does a good job of preventing the car from leaning like a certain well-known Italian tower through corners.

Inside, it’s all very plush and upmarket, and above the 8.6in touchscreen climate control panel sits a 10.1in touchscreen that works as part of the infotainment system. There’s also a 12.3in digital display behind the steering wheel that Audi calls the Virtual Cockpit. Front and rear passenger space is excellent, as is boot space.

Used prices begin at around £46,000. That will get you a 50 or 55 Quattro from 2019 or 2020 with average mileage. The trim is likely to be Technik at that price point. For an S Line model, you will have to increase your budget to about £57,000, but these cars will have low mileage. Vorsprung spec brings another substantial jump in price – to around £66,000. For the sporting E-tron S variant, which is usually found in the more rakish Sportback bodystyle, expect to pay upwards of £76,000.Need to know

Like conventionally powered Audi models, the E-tron comes with a three-year/60,000-mile warranty. Its drive battery is separately covered for eight years or 100,000 miles.

The E-tron is part of a confusing, inconsistent naming structure, especially given that the E-tron tag has previously found itself on a plug-in hybrid variant of the A3 hatchback. The E-tron’s smaller SUV sibling is named the Q4 E-tron, while the fastback is called the E-tron GT. SUV models with sloping rooflines also gain the Sportback title. 

Audi paused production of the E-tron from February to May 2020, but this was due to problems with the supply chain, not the car itself.

Buyer beware

Electrics: Our long-term E-tron developed faults with its adaptive cruise control and emergency call function during its time with us. Owners have reported the phone app not connecting to their car. There have been reports of the four-wheel-drive “limited stability” warning light coming on intermittently. Malfunctioning warnings for the suspension system, low tyre pressure, the lane departure assist system and the distance warning lights have also been noted. 

Body and interior: Owners have complained about a failing rear light bar and some even had to have the unit replaced with a redesigned component. Other owners have reported issues including bubbling paint, major water leakage and damp carpets in the front footwells, and numerous charging problems.

Recalls: Water might get into the high-voltage battery of some E-trons, resulting in a short circuit or fire. 

Nuts that don’t meet Audi’s specification might have been fitted on the rear-axle suspension links of a number of E-trons. A dealer will be able to replace the affected nuts free of charge. 

Some E-trons might have an electromechanical brake servo with a manufacturing discrepancy.

Others might suffer a loss of power and display the message “safely stop vehicle”. A software update for the electric drive system will resolve the issue.

Our pick: 55 Quattro

We would step up from the 50 Quattro to the 55 Quattro for the boost in range: 198 to 254 miles. Performance is plentiful, too, and used prices aren’t much higher. 

Wild card: E-Tron S

If you want to ramp up the sporting appeal, the S should be your go-to. It’s seriously quick, and looks the part too. However, make sure your pockets are deep – twice as deep as someone looking to buy an entry-level variant. 

Our top spec: Sport/Technik

We don’t see much point in upgrading beyond the base level, because it offers most of the luxuries you are likely to want, including LED headlights and dual-zone climate control.