2023 Audi e-tron S Performance

It may not have the mellifluous exhaust note associated with Audi's spirited performers, but the e-tron S makes up for this with its impressive power figures. Both the Premium Plus and Prestige share the same setup. Three asynchronous electric motors (one on the front axle, two on the rear axle) provide 429 hp and 596 lb-ft but flick the drive selector into Boost mode and you'll unlock the drivetrain's full potential. Now, you've got 496 hp and 717 lb-ft at your disposal, albeit for a brief eight-second period.

Still, this will send the e-tron S scuttling off to 60 mph in just 4.3 seconds - not as quick as the Model X, but faster than the iX xDrive50. With a long enough straight and a motivated driver behind the wheel, the electric Audi will sail silently to its 130 mph top speed. The single-speed transmission sends power to all four wheels via the electric Quattro system. Audi claims the 2023 e-tron S is capable of towing a braked trailer with a maximum weight of 3,300 lbs when fitted with the $750 Tow package. While that's not bad for an electric SUV, the Tesla Model X can tow considerably more (5,000 lbs). Still, we wouldn't recommend towing; it will reduce the already poor range dramatically.

The Audi e-tron S is equipped with three electric motors, with one positioned on the front axle and two on the rear. It's quite an interesting setup. In everyday driving, the front motor remains dormant and is only activated when needed. The rear axle-mounted electric motors work independently, too. Most of the time, the electric motors produce 429 hp and 596 lb-ft, but a Boost mode increases this to 496 hp and 717 lb-ft for up to eight seconds.

This surfeit of power and torque is sent to all four wheels via a single-speed transmission and, like most high-powered EVs, the power delivery is smooth and instantaneous. The e-tron S is perfectly at home when commuting through town and the suburbs. The SUV moves around in absolute silence and exhibits enviable levels of rolling refinement. Acceleration from a standstill is best described as violent; unassuming passengers will recoil in horror should you feel the need to suddenly plant it from rest. Of course, we wouldn't recommend you do this in crowded areas. The big Audi's appetite for hunting the horizon comes in handy when you're on the highway, though. Blasting down a highway on-ramp is done without breaking a sweat and slower-moving traffic is easily dismissed. Fun as it may be, the lack of a sonorous engine will be missed by many Audi aficionados.

We arrive at what is undoubtedly the biggest chink in the electric SUV's armor. According to the EPA, the 2023 e-tron S trails behind its rivals in terms of efficiency. With 20-inch wheels, it's rated at 72/75/73 MPGe on city/highway/combined cycles. With the larger 22-inch items fitted, it plummets to 62/64/63 MPGe on the same cycles.

Comparatively, the BMW iX (with 20-inch wheels) manages to achieve 86 MPGe on the combined cycle, but the Model X is the true star of the show. The EPA rates the Tesla at 107/97/102 MPGe on city/highway/combined cycles, making it far more practical for traveling longer distances.

With the larger wheels specified, the e-tron S can only travel up to 181 miles between charges. 20-inch wheels increase this by 27 miles, but this still trails behind the BMW iX and Model X, which provide 324 and 348 miles of driving between trips to the charging station.

e-tron配备了95千瓦时锂battery pack. Audi says dual charging ports add convenience to the package and allows owners to charge at 150 kW when plugged into a Level 3 fast charger. At least the e-tron S can top up its batteries rather quickly; 5-80% is possible in under 30 minutes. Standard Level 2 charging to full will take about ten hours. The electric SUV also ships standard with a 9.6 kW AC Level 2 charger.