Drive with us: Audi e-tron Sport 50 Quattro review (2022)

Join us as we take a closer look at the Audi e-tron Sport 50 Quattro, Audi’s OG all-electric luxury SUV

Audi cracked the combustion SUV market a long time ago. But electric?

That was a different challenge entirely.

Enter the Audi e-tron Quattro, their first fully electric SUV, and their opening statement in what would become an increasingly competitive class.

First attempts rarely nail it completely, and the e-tron is no exception. But it's still a very impressive opening salvo – and one that has only improved with time.

The e-tron was facelifted and rebranded as the Audi Q8 e-tron in 2023, before being discontinued in 2025. If you're shopping for an Audi electric SUV today, the Q4 e-tron is where you'll be looking, and it's a pretty good shout in its own right.

But what was Audi's first electric SUV truly like?

And what does it tell us about where the brand is heading – particularly as Chinese EVs continue to flood the market?

Join us as we find out.

What we drove:

Model: Audi e-tron Sport 50 Quattro

Body style: SUV

Power: Electric (230 kW)

Battery: 71.2 kWh

Range: Up to 252 miles (WLTP Comb)

Colour: Typhoon Grey

OTR from: £65,485

Specifications correct at the time of publication.

Or watch our video review over on YouTube:

An Audi through and through

The Audi e-tron Sport 50 Quattro was designed to blend seamlessly into the wider Audi range – and it does exactly that.

The false front grille is the telltale sign that this is in fact an EV, along with the charging ports on either side of the front. That dual-port design is a small but clever touch, no more worrying about which side to park or whether your cable will reach.

It's incredibly modest with an understated design.

Swooping roofline, trademark LED lights, smart premium touches throughout (and not an outlandish or shouty design decision in sight!).

Audi, like Mercedes-Benz and BMW, have followed the trend of subtle styling for their EVs – and it only adds to the luxury and refinement the brand is known and loved for.

It carries all the presence you'd want from a big SUV without ever feeling excessive. And with its styling sitting very close to the Q4 e-tron (which carries the electric SUV torch for Audi today) the family resemblance is clear to see.

Understated? Yes. Forgettable? Absolutely not.

Premium inside and out

It's Audi. You expect a comfortable, premium-feeling interior — and the e-tron Sport Quattro delivers in buckets.

The cabin feels exactly as you'd hope; everything is where you'd want it, that commanding SUV driving position comes naturally, and the quality of materials throughout leaves you in no doubt about what you're sitting in.

On the technology front, there are dual touchscreens. A main 10.1-inch infotainment display sits in the middle of the dash, with an 8.8-inch climate control screen directly below it.

Audi have followed the minimalism trend by removing physical buttons — replacing them with yet another screen, which in turn makes things feel a touch cluttered.

It's intuitive once you're set up, though it can be a tad slow to respond at times.

The redesigned gear selector is a highlight. It’s far more premium than the stalk-style you get in a Mercedes-Benz, one of those small details that makes a big impression.

Virtual door mirrors are available as an option, but if they're not fitted you're left with a little insert where they'd sit — like Audi is waiting for you to change your mind.

Space is generous throughout, with good head and legroom, even for six-footers.

The boot comes in at a whopping 605 litres, expanding to 1,755 litres with the rear seats folded down. There's also a small frunk for your charging cables, keeping the boot clear for everything else.

For a first-generation electric SUV, it sets the bar high.

And it’s one that Audi have only built on since.

Smooth operator

From the moment you put your foot down, there's an immediate sense of quality.

It's a brilliant cruiser, with immaculate comfort and control throughout. And despite the size, it never feels like you're driving a tank, which is more than can be said for some SUVs in this class.

Visibility is great, and the onboard cameras make parking even easier (though you probably won't need much help).

Then there's the Quattro drive system. It provides stunning control, resulting in a drive that's as smooth as butter. The redesigned gear selector feels natural and rewarding to use too — a welcome change from the stalk-style alternatives you'll find elsewhere.

With 308hp on tap and a 0-60mph time of just 6.8 seconds, the Sport 50 variant is seriously punchy for a large luxury SUV.

We'll be honest, it's not the most exciting drive. But it's not trying to be. Comfort and refinement are its priorities, and it delivers both in abundance.

Going the distance?

With a range of up to 252 miles (WLTP Comb), it’s not a bad starting point. Though we found real-world range to sit closer to 165 miles during our review, so worth bearing in mind.

For context, the Q4 e-tron now offers up to 337 miles (WLTP Comb), proof that Audi have continued to develop and improve their electric technology since this model launched.

On the charging front, the e-tron supports up to 150kW rapid charging, taking it from 10-80% in just 30 minutes. A 7kW home wallbox will take around 12 hours from zero to full — simply plug in overnight and you'll wake up ready to go.

And with charging ports on both sides of the front, it doesn't matter which way you pull into a charging bay. A small detail, but a genuinely thoughtful one at that.

What's good, and what's not

It's not without its faults. But then again, what first attempt is?

The good bits:

• 605-litre boot expanding to 1,755 litres with rear seats down
• Punchy 308hp with 0-60mph in 6.8 seconds for a large luxury SUV
• Charging ports on both sides — no awkward parking manoeuvres needed just to charge
• Quattro drive system provides stunning control and a smooth, assured drive

The not-so-good bits:

• Real-world range of around 165 miles falls well short of the 252-mile claimed figure (WLTP Comb)
• Dual screen setup removes physical buttons — feels a touch cluttered
• Virtual door mirror insert looks odd if mirrors aren't fitted

What's the verdict?

For a first attempt at an electric SUV, this is one of the most well-rounded and well- executed efforts we've had the pleasure of driving.

Audi didn't reinvent the wheel — but then, they didn't need to.

They know how to build premium SUVs, and it shows. The e-tron excels in almost every category, with the real-world range on the Sport 50 being the one main area that falls short of expectations.

It's set a strong foundation for Audi to build from. And build they have.

Yes, it's been discontinued, but not because it failed. It’s making way for the next chapter in Audi's electric story. The Q4 e-tron now carries the torch, bringing better range, more modern technology and improved performance to the table.

The e-tron Quattro's legacy?

Proving that Audi could do electric, and do it very well indeed.

Top 5 reasons to consider the Audi e-tron Sport 50 Quattro

1. Quattro drive system delivers stunning control and an incredibly smooth ride
2. 605-litre boot expanding to 1,755 litres — one of the most practical electric SUVs in its class
3. Charging ports on both sides, no awkward parking at the charger
4. Premium Audi quality throughout
5. Never feels its size — great visibility and easy to drive despite the SUV proportions

Would we recommend leasing an Audi e-tron Sport 50 Quattro?

Here's the thing – you can't. Not anymore.

As we only offer lease deals on brand new cars, and the e-tron has since been discontinued, it's no longer available to lease.

But its legacy? That lives on in the Q4 e-tron. Better range, improved technology and all the premium Audi quality you'd expect.

It makes a compelling case to be your next electric SUV lease.