2022 Audi e-tron GT Review: Punching Full EV Throttle Around LA

2022 Audi e-tron GT Review

No doubt, I’m a late adopter. The last video game I played was Golden Eye. I didn’t even use a smartphone until 2013, and I still have a business card. So, when Audi reached out, telling me about the e-tron GT, I initially resisted the shift to electric. I fought change for as long as I could, opting for gas power, avoiding the reality that the transition to EV is inevitable.

There was never any real logic behind my refusal to drive an electric car, so earlier this year, I gave in and took the 2022 Audi e-tron GT out for a few days. What I found totally reshaped my opinions on EVs.

I like Audis. They’re stylish and well designed vehicles with exceptional German engineering. I’ve had some great times taking the SQ5 Sportback up to Big Sur in 2021, later returning to the California Central Coast in the Audi A3 in 2022. It’s always an enjoyable road trip behind the wheel of an Audi, but I could never imagine bringing an EV up the coast or on a longer drive. Just the thought of needing to find a charging station, and adjusting my entire travel schedule to find some power gives me a bit of anxiety. So, rather than travel long distance for this foray into the world of electric cars, I chose to stay near my home base in Los Angeles, and experiment with the e-tron GT.

Upon first look, the electric Audi has all the slick and stylish lines of its gas-powered counterparts. It’s a sleek sedan that rivals the best of them, with top-notch aesthetics and design touches. Examining the exterior: dual charging ports, 20-inch five-double-spoke wheels, high-gloss black grille; gave way to further inspection of the interior, but not before popping the hood, where … THERE IS NO ENGINE!

2022 Audi e-tron GT Review

Running dual synchronous electric motors and the Quattro all-wheel drive drive system, the 2022 Audi e-tron GT has a small storage compartment where the engine would normally be. It’s a fun little hidden gem for a first time EV driver, but the actual trunk itself is ample, leaving me with minimal need to use the front trunk on this jaunt.

Quickly getting over this design enhancement, I took the driver’s seat to examine the dashboard technology options.

Audi e-tron GT Bells & Whistles

Experienced Audi drivers will be comforted by the fact that the e-tron GT has a similar look and functionality to other Audi MMIs, with a specific GPS setting focused on finding the best charging stations in the surrounding areas. The 10.1” touch display is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android phones, and the surround sound system absolutely rips. Inside, the Audi e-tron GT continues its slick presentation, with the Alcantara wrapped steering wheel, matte carbon atlas inlays, panoramic fixed glass roof, and front sport seats with leatherette/Dinamica interior. It’s undeniably a luxury sedan, and feels that way when you sit inside.

Making a few final adjustments to the power adjustable steering column, I shifted the Audi e-tron GT in drive and immediately understood that just because an engine is electric, doesn’t mean it has no pop. In fact, the e-tron GT has plenty of punch, equivalent to 469 horsepower and 464 lb-ft torque. Straight up, this car can move.

Commuting down the 710 and heading west on I-105 towards Inglewood, I was able to open up the Audi e-tron GT and push the dual motors to their upper reaches. The whole ride was smooth and stable, even approaching triple digits on the speedometer. The anti-lock braking system with brake assist is always a good feature, especially on the crowded and unpredictable freeways around Los Angeles, and so far, this test drive has been an amazing experience.

Audi e-tron GT Charge Point

From Inglewood to El Segundo, and then back to downtown Los Angeles, the Audi e-tron GT performed brilliantly on the highway, and with a fully charged battery, it seemed as if I could complete this entire test drive on one single tank. However, I needed to find a charging station just to know what it’s all about. Fortunately, Charge Point had an outlet available nearby.

2022 Audi e-tron GT Review

Taking about 6 hours to charge up $15 worth of electricity to this 93 kWh battery with liquid cooling, I started to understand some of my previous reservations about switching to electric.

While a full take has a range of about 238 miles (which is totally reasonable for city driving), adjusting your lifestyle to find charging stations is a bit of an ask. For me, I was fortunate enough to have access to Charge Point at my gym, but what about on road trips and for longer distances out of town? Clearly, the driver lives at the discretion of the surrounding infrastructure. Sure, estimates say that the Audi e-tron GT will save you about $2,500 in fuel costs over five years, which is plenty of savings, but is that worth coordinating your life around?

On a local level, I’d say it’s totally fine. A place like Los Angeles has charging stations all around the city and surrounding areas. There is no major barrier to entry there. However, on longer drives, this still feels like a dealbreaker.

In Summation

Still, in terms of sheer power, speed, responsiveness, the e-tron GT performed amazingly. In fact, the Audi e-tron delivered well beyond expectation and kind of changed my perception of electric cars overall. No longer will I dismiss EVs just because they’re electric. The 2022 Audi e-tron GT is proof that there are real EV luxury performance vehicles, and at $109,195, it’s a competitive with the best in its class.

More Car Reviews and Road Trip Tales From Dan Shapiro

Dan Shapiro is a writer, editor, musician, and producer currently based in Los Angeles. In addition to covering some of the biggest fights in combat sports history, he’s also hunted down the world’s best sushi, skied the northern hemisphere in July, and chronicled Chinese underground music for publications like CNN, the New York Daily News, VICE, and Time Out. Dan also conjured up a ghost at the Chateau Marmont while out on assignment for RoadTrippers. Follow him on Twitter here.

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