The Audi e-tron and e-tron Sportback are the brand’s first fully-electric vehicles, introduced in 2019 and 2020, respectively. The 2021 e-tron features an increased driving range and a lower entry price, thanks to the addition of a base Premium trim level to the lineup. Both models benefit from a battery pack with more usable capacity, and dual charge ports on the Premium Plus trim level. Competitors include other electric luxury crossovers like the Tesla Models X and Jaguar I-Pace.

The e-tron has a classic crossover silhouette, which the Sportback modifies that with a sleek, coupe-like roofline. Both are instantly recognizable as Audi vehicles, with upscale front and rear lighting, wide grilles with vertical slats, and eye-catching wheel designs. This year, the e-tron SUV gets new matte black trim, including black roof rails.

Both e-tron models gets a standard dual-motor all-wheel-drive (AWD) powertrain. One electric motor powers each axle, for a combined 355 horsepower and 414 pound-feet of torque. The system also features a 95-kilowatt-hour battery pack. The newly-launched e-tron Sportback is good for an EPA-estimated 218-mile range, while the e-tron’s range sees a bump to 222 miles (an 18-mile increase) for 2021.

The e-tron and e-tron Sportback are both offered in Audi’s standard trim lineup of Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige. Standard features include heated front seats, and for options, buyers can add cooled front seats, massaging front seats, upgraded leather upholstery, ambient lighting, and LED ambient and contour lighting. For technology, the e-tron line features a dual touchscreen infotainment display, the Virtual Cockpit 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, a 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system, and wireless device charging.

The 2020 Audi e-tron earned a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) testing, the e-tron earned top “good” scores in all six crash tests and a “Top Safety Pick+” rating. Standard safety features include a surround-view camera system, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and parking sensors. Options include lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, side-collision warning, and a head-up display.

The Audi e-tron is an interesting option in the expanding luxury electric crossover space. Audi is wise to get ahead of the curve, and even wiser to offer the e-tron at a more competitive price point.