Despite the fact that the 2022 Audi e-tron is a popular, well-regarded luxury electric car by the public and most car critics, Consumer Reports still states the vehicle is plagued with problems. However, that doesn’t mean it’s the worst regarded EV that Consumer Reports has ever tested. One other electric car is still ranked below it: the 2022 Tesla Model X.
Consumer Reports’ opinion of the 2022 Audi e-tron
Audi e-tron | AUDI AG.
Consumer Reports tested the 2022 Audi e-tron and provided a lukewarm view overall. The site admired its performance, giving the e-tron a 90/100 on the CR road test and a 5/5 on ride quality, noise, comfort, and fuel economy. CR also praised the e-tron for not consuming fuel, having low running costs, and comfortable seating in the back and front seats.
However, the review was less favorable for the e-tron’s range, which sits at around 204 miles. While this is OK for most everyday driving and commutes, it’s not the most practical for long-distance trips, especially since the e-tron took 13 hours to fully charge from 5% using a 240-volt charger. The only way a person could feasibly take the 2022 e-tron on a road trip is if they could find DC fast-charging outlets along their route, which are still challenging to locate.
Another nail in the coffin for the e-tron is its low predicted reliability, which CR gives a 1/5. This is incredibly disappointing, given that the luxury EV starts at $52,700.
Consumer Reports on the 2022 Tesla Model X
Worse than the Audi e-tron is the Tesla Model X. Although the 2022 Tesla Model X is the lowest-rated EV on Consumer Reports this year, its overall score of 41/100 doesn’t make it the worst overall vehicle the site has tested this year. That prize from CR goes to the 2022 Jeep Wrangler with a paltry overall score of 28/100. The 2022 Tesla Model X has plenty going for it, like high marks on the road test, 72/100, an ultra-high fuel economy of 102 MPGe, and a high predicted owner satisfaction of 4/5.
Unfortunately for the EV, Consumer Reports rated the car’s predicted reliability at a 1/5. This is largely because the 2017, 2018, and 2020 models all had the same score, as CR generates a predicted reliability score by looking at reports of trouble spots from real owners. CR also reports that the 2022 Tesla X provides a stiff and noisy ride, and the main controls are incredibly distracting.
A final complaint is that this model starts at $114,990 yet doesn’t include Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Almost every other vehicle one can find in the lot includes at least one of these capabilities, and it’s a major disappointment for anyone hoping to have an easy way of listening to their music while on the go.
More reliable electric SUV options
If you still want an EV, but you want one with better ratings than those of the 2022 Audi e-tron and the Tesla Model X, CR has a few recommendations that might be what you’re looking for. The 2022 Kia Niro EV, for example, received an overall score of 88 from Consumer Reports, putting it at the number one overall spot for all the electric vehicles CR has tested. Its predicted reliability score of 5/5 certainly doesn’t hurt either.
Also high on the Consumer Reports EV list are the 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E and the 2022 Chevy Bolt EUV, receiving overall scores of 82 and 65, respectively. Of these two options, the Mach-E scored better on predicted reliability, with a 4/5, but the Bolt EUV scored slightly higher on the road test, getting an 80/100.
Not only are these three vehicles better overall, according to Consumer Reports, but they also cost significantly less than the Audi e-tron and Tesla Model X. The Bolt EUV starts at $33,500, the Mustang Mach-E starts at $43,895, and the Niro EV starts at $39,990.
Keyword: Only 1 EV Received a Lower Score Than the Audi e-tron on Consumer Reports