2023 Audi e-tron S
21/22" wheels
Luxury Electric SUV · AWD
Based on battery health, build quality, owner data, EPA range, and market pricing
Below average for 2023 EV SUVs (class avg 66)
Personalize this scoreIs a low score bad?
Last scanned 32 days ago
The 2023 Audi e-tron S (21/22-inch wheels) packs 496 hp, 181 miles of EPA range and a 87 kWh battery, and the short EPA range puts longer trips out of reach for this trim.
Score read
A 64/100 makes this a paperwork-and-test-drive decision. The useful split is software and driver-assist score at 98/100 versus range and efficiency score at 16/100. Owners on Reddit repeatedly cite build quality and owner satisfaction as recurring problems. If the seller cannot show recall completion, price that risk or move on.
Price context
Used examples are running around $34,223. This trim started from $88,200 new, though options can push the actual sticker higher; treat the market number as your negotiation floor and pull a current KBB Fair Purchase before naming a price.
Who this is for
✓ Good for
- ⏱ Daily commuter ≤50 mi/day, predictable charging
✗ Avoid if you are a
- ☷ Family hauler 3+ kids, cargo, towing
- ↦ Road tripper Long trips, needs DC fast network
- $ Bargain hunter Best TCO, reliability + low depreciation
Gotchas
- Serviceable Recall paperwork has to match the exact VIN.
Mitigation Use NHTSA and the automaker lookup, then require repair records instead of a verbal promise.
- Built in Range is the easy place to overbuy this trim (16/100).
Mitigation Check your commute, winter margin, and fast-charge plan before you assume the EPA number fits your use.
Pre-purchase inspection
- 1 Run the exact VIN through NHTSA and the automaker recall lookup before discussing price.
- 2 Compare the dashboard range estimate with the EPA 181-mile rating after a full charge.
- 3 Confirm how much of the 8-year/100,000-mile battery warranty remains and whether it transfers.
- 4 If road trips matter, run a short DC fast-charge session and watch whether speed tapers normally.
- 5 Map your normal highway route and winter margin against the EPA range before you treat it as a road-trip car.
VIN status first This model has 3 NHTSA recall records. The exact VIN lookup decides whether the car in front of you is clear.
Complaint context This scan found 4 NHTSA complaint records (10 per 10K VINs, near industry average). Read the themes below before treating the raw count as the verdict.
Price anchor Current market range is $34,223-$37,000. Use that range to compare listings for the same trim, mileage, and condition.
Pricing & Market Value
Score Breakdown
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Vehicle Specifications
EVs at your price point that match or beat this trim
Price-gated peer set: vehicles within $28.5K–$42.7K market value (±20% of $35.6K). 4 outscore · 2 score within ±2. Mixed across makes — no "spend more, score better" comps.
Model Y
- ✓ +129 mi more range
- ✓ Better bang-for-buck
- ✓ Happier owners overall
e-tron S
- ✓ Better bang-for-buck
- ✓ +31 mi more range
- ✓ Better owner satisfaction
Ioniq 5
- ✓ +137 mi more range
- ✓ Better bang-for-buck
- ✓ 800V DC charging
LYRIQ
- ✓ Better bang-for-buck
- ✓ +133 mi more range
iX
- ✓ Better bang-for-buck
- ✓ +124 mi more range
- ✓ Happier owners overall
Niro
- ✓ +72 mi more range
- ✓ Better safety score
- ✓ Better build quality
The federal $4,000 used-EV credit ended Sept 30, 2025.
But 10 states still run their own used-EV rebate programs — some up to $5,000. Pick your state to see what's available for this trim.
Source & disclaimer
Dealers make ~$10,058 on the average car loan.
After the price is set, the finance manager runs four plays to rebuild margin. Every buyer without a pre-approval is a target. Here's exactly what they run — and what stops each one.
78% of dealer loans carry a hidden +1.13% markup above what the lender actually charges. You never see it — it's buried in the contract. · CFPB
Dealer must match or beat your lender — they can't add margin invisibly. The markup play is dead on arrival.
Once you answer, they stretch the term to hit your number. Median result: $4K less off the price, 12 more months on the loan. · Industry avg
Financing is done. Only the sale price is on the table — and the dealer knows it.
Back-office F&I profit averages $1,975/vehicle, up 8.5% YoY. These products exist — but dealer markup is 4–10x what you'd pay elsewhere. · Dealership Guy
Dealer GAP runs $500–1K. Your insurer sells the same coverage for $100–250 over 5 years. Now you know.
"Your loan fell through — come re-sign." This pulls your APR up +5% on average. It's legal. It works because you've already driven the car home. · Ctr for Responsible Lending
A lender commitment letter means the deal is final. "Pending dealer approval" doesn't apply. You can't be yo-yo'd.
That's 19 months of your car payment — handed to the dealer's finance department for nothing.
Takes 2 minutes. No obligation to use it — but you'll walk in with all the leverage.
Pre-approval is a soft credit inquiry — no score impact. FICO treats all auto-loan hard pulls within 14 days as one, so you can still shop rates at the dealer.
NHTSA Recalls (3)
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2024 Audi E-Tron and 2020-2024 Audi E-Tron Sportback vehicles. The fastener that connects the brake pedal and the brake booster may have been improperly assembled during manufacturing, which can cause the brake pedal to detach from the brake booster.
Brake pedal detachment can cause a loss of brake function and increase the risk of a crash.
Check VIN status at NHTSA.govVolkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2026 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Check VIN status at NHTSA.govVolkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2022-2024 RS e-tron GT, e-tron GT, Q4 e-tron Sportback, Q4 e-tron, 2020-2021 Audi A8, 2019-2024 e-tron Quattro, 2020-2024 e-tron Sportback Quattro, Q5, and 2021-2022 A7 vehicles. When using the industrial 220V/240V plug at the 100% charge setting, some home power outlets may be incapable of handling the electrical current required to use the compact charging system, causing the outlet or charging cable to overheat.
An overheated outlet or charging cable can increase the risk of a fire.
Check VIN status at NHTSA.govNHTSA Complaints (4 total · 10 per 10K US vehicles · near industry average)
On at least two occasions, my car suddenly accelerated when I was trying to reverse from a parking spot. The acceleration was very sudden. I did not even have my foot on accelerator at the time. This is extremely scary. In one occasion, I did hit a passing car as my car accelerated. Fortunately no one was hurt (or killed!), but had damage to both the cars. Second time when this happened, fortunately I was able to stop it before it hit any car behind me. On internet there are many Audi E-tron owners have similar experience either while reversing or simply while trying to park the car - the car accelerates without any warning. NHTSA need to force Audi to recall these cars and make needed corrections and updates as needed to prevent any further disaster due to this issue.
On at least two occasions, my car suddenly accelerated when I was trying to reverse from a parking spot. The acceleration was very sudden. I did not even have my foot on accelerator at the time. This is extremely scary. In one occasion, I did hit a passing car as my car accelerated. Fortunately no one was hurt (or killed!), but had damage to both the cars. Second time when this happened, fortunately I was able to stop it before it hit any car behind me. On internet there are many Audi E-tron owners have similar experience either while reversing or simply while trying to park the car - the car accelerates without any warning. NHTSA need to force Audi to recall these cars and make needed corrections and updates as needed to prevent any further disaster due to this issue.
Audi E-Tron (Q8) sudden unintentional acceleration caused a collision to stationary object while releasing brake on a turn. The accelerator was not touched while turning the steering wheel into the drive. It instead launched forward beyond the agreed 5 MPH and hit a tree. Causing significant damage to the vehicle’s front passenger wheel and hood. The airbags did not deploy nor did the “pre-sense” safety collision avoidance sensor attempted to stop the vehicle from hitting the object.
Audi E-Tron (Q8) sudden unintentional acceleration caused a collision to stationary object while releasing brake on a turn. The accelerator was not touched while turning the steering wheel into the drive. It instead launched forward beyond the agreed 5 MPH and hit a tree. Causing significant damage to the vehicle’s front passenger wheel and hood. The airbags did not deploy nor did the “pre-sense” safety collision avoidance sensor attempted to stop the vehicle from hitting the object.
Vehicle malfunctioned and stopped in middle of highway with no warning. It forcefully braked to shutdown. Was able to restart car and drive away after a minute. Two days later it had emergency SOS warning on dashboard. Took vehicle in for diagnostic and repair. When pushing software update the module locked up and car would not start. Replaced module but not confident vehicle will not repeat random behavior. No data provided by Audi to make sure this was not trial and error corrections and that the vehicle is safe.
Vehicle malfunctioned and stopped in middle of highway with no warning. It forcefully braked to shutdown. Was able to restart car and drive away after a minute. Two days later it had emergency SOS warning on dashboard. Took vehicle in for diagnostic and repair. When pushing software update the module locked up and car would not start. Replaced module but not confident vehicle will not repeat random behavior. No data provided by Audi to make sure this was not trial and error corrections and that the vehicle is safe.
The contact owns a 2023 Audi E-Tron. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH and then stopping at a stoplight, the contact attempted to accelerate the vehicle failed to respond as needed. No warning light was illuminated. The failure recurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 380.
The contact owns a 2023 Audi E-Tron. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH and then stopping at a stoplight, the contact attempted to accelerate the vehicle failed to respond as needed. No warning light was illuminated. The failure recurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 380.
What Owners Are Saying
"My new '22 Sportback e-tron is bank vault solid and not a single rattle, even on horrible Los Angeles roads, or driving through bumpy canyons. Audi has their head up their ass\*s when it comes to the app, but the build, fit, finish and quality of the e-tron is truly outstanding. I find e-tron build quality to be on par with Bentley, and honestly better than Rolls-Royce! #13· Apr 2, 2022 To be honest, with the quietness of the motors, even the faintest of sounds would be picked up in a typical EV cabin. Building the cabin is a real challenge for EV makers. #14· Apr 3, 2022 > JNealCox said: > > Building the cabin is a real challenge for EV makers. > > > Click to expand... ... and keeping it quiet over the years. I have an odd squeak in the passenger door around the loudspeaker and cannot locate it for the life of me. And yes, it does drive me insane when it happens. #15· May 5, 2022"
"I bought from Carvana. I called the local dealer with the car info to confirm warranties and service history before purchasing and scheduling delivery. They give you 7 days to test drive and return if you're not satisfied, so I left it with Audi for two of those days for a PPI ($250). It was completely solid, other than some evidence of minor body work, likely done to cover bumps before the lease return from the original owner. I had a great experience with this vehicle, and would do it again. CPO is tempting, but there are plenty of great cars on the market, and extended warranties can be cheaper elsewhere."
"New Member Introductions kk2002 Aug 21, 2020 Cancelled the Model Y ... new owner from Dallas Got a 2019 e-tron prestige black and okapi brown interior. I cannot handle rattles and need a quiet ride and having been in Model X many times I could not handle the noise and rattles. I realized I needed a luxury car first and electric drivetrain is second so I would not have liked the Model Y... 103.2KJNealCox replied Sep 12, 2020 Audi e-tron Range, MPGE And Economy polyphonic Sep 9, 2020"
"When I first got my Prestige in Dec 2019 with the double pane glass, I was amazed that I could not really hear my garage door open or close. I told myself I would NOT want to be in charge of assuring the fit and finish! I have yet encountered any rattle problem that was not my fault (something in the glove box?) and not fixable. There is an occasional body creak and I hear a little creaking from the brakes now and then, but that is only because the interior is so quiet. #3· Apr 1, 2021 that matches my experience as well - I had a truck next to me on the highway the other day and could barely hear anything at cruising speed. Now that I am Audi-spoilt, the next car will have to be even better. The bar keeps on going up #4· Apr 2, 2021 My car is 2 weeks old and has a rattle from the center console, it comes and goes which is very annoying #31· Feb 29, 2024"
"I have a 2022 Etron Sportback with Continental Extreme Contact DWS 06+ 265-40-22's. These are all seasons. I was told that this car gets 275 miles range, they lied. I got 225 the first time driving off the lot and I haven't got more than 216 on a 100% charge. The original tires were Continental Extreme Contact Sport and they lasted 13K miles before they worn down to almost bald. I had them put these on because I was not going to wear summer tires in Chicago in the winter, so I picked these all seasons. They are great tires: 350.00 a pop and are rated for 50K miles. Since the wheels are 22 inch I get an average of 200 miles on a 100% charge. In winter it's 160-180 and in the better weather 200-216. It's funny I just looked at myAudi app and in the car's description they say that the average range is 218. All of the tech guys at 3 different Audi dealers say that the 22 inch wheels cut a good chunk off of the range. Do I believe them or are they blowing the Audi smoke up my ass? I don't know. All I know is that if the range was up to where they said it was and closer to 300 miles per charge this would be the perfect car."
"Not really. Audi tried and I tried a few times but it keeps coming back. I'm not sure, but it may be related to the dash covering below the glove box. It seems to be a simple plastic sheet that can shift around a bit. I'm thinking it might slip into a position so that it vibrates against the side from time to time. What's interesting about the rattle is that big bumps don't really seem to cause it. It is smaller more frequent car shaking (from road roughness) that sets off the rattle. #27· Sep 28, 2023 Was there any resolution for you in the last year? I've got the exact same issue on my 2019 Prestige (21" wheels). Audi recently disassembled the entire passenger side of the dash, as well as the underlying HVAC components. They tightened and reassembled everything and the rattle is still there. #20· Aug 10, 2022"
"Audi e-tron (OG and Q8) General Discussion Forum General Discussion Forum") Lucken Apr 25, 2021 Does anyone know what this does? May be a dumb question, but I searched the manual and google and found nothing on what this does (the switch in the white box). When I press it, the indicator light turns red, but I can't find what that does in the manual. 24.3KLucken replied Apr 25, 2021 Audi e-tron (OG and Q8) General Discussion Forum General Discussion Forum")"
"#1· Apr 24, 2024 The lease on our 21 Sportback is up next month and we are looking at a 24 launch edition that has the 22" wheels. Aside from the usual things like possibly a bit rougher ride, easier to damage on potholes and super expensive Winter tires in that size, are folks who are running this size seeing a big difference in range? My 2021 has 21" wheels and we easily get the stated maximum range (222), sometimes more, sometimes less like in Winter. My son works for Audi and is getting us a solid deal on the car, but I just wanted to poke around a bit and see what others had to say. #2· Apr 24, 2024 And not just snow tires are more expensive. Regular tires are about 25% more expensive. #3· Apr 24, 2024 Interesting, because with 21's we see no loss of range from what Audi estimates as max regardless of tires."
Showing 8 of 17 owner excerpts (sorted by sentiment strength)