The 2021 electric Audi e-Tron combines a very good test score with a very good owner satisfaction score. However, its predicted reliability is as low as it can get. You might have better luck getting around Why is the 2021 Audi e-Tron’s reliability score so poor, and why do people love their e-Trons anyway?

The 2021 Audi e-Tron’s reliability is as bad as it can get

To determine the reliability of a vehicle, Consumer Reports sends out surveys to people who have bought previous versions of the vehicle. They then combine this survey data with what they know about the current model. They say that with these two pieces of information, they can “expertly predict the reliability of new and redesigned models.”

Consumer Reports gives the 2021 Audi e-Tron just a 1/5 for its predicted reliability. Although there are no reliability ratings for 2020, 2019 shows a poor reliability rating. Major problem spots in the 2019 include the drive system and power equipment. Other problem areas include the brakes, electric system, and engine major. 

Despite this poor reliability rating, the owner satisfaction score for the e-Tron is a 4/5. Owners give the driving experience an 88 and comfort an 83. Styling gets a 93. Value is only a 21. 75% of people would buy their Audi e-Tron again. 

The e-Tron’s road test is a very good 90

Consumer Reports gives the 2021 Audi e-Tron a 5/5 for its acceleration. It can reach 0 to 60 in 6.3 seconds, which is decent. Routine handling receives a very good 4/5. However, the emergency handling rating is only a 3/5. The Audi e-Tron max avoidance speed is 50 mph.

Braking is very good in the e-Tron. It scores a 4/5 and can brake from 60 mph on wet pavement in 131 feet and dry pavement in 134 feet. Unfortunately, the e-Tron’s headlights score a not-great 2/5. 

As far as comfort, the 2021 Audi e-Tron gets a 5/5 for its ride. It’s quiet: it scores a 5/5 for its noise. While the front seat comfort gets a perfect 5/5, rear-seat comfort is just a 5/5. Interior fit and finish get a perfect 5. The trunk and cargo space scores only a 2/5 with 28 cubic feet, so it’s not a great vehicle for a family road trip.

Audi’s e-Tron comes with a ton of safety features

Consumer Reports recommends a slew of advanced safety features that car shoppers should consider. These include forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking at city and highway speeds, lane-keeping assistance, and lane departure warning. Consumer Reports also says that pedestrian detection, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic warning are important to have. Rearview cameras are standard in all new cars. You should also look for anti-lock brakes, traction and stability control, and daytime running lights.

The 2021 Audi e-Tron comes standard with all of Consumer Reports’ recommended safety equipment, which is fantastic. Owners of the e-Tron won’t have to pay more to get important safety features.

Both the IIHS and the NHTSA have crash-tested the 2021 Audi e-Tron. The IIHS gives it all good ratings. The NHTSA gives it five stars for overall crash, side crash, and side-crash on the driver and passenger side. However, the overall frontal-crash, frontal-crash driver and frontal-crash passenger ratings are four stars. The side pole crash gets five stars, as does the 4WD rollover. 

If you can look past the 2021 Audi e-Tron’s reliability rating, it’s a pretty solid midsize luxury SUV. If you do decide to pursue the e-Tron despite its reliability rating, stay on top of maintenance and don’t delay getting any potential problems serivced. Hopefully this will help you avoid paying thousands in repairs.