The Audi e-tron is the automaker’s first all-electric vehicle. This midsize crossover SUV offers a smooth, comfortable ride with a high-end cabin that screams luxury. This year’s model also offers precision handling, impressive acceleration, and plenty of room for passengers and cargo. Packed with advanced safety features, the 2021 e-tron is a welcome addition to the Audi lineup.

2021 Audi e-tron safety features

The 2021 Audi e-tron’s abundance of advanced safety features includes forward collision and rear cross-traffic warnings, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, and lane-keeping assist also come standard.

Additional standard safety systems include a rearview camera, anti-lock brakes, and traction and stability control. Daytime running lights and automatic LED high-beam headlights are also available. Front and side airbags are standard, but rear airbags are optional. 

Consumer Reports recommends purchasing the Driver Assistance Plus package upgrade. It includes adaptive cruise control and steering assist with lane centering. You can also get optional safety features such as a surround-view parking camera system, traffic sign recognition, and a head-up display.

NHTSA and IIHS safety ratings

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the 2021 Audi e-tron a 5-star overall safety rating, the highest designation.

But the e-tron earned 4 out of 5 stars in the NHTSA’s driver and passenger front side tests during a simulation of a head-on collision at 35 mph. It also received a perfect 5-star rating for the side barrier and side pole tests. The e-tron also got 5 stars in the rollover resistance test the NHTSA uses to measure the risk of a rollover when a vehicle loses control.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the 2021 Audi e-tron Top Safety Pick+ honors, the highest distinction.

It earned good ratings in all six crash and rollover tests. The IIHS also ranked the front crash prevention system for both vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian as superior. 2019 to 2021 models scored superior overall ratings as well.

The 2021 Audi e-tron SUV at a glance

Audi is building its EV lineup to include sport hatchbacks, sedans, and the long-awaited Q4. Current models include the e-tron SUV, e-tron GT sports sedan, and e-tron Sportback. The automaker has added a less expensive Premium Plus trim to the e-tron line to attract consumers looking for a more affordable option.

U.S. News ranks the 2021 Audi e-tron first among all luxury hybrid and electric SUVs, saying it “offers a sumptuous interior, a user-friendly infotainment system, brisk acceleration, and refined handling.”

Impressed by the quiet and roomy interior and use of “posh cabin materials,” U.S. News notes the advanced tech and safety features as important deciding factors when purchasing the electric Audi SUV.

The 2021 e-tron starts at $65,900, considerably lower than last year’s model, whose starting MSRP was $74,800. The Sportback starts at $69,100. And Audi has bumped up the driving range from 204 on last year’s model to 222 miles for the 2021 model. The five-passenger SUV puts out a powerful 355 hp and 414 lb-ft of torque and gets an EPA-estimated 78 MPGe combined.

If the purchase price is a bit out of your range, know that a federal tax credit of up to $7,500 helps reduce the cost of Audi e-tron EVs.