Used Audi e-tron GT (Mk1, 2021-date) buyer’s guide: a comfortable Porsche Taycan rival
A full used buyer’s guide on the Audi e-tron GT that’s been on sale since 2021
Verdict
The Audi e-tron GT is hugely capable and desirable, but oversupply of used electric cars means these shapely Audis are very temptingly priced. The problem for dealers, though, is that the second-hand market is awash with Porsche Taycans, and these start at around £35,000. However, although the Taycan is incredibly impressive, the e-tron GT is more comfortable and has superior in-car tech, while it’s no slower than the Porsche. The e-tron GT’s range is disappointing for such a costly flagship product, but if this doesn’t matter all that much to you, then we’d say the Audi is something of an EV bargain as a used buy.
You don’t have to search very far on the Internet to find people commenting in the strongest possible terms about how much they hate EVs. They call them golf carts, milk floats or something equally disparaging, and yet many of these anti-EV folk have never even sat in an electric car, let alone actually driven one, because it’s against their principles. This is entirely their choice, of course, but they could be missing out on a bargain luxury car.
Yet just as with petrol cars, some electric models are better than others, and in an ever-improving EV world, one of the best of the breed is the Audi e-tron GT. It’s an expensive car to buy new, but supremely capable in most respects, and one that might just convert the most ardent petrolhead.
History
The first e-tron GTs were delivered in spring 2021, on a 21-plate. At launch there was the regular 469bhp e-tron GT, priced from £79,900, or the 590bhp RS e-tron GT, which started at £110,950. Both models had boost modes, giving up to 522bhp and 637bhp, so it’s just as well that all e-tron GTs have quattro four-wheel drive fitted.
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Cash £60,000A facelift in August 2024 brought a refreshed design for the front and rear, revamped seats, suspension and wheels, plus a new layout for the digital dash. The entry-level 670bhp car became the S e-tron GT, while the RS e-tron GT was boosted to 844bhp. The 912bhp RS e-tron GT Performance was the flagship. From August 2025 there will be a new entry-level model: the 576bhp e-tron GT quattro.
Which should I buy?
Buy any e-tron GT and you’ll have plenty of performance along with lots of equipment, plus all of the safety features that you’d expect of a flagship saloon. Facelifted cars have a bigger battery (105kWh), faster charging and recalibrated software to give up to a claimed 374 mile of range, plus they come with adaptive air suspension as standard across the line-up.
However, if you buy any earlier e-tron GT you won’t feel cheated, because the standard equipment includes leather trim, heated front seats and steering wheel, 20-inch wheels, three-zone climate control, matrix LED headlights, eight-way electrically adjustable front seats, a panoramic sunroof and navigation.
The high-spec Vorsprung edition also features all-wheel steering, a 16-speaker B&O hi-fi, massaging sports front seats, heated rear seats, 21-inch alloy wheels and Nappa leather trim. Facelifted cars come with adaptive cruise control, a remote parking system and updated infotainment, plus a B&O premium 3D sound system.
On the road
There’s no shortage of pace: the entry-level e-tron GT quattro can do 0-62mph in just 4.1 seconds and 152mph, while the RS is pegged at 3.3 seconds and 155mph. Power is sent to all four wheels in normal driving, but in Efficiency mode the e-tron GT is front-wheel drive unless any slip is detected.
Standard models have steel suspension, but an adaptive air-sprung set-up is fitted to the RS editions. Whatever you buy, it’ll be genuinely engaging to drive – much more so than many of Audi’s ICE sporting models, thanks to its well judged suspension and excellent steering.
Alternatives to the Audi e-tron GT
The e-tron’s biggest nemesis is the Porsche Taycan, which shares much with the Audi. There are a lot more Taycans available than e-tron GTs, and when it comes to usable EVs that are sublime to drive, few cars can touch these Porsches.
You could also take a look at the Tesla Model S, which has a long range, excellent practicality and great cabin tech, but the build quality isn’t a patch on the Audi’s.
The deeply impressive BMW i5 and i7 are both well made, refined and spacious models; these are all characteristics that are shared with the Mercedes EQE and EQS. Fancy something more left-field? Then try the Genesis Electrified G80 – if you can find one.
What to look for
Depreciation
The hidden running cost for most new cars is depreciation, and with the Audi it can be severe. It’s predicted to lose up to nearly two-thirds of its value within three years and 36k miles, so used ones can be a bargain.
EV range
All e-tron GTs have a 93kWh battery to give a claimed range of 295 miles for the e-tron GT quattro and 280 miles for the RS e-tron GT. Expect closer to 240 miles in real-world driving, or as little as 180 miles in the winter.
Safety
The e-tron GT hasn’t been tested by Euro NCAP, but the mechanically similar Porsche Taycan has, earning a five-star score. A full suite of safety kit is fitted to the Audi, but some features are on the options list.
Powertrains
Some e-tron GTs have already needed replacement motors and gearboxes because of failure. Electronics glitches are common, but software updates can fix many of these problems.
Interior
The e-tron GT has a relatively restrained cabin, with digital instrumentation and a 10.1-inch central display. There’s a superb standard of fit and finish, while passenger space is very good, with lots of room for four adults. Boot capacity is decent rather than excellent. The rear boot can hold 405 litres while the front load area offers another 81 litres.
Prices
You can buy an early e-tron GT for a surprisingly attractive price, and it won’t be a high-mileage example for this money; it’ll have about 35,000 miles on the clock. Even a 10,000-mile example needn’t break the bank. RS editions are unusual, but they are out there if you’re prepared to search.
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Running costs
Audi dealers are keen to get e-tron GT owners to sign up to a service plan, but without one of these you can expect to pay £295 every two years or 19,000 miles for an inspection service, plus around £115 to replace the brake fluid and the same again for a fresh pollen filter.
As you’d expect, all e-tron GTs are in insurance group 50, so premiums are on the high side, but fuel costs can be extremely low if you’re able to charge at home. They can also be extremely high if you have to charge on the move, however.
All e-tron GTs are now subject to a £195 fee for road tax, and if you buy one registered from April 2025 you’ll also be liable for the £425 luxury car tax supplement. This has to be paid until the car reaches its sixth birthday, which means a hefty annual £620 bill for Vehicle Excise Duty (VED).
Recalls
It’s disappointing that Audi has already issued eight recalls for the e-tron GT, with every example made up to June 2024 affected by at least one campaign.
The first came in March 2022 because of faulty rear-seat belt buckles, while the second was issued in late December 2022, because of sub-standard springs in the air suspension. Water getting into the battery pack led to recall three, in October 2023, then in 2024, five campaigns were issued. There were two in May, both for faulty battery cells, while poorly made front brake hoses were the reason for recall six, in September.
Another two recalls were issued in October and November because of individual battery cells failing, leading to individual modules being replaced by Audi dealers.
Driver Power owner satisfaction
As you would expect, the e-tron GT doesn’t sell in big enough numbers for it to have appeared in our Driver Power surveys.
However, Audi finished 27th out of 32 manufacturers in our Driver Power customer satisfaction poll in 2024, trailing behind German rivals Mercedes (25th), BMW (14th) and Porsche (fourth).
Owners liked the interiors, visibility and acceleration of their cars, but value for money, steering and braking response weren’t highly regarded.
You can lease your perfect new Audi e-tron GT with our Find A Car service.
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