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2020 Tesla Model X vs. 2020 Audi e-tron
2019 Tesla Model X and Audi e Tron ・ Photo by Tesla / Audi
When it comes to electric vehicles, Tesla leads the world. The American brand began producing EVs back in 2008, and just 12 years later, its lineup includes two sedans and a couple of SUVs. The all-wheel drive 2020 Tesla Model X is its largest and most expensive model. Introduced in 2015, it hasn’t changed much over the years, but Tesla has made continuous improvements to the SUV’s range and performance that have kept it well ahead of its competitors. Today, it’s the country’s best selling electrically powered crossover.
Last year, Audi introduced its own all-electric all-wheel drive SUV, and the Audi e-tron is the industry’s first real rival for the Model X. A bit larger than an Audi Q5, the mid-size 2020 Audi e-tron is a worthy competitor for Elon Musk’s SUV. It’s an all-new vehicle, sharing many of its design elements with the larger Audi Q8, and it delivers the style, luxury, and performance expected from the German automaker. But which is best? Let’s examine the 2020 Tesla Model X and 2020 Audi e-tron in key areas and decide.
Styling and Design
The exterior design of the Model X hasn’t changed much since 2015, but it’s still one of the most dramatically styled SUVs on the road. Its fastback roofline gives it a sexy silhouette that draws attention, and its signature power-operated gullwing back doors still feel sci-fi. Tesla calls them Falcon doors, as they open up like the wings of a falcon with the push of a button. However, buyers should be aware that tight parking spaces and garages with low ceilings can restrict their movement, which makes getting in and out of the SUV troublesome. Its front doors and tailgate operate conventionally.
Audi didn’t go wild with the design of the e-tron. It doesn’t feature any sideshow doors, but its curvaceous body is sporty, youthful, and intricately detailed with sophisticated character lines that pick up the light. It shares its grille with the Audi Q8, and in typical Audi fashion, it wears an abundance of elegant aluminum trim. This year, Audi has introduced the e-tron Sportback, which has a fastback design like the Tesla, so there are now two body styles to choose from.
Audi e-tron
Photo by Audi
Comfort and Cargo
Both of these electric SUVs feature very comfortable seats and quiet interiors, but the larger Tesla has the roomier interior. At 115.1 inches, the Audi’s wheelbase is about an inch shorter than the Tesla’s, and the Model X is a bit taller. As a result, the Tesla offer more rear leg and head room. Both seat five comfortably. Tesla also offers a six-passenger configuration for an extra $6,500 and a seven-passenger setup for $3,500, but its third row is best for kids.
At 193 inches long, the Audi is also about 5 inches shorter than its rival, and the Model X offers more total cargo space. There’s nearly 90 cubic feet of space if you utilize the Tesla’s front trunk (frunk) and fold down its back seats. With its third row in place, however, there’s little storage space left in the rear — just 12.5 cubic feet. There’s 28.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the Audi’s back seat (21.7 for the Sportback), which is about the same as you get in a Tesla. Fold down its rear seats and that space expands to 57 cubic feet.
Tesla Model X
Photo by Tesla
Infotainment System
One of the reasons Teslas are so popular is the brand’s infotainment system. It’s the best in the industry, with immediate response and intuitive menus and prompts. It’s not only one of the most advanced systems out there, but it’s the easiest to use. Although it has been around for eight years, Tesla keeps improving the system and everyone else is still playing catch-up, including Audi. From the Tesla’s massive touchscreen, which is still the industry’s largest, to the speed of its response and the system’s extensive connectivity, it remains peerless.
The Audi’s infotainment system is also impressive and easy to use, but it’s not as intuitive as the Teslas. Instead of one massive screen, Audi gives you two large displays: one for the climate controls and another for its infotainment system. Unfortunately, they accumulate fingerprints, which isn’t an issue in the Model X. Unlike the Tesla, the Audi’s screens give you some haptic response, which helps keep your eyes on the road, and its shifter cleverly doubles as a support for your wrist. Both systems can be controlled by voice commands, but the Tesla’s works better.
Tesla Model X
Photo by Tesla
Safety and Technology
Every Tesla Model X comes standard with all-wheel drive, automatic emergency braking, a forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assistance, which Tesla calls Autopilot. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has given the Model X an overall safety score of five out of five stars, but the vehicle has not been crash-tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Advanced safety technology is also found in the new Audi e-trons, including all-wheel drive, automatic emergency braking, a forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Optional on the base model but standard on the Prestige is the Driver Assistance Package, which adds several other potentially lifesaving high tech systems including Pre Sense 360, adaptive cruise control with lane-keep assist, and emergency autonomous steering assistance. NHTSA has also given the e-tron an overall safety score of five stars, and it’s been named a Top Safety Pick+ by IIHS, the organization’s highest honor.
Photo by Audi
Power and Performance
Tesla offers two versions of the Model X, and both have all-wheel drive and the thrust of two electric motors. Tesla doesn’t officially state the power of its vehicles, but this is the quickest SUV in the world. Despite a weight of 5,500 lbs, the company says the Long Range Plus can bursts to 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds and the Performance can do it in an unbelievable 2.3 seconds. That’s quicker than most supercars. Its powertrain is also exceedingly smooth and refined, and like all EVs, it goes about its business very quietly, with just a whir from its electric motors.
Also quiet and quick is the all-wheel drive Audi, which is also powered by a pair of electric motors, one powering its front axle and the other powering the rear. And there’s plenty of power. They generate a combined 355 horsepower and 414 lb-ft of torque. However, put the transmission in Sport mode and the output temporarily jumps to 402 hp and 490 lb-ft. It’s fast, responsive, and engaging, but the Tesla leaves it in its dust. Audi says the e-tron can hit 60 mph in 5.5 seconds.
Photo by Tesla
Battery Range
Tesla also leads the industry when it comes to the efficiency and range of its electric powertrains. An EV’s MPGe ratings from the Environmental Protection Agency are a calculation of its efficiency. They’re similar to the miles per gallon rating of conventional gas-powered SUVs. The 2020 Tesla Model X Long Range Plus has a very respectable 101 MPGe combined rating, and an estimated range of 351 miles, by far the most of any electric SUV on the market. The range of the more powerful Performance model drops to 305 miles, but it’s still more than any competing EV SUV you can buy.
The Audi e-tron is way behind, with a 74 MPGe rating and has an estimated range of 204 miles. Tesla also offers its customers exclusive access to its network of fast chargers located all around the country. The company says there are over 16,000 Superchargers in more than 1,800 locations. The Audi is compatible with fast chargers from brands like ChargePoint, but that network isn’t as comprehensive as Tesla’s.
Tesla Model X
Photo by Tesla
Driving Dynamics
Though quite big and heavy, the Tesla Model X is surprisingly agile for its size and doesn’t feel big and bulky from behind the wheel. It’s well balanced and has a very low center of gravity because Tesla mounts the SUV’s big heavy battery pack low, which gives it awesome stability. Its light, precise steering, strong brakes, all-wheel drive, adjustable air suspension, and huge tires make it engaging to drive and give the driver a great sense of control. The Audi’s ride quality is superior to the Tesla’s, but the Model X is sufficiently comfortable over most road surfaces.
After a few days behind its leather-wrapped steering wheel, it’s easy to forget the 2020 Audi e-tron is powered by electricity. It drives like a world-class sedan, striking the perfect balance between luxury and sport. It’s fast, responsive, and engaging, but also comfortable and compliant. Its steering is quick and light, its brakes are powerful, and its Quattro all-wheel drive system and huge tires provide impressive handling. We expected a harsh ride with the optional 21-inch tires, but the e-tron is smooth even over rough roads.
Audi e-tron
Photo by Audi
Value
The Tesla Model X Long Range Plus has a base price of $86,190, including a $1,300 destination fee. The Performance model costs about $20,000 more. Pricing for an Audi e-tron Premium Plus starts at about $76,000, including a $995 destination charge. The Prestige model costs about $7,000 more. The sleeker e-tron Sportback costs a bit more. It’s available in three trim levels: the $78,395 Premium Plus, the $84,295 Prestige, and the $89,490 Edition One.
Although the Tesla costs about $10,000 more than the Audi, the Model X is the better value. That extra money buys you more seating capacity, considerably more range, access to the Tesla’s Supercharger network, swifter acceleration, and the world’s best infotainment system.
Tesla Model X
Photo by Tesla
Verdict
Audi’s first electric SUV is an impressive transportation device, and it has put up a good fight. The 2020 Audi e-tron isn’t just a great EV — it’s a great luxury suv. It’s not only more affordable than the Tesla, but it also brings a more sophisticated exterior design to this fight as well as superior driving dynamics, an extremely comfortable interior, a supple ride quality, better build quality, and class-leading safety.
However, the 2020 Tesla Model X wins this one because of its far greater battery range, superior acceleration, industry-leading infotainment system, expansive cargo space, and overall value. We’d be proud to own an Audi e-tron, but the Tesla Model X is still the best electrically powered SUV in America.
Tesla Model X
Photo by Tesla