Tesla Model S vs AUDI E-TRON GT: All-ELECTRIC CAR SHOWDOWN
***Updated February 17th, 2023***
The first US deliveries of the ALL-ELECTRIC Audi E-TRON GT (a 4-door LUXURY SPORTSCAR COUPE) began last year and the Model S has been around since 2012, but just how does it compare to the impressive Tesla Model S and can the performance RS version of the Audi e-tron GT compete with the Plaid Model S?
In addition to all the premium features you would expect on a car in the $100K+ price range, both the Tesla Model S and the e-tron GT have great performance, the convenience of 4-doors and seating for 5 passengers - however in many other ways these cars are very different.
EXTERIOR DESIGN
Although the Model S, is shaped more like a traditional 4-door sedan, it definitely stands out in a crowd and is very attractive with its clean front nose, wide muscular back and well balance proportions.
Image Courtesy of Tesla, Inc.
The fastback design of the Audi e-tron GT, faux front grill, distinctive headlight design, and sweeping rear light bar all combine into one very attractive 4-door coupe, and when it comes to exterior style alone, I actually prefer the looks of the Audi e-tron GT exterior look over the Tesla Model S.
Image Courtesy of Audi
AVAILABLE MODELS & PRICING
The 2023 Tesla Model S is currently available in either the dual-motor Long Range variant starting at around $95K, or the tri-motor Plaid version starting around $115K.
In the USA, the 2023 Audi e-tron GT is offered in three different variants: the PREMIUM PLUS version starting at $104,900, the PRESTIGE TRIM LEVEL starting at $111,300. The highest performance RS version starts at $143,900.
MODEL S INTERIOR
Images Courtesy of Disney & Tesla Inc.
The Interior of the Tesla Model S was recently redesigned to closer resemble to simplistic “spartan” design found in the Model 3 & Model Y, but with a few added features and tweaks. The vertical infotainment screen from the previous design was replaced with a large 17” landscape-oriented touchscreen and unlike the Model 3/Y the Model S retained the display directly in front of the driver. An additional infotainment screen was also added for the back passengers as well!
Tesla also went a step further in simplicity with yoke steering, which provides a much cleaner sightline for the driver. The yoke not only looks much different than a traditional wheel, but also lacks the stalks normally found on a steering wheel. In place of the stalks, are a series of capacitive touch buttons to control features like your turn signals, horn, autopilot and more. Tesla recently added back the option to chose a traditional round steering wheel for those who prefer that option.
E-TRON GT INTERIOR
Image Courtesy of Audi
In stark contrast, the Audi e-tron GT interior, while well equipped, looks very conventional and features a large number of physical buttons (which some people may prefer). As expected, it features a center infotainment touch screen (much small than the Model S) and also a “Virtual Cockpit” display screen directly in front of the driver. The Audi e-tron GT software appears very easy to use and is very similar to AUDI’s other vehicles.
Both vehicles come standard with leather free interior seats - however, unlike the Model S, Audi does offer an optional NAPPA leather version for those who prefer genuine leather.
While the new Model S interior is very comfortable and well equipped - for those who prefer a high-end, luxurious interior with premium materials and finishes, the Audi Interior clearly has a more luxury feel. However, for those more concerned with technology and amazing infotainment features and functions, the Model S far surpasses the Audi e-tron GT in that regard.
TESLA INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM
As Tesla mentions on their website, the Model S Infotainment system has, “Up to 10 teraflops of processing power enables in-car gaming on-par with today’s newest consoles via Tesla Arcade. Wireless controller compatibility allows gaming from any seat.”
The large Model S screen is not only useful for gaming but features a number of streaming video services like Netflix, YouTube, Disney Plus, Hulu and Twitch. Beyond infotainment features, Tesla also has a large number of other exclusive software features like Sentry mode, Dash Cam Recorder and Dog Mode to name a few.
RANGE COMPARISON:
When it comes to a range comparison between these two EVs, the e-tron GT should get around 238 miles of range on a single charge (RS: 232 mi) which is substantially less than the MODEL S estimates in either variant.
REAL WORLD TESTING
When it comes to real world testing, the e-tron GT will likely surpass the range estimates, based on a recent Bjørn Nyland driving test. Bjørn rated the real range of the e-tron GT at 90 KPH to be 490km/304 mi and even at 120 KPH which is nearly 75 MPH, the Audi e-tron GT should be able to travel about 235 miles.
In a mixed use setting with highway and city driving, I fully expect the E-TRON GT to get more than 238 miles of range. When you consider this with it’s ultra fast 800V fast charging capabilities, the e-tron GT should be much more practical than the range estimates alone seem to indicate.
Nevertheless, the Model S is clearly the LONG-RANGE LEADER, and I don’t see the e-tron GT matching the Model S’s impressive range and efficiency. This fact combined with the Tesla Supercharging network should make the Model S the better choice for long road trips.
CHARGING SPEED COMPARISON
As Audi mentioned in a recent press release that the e-tron GT has “...an 800-volt electrical architecture…” and can “…charge at an industry-benchmark 270 kW using DC fast-chargers.”
When it comes how this translates out in charging speeds they also stated, “This allows it to replenish its battery from 5-80% in about 22.5 minutes – among the quickest charging rates currently available of any EV.”
While this kind of charging speed is very impressive, this is really only half of the story. We need to also examine the actual miles of range being added during a charge.
According to data from EV-DATABASE.ORG, when connected to either a 150 kW or 350 kW DC fast charger, even though the Audi e-tron GT can charge from 10% to 80% quicker that the Model S, due to the amazing efficiency of the Model S, it actually adds more drivable range per minute of charging than the Audi e-tron GT.
PERFORMANCE COMPARISON
When compared to other 4-door sedans, the performance variant (Audi RS e-tron GT) is very impressive, but the Plaid Model S is in a whole other world of performance. The Plaid Model S is an incredible feat of performance engineering with it’s tri-motor powertrain and it easily beats the RS e-tron GT from 0-60 MPH and in the quarter mile.
EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS
When it comes to exterior dimensions, the Model S is slightly taller, longer and wider and offers a longer wheelbase than the Audi e-tron GT.
INTERIOR DIMENSIONS
When it comes to the more important interior dimensions, the Model S offers more head room leg room, and shoulder room in both the front and back seats.
Also, although both vehicles are technically 5-seaters, the middle back seat in the Audi e-tron GT is quite small, and since the e-tron GT does NOT have a flat floor (but has a hump like an ICE car would) this middle seat offers very little legroom. The Model S a slightly larger middle seat and thanks to it’s flat floor, it offers a decent amount of legroom even for that center seat.
CARGO ROOM
The Model S also offers substantially more cargo room – including a bigger front trunk (frunk) and bigger rear trunk space. With the back seats folded down in the Model S, it has over 64 cu ft of cargo space, and while the e-tron GT also has folding back seats, it has a smaller trunk and trunk opening and offers less cargo space overall.
In the end, the Audi e-tron gt is an impressive and very attractive EV and offers a more premium luxurious interior, however the MODEL S offers a lot more practicality & performance and has a technological advantage no other car can match.
