Audi e-tron vs Volkswagen T-Cross

Audi e-tron

Audi’s electric luxury SUV.

Volkswagen T-Cross

Volkswagen’s compact urban SUV.

First car

Second car

Pick this one if…

Audi e-tron

Pick the e-tron for the 600-litre rear boot (plus 60-litre frunk), air suspension and quattro — accepting the real-world range below WLTP.

Best engine: The 55 quattro with the larger battery for the best balance of range and performance.

Read the full guide

Pick this one if…

Volkswagen T-Cross

Pick the T-Cross for an agile urban SUV with a high seat, clever interior packaging and low running costs.

Best engine: The 1.0 TSI (115 hp).

Read the full guide

Performance

55 quattro · Electric vs 1.0 TSI 115 · Petrol

	Audi e-tron	Volkswagen T-Cross
Power	408 hp Winner	115 hp
Torque	664 Nm Winner	200 Nm
0–100 km/h	5,7 s Winner	10,0 s
Top speed	200 km/h Winner	193 km/h
Power-to-weight	159,1 hp/t Winner	96,6 hp/t
CO₂ emissions (WLTP)	0 g/km Winner	120 g/km
Consumption (WLTP)	—	5,3 L/100km

Dimensions & space

	Audi e-tron	Volkswagen T-Cross
Boot	660 L Winner	455 L
Boot (seats folded)	1.725 L Winner	1.281 L
Wheelbase	2,93 m Winner	2,55 m
Length	4,90 m	4,14 m
Width	1,94 m	1,76 m
Height	1,63 m	1,57 m
Seats	5	5

Powertrain & tech

	Audi e-tron	Volkswagen T-Cross
Platform	MLB Evo (longitudinal, adapted for electric drive)	MQB A0 (transverse, shared with the Polo/Taigo)
Drive	All-wheel drive	Front-wheel drive
Engine family	Dual electric motors (quattro)	EA211/EA211 evo 1.0/1.5 TSI · EA288 1.6 TDI
Fuel	Electric	Petrol · Diesel
Transmission	Single-speed automatic (fixed ratio)	5/6-speed manual · 7-speed DSG
Euro standard	N/A (electric)	Euro 6d (all engines)
LEZ access	Zero-emission — unrestricted access in all LEZ zones	Euro 6d petrol/diesel allowed in the LEZ (Brussels/Antwerp/Ghent)

Reliability & watch-outs

Known issues

Audi e-tron

Early software bugs in the infotainment and driver-assist systems
High-voltage system: coolant circuit and electronics need checking on early cars
Real-world range sits well below the WLTP figure

Volkswagen T-Cross

DQ200 DSG shift quality (dry clutch)
Timing belt + water pump (EA211)
Infotainment glitches on early cars

Pros

Audi e-tron

600-litre rear boot (plus 60-litre front frunk)
Dual-motor quattro (408 hp in the 55)
Air suspension standard

Volkswagen T-Cross

High seating position and good visibility
Flexible sliding rear bench
Thrifty 1.0 TSI engines with low CO2

Cons

Audi e-tron

Real-world range is well below the WLTP figure
~2.5-tonne kerb weight

Volkswagen T-Cross

Rear bench tight for three adults
Pre-facelift interior plainer

Driving experience

Audi e-tron

As a model line, the e-tron accelerates strongly and silently on dual electric motors, and the air suspension soaks up poor surfaces. It feels heavy and planted rather than agile, and it is happiest cruising. Regeneration is adjustable for one-pedal driving in town. The 55 quattro has 408 hp and a 95 kWh battery, but real-world range is well below its WLTP figure.