Audi Reveals Details Of Its Most Affordable EV

Out of all the electric vehicles launching in the US this year, theAudi Q4 e-tronwas among our most highly anticipated. That's because this new model was set to arrive with a $43,900 starting price plus the $7,500 tax credit, making it themost affordable luxury SUVon the market. We then got word thatonly the more expensive 50 e-tron quattromodel would be available for the 2022 model year, and when the Q4 40 e-tron arrived for the 2023 model year, it would have a higher price than initially anticipated.

Audi has just announced the 2023 Q4 e-tron andQ4 Sportback e-tronlineup, and just as we feared, the prices are less impressive than we hoped. The Q4 40 e-tron starts at $48,800, and since this model is not built in North America, it no longer qualifies for a tax credit.

An Audi spokesperson toldCarBuzzit has "nothing formal in place, but we are of course evaluating the impact of the localization requirements of theinflation reduction act."

Though it doesn't completely explain the price hikes, the 2023 Q4 40 e-tron now receives the advanced line exterior as standard, while the Q4 50 e-tron and Q4 Sportback 50 e-tron get the S line exterior standard. A new 11.6-inch MMI touchscreen infotainment system is also added as standard for 2023.

All Q4 variants pack an 82 kWh battery that can charge from 5% to 80% in around 36 minutes on a 150 kW plug. The base model comes with a single electric motor in the rear delivering 201 horsepower and an EPA-estimated range of 265 miles. This is slightly better than we expected for the rear-drive Q4, but the Volkswagen ID.4 can go up to 275 miles with the same battery, and it can hit a higher peak charging speed of 175 kW.