Audi's New Q4 e-tron Is Just $36K Post Incentives

Proper Bargain

One of the biggest gripes people have with electric vehicles is the fact that they generally cost more - oftentimes significantly more - than comparable ICE vehicles. But for those looking for a quality EV that represents a great value, all is not lost - the Audi Q4 e-tron features a starting MSRP of $43,900, or just $36,400 after the $7,500 federal tax credit.

Photos: Audi

Proper Value

For the money, it's hard to beat what one gets with the new Q4 e-tron, which can be sold at its budget price thanks to the fact that it rides on Volkswagen's widely-used MEB platform. Roughly the same size as an Audi Q3, the Q4 e-tron also offers up more interior and cargo space thanks to its electric powertrain.

Photos: Audi

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Quick Charging

The Q4 e-tron is available in a regular, traditional SUV-type shape as well as the more stylish Sportback, which features a coupe-like rear roofline that's all the rage these days. The U.S. version gets one battery pack option - an 82 kWh unit, which can DC fast-charge at speeds up to 125 kW and go from a 5-80% state of charge in 38 minutes.

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Base Version

Audi estimates that every version of the Q4 e-tron will get around 241 miles of EPA-rated range, but power levels and drivetrain layout vary depending on which model one chooses. The base Q4 40 e-tron offers 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque from a single electric motor to the rear wheels, which propels it from 0-60 in 7.9 seconds.

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More Power

Step up to the Q4 50 e-tron, and you get all-wheel-drive and two electric motors that combine to produce 295 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque, which results in a more respectable 5.8 second 0-60 jaunt. Top speed comes in at 99 mph for the base model and a slightly higher 112 mph for the Q4 50 and Sportback 50 variants.

Photos: Audi

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Sticker Prices

While the base version is an absolute bargain when the tax incentive is factored in, the pricier Q4 50 e-tron models present solid value as well. The regular version costs $49,900 before incentives, while the sportier Sportback has a starting MSRP of $52,700, meaning that both can be had in the low to mid $40k range.

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Making Concessions

While its range figures may not quite measure up to Tesla's, the Q4 e-tron does offer more traditional styling and an interior with physical buttons and a bit more luxury. For those that aren't fans of the minimalist style the Tesla Model Y offers and don't need its superior range and performance, the Q4 e-tron figures to save them thousands of dollars for those concessions.

Photos: Audi

>>Join the conversation about the Q4 e-tron right here in the Electric Vehicles Forums!