The new 2023 Audi Q4 e-tron shows up in three different versions. Options might not be the problems facing this new Audi electric crossover.
Pricing for EVs is going haywire these days. One moment you hear about Ford and Tesla cutting prices for their EVs, and the next, you see other electric vehicles with much higher prices than before. Another challenge facing the EV market is the new Federal EV tax credit, which doesn’t apply to all electric vehicles, but restarts qualifications for some companies that had run out of tax credits.
Why might these new Audi EV crossovers fail?
Price matters, even in the luxury vehicle market. We’re not talking about posh Rolls-Royce vehicles here, but a luxury version of the VW ID.4. With this in mind, it might not bode well for the Q4 e-tron models to be priced higher than in 2022. The price increases are the largest change for the trio of Audi EVs, with price hikes of $5,300-$5,900 compared to the initial models that hit the market in 2021. These prices are now even high than the announced prices from October 2022, which makes for an alarming difference to Audi shoppers.
Audi EVs don’t qualify for the Federal EV Tax Credit
The new tax credit for EVs went into effect on January 1, 2023. This essential reset the market for EV credits, provided those electric vehicles are built at factories in North America. Unfortunately for the e-ton models, they are made at the same factory as the Volkswagen ID.4 in Zwickau, Germany, and then imported here. This makes sense for the Volkswagen Group, because both electric SUVs share the MEB platform, but it doesn’t help shoppers in the United States.
When you consider the price increases coupled with the lack of a tax credit, the difference between some 2022 e-trons and the 2023 models is about $13,000. Is this new model year really worth such a hefty price hike?
Does this Audi electric SUV have any redeeming qualities?
The new 2023 Audi Q4 e-tron models are offered in three versions. The regular RWD SUV, an AWD model, and an AWD Sportback edition. All three include an 82-kWh battery and a 150-kW electric motor for the rear axle. The AWD version includes an additional 80-kW motor driving the front axle.
When you’re looking at the driving range, the base Q4 40 offers 265 miles of driving while the Q4 50 (AWD) model achieves 236 miles of driving range. The Q4 Sportback delivers 242 miles of driving, which is one more than last year.
What does the entry-level Q4 e-tron offer?
The Audi Q4 40 e-tron Premium is the entry point for this impressive and useful SUV. This model brings a rather space list of features considering this is supposed to be a luxury SUV. You’ll find the desired safety systems, including forward collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights.
This trim level also brings you the benefits of front and rear parking sensors, a rearview monitor, and individual tire pressure monitors. At this trim, you’ll ride on 19-inch alloy wheels, enjoy LED headlights, heated outside mirrors, a panoramic glass sunroof, rain-sensing wipers, and a power liftgate.
Around back, you’ll see an attractive set of LED taillights, Alu-optic roof rails, deep-tinted rear privacy glass, and a 9.6-kW compact charging system that helps you power other electric devices using the e-tron batteries.
The cabin area of this Audi Q4 e-tron includes a new 11.6-inch infotainment touchscreen, a 10.25-inch digital dashboard display, capacitive-touch controls, and a leather-wrapped tilt/telescoping steering wheel. Every seat is covered in leather upholstery, offers heating, and you’ll enjoy an 8-way power driver’s seat. The rear seats fold in a 40/20/40 split fashion.
Choose this base version of the Q4 e-tron, and you’ll have tri-zone automatic climate controls, LED interior lighting, cruise control, remote keyless entry, a 10-speaker/150-watt Audi sound system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and access to the Audi Connect Care.
What options does the base Q4 e-tron offer?
If you want to enjoy the benefits of adaptive cruise control and lane guidance, you’ll have to choose the Premium Plus trim. That said, the Premium model can be had with a Convenience Package, which adds the Audi Advanced Key, a power passenger seat, auto-dimming and power-folding exterior mirrors, a wireless charging pad, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, a foot-activated power liftgate, an alarm system, and dual-pane acoustic front glass.
What does the Q4 50 Premium include?
The Q4 50 model is the AWD version of this Audi, and it brings the benefits of quattro AWD and the S line exterior styling package. If you choose this model, some of the options offered include 20-inch wheels and the Black Optic Package, which adds 20-inch alloy wheels with other black styling elements.
What if you want the Sportback version?
The Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback looks sportier than the regular model with its sloping rear roofline. Although the roof slopes downward, the cargo space is the same in this model as in the regular Q4. The Sportback has the same features as the Q4 50 e-tron Premium but adds 20-inch alloy wheels to the mix.
Will you choose the Premium Plus trim level?
All models can be had with the top-level Premium Plus name. This means you could have an Audi Q4 e-tron with the Convenience Package, which adds adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assist, the Audi Virtual Cockpit, MMI Navigation, multicolor ambient interior lighting, and a heated steering wheel. You’ll also find steering wheel paddles that control the among of energy captured during regenerative braking in this electric SUV. At this trim level, you’ve also got a six-month subscription to the Audi Connect Plus app and a 580-watt/10-speaker Sonos audio system.
What’s the verdict?
There’s no denying the high-quality luxury features offered in the new 2023 Audi Q4 e-tron lineup, but the price could be a serious problem. Shoppers who missed out on the previous two model years will now pay a lot more than before. This price difference could mean the demise of this new electric luxury SUV, or it could be a blip on the radar with luxury shoppers buying the Q4 e-tron up in droves.
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