Audi Cuts e-tron Price, Increases Range for 2021
【Summary】Thank the Tesla Model Y or simply the introduction of more competition, because Audi’s just made the e-tron much more competitive.

The Audi e-tron is the automaker's first all-electric vehicle, though certainly not its last, and, by all measures, was an excellent way for the luxury brand to enter the electric field. Sure, it was delayed a few times and the original launch event was canceled because of Dieselgate. Then, there was the recall because of a possible fire risk. But overall, things have gone well for the e-tron and the EV has laid a good foundation for upcoming electric cars like the Q4 Sportback e-tron. For 2021, Audi's giving the e-tron a few changes that will make the EV more competitive.
More Affordable Pricing
If there are a few areas where the e-tron is a disappointment, it's how it compares to the competition, which is continually growing. With only 204 miles of range, the e-tron can't compete with the likes of the Jaguar I-Pace (234 miles), Kia Niro EV (239 miles), Tesla Model X (351 miles), Tesla Model Y (316 miles), and Hyundai Kona Electric (258 miles). Despite having less range than nearly every one of those competitors, the e-tron is more expensive than them. That changes, at least slightly, for 2021.
For the 2021 model year, Audi has introduced a new base trim for the e-tron family. The SUV will now start at $65,900 compared to last year's starting price tag of $74,800. That makes it $8,900 more affordable than before, while pricing for the higher Premium Plus and Prestige trims remains the same.
In addition to the more affordable price tag, the e-tron gets a modest increase in range – this is probably more important than the decrease in pricing. The 2021 e-tron will have an EPA-rated range of 222 miles on a full charge, which is 18 miles more than before. The improvements in range come from little tweaks that Audi has made, like the e-tron being able to disengage its front electric motor to save power. The automaker is also allowing the electric SUV to utilize more of its 95-kWh battery pack. Audi claims that the EV has "optimized drive system hardware and software adjustments."
The Updates Don't Change The e-tron
Other small changes have been made, too. The e-tron now has two charging ports – one on either side of the SUV. That should be a major improvement to usability, as having to oddly position your car when plugging into a busy charging station can be a major hassle.
While the changes are welcomed, they don't do wonders to help the e-tron become a leader in the segment, but they certainly help the SUV be far more competitive in the growing class. Audi also released some information on the upcoming Sportback e-tron, which will start at $70,195. The more athletically designed SUV has less range than the regular e-tron, as it's rated at up to 218 miles.
The 2021 e-tron and Sportback e-tron will go on sale before the end of the year
-
Kia Gains a New Logo, Teases Upcoming Electric Vehicles
-
NHTSA Issues New Rules for Autonomous Cars to Skip Some Safety Standards
-
General Motors Launches New Startup 'BrightDrop' for Electric Delivery Vehicles
-
IIHS Finds Front AEB Saves Lives, Rear AEB Reduces Fender Benders
-
Report: Apple’s Autonomous Electric Car at Least Five Years Away
-
Hyundai Claims It's Talking With Apple About EV Project
-
Massachusetts Announces Ban on New Gas-Powered Cars
-
Tesla Delivers Nearly 500,000 Vehicles in 2020, Breaks Record
- General Motors, Microsoft & Cruise to Work Together on the Development of Commercial Self-driving Vehicles
- 2022 Ford E-Transit Arrives With 126 Miles of Range
- Tesla is the Focus of Another Probe by the NHTSA for Suspension Safety Issues
- Lyft & Hyundai’s Joint Venture Motional to Launch a Fully Driverless Ride-Hailing Service in Major U.S. Cities
- Electric Vehicle Startup Xpeng Motors Plans to Sell Another 40 Million American Depositary Shares as Investor Interest Remains High
- Consumer Reports Study Finds EVs Suffer From Pesky Reliability Problems
- BMW Group Commissions Study on the Sustainable Mining of Lithium for Electric Vehicle Batteries
- The Electric Mercedes-Benz EQA Crossover Will Make its Global Debut on Jan 20
- Automotive Supplier Continental AG Invests in California Lidar Developer AEye
- Mercedes Benz, Bosch to Launch Automated Valet Parking System