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I'm very interested in this car, but I'm also waiting a generation or two until they get some of the issues I've read about squared away. One of those issues is charging on the road if you're taking a long trip. Give it a year or two, and it should be all squared away (I hope).
 
Yep. I can’t simply justify the Audi pricing when you compare to the VWs built on the same platform. And while the Audi Turbo 4 engines have more oomph, they are basically the same engines, and “there’s a (chip) app for that.”
Agreed. Probably the only engine worth paying Audi for is the one from the RSQ3 (the 2.5L 5 pot) as I don’t believe it’s in any VW cars. Actually, it might now be in the Tiguan R, I can’t remember. You have to give them credit for that beast, it’s simply incredible. Gives BMW’s 3.0 S6 a run for its money, and that’s difficult.
 
Not quite the same price and on paper it seems the Hyundai still wins with what looks like a bit more range and interior space. And is a shade cheaper.
You were extremely harsh on the price for the VW (compared it to a Bentley), but this one at only $1000 lower you consider affordable?
 
Inexpensive lol? It’s nearly £40k *after* the government grant in the UK. That’s hardly “inexpensive”. Are you meaning inexpensive when compared to a Bentley?
I'm in the U.S. Typically you can't buy much of anything for $45,000 in the states.
 
Lmao you think the Audi *won’t* be pricy?! It will be exactly the same as the ID4 but with less tech as standard and cost $15k more because Audi.

The XC40 is probably worth the money since Volvo make good cars. The Audi won’t be and will leave you stranded by the side of the road just after the warranty expires.
The Q4 e-tron starts at $45K in the US before the $7,500 tax credit, which will likely be upped to $10K with the infrastruture overhaul bill.

So there goes your hyperbole.
 
The Ioniq 5 looks absolutely brilliant. The problem is that people still have this archaic belief that Germans make the best cars. That hasn’t been true for a long time. The Koreans are king now and with pricing you can swallow.
Korean autos have come a LONG way, but still fall short of Japanese cars in the most important metrics.

German cars are nowhere near the top of anything.
 
The Q4 e-tron starts at $45K in the US before the $7,500 tax credit, which will likely be upped to $10K with the infrastruture overhaul bill.

So there goes your hyperbole.
Is there no sales tax on cars in The U.S.? Seems like maybe you guys get a better deal with Audi/VW. Except of course you get inferior equipment (you don’t typically get DSG gearboxes for example, you get slush boxes instead; you get old versions of parking systems and radar cruise; etc.).
 
You were extremely harsh on the price for the VW (compared it to a Bentley), but this one at only $1000 lower you consider affordable?
I didn’t compre it to a Bentley… I asked the user if they meant affordable in comparison to a Bentley.

In my opinion, you’re getting a lot more for your money with the Hyundai. Just compare the interiors! The Hyundai feels like a truly premium car compared to the VW. And all for $1,000 less? I know which I’d have.
 
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Fit and finish is huge for me and I've never seen a tesla where the front and back doors align at the window. Can't believe how nuts that is.

Also chargers. While Tesla has more chargers in quantity, the VW/ universal charging network has more locations.

Also style. I like how cars eb and flow, changing from year to year. Tesla is the most boring looking car on the road and every year its the same thing.

Also wheels and tires. Being someone who's experienced the switch between 15 to 16 to 18" rims makes me realize how much I want more rubber and less metal in my wheels and tires. Taking a pothole goes from uncomfortable to a bent rim, as experienced by seemingly every tesla owner.
Apparently VW’s charger network is awful. Buggy; won’t charge at advertised speeds; unreliable, complicated system to use; and so forth.

I think it was Bob Flavin who did a “living with an ID car” (ID3) and he said he’d give it back and get something else given all the problems.
 
Is there no sales tax on cars in The U.S.? Seems like maybe you guys get a better deal with Audi/VW. Except of course you get inferior equipment (you don’t typically get DSG gearboxes for example, you get slush boxes instead; you get old versions of parking systems and radar cruise; etc.).
Most of our Audi lineup has too much torque for DSG's. You guys enjoy your detuned 1.4T diesel engines. I'll take a slush box on my dual-supercharged V6 S5.

Also the assistance systems are literally the same. The only thing we don't have (and are only software-locked) are the Matrix headlights due to outdated DOT regulations.
 
VW hasn’t sold many EVs in America yet, so these are eligible for the $7,500 tax credit, and they cost about the same as the low-end Model 3, or slightly cheaper. Saving $7,500 is pretty good. I’m glad we’re seeing competition among EVs. Also, this is bigger than a model 3. So it’s actually quite a bit cheaper when you factor that in as well.

I have a 2016 VW e-Golf that ended up costing only about $17K (due to that tax credit) when I bought it brand new in 2016. It has CarPlay, so I’m wondering why this is considered to be a new thing. I love CarPlay; if your car doesn’t have it, make sure your next one does! (Tesla does not support CarPlay)
I wish they would change the tax credit to some sort of rebate instead that would be equal for everyone, regardless of income. I'm an older, retired person, and while I can afford an EV with money I've saved over time, my income consists of a modest military pension and social security, which gives me a tax obligation of around $2k annually, so that's the extent of tax credit I could claim. It's kind of a bummer seeing people with significantly more annual income than I make getting a $7,500 tax credit on a qualifying EV, while I'm limited to around $2k.
 
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Great pictures of the User Interface, looks promising.
Why are all these electric car copy cats using horrible internal screens with huge borders? It’s not like an accidental bump may damage the screen inside the car. Porsche or Audio are the only ones this far with production electric cars that don’t have huge visible borders on their touch screens.
 
I wish they would change the tax credit to some sort of rebate instead that would be equal for everyone, regardless of income. I'm an older, retired person, and while I can afford an EV with money I've saved over time, my income consists of a modest military pension and social security, which gives me a tax obligation of around $2k annually, so that's the extent of tax credit I could claim. It's kind of a bummer seeing people with significantly more annual income than I make getting a $7,500 tax credit on a qualifying EV, while I'm limited to around $2k.
Yes, I agree they should change it. It should be a fully refundable tax credit, or a tax credit that can span multiple years. One option could be: if you had any money saved in stocks, you could sell some and use the tax credit to cover the taxes on the gains, then just re-purchase other stocks right after to keep your money invested. Another option a lot of people took: they leased an EV. In that case, the financier (usually the dealer) gets the full tax credit and adjusts your monthly cost accordingly… then you can buy out the lease after 3 years for a decent deal usually.
 
I didn’t compre it to a Bentley… I asked the user if they meant affordable in comparison to a Bentley.
Exactly. The same comparison could be made to the Hyundai then… it would also be unaffordable according to your analysis.
 
Is there no sales tax on cars in The U.S.? Seems like maybe you guys get a better deal with Audi/VW. Except of course you get inferior equipment (you don’t typically get DSG gearboxes for example, you get slush boxes instead; you get old versions of parking systems and radar cruise; etc.).
There certainly is a sales tax on cars sold in the U.S., and lots of cars sold in the U.S. are equipped with DSGs, including various vehicles from Audi/VW that are sold here. I don't know about the parking systems and radar cruise control comparisons, but I hadn't heard that those offered on vehicles sold in the U.S. are inferior, until I read your comment.
 
Yes, I agree they should change it. It should be a fully refundable tax credit, or a tax credit that can span multiple years. One option could be: if you had any money saved in stocks, you could sell some and use the tax credit to cover the taxes on the gains, then just re-purchase other stocks right after to keep your money invested. Another option a lot of people took: they leased an EV. In that case, the financier (usually the dealer) gets the full tax credit and adjusts your monthly cost accordingly… then you can buy out the lease after 3 years for a decent deal usually.
 
Those are a couple of interesting options. I've been holding off on purchasing an EV while waiting to see what types of offerings various manufacturers are bringing to the market, but I'll keep those ideas you mentioned in mind when/if I decide to pull the trigger.
 
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Wife and I decided to cancel our purchase after review and test drive the car. Infotainment is very clunky and slow. the default drive does not regen unless you select B mode. Car is very heavy, you can feel it. Not very quite on highway for a EV. White steering wheel easy to get dirty. Price is not competitive. And one last thing, buying experience is terrible. usually dealer shenanigan tactic. added unnecessary dealer fees (over 3k). This is where Tesla shine. some buyer had better experience after calling vw corp support line.
 
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Apparently VW’s charger network is awful. Buggy; won’t charge at advertised speeds; unreliable, complicated system to use; and so forth.

I think it was Bob Flavin who did a “living with an ID car” (ID3) and he said he’d give it back and get something else given all the problems.
I only know of people with non-VW cars like the Mustang and Tacan using it and say it's a delight.
Auto authentication, shows charging speed on the charger's screen, the app and in the car, and the ability to reserve for a time period.
 
The Performance Tesla’s are fast and more importantly are super fun to drive. The 3 is amazing. The Y is a little slower but still fast enough for most.
I think the only downside is the fit and finish but Tesla will work with you on it. Just expect more on a $65K car.
 
Agreed. Probably the only engine worth paying Audi for is the one from the RSQ3 (the 2.5L 5 pot) as I don’t believe it’s in any VW cars. Actually, it might now be in the Tiguan R, I can’t remember. You have to give them credit for that beast, it’s simply incredible. Gives BMW’s 3.0 S6 a run for its money, and that’s difficult.
Well of course when you get into the S and RS badging it’s different. I had the first S4 model they sent to the USA and it was an amazing car inside and out.

But every day models are overpriced and over complicated in Audi sheetmetal.
 
Was MacRumors paid for this placement and review?

I don't think any of us mind that, but I do think it should be disclosed if that's the case.

I mention it because the commentary in this piece regarding the Infotainment system is diametrically opposed from anything you'll find in any other reviews, videos or real world user experiences.

Something just seems very off with that part.
 
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