Audi E5 Sportback Launches In China With 800 HP And $33K Starting Price

Audi just launched the E5 Sportback in China, and it is turning heads for one big reason. Instead of coming in with a high sticker price like many new EVs, Audi has made it surprisingly affordable while still packing in plenty of features.

The lineup starts with the Pioneer model at around $33,000. That gets you nearly 300 horsepower, a big battery, and more than 380 miles of range. If that sounds modest, the Pioneer Plus stretches things even further, with close to 500 miles on a charge.

For drivers who want more kick, the Pioneer Quattro adds dual motors and over 500 horsepower, while the Flagship Quattro turns things up to nearly 800 horsepower and launches to 62 mph in just over three seconds. That is sports car territory at family-car money.

Inside, the new Audi E5 Sportback feels futuristic. The huge 59-inch display dominates the dash, stretching across to the digital side mirrors, but the cabin itself stays calm and minimalist. Leather and Alcantara keep things premium, and Audi hasn’t forgotten the small details, like giving you two wireless phone chargers.

Every version also comes packed with tech that you’d normally expect to pay extra for. We are talking LiDAR, radar, cameras, and a full suite of sensors to handle advanced driver assistance. It is clear Audi wants to show that cutting-edge safety and autonomy features should be standard.

Deliveries start next month, though only in China for now. If it goes global, plenty of rivals will be watching nervously.