2016 Audi A3 Sportback e-tron Starts at $38,825

When Audi’s first U.S.-market plug-in hybrid goes on sale in October, it will start at $38,825; the price includes destination but excludes potential state and federal incentives. The front-wheel-drive 2016 A3 Sportback e-tron is a four-door, five-passenger hatchback powered by a 1.4-liter gas engine combined with an 8.8-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. EPA mileage figures have not yet been announced.

Related: Chevrolet Boosts Range of 2016 Volt by 40 Percent

Recharge time is about two hours and 15 minutes on a 240-volt charger; charging takes eight hours on a 120-volt household outlet. Charging can be tracked and managed on the driver’s smartphone. The A3 Sportback e-tron features four selectable driving modes: EV mode for electric only; Hybrid mode, allowing the vehicle to intelligently select the most efficient power source; Hold Battery mode, enabling hybrid driving while preserving EV range for later use; and Charge Battery mode, which uses the gas engine to recharge the battery at highway speeds.

Standard equipment includes xenon high-intensity discharge headlights, LED taillights with rear fog lights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, keyless start and entry, and a backup camera with rear parking sensors. Sixteen-inch wheels are standard with 17- and 18-inch wheels available. The interior has a 7-inch multimedia screen; e-tron-specific shift knob, dashboard badging, instrument cluster and door sills; and 13.6 cubic feet of cargo space. Available advanced safety features include lane change assist, adaptive cruise control and active lane keep assist. In addition to the base model, the Premium Plus trim level will start at $42,925 and the top-level Prestige trim at $47,725.

Audi says the A3 e-tron is the first of many e-tron models slated for the U.S. market.