Audi Q4 e-tron review

The all-electric Audi Q4 e-tron ticks all the boxes for a premium SUV: refined, well-equipped, practical and relaxing to drive, it’s not hard to see why it’s expected to become the German company’s biggest seller behind the A3 hatchback. Build quality and the interior as a whole is also excellent, while Audi’s infotainment system is as slick and easy to use as ever.

The Q4 e-tron’s claimed range can’t quite match the figures for some of its fellow mid-size electric SUVs, but in the real-world where it matters, the Audi provides plenty of range for most situations, and enough performance too. If you’re after a premium family SUV and feel ready to ‘go electric’, then the Audi Q4 e-tron must be on your shortlist.

Our choice: Audi Q4 40 e-tron Sport

About the Audi Q4 e-tron

The Q4 e-tron SUV is perfectly placed to lead Audi’s charge into the EV mainstream, with a breadth of talent that will fulfil the needs of most families. Like its more expensive Q8 e-tron and e-tron GT siblings, the Q4 e-tron still trades on a high level of luxury and refinement that Audi hopes will entice potential buyers away from rivals such as the Tesla Model Y, BMW iX1 and iX3, Volvo XC40 Recharge, Genesis GV60 and recently updated Mercedes EQA.

Audi is yet another Volkswagen Group subsidiary to utilise the automotive goliath’s electric MEB platform, with the Q4 e-tron sitting on the architecture that also underpins the Volkswagen ID.4 SUV and ID.5 coupe, plus the Skoda Enyaq iV SUV and Cupra Born hatchback. Of course, Audi has seen to it that the Q4 e-tron has the company’s trademark luxury feel and restrained good looks, which helps complete a first-rate package. 

32

Launching coupe-ish versions of SUVs has become something of a trend, and Audi has followed suit by offering a Q4 e-tron Sportback version with its swooping roofline and an 18mm drop in height. This particular body style is Audi’s alternative to similarly rakish EVs like the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Volvo C40 Recharge and Kia EV6.

The entry-level Q4 35 e-tron, which used a smaller battery, is no longer offered in the UK, meaning there are now two motor and battery combinations available. The range starts with the Q4 40 e-tron, which uses a single 201bhp electric motor to drive the rear wheels, while the Q4 50 e-tron quattro (which is quite the mouthful) gets four-wheel drive thanks to an extra motor on the front axle that increases the total power output to 295bhp.

Both versions are powered by a 76.6kWh usable battery pack that’s good for a range of 310-322 miles in the 40 e-tron, or 301-312 miles in the more powerful 50 e-tron quattro. Sportback variants slip through the air a little more easily and return 317-328 miles for the 40 e-tron, and 307-318 miles for the 50 e-tron quattro.

Trim levels are equally straightforward. Sport, S line, and Black Edition specs offered with both powertrains and all models get lots of standard kit. Every Q4 e-tron is equipped with alloy wheels (19 to 21 inches in size), LED headlights, front sports seats, a 11.6-inch touchscreen with integrated sat-nav and Audi’s Virtual Cockpit digital driver’s display, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a reversing camera and adaptive cruise control, among other safety systems.

For an alternative review of the Audi Q4 e-tron, visit our sister site drivingelectric.com...