Audi Q4 e-tron Review 2024

Audi has bold ambitions for its Q4 e-tron. While it previously dabbled in electric vehicles with the full-fat e-tron electric SUV (and more recently the e-tron GT sports car), the Audi Q4 e-tron is set to become a big seller. It reckons it'll account 14.4 per cent of the brand's sales in the UK in 2022. That'll make it its second top-selling car, after the timelessly popular Audi A3. Our Audi Q4 e-tron review explains all.

The Q4 e-tron is based on the same MEB platform that underpins other VW Group electric vehicles, including the Volkswagen ID.4, Skoda Enyaq iV and Cupra Born. Predictably, it's posher and more expensive than its peers, pitched to rival the BMW iX3, Mercedes EQB, Polestar 2, Ford Mustang Mach-E and Tesla Model Y (to name a few). As well as the standard SUV model, there's also a coupe-SUV Sportback derivative.

The range starts from around £40,000 with the Q4 35 e-tron, which uses a small 55kWh battery to provide an electric range of 208 miles. The Audi Q4 40 e-tron is equipped with a larger 82kWh battery and a more powerful electric motor, providing faster acceleration and increasing range to an impressive 316 miles.

At the top of the range from a drivetrain perspective, the Q4 50 e-tron Quattro uses the same 82kWh battery, but powering a motor on each axle. That means its four-wheel drive, with a maximum output of 299PS and 460Nm of torque. It'll accelerate to 62mph in 6.2 seconds, but you won't be doing that regularly if you want to get anywhere near its official 298-mile range.

The smaller battery can be charged at a rate of 100kW with compatible chargers, while the bigger battery can be topped up at speeds of up to 125kW. In ideal conditions, this means the battery can be charged from five to 80 per cent in around 38 minutes.

Buyers can choose from a range of distinct trim levels: Sport, S line, Edition 1 and Vorsprung. We've driven the Audi Q4 40 e-tron in Sport trim and it felt satisfyingly upmarket – with a 10.1-inch navigation system as standard, as well as a slick 10.25-inch Virtual Cockpit, sport seats and LED interior (and exterior) lighting.

It's also spacious enough to use as your main family car, with a big boot and enough space in the rear seats for three adults (at a push). If out-and-out practicality is high up on your wish list, you might want to look at the Skoda Enyaq iV instead.

We'll hold our full judgement until we've spent more time with the new Audi Q4 e-tron, but first impressions are overwhelmingly positive. Its interior is noticeably upmarket compare to its Volkswagen Group peers, while its impressive electric range and versatile cabin mean you could easily use the Q4 as your main (or only) car and for now is one of the best electric cars going. 

Looking for a second opinion? What not read heycar's Audi Q4 e-tron review.

The Audi Q4 e-tron has a pleasingly spacious cabin. There's loads of room for those in the front to get comfortable, although it hardly has a commanding driving position so loved by buyers of SUVs.

There's a huge centre console in the front (with a generous glove box and a pair of cup holders), while a floating gear selector adds to the feeling of space.

Kids will be more than comfortable in the back, and you can even squeeze three adults side-by-side at a push. There are Isofix child-seat mounting points on the outer rear seats.

The Audi Q4 e-tron's 525-litre boot is usefully square and plenty big enough for an SUV of this size, although the Skoda Enyaq iV can accommodate more luggage.

It's the Audi Q4 e-tron's interior that really sets it apart from other MEB-based alternatives. It's typically Audi, with plenty of 'feel good factor' and not a flimsy finish to be seen. A Ford Mustang Mach-E or Tesla Model 3 simply doesn't compare.

For the ultimate in luxury, look for a top-spec Vorsprung model. With its Nappa leather sports seats, premium sound system and panoramic glass sunroof, it does the 'posh electric SUV' thing very well indeed.

Audi doesn't bother with gimmicky, oversized infotainment systems. All Q4 e-tron models come with the same 10.1-inch nav system, which is easy to use and feels as premium and up-to-date as you'd expect. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, too, so you can mirror features from your smartphone onto the car's infotainment display.

We like the physical buttons for the climate control system – they might not be futuristic or add to the minimalist vibe, but they're much less frustrating to use than the touch-sensitive sliding bar you'll find the in the Volkswagen ID.4.

Vorsprung models get a fancy augmented-reality head-up display (available as part of the Technology Pack – an option on lesser trim levels). While this is a useful feature (it points in the direction you need to drive when following the nav), we don't think it's necessarily worth the extra expense.

Unlike the Volkswagen ID.4 and Skoda Enyaq iV, there isn't an 'affordable' option with a list price below the Government's £35,000 Plug-in Car Grant limit. The cheapest model is the Audi Q4 35 e-tron Sport, which has a list price a smidgen under £41,000.

The more powerful 40 e-tron Sport starts from around £45,000, while the twin-motor Audi Q4 50 e-tron Quattro Sport is more than £51,000 – rising to £65,000 in desirable Vorsprung spec. On paper, the Audi Q4 e-tron looks pricey alongside the Volkswagen ID.4 and Skoda Enyaq iV – but most buyers will be looking at it as an alternative to cars like the BMW iX3, Mercedes-Benz EQB and Polestar 2. Alongside these, the Audi Q4 e-tron isn't particularly expensive at all. When you factor in fuel savings, it represents good value alongside a petrol or diesel Audi Q5, too.

The Audi Q4 35 e-tron packs a 55kWh battery pack which, according to official WLTP tests, returns a range of around 208 miles between charges (in Sport trim). That'll be more than adequate for a lot of drivers but, if you wish to travel further afield, look at one of the bigger-battery models.

The Audi Q4 40 e-tron, with its bigger 82kWh battery pack, can travel up to 316 miles between top ups. The fast 50 e-tron Quattro (again with an 82kWh battery) covers up to 298 miles between charges.

Charging the Audi Q4 e-tron is a fairly easy and rapid task. If you can find an appropriate charger, the Audi Q4 35 e-tron can be charged at a rate of 100kW. This'll boost the battery charge from five to 80 per cent in around 40 minutes. The bigger-range models can handle 125kW charging, adding around 80 miles of range in just 10 minutes.

While public charging can be expensive (we've seen rapid chargers costing as much as 70p per kWh), topping up at home will save you a fortune in fuel bills. Both the 55kWh and 82kWh models can be charged overnight (the smaller battery takes around 7.5 hours to fully charge; 11.5 hours for the 82kWh unit) – depending on your home electricity tariff, expect to pay between £10 and £15 to fully charge the Audi Q4 e-tron.

The majority of Audi Q4 e-tron models are powered by a single electric motor driving the rear wheels. Just like other VW Group electric vehicles (including the Volkswagen ID.4 and Skoda Enyaq iV), this means it feels surprisingly agile around town considering its chunky dimensions.

The Audi Q4 e-tron isn't as fun on a twisty road as a Ford Mustang Mach-E, but it is much more compliant. We've only tried it with the adaptive suspension so far (a £950 option on Sport models), but it's impressive how well it'll smoothen out a bumpy road – not something heavy electric SUVs are particularly adept at, ordinarily.

If you want the reassurance of all-wheel-drive, the Audi Q4 50 e-tron Quattro has a motor on each axle. We've not spent a great deal of time in this, but the standard two-wheel-drive model seems to offer plenty of grip.

Kicking off the Audi Q4 e-tron range is the 35 model, which combines a 55kWh battery with an electric motor to produce 170PS and 310Nm of torque. This is capable of accelerating from 0-62mph in 9.0 seconds – rapid enough for joining motorway traffic, but hardly push-you-back-in-your-seat acceleration.

The mid-range model is the 40 e-tron. With a bigger 82kWh battery and a 204PS electric motor along with 310Nm of torque, this'll reach 62mph in 8.5 seconds. This is the model we've driven the most and while, like the 35 e-tron, it's not particularly rapid, its instant acceleration means its pain-free to drive.

The current range-topper is badged the 50 e-tron Quattro. With an extra electric motor and a combined 299PS (not to mention a healthy 460Nm of torque), this'll sprint to 62mph in a fairly rapid 6.2 seconds.

There's a healthy amount of standard safety equipment on the Audi Q4 e-tron. Standard kit includes the manufacturer's Pre-sense front with pedestrian and cyclist detection. This can apply the brakes to reduce the severity (or avoid entirely) a potential collision, while a turn assist function which can help avoid a crash with approaching traffic when turning.

Audi Q4 e-tron Vorsprung models feature the Assistance Package Pro as standard (with adaptive cruise assist and a four-camera system providing 360-degree visibility), as well as the Safety Package Plus (which comes with Audi Side Assist blindspot monitoring and rear cross traffic assist reversing aid).

The Audi Q4 e-tron has been crash tested by Euro NCAP and was awarded the full five stars for safety, scoring 93% for adult occupant safety, 89% for child occupant safety, 66% for vulnerable road users and 80% for safety assistant tech.

The Audi Q4 e-tron can tow a braked trailer weighing up to 1000kg.

The range kicks off with the Audi Q4 e-tron Sport, which comes with 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and aluminium roof rails. A powered tailgate is standard, while inside you'll find sport seats (heated in the front), automatic three-zone climate control and LED interior lighting. There's a twin-spoke leather steering wheel, a 10.1-inch navigation system and 10.25-inch Virtual Cockpit. 

S line trim adds 20-inch alloy wheels, sport suspension (with a 15mm drop in ride height), S line exterior styling and front sport seats in part-leatherette. There are dark matt brushed aluminium inlays on the dashboard, while the steering wheel gets chrome-look trim and perforated leather with contrast stitching. 

The Audi Q e-tron Edition 1 features 20-inch alloy wheels, Matrix LED headlights, a choice of four driver-selectrable digital light signatures and a full-width rear LED light strip. The interior features electrically-adjustable front leather sport seats, a flat-top and bottomed twin-spoke leather steering wheel (with shift paddles for recuperation) and a range of ambient lighting.

Highlights of the top-of-the-range Vorsprung model include 21-inch alloy wheels, suspension with damper control and a panoramic glass sunroof. You'll find front sport seats finished in Nappa leather, Audi's Virtual Cockpit Plus and a premium sound system. Driver assistance systems including augmented reality head-up display, Audi parking system plus, Audi pre-sense basic and pre-sense rear, Audi side assist, cross-traffic assist rear, reversing camera, adaptive cruise control, emergency assist and advanced key with wireless communication, including electric boot release using gesture control.