Audi Q4 e-tron Review 2025

In just a handful of years, the Q4 e-tron has become Audi's second most popular car, only outsold by the Audi A3. Therefore it's also the premium German brand's best-selling electric vehicle. While Audi previously dabbled in EVs with the full-fat e-tron electric SUV (now known as the Q8 e-tron), as well as the e-tron GT sports car, the Audi Q4 e-tron is THE electric Audi. Our Audi Q4 e-tron review explains why it's become so popular.

The Q4 e-tron is based on the same MEB platform that underpins other Volkswagen 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 models available have been tweaked and changed since the Q4 e-tron launched in 2021. At launch, the range started from around £40,000 with the Q4 35 e-tron, which uses a small 55kWh battery to provide an electric range of 208 miles. It didn't prove that popular and was soon phased out.

Next on the launch line-up was the Audi Q4 40 e-tron, equipped with a larger 82kWh (77kWh usable) 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 was the Q4 50 e-tron Quattro, using 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.

In 2023, the line-up changed again. The Q4 40 e-tron AND the Q4 50 e-tron were dropped, replaced by two new models, both with 82kWh batteries – the rear-wheel-drive Q4 45 e-tron with 282PS and the all-wheel-drive Q4 55 e-tron Quattro with 340PS.

In 2025, the Q4 40 e-tron returned as the entry-level model, but with a different specification to the previous model. It features a 258-mile range from a 63kWh battery and has 204PS.

Buyers can choose from a range of distinct trim levels, depending on the age of the car: Sport, S line, Edition 1, Black Edition and Vorsprung. We've driven the earlier-spec 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 instead.

The Q4 e-tron's 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 it's one of the best electric cars going. 

Audi Q4 e-tron: Range and charging times

The Audi Q4 35 e-tron packs a 55kWh battery pack which return an official 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 early 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.

The later Q4 45 e-tron promises a range of up to 338 miles (or 320 in all-wheel-drive Quattro form) and the Q4 55 e-tron will also manage up to 320 miles in Sport trim.

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 earlier models can handle 125kW charging, adding around 80 miles of range in just 10 minutes, while later models charge at up to 175kW, giving you a 10 to 80 per cent charge in 28 minutes. 

While public charging can be expensive (we've seen rapid chargers costing as much as 85p per kWh), topping up at home will save you a fortune in fuel bills. You can charge all models 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 £20 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), 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 early Sport models and standard on higher-spec 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 Quattro models have a motor on each axle. We've not spent a great deal of time in them, but the standard two-wheel-drive models seems to offer plenty of grip.

Kicking off the Audi Q4 e-tron range at launch wass 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 was 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 initial range-topper was 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.

Post 2023, the range was overhauled bring in the 45 e-tron uses an 82kWh battery and has a 282PS motor for a 6.6-second sprint to 62mph. The Quattro version boasts the same output and acceleration time.

The top-spec 55 e-tron Quattro model has 340PS and manages 0-62mph in 5.4 seconds.

From 2025, you can also buy the revamped 40 e-tron, which like its earlier namesake has 204PS but hits 62mph slightly faster, in 8.1 seconds.

There's a healthy amount of standard safety equipment on all versions of 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).

Later versions have an updated Adaptive Cruise Assist system and more camera systems to help manoeuvring.

The Audi Q4 e-tron has been tested twice by independent safety organisation Euro NCAP. After its first scrutinisation in 2021 it 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.

It was tested again in 2025 (using more stringent criteria) and scored 91% for adult occupanucy, 87% for child occupants, 79% for vulnerable road users and 73% for safety assist technology – a small drop, but still impressive.

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

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 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 if you're buying used. The now-discontinued Vorsprung has Nappa leather sports seats, premium sound system and panoramic glass sunroof, and it does the 'posh electric SUV' thing very well indeed.

Audi doesn't bother with gimmicky, oversized infotainment systems. All early Q4 e-tron models came 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. Soon after launch, an 11.6-inch screen was made available on higher-spec models and in 2025 is standard across the range. 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 got a fancy augmented-reality head-up display (available as part of the Technology Pack and, as an option on later models, the Technology Park Pro). 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.

The cheapest new model is the Audi Q4 40 e-tron Sport, which has a list price of £47,305.

The more powerful 45 e-tron Sport starts from around £51,310, while the twin-motor Audi Q4 45 e-tron Quattro Sport is £52,740. The most powerful 55 e-tron Quattro Sport starts at £57,690 – rising to £62,490 in top-spec Black Edition form.

On paper, the Audi Q4 e-tron looks pricey alongside the Volkswagen ID.4 (which starts at £37,000) and the Skoda Enyaq (from £39,000) – 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.

Since the Vehicle Excise Duty rules changed in April 2025, you'll not longer get the big discount on road tax that electric cars used to give you. While the first-year rate is only £10 on the Q4 e-tron, that's included in the purchase price of the car. After that you'll pay the same flat rate of £195 as everybody else, plus – on new models, which all cost more than £40,000 – the expensive-car surcharge of £425 for five years, meaning a total of £620 a year. Earlier cars that squeezed in under £40,000 when new will escape this.

Insurance groups range from 26 to 40 (of 50) depending on the model, so premiums could get a little pricey towards the upper end of the range, but not prohibitively so.

The Audi Q4 e-tron has had a few changes to its line-up since its launch, although some models have remained constant. 

The range kicks off with the Audi Q4 e-tron Sport, which comes with:

• 19-inch alloy wheels
• LED headlights
• Aluminium roof rails
• Powered boot lid
• Sport seats
• Heated front seats
• Three-zone climate control
• LED interior lighting
• Twin-spoke leather steering wheel
• 10.1-inch touchscreen (11.6-inch on later cars)
• 10.25-inch Virtual Cockpit
• Adaptive cruise control (from 2023 refresh)

The Audi Q4 e-tron S line trim adds:

• 20-inch alloy wheels
• Sport suspension (with a 15mm drop in ride height)
• S line exterior styling
• Front sport seats in part-leatherette
• Dark matt brushed aluminium inlays on the dashboard 

The Audi Q e-tron Edition 1, available at the car's launch, featured:

• 20-inch alloy wheels
• Matrix LED headlights
• Four driver-selectable digital light signatures
• Full-width rear LED light strip
• Electrically-adjustable front leather sport seats
• Flat top and bottomed twin-spoke leather steering wheel
• Ambient lighting

Highlights of the top-of-the-range Audi Q e-tron Vorsprung model (available until the 2023 refresh) included:

• 21-inch alloy wheels
• Adaptive damper control 
• Panoramic glass sunroof
• Nappa leather upholstery
• Virtual Cockpit Plus
• Premium sound system
• 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
• Advanced key with wireless communication

With the Edition 1 and Vorsprung models dropped from the line-up, the current top-spec model is the Audi Q e-tron Black Edition. Based on the S line, highlights include:

• 21-inch alloy wheels
• Black styling on exterior trim, badges and roof rails
• Tinted windows

Various optional packs have been available to boost features. These have varied over the years, but ommonly ticked options include the Technology Pack – featuring Matrix LED headlights, dynamic indicators and expanded infotainment features – and the Technology Pack Pro, which features all that, plus the augmented reality head-up display, automatic parking, panoramic sunroof and a 360-degree camera system.

The Comfort/Comfort & Sound Pack includes a premium sound system (Bang & Olufsen on early cars, Sonos on new ones), extended ambient lighting and a heated steering wheel.