Audi Q4 e-tron Review 2024

The Audi Q4 45 e-tron Sport is not lacking in any particular area. It's probably the perfect blend of performance, electric range and affordability. If you need punchier performance or the reassurance of all-wheel-drive, consider the Audi Q4 55 e-tron Quattro instead. Used buyers will also be very well served by the 35, 40, and 50 models.

There are a whole load of premium competitors in the electric SUV market. If you're looking at the Audi Q4 e-tron, you should also be considering the BMW iX3 and Mercedes EQB. 

The Ford Mustang Mach-E is a slightly left-field alternative, as is the Polestar 2 and Volvo XC40 Recharge. You might also want to consider the Tesla Model Y, or the slightly more affordable Volkswagen Group EVs like the Skoda Enyaq iV and Volkswagen ID.4. But our favourites are the Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 5.

You only need to sit inside the Audi Q4 e-tron to see what sets it apart from its platform-sharing siblings. While we can't really knock the Skoda Enyaq iV or Volkswagen ID.4, the Audi Q4 e-tron sets high standards in the electric SUV market. Everything feels plush and tactile, with a distinct edge over alternatives like the Ford Mustang Mach-E. Tesla can only dream of creating interiors like this.

You don't need to go to town on the options, either, or stretch yourself to a pricier model. The Sport trim level covers the basics, with things like a leather steering wheel, auto-dimming rear-view mirror and heated front sports seats – not to mention a plethora of interior LED lighting.

All Audi Q4 e-tron models started out with a 10.1-inch navigation system, but this was then increased in more recent models to an 11.6-inch screen. Refreshingly, neither is a large Tesla-like portrait display, rather the kind of easy-to-use touchscreen we're used to from Audi. It's intuitively laid out, with sharp graphics and speedy reactions, while Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also standard (the former wireless). There are even some physical buttons for the climate control system – old-fashioned, perhaps, but easier to use than the touch-sensitive sliding bar used in the Volkswagen ID.4.

There's also a trick augmented-reality head-up display available as part of the Technology Pack Pro. This isn't necessarily as fancy as it sounds – it just points in the direction you need to drive when you're following navigation directions. A useful feature, if a bit gimmicky.

All Q4 e-trons come with Audi's excellent 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit dash display, which can be configured in a number of ways to suit your needs.

Just like other Volkswagen Group vehicles based on the MEB platform (namely the Skoda Enyaq iV and Volkswagen ID.4), the Audi Q4 e-tron's wheel-at-each-corner approach provides an impressively roomy cabin. It feels light and airy, although it's probably worth considering the optional panoramic sunroof (which was standard on Vorsprung models) for the ultimate sunlit interior.

There's a generous amount of room for rear-seat passengers, although you might need to look at the bigger Audi SUVs if you expect to regularly transport three adults side-by-side. The Q4's stylish nature does mean it feels a bit more claustrophobic back there than the Enyaq. Both outer rear seats come with Isofix mounting points for child seats, while the high seating position aids access.

Like most SUVs, access to the Audi Q4 e-tron's luggage space is fairly high, which might prove an issue if you're trying to tempt an ageing Labrador or lift heavy bags of shopping into the boot. There's not much of a lip, though, helped by a false floor which also provides a useful stowage area for charging leads.

There are some useful tie-down points while the Q4's fairly square boot means it's very practical, even though it's not as big as a Skoda Enyaq iV (520 litres compared to 585). The rear seats split 60:40 (40:20:40 on Edition 1 and Vorsprung models) and drop fairly flat.

If you're wanting to fit the Audi Q4 e-tron in your garage, note that it's 4588mm long, 1865mm wide (2108mm including door mirrors) and 1632mm tall. It has a wheelbase (that's the space between the front and rear wheels) of 2764mm.

The Audi Q4 e-tron was first available in three core flavours. The entry-level car is the 35 e-tron, which uses a 55kWh battery and a 170PS motor driving the rear wheels. With 310Nm torque, this'll saunter to 62mph in 9.0 seconds flat.

The mid-range model Q4 40 e-tron came with an 82kWh battery and a 204PS electric motor, again driving the rear wheels. With 310Nm of torque it takes 8.5 seconds to cover 0-62mph – not a particularly rapid time by electric vehicle standards, but pacey enough to take the stress out of joining fast-moving traffic.

Above this, the Audi Q4 50 e-tron Quattro uses two electric motors (one on each axle) to provide up to 299PS and a healthy 460Nm of torque, so it feels noticeably perkier than the 40. If you really want shove-you-back-in-your-seat acceleration, the Volvo XC40 Recharge can cover 0-62mph in just 4.7 seconds... though no one needs their electric SUVto be that quick.

The revised line-up for the Q4 e-tron now consists of the 45 and 55 models with, respectively, 210- and 250kW outputs. The 45 can take care of 0-62mph in 6.7 seconds, while the 55 needs just 5.4 seconds, so neither is a couch potato.

All Audi Q4 e-tron models come with a very useable electric range. The entry-level Audi Q4 35 e-tron can travel up to 208 miles between charges (in Sport trim), while the 40 e-tron – with its bigger 82kWh battery – is capable of an impressive 316 miles. The faster 50 e-tron Quattro can travel up to 298 miles between charges.

The 45 and 55 models improve on the potential combined range with a full charge, offering up to 319 miles of driving before the battery is showing zero.

This is, of course, very dependent on the kind of driving you cover and whether you make full use of the Q4 e-tron's regenerative braking system. This slows the car down using the electric motor, recuperating any energy you'd ordinarily lose under braking. It's actually very clever in the Q4, using data from the navigation system to ramp up the regen when it thinks you'll need to slow down (approaching a roundabout, for example). You can also increase the recuperative braking manually by shifting the gear selector to B or, on Edition 1 and Vorsprung models, using the paddles behind the steering wheel. None of these are as severe as you'd find in some electric cars, though – don't expect to resort to one-pedal driving around town.

An obvious advantage of an electric car is the near-silent running compared to a conventional petrol or diesel model. That means the Audi Q4 e-tron is a very relaxing companion, while wind and road noise is also well hushed. It seems to put a focus on comfort more than alternatives like the Ford Mustang Mach-E, which means it's a very soothing, relaxing companion on a long journey.

Of course, the lack of a combustion engine means you're more likely to pick up on other minor noises. We did notice a few clonks and rattles from the suspension of our Q4 e-tron 40 test car, but generally it's as impeccably refined as you'd expect.

The Audi Q4 e-tron was crash-tested by Euro NCAP and passed with flying colours and a five-star rating. Standard safety kit is comprehensive, with driver-assistance features including Audi's Pre-sense front with pedestrian and cyclist detection. This can detect a possible collision and apply the brakes to mitigate, if necessary. Lane departure warning is also standard, as well as a turn assist function which can prevent you colliding with oncoming traffic when turning into a side road. 

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

We've heard of very few issues reported with electric Audi models, including the Q4 e-tron and the regular e-tron. Audi as a brand is generally very reliable, while electric cars are usually more dependable than their petrol or diesel counterparts.

Insurance groups for the Audi Q4 e-tron range from a very reasonable 26 (out of 50, with 50 being the highest) to 40 for the top spec model. This is on a par with other electrically-powered SUVs from premium badges.

As the Audi Q4 e-tron is a pure electric vehicle, it's exempt from VED (vehicle excise duty, also know as road tax).

Standard equipment on the Audi Q4 e-tron Sport includes 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and aluminium roof rails. There's a powered tailgate as standard, while inside you'll find sport seats (heated in the front), automatic three-zone climate control and LED interior lighting. A twin-spoke leather steering wheel is standard, as well as a 11.6-inch (10.1-inch in earlier models) navigation system and 10.25-inch Virtual Cockpit. 

The Audi Q4 e-tron S line builds on the Sport trim with 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.

At the peak of the line-up now sits the Black Edition that has 21-inch alloy wheels, Black Pack styling with colour-coded badges and roof rails, a flat-bottomed steering wheel, and paddle shifters to work the brake regeneration.

The Audi Q4 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 earlier Vorsprung model include 21-inch alloy wheels, suspension with damper control and a panoramic glass sunroof. There's front sport seats finished in Nappa leather, 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.