Audi Q4 e-tron review – a sharply designed EV

Verdict – is the Audi Q4 e-tron a good car?

The Audi Q4 e-tron and its coupe-styled Sportback sibling tick most of the boxes you’d want in a mid-sized electric SUV from the German brand. They’re comfortable, plenty quick enough and filled with tech that’s both comprehensive and easy to use. We also found it quite efficient, and particularly with the bigger battery, it can realistically top 300 miles when driven carefully. Downsides include the steep purchase price and the fact it can feel heavy if you pick up the pace on a twisty road. 

Audi Q4 e-tron models, specs and alternatives

The Audi Q4 e-tron has established itself as one of Audi’s most popular models, electric or otherwise. It's a sister car to the Volkswagen ID.4 and Skoda Enyaq, sharing much of its technology under the skin with these VW Group relatives. Of course, the Audi badge means that the Q4 e-tron is positioned at the more premium end of the mid-size electric SUV market and as a result needs to compete with rivals like the Polestar 2, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Mercedes EQA, BMW iX1 and Tesla Model Y. 

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The electric car segment is developing fast and in 2024 Audi announced a series of improvements to the Q4 e-tron. The old Q4 35 e-tron was axed soon after launch but in this update the Q4 40 e-tron and Q4 50 e-tron versions were replaced by the Audi Q4 45 e-tron and Q4 55 e-tron models that now make up the entirety of the range. Although the styling and interior design remained largely unchanged this round of updates brought significant improvements to range, performance and charging speeds.

Today’s Audi Q4 e-tron lineup first presents customers with the entry-level Q4 45 e-tron, a rear-wheel drive model with 282bhp and the Q4’s best overall range figure of 330 miles. Despite being the most affordable version, it still costs just above the £50,000 barrier. Upgrade to the 45 quattro 4x4 model with an extra motor on the front axle for £1,400 and the maximum WLTP combined range drops to 319 miles. All the Q4 55 e-tron cars get quattro four-wheel drive. Power jumps to 335bhp and the range is the same as the 45 quattro cars that cost £5,000 less.     

There’s a choice of two body styles, with a coupe-SUV style Sportback version lining up next to the regular SUV. The Sportback is slightly less roomy in the back and £2,000 more expensive to buy, but is positioned as a slightly more stylish alternative, while the better aerodynamics mean the range is seven to nine miles better model for model. All versions of the Audi Q4 e-tron share the same choice of electric powertrains with Sport, S line and Black Edition trim levels. 

All models also use the same 77kWh (usable capacity) battery pack but different chemistry in the quattro models means they can charge faster – at 175kW rather than 135kW for the non-quattro cars.

Audi worked to improve the ride and handling of the Q4 as part of the 2024 updates that also delivered big boosts in performance. The car handles noticeably better as a result but its strengths still lie in comfort and refinement rather than driving thrills. Our advice would be to stick with the mode affordable entry-level Q4 45 e-tron as a result, you get the longest range for the least money and Sport trim does without the overly-firm S line suspension. 

As you'd expect for an Audi, the Q4’s interior is a highlight, with a higher quality of finish and materials than most rivals, although this is reflected in the car’s price compared to its ID.4 and Enyaq sister cars. There are areas of hard plastics around the gear shifter and on the door inserts but that classy Audi feel is in evidence.

We also like Audi's MMI infotainment setup, which retains physical switches for the climate control, instead of the fiddly touch-sensitive sliders. A large 11.6-inch touchscreen is fitted as standard and it includes Amazon Alexa compatibility as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

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The electric Audi's 'skateboard' electric platform has allowed designers to make it more practical than you might expect. A flat floor boosts interior space, especially for rear passengers, and its boot measures 520 litres behind the rear seats. There are also neat storage areas dotted around for smaller items, along with a hidden area for the charging cable under the boot floor. A five-star Euro NCAP safety rating will also be appealing for buyers.