Audi Q4 e-tron Review
The Audi Q4 e-tron and Q4 Sportback e-tron are desirable high-quality electric SUVs with excellent range
Strengths & weaknesses
- Good amount of range from the batteries
- Interior is high-quality and feels well-built
- Practical and comfy enough to be a good family car
- Expensive compared to alternatives like the VW ID.4
- Could be more fun and engaging to drive
- Sportback is more expensive but offers little extra
The Audi Q4 e-tron is an electric SUV that’s available in two forms, the standard version and the Sportback. While in some other models in the Audi range ‘Sportback’ is used for the more practical version, in this case, it’s the other way around; the Q4 Sportback e-tron has a sloping rear roofline and is a tiny bit less spacious than the normal Q4 e-tron.
Both versions are considered to be SUVs, though, and have five doors, a hatchback that opens to reveal a good-size boot and are pretty much identical to drive. They even look the same from the rear doors forwards - the decision about which one to choose is all about whether you prefer the styling of one over the other.
The Q4 e-tron uses electric car technology that’s shared with some other new models including the Volkswagen ID.4 and the Skoda Enyaq (as Audi, VW, Seat and Skoda are all part of the same parent company). These cars all have the same batteries and electric motors, and all have a good amount of range as a result. In the Q4 e-tron’s case, you’ll see up to around 300 miles on a single charge, though the exact amount depends on which model you choose.
There are three different battery sizes to consider, with increasing range as you go up through the model lineup, plus the larger-capacity batteries are mated to more powerful motors as well.
The Audi Q4 e-tron rivals the Mercedes EQA, but you could also consider the other models mentioned above as rivals because they offer much of the same tech at a lower price. Yet the Audi is the most luxurious model that uses this VW Group-sourced hardware, and has many typical Audi traits; comfort, interior quality and plenty of in-car tech.
Should I get an Audi Q4 e-tron?
✔ Good amount of range from the batteries
✔ Interior is high-quality and feels well-built
✔ Practical and comfy enough to be a good family car
✘ Expensive compared to alternatives like the VW ID.4
✘ Could be more fun and engaging to drive
✘ Sportback is more expensive but offers little extra
The Audi Q4 e-tron is a superb example of the modern electric car, and if you are considering moving to this new type of power for your next car then the Audi ought to be one model that you consider. It has enough electric range for almost anyone as well as a high-quality interior, lots of modern tech in the cabin, a comfortable driving experience and plenty of space for the family inside.
The Sportback model doesn’t make as much sense because you’re paying more simply for the looks, but if you prefer that model then it’s virtually identical - it’s perhaps a little less practical overall but not by much. The Audi models are also overshadowed by the better-value Skoda Enyaq and VW ID.4, which use the same battery and motor technology but are a bit cheaper to purchase.
- Models explained
- Trim levels
- Batteries and range
- Best Q4 e-tron for...
- Rivals
- Dimensions
- Boot space
- Reliability
- Warranty
- Should I buy used?
- Deals
Audi Q4 e-tron (2021-present): models explained
Audi Q4 e-tron
The Audi Q4 e-tron is the more SUV-like design of the two - it has a more upright rear-end than its sibling. The differences are obvious when you look at the rear of both cars together - yet if you see both front-on then you wouldn’t be able to tell which is which.
The practicality differences this brings are pretty minor, although we’d still choose the normal version if you are a pragmatic buyer because the Sportback costs more to buy. The total boot space in this version is a bit larger but the volume with the rear seats in place is actually bigger in the Sportback.
The battery and motor options are identical: the models are called 35, 40 and 50 and offer 52kWh or 77kWh batteries and motors with increasing power from 168hp to 295hp. The range figures for the 35, 40 and 50 models are 208 miles, 316 miles and 298 miles respectively.
Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron
The Q4 Sportback e-tron has a more sloping rear roofline than the normal version - it’s considered a coupe-SUV because of the sportier looks. It’s no different to drive, though, so while it costs more to buy you don’t really get anything extra. There’s a bit more boot space but the total volume with the rear seats down is smaller than the standard Q4 e-tron.
It has the same batteries and trim levels as the standard Q4 e-tron, so you can choose the 35, 40 or 50 model in Sport, S Line, Edition 1 or Vorsprung configurations. We’ll look closer at what you get for your money in our trim level section below.
Which Audi Q4 e-tron to buy: trim levels
| Trim | Equipment | Deals |
| Sport | From £31,990: Sport is the entry-level version for the Q4 e-tron, and comes with 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, sat-nav, a large touchscreen media system with smartphone connectivity, digital dials, cloth seats and three-zone climate control. | |
| S line | From £31,000: S line models come with 20-inch alloy wheels and a sportier exterior look thanks to different bumpers and side trims. You also get tinted windows as standard, along with leatherette seats and ambient interior lighting. | |
| Edition 1 | From £31,900: Edition 1 is even sportier-looking than the S Line versions, thanks to black exterior trim on the bumpers and side skirts, plus different 20-inch alloy wheels and adaptive LED headlights. There’s also memory seats, a flat-bottomed leather steering wheel and black door mirrors. | |
| Vorsprung | Limited stock: The Vorsprung is the top-spec model, and comes with 21-inch alloy wheels, Nappa leather seats, a panoramic sunroof, a Sonos stereo system, a head-up display with ‘augmented reality’ functions and more driver assistance features. It’s very expensive, though. |
Best Audi Q4 e-tron battery
There are three versions of the Audi Q4 e-tron: the 35, 40 and 50. The 30 model has a 52kWh battery that allows for a range of up to 208 miles on a single charge. It has 168hp, which means it can go from 0-62mph in 9.0 seconds.
The 40 model has a larger 77kWh battery, which means it has the best range of the bunch at up to 323 miles. The motor is a bit more powerful at 204hp, so it can go from 0-62mph in 8.5 seconds. This version is our pick of the range because it offers the most driving range and isn’t even the most expensive version.
If you do want the most expensive version, the 50, you get extra power for your money - 295hp - but as the battery is the same (77kWh) it has a little less range than the 40 model. There are actually two motors in this version so it gets Audi’s quattro label as it’s four-wheel-drive, and can go from 0-62mph in 6.2 seconds. It has an official range of up to 298 miles.
Best Audi Q4 e-tron for…
The Audi Q4 e-tron and Q4 Sportback e-tron are both available with the same batteries and motors, and even the trim levels are identical between the two. The Sportback version is a fine option if you really love how it looks but we’d pick the normal variant every time because it’s slightly cheaper and there’s hardly any difference between them.
Which battery you choose should reflect how you will use the car. If you only drive 30 miles per day then there’s really no need to go for the longest-range version, as even the base model’s 200-plus miles will be plenty. If you sometimes drive a long way then the longer-range version might be worth it.
 |
Audi Q4 e-tron Sport 40: The Sport model is the entry-level trim and it has all the equipment you could need, including digital dials, sat-nav, a touchscreen media system and three-zone climate control. It also has the best-value battery setup in 40 form, offering the most range you can get in the Q4 e-tron lineup. | |
 |
Audi Q4 e-tron Sport 40: This model is the same as our pick for best-value, since the Q4 e-tron is designed to be a family car anyway. There’s no reason not to choose the best-value version as a family car as well. | |
 |
Audi Q4 e-tron S Line 50 Quattro: The fastest model in the range is the 50 Quattro version - it has 295hp and four-wheel-drive. It’s not the most fun to drive, but straight-line speed is a strong point especially when accelerating from a low speed. | |
 |
Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback Vorsprung 50 quattro: This is the most expensive model in the entire range, and while it’s very well equipped, the huge step-up in price over the lesser models is definitely not worth it. The add-ons you get are nice to have but you could buy an entire second car for the amount it costs over a lesser version. |
Audi Q4 e-tron rivals
The Audi Q4 e-tron arrived as part of a wave of new electric SUVs, so there are plenty of other options to consider when you are researching your next car purchase. There are some alternative models from the VW Group, which share the batteries and motors, plus some other parts, with the Audi: the Volkswagen ID.4 and Skoda Enyaq.
Then there’s the Mercedes EQA, which has a similar amount of space and driving range to the Audi. It also features a high-quality interior packed with technology, so it’s probably the closest rival in terms of upmarket appeal.
Don’t overlook the new Hyundai Ioniq 5 or Kia EV6, though, as these Korean models are fantastic, with perhaps even more impressive tech and interior quality than the traditional European luxury brands. Having said that, the Volvo XC40 P8 Recharge is another desirable European model to consider along with the BMW iX3.
Audi Q4 e-tron practicality: dimensions and boot space
Audi Q4 e-tron dimensions
The Audi Q4 e-tron and Q4 Sportback e-tron are both 4.6m long and 1.9m wide (with the mirrors folded), and while when you round the figures down it is also the same height - at 1.6m - the Sportback version is actually slightly lower. You can find the full dimensions figures in our dimensions article linked below.
The Q4 e-tron is longer than the Volkswagen ID.4, BMW iX3 and Mercedes EQA, but it sits in between the BMW and the Mercedes when it comes to width. All these models are within a few millimetres of each other in each dimension, so there’s really not much in it.
CLICK TO READ OUR FULL STORY ON AUDI Q4 E-TRON DIMENSIONS
| Length 4,588mm | Width 1,865mm |
| Height 1,614-1,632mm | Weight 1,890-2,140kg |
Audi Q4 e-tron boot space
The Audi Q4 e-tron has a boot space of 520 litres in standard form, which can be opened out to 1,490 litres if you fold down the rear seats. This doesn’t change even if you go for a model with the larger battery pack.
Choose the Sportback model and the boot is a little bigger, at 535 litres, when you have the rear seats upright. The total space with them down is smaller, though, at 1,460 litres. However, don’t let the figures fool you, as in reality there’s very little difference between the two when it comes to practicality. Even passenger headroom isn’t hugely lessened in the Sportback despite the sloping roofline.
CLICK TO READ OUR FULL STORY ON AUDI Q4 E-TRON BOOT SPACE
| Seats up 520-535 litres | Seats down 1,460-1,490 litres |
Audi Q4 e-tron reliability
That Audi Q4 e-tron shares many of its parts with the Volkswagen ID.4 and some other new models. This means it’s not built using rare or unusual parts that could hurt its reliability - but there’s really no way to know if it will be a reliable car in the long term because of how new it is. Electric cars have far fewer moving parts than combustion cars, though, so reliability is usually strong.
Audi didn’t fare too well in the 2021 Driver Power customer satisfaction survey, though, so the ownership experience might not be as good as it could be. The brand came in 23rd place out of 29, although Mercedes and BMW also finished poorly in the same poll.
Audi Q4 e-tron warranty
The Audi Q4 e-tron gets a very standard warranty from Audi, which means it comes with three years of cover as standard. This covers you for up to 60,000 miles in the third year, though the first two years are unlimited.
There are extended warranties available from Audi too, which keeps the car covered for up to four years or 75,000 miles and five years or 90,000 miles - depending which option you go for.
Audi’s battery warranty covers the e-tron’s power source for up to eight years or 100,000 miles. This is pretty standard for an electric car.
| 3 years | 60,000 miles |
AVERAGE REPAIR COST PAID BY WARRANTYWISE: £643
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON USED CAR WARRANTIES
Used Audi Q4 e-tron: should I buy one?
The Audi Q4 e-tron is absolutely worth considering if you are thinking about moving to an electric car. It has an excellent driving range of up to 300 miles per charge as well as a big boot, plenty of space inside for the family, lots of modern tech and is comfortable to drive. The Sportback model offers something different in terms of style, but it’s fundamentally the same underneath.
Where the Q4 e-tron might fall back a bit is in terms of value for money, as it’s quite expensive. The Skoda Enyaq, for example, is cheaper to purchase yet it has exactly the same batteries and motors as the Audi, so you get more for your money there. The best option for value in the Q4 e-tron range is to choose a lower trim level, as all models are well equipped anyway and the higher trim levels are really pricey.
Best Audi Q4 e-tron deals
The Audi Q4 e-tron Sport 40 offers the best value for money overall, so it’s the model we’d choose. It has the 77kWh battery, but as there’s only one electric motor it can manage a higher range than the more expensive models with two heavy motors - up to 323 miles per charge according to official tests. It’s still really well-equipped even in entry-level Sport trim.
If you do want a model with more performance then the S Line 50 Quattro version is the best option; it’s fast and powerful enough for most and still has a very respectable range of about 300 miles. S line trim adds a sporty look without breaking the bank, unlike the ultra-expensive Vorsprung version.
If you prefer the Q4 Sportback e-tron’s looks then choose one of these instead. It’s available in the same forms as the normal model, so the Sport 40 version is still our pick of the range here as well. You don’t even sacrifice too much practicality in this version - it has a slightly bigger boot, but isn’t quite as large when you consider the total space inside.
*Representative PCP finance - 2018 Ford Fiesta 1.0 ST-Line Hatchback:
| PCP representative example | APR rates available | |||||
| Cash price £12,000 | APR 7.90% | Value of loan | From | |||
| Fixed monthly payment £218.12 | Annual mileage of 8,000pa | £25,000+ | 6.9% | |||
| Total cost of credit £2,755.55 | Term 48 months | £12,000-£24,999 | 7.9% | |||
| Optional final payment £4,285.79 | Loan value £12,000 | £8,000-£11,999 | 8.9% | |||
| Total amount payable £14,755.55 | Deposit £0 | <8,000 | 9.9% |
BuyaCar is a credit broker, not a lender. Our rates start from 6.9% APR. The rate you are offered will depend on your individual circumstances.