The base grade 55 SUV comes with a decent amount of equipment, including LED headlights, an 11.6-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, an electric driver’s seat adjustment, satellite navigation, folding/heated/kerb-side-view exterior mirrors, roof rails and automatic parking.

You’ll also find full stop/go adaptive cruise control, an electronic instrument display, heated front seats, three-zone climate control, a gesture-controlled powered tailgate and 19-inch alloy wheels.

If you step up to the Sportback 45, it gains the S-Line package with blacked-out trim and 20-inch alloys.

Moving on up to the 55 adds an extra electric motor for AWD, Matrix LED headlights, dynamic indicators, a powered front passenger seat, driver’s side memory settings, a 360-degree camera instead of the regular rear-only view and privacy glass.

Offered in SUV wagon or Sportback coupe-SUV guises, the Q4 e-tron is a medium-sized EV with more interior space than its compact dimensions suggest – especially in terms of legroom front and rear.

The dashboard features two electronic displays – one for the driver and a central touchscreen for the multimedia system. This houses a reverse camera, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, digital radio and more. Kudos to the company for incorporating physical buttons and switches that are within easy reach of the driver.

Speaking of which, Audi is an expert at ergonomics, as the excellent driving position, good forward vision, ample ventilation and exceptional storage options prove. Quality and craftsmanship is also high.

The rear bench is accessed via wide-opening doors, and offer plenty of space and amenities, including USB-C ports, cupholders, a folding centre armrest and overhead grab handles.

Further back, with all seats up, the Q4 e-tron offers between 520 litres (SUV) and 535L (Sportback) of VDA cargo capacity, expanding to 1490L and 1460L respectively.

But, while the floor is flat and space practical for most family needs, note that no spare wheel is fitted – just a tyre-repair kit.

In all versions of the Q4 e-tron, a permanently excited synchronous motor sits on the rear axle driving the rear wheels via a single-speed transmission.

In the 45 model, it makes 210kW of power for a power-to-weight ratio of 98kW per tonne, while the 55s’ 250kW output ups that to 112kW/tonne. Both Q4 e-trons deliver 545Nm of torque.

The Audi Q4 e-tron is a five-seater SUV, offered in wagon-like SUV and Sportback coupe-SUV guises.

The 45 comes with standard front bucket seats that are heated and electrified for the driver’s seat, while the 55 adds front-passenger adjustment and extra bolstering.

The fixed rear bench features a split-fold backrest, and features a central armrest with cupholders. A trio of child-seat tether latches are fitted, while the front passenger seat and outboard rear positions also offer ISOFIX latches.

The Q4 e-tron 45 can accelerate from standstill to 100km/h (0-100km/h) in 6.7 seconds, on the way to a top speed of 180km/h (governed).

Meanwhile, the Q4 e-tron 55 sprints to 100km/h (0-100km/h) in just 5.4 seconds, and has a top speed of 180km/h also.

Built on a 400V architecture and housing an 82kWh Lithium-ion battery pack with a useable capacity of 77kWh, the Q4 e-tron Sportback 45 offers the most range, delivering 540km WLTP. That’s followed by the 45 SUV, Sportback 55 quattro and 55 quattro SUV with 524km, 503km and 488km respectively.

Despite weighing about the same, the Sportback uses around 0.5kWh/100km less electricity than the SUV version, due to better aerodynamics. That translates to about 15km of extra distance.