Audi Q4 E-Tron Reviews

A top-seller in France, Germany and in the UK, Audi Q4 e-tron volumes have never quite made an impact Down Under.It's not exactly hard to work out why.First introduced back in 2021 in Europe, Audi Australia waited until 2024 before it rolled the Q4 e-tron SUV and swoopier Sportback variant out locally. When it arrived, the premium all-electric compact SUV attempted to woo buyers with its stylish looks and upmarket cabin but its high price ruled out a challenge to the high-grade Tesla Model Ys that still account for most EV sales.Originally ripe for a replacement in 2027, Audi has recently admitted delays to the next-generation platform that should underpin the sequel to the small EV have meant that its current Q4 e-tron will have to soldier on until 2030.Later this year, the Q4 e-tron will be joined by the new A2 e-tron, yet another small crossover that is similar in size but be positioned under the entry Audi SUV.To keep the Q4 fresh, Audi will continually update Q4 e-tron from now on, with faster and cheaper variants already in the pipeline but the latest facelift is one of the biggest model upgrades yet carried out to any Audi, says its maker.Not that many will spot the body-coloured single-frame grille, revised lower bumper design, or even the fresh digital LED headlamps.At the rear, another new bumper and rear OLED tail-lights smarten up the Q4, but it's inside where designers and engineers blew the development budget.Climb in and you're now greeted by the same 'digital stage' hardware as the bigger, pricier Q6 e-tron.You'll love the new 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster that lives behind a single piece of glass alongside a 12.8-inch multimedia setup, and admire how smooth and intuitive all the tech is and appreciate the augmented reality head-up display.For the first time there's even the option of a 12-inch passenger display, which is unheard of in its class, Audi says.Sadly, you'll probably hate that designers have deleted the physical controls for the climate control, but to help compensate, there's a new round steering wheel that replaces the old car's squared-off tiller, and it features proper buttons and rotary controllers to help control some of the tech without having to dive into sub-menus.All the new tech runs the brand's latest Android Automotive operating system that introduces a ChatGPT-powered personal assistant.Under the skin, engineers have added a vehicle-to-load (V2L) charging capability, that allow owners to charge laptops, or an e-bike via a power socket in the rear boot, plus a vehicle-to-home (V2H) feature that can see the Q4 e-tron sell energy back to the grid, power your home, or be topped up using solar.In a bid to boost efficiency, the Audi Q4 e-tron is among the first VW Group vehicles to come with its latest APP350 e-motor that is lighter, features less internal friction and is blended with a trick silicon carbide inverter, new power electronics and fresh software that slashes energy use by 10 per cent.For now, it powers a new 150kW entry version that is paired with a 59kWh battery that provides for a 440km range for the wagon shape and an 8.1 second 0-100km/h sprint.A better bet for Australians is the Q4 e-tron Performance that misses out on the eco-donk but gets a single 210kW rear-mounted e-motor and a larger 77kWh battery for the longer 592km range that is combined with a brisk 6.6-second 0-100km/h dash.Also available will be the fast all-wheel-drive Q4 e-tron Performance that produces 250kW and sees the small Q4 e-tron launch from 0-100km/h in just 5.4 seconds, although the distance it can travel on a single charge falls to 554km.When it comes to charging speeds, the entry and mid-spec Q4 e-tron can only be topped up at 160-165kW, while the all-wheel-drive flagship can now handle a top-up of up to 185kW.All take around 27 minutes for a 10-80 per cent top-up, which means the Q4 e-tron is about to be humbled by the inbound Mercedes-Benz GLA that arrives later this year, which should match the bigger GLB's maximum 320kW rate and 16-minute recharge.At least the Q4 e-tron is quicker than the older BMW iX1 that takes more than 29 minutes (130kW) but that car is also set to be superseded by a new model late next year.The good news is, when it comes to its 4.6m-long footprint, Audi says the Q4 e-tron still leads the small electric SUV class for interior space, with a surprising amount of rear leg- and headroom and a large 515-litre boot in the SUV/wagon versions.As part of the cabin overhaul there's said to be up to 25 litres of storage within, including a large 4.7-litre Jumbo Box between the driver and passenger.Dual air-cooled wireless charging pads have been added, which sit ahead of two new and improved cupholders.Behind the wheel, engineers have not been tempted to inject any extra spice to the driving experience. That means the Q4 e-tron still offers a smooth, quiet and refined driving experience, with low levels of wind, tyre and road noise.The two cars we drove rode on 20-inch alloy wheels, but it was the single-motor 210kW version delivering better levels of ride quality, compared to the quicker 250kW all-wheel-drive quattro version.Efficiency also seemed impressive with the single-motor version averaging a better-than-claimed 14.8kWh/100km on a mixture of driving.What's missing is the Audi is neither fun or engaging in a way we expect the next BMW iX1 to be as it will share much with the excellent iX3.Audi Australia has yet to confirm official pricing or spec for the Q4 e-tron, but the German brand has announced that all models will come with more kit than before. That includes standard sport seats, the Digital Stage dash, the dual inductive chargers we mentioned earlier, ambient lighting and a new air conditioner that can work while parked.Extras will include matrix LED front lamps, the passenger display, the augmented reality head-up display, three-zone climate control, adaptive dampers, a heated front windscreen, acoustic glass, a panoramic sunroof and a powerful Sonos sound system.Back in 2021 the Q4 e-tron was awarded the full five stars for safety thanks to up to seven airbags and a long list of driver assist tech, although that rating will be up for review as soon as next year.Like every other Audi, the updated Q4 e-tron should come with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre vehicle warranty, with a further eight-year/160,000km protection for the high-voltage batteries.The Q4 e-tron gets capped-price servicing package, with service intervals primed to be every 24 months or 30,000km.There's no word on pricing yet, but expect a big adjustment over the current car, which is priced from $84,900 (plus on-roads) for the most basic wagon and stretches to $107,900 for the quickest all-wheel-drive Sportback quattro.

After three months living with the Audi Q4 e-tron, is this electric SUV at the top of the pack or behind its newer rivals?

The Audi Q4 e-tron proves good things come in small packages. It’s been a working theory of mine that, the bigger the electric car the less it makes sense. Smaller in the electric car world is better, at least until game changing solid-state battery tech comes along.

Audi's electric cars have come a long way in a short time, and its newest and smallest electric car might just be the pick of the litter.

The Q4 e-tron 55 is the more-expensive version, and – like the base 45 rear-wheel drive – the 55 is offered in two body styles: a boxy and more-family orientated SUV wagon and racier Sportback.Taking aim at higher-end versions of the BMW iX1, Mercedes-Benz EQA, Polestar 4, Volvo EX40 and Tesla Model Y, the Q4 e-tron 55 has two electric motors – one on each axle. This provides it with all-wheel drive that Audi famously markets as quattro.Being a flagship, the 55s are well equipped, with heated and electric front sports seats with driver’s side memory settings, a 360-degree camera, Matrix LED headlights, dynamic indicators, three-zone climate control, an electronic instrument display, an 11.6-inch touchscreen, full wireless multimedia connectivity, eight-speaker premium audio, satellite navigation, folding/heated/kerb-side-view exterior mirrors, automatic parking, a gesture-controlled powered tailgate, roof rails and 20-inch alloy wheels.AEB, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control and front, side and curtain airbags are also fitted as part of an extensive safety package. The Audi has earned a five-star ANCAP crash-test rating.However, no spare wheel is available. Owners must make do with a fiddly tyre-repair kit.Over the rear axle of the 55 is a permanently excited synchronous motor. Paired with another electric motor over the front axle, it delivers a combined 250kW of power and 545Nm of torque to all four wheels via a single-speed transmission, for a 0-100km/h sprint of 5.4s, on the way to a top speed of 180km/h.Every Q4 e-tron for Australia leverages an 82kWh Lithium-ion battery pack, nestled within a 400-volt EV-only architecture dubbed MEB, offering 77kWh of useable capacity.The Sportback 55 brings the most range to the table, with 503km, versus the 55 SUV’s 488km. Similarly, the combined average consumption figures are 17.5kWh/100km (Sportback 55) and 18.1kWh/100km (55 SUV).Note that Audi offers a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, with six years of roadside assistance and eight years/160,000km coverage for the battery. Service intervals are every 24 months or 30,000km.

Fitting in between the smaller Q3 and larger Q5, the Q4 e-tron is Audi’s answer to the BMW iX1, Mercedes-Benz EQA, Polestar 4, Volvo EX40 and Tesla Model Y.The 45 comes in two body designs – an upright SUV wagon and swoopier Sportback coupe SUV so beloved by the German luxury brands.Equipment levels are sufficient if not spectacular, as the company wants to keep the entry-level Q4 e-tron under the Federal Government’s luxury car tax.Standard items on the 45 SUV include heated front seats, three-zone climate control, an electronic instrument display, LED headlights, an 11.6-inch touchscreen, full wireless multimedia connectivity, premium audio system, electric driver’s seat adjustment, navigation, folding/heated/kerb-side-view exterior mirrors, automatic parking, a gesture-controlled powered tailgate, roof rails and 19-inch alloy wheels.On the safety front you’ll also find AEB, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, rear cross-traffic alert, full stop/go adaptive cruise control and front, side and curtain airbags.Note that the Sportback 45 adopts the S-Line package, bringing with it 20-inch alloys. But it costs more. And still on wheels, there is no spare wheel, just a tyre-inflation kit.All Q4 e-trons feature a permanently excited synchronous motor, positioned on the rear axle and driving the back wheels via a single-speed transmission.The 45s produce 210kW of power and 545Nm of torque, for a 0-100km/h sprint of 6.7s, on the way to a top speed of 180km/h.A MacPherson-style strut sits up front, while a four-link independent rear suspension set-up is out back.Built on a 400V architecture, the Q4 e-tron uses an 82kWh Lithium-ion battery pack, offering a useable capacity of 77kWh. The combined average figures are 16.9kWh/100km (Sportback 45) and 17.4kWh/100km (45 SUV), while the former boasts a WLTP range of 540km, compared to 524km in the latter.Finally, Audi offers a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, with six years of roadside assistance and eight years/160,000km coverage for the battery. Service intervals are every 24 months or 30,000km.

If you're late to a party, make a splash. And that's what Audi wants to do with the endlessly-delayed Q4 e-tron - a luxury medium-sized EV alternative to the BMW iX1 and iX2, Polestar 4, Mercedes-Benz EQA, Volvo EX40 and more. The wait means Audi has improved the car, offering compelling range, refinement, drivability and safety, in a spacious and elegant package. This could be Audi's best buy.