Audi Q4 E-Tron vs Audi A4
What's the difference?

Audi Q4 E-Tron

$66,888 - $114,990

2025 price

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Audi A4

$31,444 - $49,969

2021 price

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Summary

2025 Audi Q4 E-Tron

2021 Audi A4

By Byron Mathioudakis

By Marcus Craft

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Not Applicable, 0.0L

Diesel Turbo, 2.0L

Fuel Type

Electric

Diesel

Fuel Efficiency

0.0L/100km (combined)

5.2L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Interior packaging and design
Efficient yet powerful EV drivetrains
Easy and enjoyable driveability

Nice to drive
Looks good
Impressive interior

Dislikes

No spare wheel
Needs single-pedal driving/braking
Base equipment levels a bit stingy

Space-saver tyre
Short warranty
Paying extra for driver-assist tech

2025 Audi Q4 E-Tron Summary

Here’s a fun fact.

Audi has only ever offered two rear-wheel drive (RWD) production cars in its entire 116-year history… the spectacular R8 supercar and the electrifying e-tron GT.

Now there’s this, the Q4 e-tron – a small-ish medium-sized SUV electric vehicle (EV), and Audi’s overdue response to the BMW iX1 and iX2, Polestar 4, Volvo EX40, Mercedes EQA and, of course, the Tesla Model Y.

Overdue? It’s been in production since March, 2021, making it very, very late to Australia.

But, you know what? You might be very glad the local team waited, because this MY25 update might be the premium medium electric SUV to buy right now.

To find out, read on.

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2021 Audi A4 Summary

The Audi A4 allroad is the off-roader of the A4 line-up. I’m using the term ‘off-roader’ loosely here because this wagon is obviously best suited to daily duties in a city and suburbs, with perhaps an occasional foray into very light off-roading, i.e. driving on a well-maintained gravel or dirt road with few, if any, corrugations, and in dry weather only.

But that’s not a negative factor because the great thing about adventures is that they can be scaled to suit you, your lifestyle and your vehicle of choice.

However, is this allroad your best option for a comfortable, nice-driving all-rounder? Read on.

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Deep dive comparison

2025 Audi Q4 E-Tron 2021 Audi A4

Verdict

Audi is famous for sticking doggedly to front-wheel drive and quattro AWD, but clearly, when it puts its mind to it, the few RWD machines it has produced over its 116 years have been exceptional.

While not as exciting as the R8 or as supersonic as the e-tron GT, the Q4 e-tron is an impressive machine. Thoroughly engineered and thoughtfully designed to be a friendly, refined, comfortable, safe and capable family SUV, it deserves to be on your shortlist.

With a couple of choice option packages, the base 45 seems remarkably complete, but there’s plenty to enjoy in the hot-shot 55 quattro as well. Either way, Audi seems to be on a winner.

Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with travel, accommodation and meals provided.

Verdict

The Audi A4 allroad 40 TDI quattro S Tronic is a nice-looking wagon that’s fun to drive.

It’s packed with tech, adequately functional for daily life and it’s also capable enough off-road as long as the driving surface is nothing more challenging than well-maintained gravel or dirt tracks in dry weather, and you’re not planning a rough-and-tumble expedition into remote bushland.

As I mentioned earlier, the great thing about adventures is that you can scale them to suit you and your vehicle and the allroad offers a nice stepping-stone for people who’d like to experience the outdoorsy lifestyle, before perhaps diving deeper into it.

Audi Q4 E-Tron vs Audi A4 What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Audi Q4 E-Tron vs Audi A4
What's the difference?