Audi Q4 e-tron interior
The Q4 e-tron offers plenty of high-tech appeal, but the multifunction steering wheel controls are a bit odd
Style
While the Q4 e-tron might share the exact same underpinnings as the Volkswagen ID.4 and Skoda Enyaq electric SUVs, on the inside the Audi looks and feels far more special.
Its handsomely-sculpted dashboard is finished in cool metallic-looking trim finishers, while the leather upholstery that featured on our test car’s sports seats looked smart and felt great. And for those who’d prefer to go down an even more eco-conscious route, you’ve also got the option of upholstering your Q4 in a selection of synthetic leathers and suedes that are partly made from recycled plastic bottles.
Though the Q4 does make use of some smart, snazzy-looking screens for the infotainment and driver display, Audi hasn’t decided to do away with proper, physical controls for the air conditioning. The result is that the simple action of tweaking the temperature or increasing fan speed is a much, much easier process than it is in the predominantly touchscreen-controlled Volkswagen.
Admittedly, there are a few hard and scratchy plastics in the lower reaches of the cabin that don’t feel quite at home in an Audi, but overall this is still a plush, comfortable place to spend time.
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Infotainment
Even the entry-level Q4 e-tron comes with a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with satellite navigation, as well as Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity.
Graphically, the system is very impressive. The Audi navigation can pull through richly detailed 3D Google mapping, and it responds to pokes and prods in a slick, almost seamless fashion. The screen is easy to read too, and you don’t have to spend hours figuring out how to make it all work – which is always a good thing.
In fact, compared with the overly fiddly and sometimes glitchy system you get in a Volkswagen ID.4, this is much easier to use. Well, at least it is when you’re sat still, anyway – out on the move you occasionally need to avert your gaze from the road to find the button you’re looking for.
A 10.25-inch digital instrument display comes as standard too, and this is just as easy to read as the touchscreen. You can configure the information it displays via the touch-sensitive buttons on the steering wheel, which admittedly do feel a bit odd to interact with at first.
Elsewhere, an uprated SONOS audio system is available as part of an options pack, as is a wireless charge pad and an augmented-reality head-up display.
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- 2. We’ll tell you if it matches
- 3. Only takes 1 minute