Audi Q4 e-tron Review: A posh electric SUV with style

The Audi Q4 e-tron is an electric SUV that contains multitudes. By that we mean that, under the posh skin, you’ll find the same set of electric bits and pieces that you’d find in a VW ID.4 and ID.5, a Skoda Enyaq, or a Cupra Tavascan (or, for that matter, a Ford Explorer and Capri…). However, the Audi just about gets away with this copy-and-paste engineering technique because it looks so darned classy and expensive on the outside.

It’s pretty glam on the inside too, and although there’s a school of thought that the Enyaq has the nicer cabin, the Audi’s certainly looks expensive, what with its big digital screens, and its high-quality fixtures and fittings. There are downsides — fiddly software on the screens and annoying touch-sensitive buttons, plus lots of piano black trim that attracts dust and fingerprints like nothing else — but on the whole, this is a really satisfying car on the inside.

There’s lots of space too, although it will be a bit of a struggle if you want to get three adults in the back seat, and the centre console, up front, doesn’t have as much stowage as you’d like it to. The boot holds a practical 520 litres too, which is some 65 litres less than you’d squeeze into the Skoda, but it’s enough to be getting on with. Mind you, there’s no ‘froot’ storage space in the nose, so your charging cables have to live with the luggage, which isn’t always ideal.

There are good tech levels though — wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, built-in Amazon Alexa, and an optional Sonos sound system for those who love their tunes.

There’s a choice of electric power for the Q4 e-tron, starting off with a small 40 model using 58kWh battery that comes with a 204hp rear-mounted electric motor (yes, a rear-wheel drive Audi!) which runs for a claimed 251 miles on a charge, and which will do a fairly short-legged 220 miles in real-world conditions.

Much better to go for the 45 version, that comes with a 77kWh battery, a 286hp electric motor, and a range of up to 338 miles, with around 290 miles being a realistic daily target. If you want four-wheel drive, there are 45 quattro and 55 quattro models, with either 286hp or 340hp respectively, but you will take a hit in range to get the extra grip and traction.
The Q4’s maximum charging speed isn’t all that great though — 175kW on DC power is fine, but others (notably Hyundai and Kia) offer much faster charging when you’re out and about.

The Q4 e-tron excels at being smooth and easy to drive, although you’ll want to have the driving mode set to ‘Eco’ around town as the accelerator can be a bit too sensitive. It’s very comfortable over bumps, as even on the bigger optional alloy wheels there’s very little fidgeting or thumping. There’s adaptive cruise control for long motorway runs, and while the Q4 isn’t as much fun around corners as, say, a Ford Mustang Mach-E, then it’s certainly sure-footed and entirely decent to drive, with a bit more sharpness in the steering than you’d find in the VW or Skoda equivalents.

Should you buy one? Well, if you like the interior and the styling enough compared to its Volkswagen Group siblings, then go right ahead. The Q4 is more expensive than those cars but often comes up similar in lease deals, which is a great excuse to get something posher than you’d imagined for the same price. Other electric cars such as the Kia EV6 provide a better all-round package, though.

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