Should you pay extra for this posh electric SUV, or buy a cheaper option instead?

I’ve lost track of just how many medium-sized, family-friendly electric SUVs have come out over the past few years, which means that either there are an overwhelming number of options – or I’m losing my wits. Both can be true, but let’s stick with the former in this case.

Although there are a mind-boggling assortment of options to choose from now, the Audi Q4 e-tron has remained a top choice of posh electric SUV since it came out. I quite liked the earlier version, but Audi has now given its third best-selling car in the UK an update with an all-new interior and, spoiler, it’s even better than it was before.

But, with so many cheaper options to consider now, is it worth spending the extra to have four rings in your car’s grille? I took the updated model for a drive in-and-around Munich, Germany, to find out.

Before even getting into the Q4 e-tron I had to admit, it looks posher than a lot of alternatives. It may be mechanically similar to the (brilliant) Skoda Elroq and (not brilliant) Volkswagen ID4, but Audi has done a great job of making its mark on the platform.

I’m particularly keen on the new ‘grille’, with a body-coloured insert which looks slicker than the pre-facelift model’s grey fare, as do the new light patterns. The deep creases above the front and rear wheels and general shapes are the same as before, but it was already easy-on-the-eye.

The interior, meanwhile, has had a drastic change compared to the previous model. I thought the old dashboard was a bit cluttered, to be honest, with a mess of jagged angles and vents seemingly crammed together between the door cards. The update has remedied that with Audi’s latest widescreen infotainment and driver display combo, but unfortunately, usability has taken a big hit alongside it.

Why, you may ask? Well, the old Audi instrument display was one of – if not the – best in the business. It was big, clear and very customisable, and has now been replaced with a tiny sliver of screen. It’s not only harder to read, but surrounded by a nasty, cheap-looking plastic bezel. In fact it’s such a crime that deputy reviews editor Tom Wiltshire has had a – totally justified – rant about it.

Otherwise, the cabin is great. The seats are comfy, the thin-rimmed steering wheel is lovely to hold and the genius bottle holders in the door cards are still a masterclass in ergonomics. Material quality is largely high, too, and if you don’t fancy the gimmicky third display for your passenger, you get a nice trimmed panel in its place. Save your money…

There’s plenty of storage space, and you’ll easily fit four tall adults into the Q4 e-tron. Five is a squeeze, but it’s still manageable. The 415-litre boot, however, is smaller than a Peugeot E-3008 or BMW iX1.

Range varies from 269 miles of range in the basic version to 352 miles in the Performance model. You won’t see that if you spend a lot of time on the motorway and twisty roads (I only managed 3.4mi/kWh on my fast-paced test route), but if you spend a lot of time in town I reckon you’ll get close.

Whether you opt for the 59kWh or 77kWh battery version, the Q4 e-tron is a very pleasant car to drive. It’s super comfortable, practically ignoring potholes and ruts – even on the big, 21-inch wheels.

It’s just as composed on the motorway and it’s relatively fun on a country lane, but the brake pedal is so incredibly spongy that it’s hard to judge. As a result, your passengers might end up jerked forwards when you get to a red light, and you’re robbed of confidence on a twisty road.

But a family SUV doesn’t have to be fun to drive, so that aside is it worth the £46,000 starting price? No, to be honest, it isn’t. You’ll end up paying over £50,000 for a non-S-Line version with the bigger battery, and there are better-equipped alternatives such as the Skoda Elroq, Nissan leaf and the Toyota C-HR+ for that money.

If you need a posh badge on the steering wheel then by all means, the Q4 e-tron is a better choice than the BMW iX1 and Mercedes EQA, but I’d save some money on one of the aforementioned options – or wait for a cracking deal on Carwow, instead.

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*Savings are made up of the maximum dealer discount off RRP – subject to dealership, location and trim. Prices correct at the time of writing.