Summary
Launched in 2021 and now on sale, the Audi Q4 e-tron is a new mid-sized electric SUV and is the fourth addition to Audi’s EV line-up.
Available in both SUV and Sportback versions, the Q4 e-tron built on one of Volkswagen Group’s dedicated electric vehicle platforms, just like the similarly sized Volkswagen ID.4 and the Skoda Enyaq.
The Audi Q4 e-tron offers plenty of choice, with two battery options and three power levels on offer. The entry level 125kW ’35’ and mid-range 150kW ’40’ versions both have a single electric motor driving the rear wheels, while the top-spec 220kW ’50’ models are powered by two electric motors that drive all four wheels.
As of January 2023, the Q4 e-tron has an Expert Rating of 74% based on 30 different reviews. That’s several points behind the Skoda Enyaq, but several points ahead of the Volkswagen ID.4.
The Audi Q4 e-tron has been praised for its price point but criticised for its costly options packages, which can take the price up to more than £65,000. What Car? refers to the entry-level Q4 e-tron as “temptingly priced”, while Business Car is quick to note the “lofty pricing” of the ’50’ models.
The price of the Q4 e-tron undercuts some of its premium rivals, but a base price of £40,750 means that it does not qualify for the UK government’s £2,500 electric car grant.
The Q4 e-tron Sportback is mechanically identical to the more conventional SUV version, with the main difference being a more sharply raked roofline that sacrifices some boot space and rear headroom for slightly sleeker styling. Top Gear concludes that there’s little point opting for the Sportback variant of the Q4 e-tron, saying that “the Sportback e-tron gives you less for more”.
Overall, the Audi Q4 e-tron has had a lot of praise from across the media for its high levels of build quality, comfortable driving experience and roomy interior. Auto Express is impressed, suggesting that the Q4 e-tron will “become the German company’s biggest seller behind the A3 hatchback.”
Q4 e-tron highlights
- Choice of power levels and battery sizes
- Competitively priced entry level models
- Cabin quality a step above rivals
- Well-equipped and practical
- Roomy interior
Q4 e-tron lowlights
- Bland driving experience
- Too many features are optional rather than standard
- Cheapest models have a short battery range
- Too expensive to qualify for the UK plug-in car grant
- Sportback models have poor rear visibility
Key specifications
Body style: Medium SUV
Engines: electric, battery-powered
Price: From £46,385 on-road
Launched: Spring 2021
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Auto Express
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“If you’re questioning whether all-electric power is the right choice for a family SUV, then the Audi Q4 e-tron has all the answers”
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Model reviewed: Sportback range
Score: 8 / 10
“Most people will choose the Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron for the way it looks. But the big news here is that if you want the sleek styling of a coupe SUV but aren’t prepared to compromise when it comes to space or practicality, then it comes alarmingly close to being a zero compromise family car.”
Read review
Model reviewed: SUV range
Score: 9 / 10
“The Q4 e-tron is an impressive EV and one of the best cars on the MEB platform yet. It answers the issues of ride comfort, build quality and iffy infotainment that blight VW’s own ID models in a really appealing package with a decent real-world range, too.”
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Auto Trader
Model reviewed: Sportback range
Score: 6 / 10
“The Audi Q4 competes with the likes of the Polestar 2, Volvo C40, Tesla Model Y and Jaguar I-Pace, even if the Sportback can’t currently match any of them for power or performance. It’s more expensive and less practical than the standard Q4 e-tron as well, and for these reasons this would remain our pick of the two.”
Read review
Model reviewed: SUV range
Score: 7 / 10
“The Audi Q4 e-tron is Audi’s twist the shared electric platform used by relatives like the ID.4, Skoda Enyaq and Cupra Born. It’s got the image and performance to compete but the VW, Skoda and Cupra variations on the theme arguably offer more for your money for essentially the same car.”
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Autocar
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“Practical, pleasant, efficient – but not a superior premium product.”
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Model reviewed: Q4 Sportback 50 E-tron quattro
Score: 8 / 10
“The Audi Q4 e-tron is well thought out and thoroughly well executed. It is not tremendously engaging to drive, but in top-of-the-line 50 E-tron guise, it delivers strong performance, responsive handling and a nicely refined ride. Its biggest drawcards, though, are its roomy interior, generous accommodation by class standards and, on initial impressions, overall quality.”
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Business Car
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“The Audi Q4 e-tron offers great build quality and long range, but high-end versions have lofty pricing.”
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Car
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Audi Q4 e-Tron hits the trendy new targets of EV ownership (range over power, charging speed over top speed) with aplomb. Its footprint is small enough for it to pass as planet-friendly urbanite and to calm the social acceptance watchdogs.”
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Car Keys
Model reviewed: Sportback range
Score: 8 / 10
“This Sportback model brings extra style to what is already a very competent electric SUV. Managing to bring sleeker looks at a relatively mild price increase – and with no significant practicality disadvantage, it is a great option.”
Read review
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“The Audi Q4 e-tron is another accomplished electric car that will easily slot into customers’ lives, and it feels like a turning point for this German firm as it starts to make EVs more accessible.”
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Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.6 / 10
“The Audi Q4 e-tron is the first affordable electric model from Audi, boasting an upmarket interior and design to help set it apart from rivals.”
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Carwow
Model reviewed: SUV range
Score: 9 / 10
“The Audi Q4 e-tron is a plush, comfortable electric SUV with very competitive electric range. It is pricey though, and some optional extras should really be included as standard.”
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Company Car Today
Model reviewed: Q4 40 e-tron 77kWh battery
“The Audi Q4 e-tron does all the things it will need to in order to become one of Audi’s biggest sellers, especially with its impressive range figures.”
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Discover EV
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Audi’s newest entry-level electric SUV is very good as an everyday car and in this guise it is an enticing prospect for anyone making the transition to electric – prioritising range over power, and charging speed over top speed.”
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Electrifying.com
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Audi’s first electric car to be designed from the ground up takes all the best bits of VW’s new electric cars and puts them in a higher-quality package. It’s instantly desirable.”
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Fleetworld
Model reviewed: 40 Launch Edition
Score: 8 / 10
“Refined, spacious and good to drive, the Q4 e-tron is exactly the mass-market EV we expected Audi to make.”
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Green Car Guide
Model reviewed: 50 Sportback S line
Score: 10 / 10
“The Audi Q4 Sportback 50 e-tron quattro 299PS 220kW S line is an excellent all-round car. It looks stylish, it’s good to drive, the interior is well designed, high quality and functional, and we particularly like the physical buttons for key controls on the dashboard.” (Paul Clarke)
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Model reviewed: Q4 e-tron 50 quattro 220kWh battery S line
Score: 10 / 10
“The Audi Q4 e-tron 50 quattro is one of the best EVs that you can buy at the moment.”
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Model reviewed: Q4 40 e-tron 77kWh battery
Score: 8 / 10
“Audi is right to be bullish about its latest electric SUV. While the Q4 40 e-tron is the model that obviously makes the most sense, the choices of two battery options and three power levels gives some great choice to EV buyers that’s impossible to fault.”
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Heycar
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“The Audi Q4 e-tron is a thoroughly impressive premium, electric SUV. Buy one with the bigger battery and it’ll cover more than 300 miles between charges, while its plush interior justifies the price hike over the Volkswagen ID.4 and Skoda Enyaq iV.”
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Honest John
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Audi’s premium electric SUV is expensive but lavishly kitted out. Its interior is almost unbeatable while a choice of drivetrains cater for a wide range of buyers.”
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Move Electric
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Audi Q4 e-tron is an excellent family SUV that is practical, spacious and, with the right specification, a good car to drive. But the battery range is questionable, particularly on the entry-level model, and it can get a bit pricey once you start moving up the trim levels. Overall, the Audi is a strong if not spectacular choice, and stands out for how its premium interior finish and comfortable ride make every journey a treat.” (Sam Phillips)
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Parkers
Model reviewed: Sportback range
Score: 8 / 10
“Sleeker version of Audi’s electric SUV drives well and looks good.”
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Model reviewed: SUV range
Score: 8 / 10
“Audi’s take on the electric family SUV is cool and classy.”
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The Sunday Times
Model reviewed: 40 Launch Edition
Score: 8 / 10
“like the Q5, the Audi Q4 e-tron exudes levels of quality that most other manufacturers can’t reach. It’s quiet, refined, well screwed-together and looks impressive inside and out. It can be recharged quickly and if you buy the larger battery model, it’ll go a long way between charges, too.”
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Top Gear
Model reviewed: Sportback range
Score: 8 / 10
“A coupe-ified SUV that isn’t massively less practical than the car on which it’s based. But you still want the SUV.”
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Model reviewed: SUV range
Score: 8 / 10
“The Audi Q4 e-tron truly heralds the next generation of electric vehicles – not because of any new technology, or space age looks, but rather in its overwhelming ordinariness.”
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What Car?
Model reviewed: Sportback range
Score: 8 / 10
“Put simply, the Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron gives you less for more. Despite having a higher price than the regular Q4 electric SUV, its body is lower, and therefore not as spacious inside.”
Read review
Model reviewed: SUV range
Score: 8 / 10
“The Audi Q4 e-tron is temptingly priced for a premium-badged electric SUV, plus it’s a very comfortable, practical and classy choice.”
Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: September 2021
Read the full Euro NCAP review
Adult protection: 93%
Child protection: 89%
Vulnerable road users: 66%
Safety assist: 80%
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
Model tested: Q4 Sportback 50 e-tron quattro
Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: July 2022
Read the full Green NCAP review
Energy Efficiency Index: 9.2 / 10
Greenhouse Gas Index: 9.5 / 10
The Audi Q4 e-tron had its emissions tested in Summer 2022 – the top-of-the-line version receiving a full five-star rating. Compared to other electric SUVs, Green NCAP says that the Q4 “demonstrates high powertrain and climatization management efficiency together with an efficient charging process.”
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Audi Q4 e-tron, you might also be interested in these alternatives
BMW iX3 | Ford Mustang Mach-E | Hyundai Ioniq 5 | Kia e-Niro | Kia EV6 | Mercedes-Benz EQA | Polestar 2 | Skoda Enyaq iV | Tesla Model Y | Volkswagen ID.4 | Volvo XC40 Recharge
Electric crossovers are rapidly growing in number, and the Audi Q4 e-tron sits between a number of potential rivals that are slightly cheaper or slightly more expensive, or slightly smaller or slightly larger.
The Q4 e-tron faces ‘in-house’ competition from the Skoda Enyaq and the Volkswagen ID.4, while the pioneering Hyundai Kona Electric and Kia e-Niro still offer good value. The Ford Mustang Mach E is more fun to drive, with top-spec models also offering comparable range, while the Mercedes-Benz EQA is based on an existing non-electric car and its batteries eat into the bootspace.
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