*Model Shown is for illustration purposes only.
Vehicle Information
With the Q4 e-tron, Audi gets serious about EVs for the mass market. Jonathan Crouch drives it.
The first production Audi built on the Volkswagen Group MEB platform for volume all-electric cars is this model, the Q4 e-tron. This compact-to-mid-sized crossover is pricier of course than other similarly-sized full-battery-powered SUVs from the Wolfsburg conglomerate, but it delivers a much more up-market feel that'll help ease you into your new electrified phase of motoring ownership.
With Audi's first three all-electric e-tron models, we saw what the brand was capable of with EV technology. These three models though - the e-tron, the e-tron Sportback and the e-tron GT quattro - were merely preludes to the BEV model that really matters to Ingolstadt, this car, the Q4 e-tron. It's tempting to merely dismiss this model as Audi's version of other similarly-sized VW Group crossover EVs like the Volkswagen ID.4, the Skoda Enyaq iV and the CUPRA Born. Certainly, all the engineering bits that matter are common between the four cars, namely the MEB platform and the battery tech. Yet Audi claims to have put its own stamp on the way this car drives and feels. Let's see.
The Q4's pretty straightforward to get to grips with behind the wheel. You select drive using a slider-type shifter situated on the centre console and once underway, there's the kind of instant throttle response you'd usually get from an EV of this sort. In terms of powertrains, there's nothing we haven't seen before in Volkswagen Group EVs. Audi no longer offers the base 35 e-tron variant with the smaller 52kWh battery and 170PS rear-driven electric motor because most customers found its modest 208 mile range figure inadequate. So the line-up starts with the Q4 40 e-tron, which has a bigger 76.6kWh (net) battery and a more powerful 204PS rear-driven motor, making 62mph in 8.5s and offering a 316 mile driving range. The flagship Q4 50 e-tron also uses the 76.6kWh battery, but has both front and rear-mounted electric motors developing a combined 299PS. Which means 62mph in just 6.2s and a range of 295 miles. Plus, with this top performance variant, the top speed is lifted from the usual Q4 maximum of 99mph to 111mph. Across the range, there's the same kind of suspension set-up you'd find in other mid-sized Audi SUVs - a MacPherson strut front and five-link rear arrangement, with sports suspension available (which lowers ride height by 15mm) and adaptive damping offered further up the range.
You can't really see the Q4 e-tron as either an EV Q3 or an EV Q5 because its size dimensions don't fit with either of those two established combustion crossover models. As with those two cars, the Q4 comes in both regular SUV and swept-back coupe-style forms, the latter known as the Q4 Sportback e-tron. The regular model's dimensions (4,588mm long, 1,865mm wide and 1,632mm tall) place it neatly between a Q3 and a Q5 size-wise and visually, this car has its own bespoke look. This is the first of the company's models to get new digital LED technology that offers four different exterior lighting signatures the driver can choose between. And it's the first of Audi's smaller cars to get a full-width LED tail light bar at the back. Inside, the Q4 gets its own unique dashboard and cabin architecture, though this incorporates the company's usual screen technology. There's a 10.25-inch instrument display and an 11.6-inch central monitor. Premium materials are generously applied around the cabin and Audi's keen to highlight the extensive interior storage areas. To accommodate the battery, the back seat is mounted 70mm higher than the front. Boot space meanwhile, is rated at 520-litres, extendable to 1,490-litres when the 40:20:40-split seatback is lowered.
There are three trim levels - 'Sport', 'S line' and 'Edition 1'. The 40 e-tron derivative with a 76.6kWh net capacity battery that most will want prices from around £49,000. The 50 e-tron quattro 4WD model costs from around £55,500. Base 'Sport' variants get 19-inch Graphite Grey alloy wheels, those rims upgraded to 20-inches in size with the mid-level 'S line' trim level most customers will choose. Even base 'Sport' trim includes LED headlights, front sports seats, 3-Zone air conditioning and an 'MMI navigation Plus' media system with an 11.6-inch centre screen. The later includes navigation, a WiFi hotspot and Amazon Alexa integration. There's also a 10.25-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit instrument screen, an 8-speaker 180-watt sound system, rear parking sensors and cruise control. Across the line-up, there's lots of sophisticated equipment available - much of it optional. Like the Matrix LED headlights with their 16 individually activated LEDs. And the bespoke Sonos sound system upgrade package. We'd also want to look at the optional heat pump, which rapidly heats and cools the interior using the thermal losses from the electric components and the temperature of the outside air. It uses eco-friendly CO2 as a refrigerant, which flows through the circuit at high pressure. The heat pump can reduce losses in range caused by usage of the climate control system, especially in winter. Its strengths come to the fore on long drives.
What about battery replenishment for the 76.6kWh (net) battery of the Q4 40 e-tron and Q4 50 e-tron? Well those variants have been engineered for charging speeds of up to 11kW during AC charging and 135kW for DC charging. With such a rapid public charger, WLTP testing has confirmed that in only 10 minutes, the Q4 40 e-tron can recharge enough electricity to cover a distance of about 80 miles. Charging at 135kW in ideal conditions, the battery can achieve an 80% state of charge from a 5% starting point in 29 minutes. If you're using a conventional 7kW garage wallbox, a Q4 40 e-tron can charge 255 miles of range in eight and a quarter hours. Using the myAudi app, owners can activate charging remotely using a smartphone. The app also provides access to the comfort remote preconditioning system, which enables remote adjustment of the cabin temperature and seat heating functions to ensure that the cabin climate is always comfortable well before a journey begins. Accessing and paying for electricity while on the road can be easily taken care of using the 'e-tron Charging Service', which provides UK subscribers with one RFID payment card that is accepted at a vast number of charge points operated by 18 suppliers across the UK and Europe, and offers a choice of two fixed price charging tariffs.
In surveying the VW Group MEB platform mid-sized SUV electric vehicles launched to date, we always felt that this Wolfsburg conglomerate was leaving room for an Audi model able to deliver this engineering with a touch more polish and driver-orientated luxury - and so it proves here. The Q4 e-tron has the size of a compact BEV, but the finish, luxury and (to some extent) the driving dynamics of an electric crossover from next class up - that for larger EV models like the Jaguar I-PACE and the Mercedes EQC. In that respect, it's far more like a BMW iX3 than a Volkswagen ID.4. If you're looking at those Jaguar, Mercedes or BMW models, we think you should be looking at a Q4 e-tron too because it'll satisfy you in much the same way. If that's your perspective, the premium prices being asked here will seem reasonable. If it isn't, you'll start to question just why a car which shares pretty much every significant aspect of its engineering with comparable Volkswagen, Skoda and CUPRA EVs can be worth so much more. A matter of perspective then. With Audi, it was ever thus.
Battery Capacity % guaranteed under warranty:70
Battery Capacity in kWh:55.52
Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Charge Time (Mins):1560
Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Percentage Change:0-100
Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Power Supply - kW:2.3
Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Charge Time (Mins):450
Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Percentage Change:0-100
Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Power Supply - kW:7
Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Charge Time (Mins):53
Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Percentage Change:5-80
Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Power Supply - kW:50
Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Charge Time (Mins):36
Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Percentage Change:5-80
Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Power Supply - kW:110
Battery Leased:No
Battery Type:Lithium-ion
Charging Port Location:Right Side Rear
Coupler/Connector Type:CCS Type 2
Maximum Charging Rate - kW:110
NEDC Electricity Consumption kWh/100 km:Not Available
NEDC Maximum EV Range Miles:Not Available
Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Mileage:100000
Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Years:8
Usable Battery Capacity:51.5
WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - Comb:17.4
WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - Comb - TEH:17.8
WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - Comb - TEL:17.3
WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - Comb:2.1
WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - Comb - TEH:2.06
WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - Comb - TEL:2.11
WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Comb:323
WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Comb - TEH:315
WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Comb - TEL:323
WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Comb:201
WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Comb - TEH:196
WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Comb - TEL:201
CO:Not Available
CO2 (g/km):Data Not Available
HC:Not Available
HC+NOx:Not Available
Noise Level dB(A):Not Available
NOx:Not Available
Particles:Not Available
Standard Euro Emissions:Not Available
Camshaft:Not Available
Catalytic Convertor:Not Available
CC:1
Compression Ratio:Not Available
Cylinder Layout:Not Available
Cylinders:Not Available
Cylinders - Bore (mm):Not Available
Cylinders - Stroke (mm):Not Available
Engine Code:F4BAI1
Engine Layout:Not Available
Fuel Delivery:Not Available
Gears:1 SPEED
Number of Valves:Not Available
Transmission:AUTO
EC Combined (mpg):Not Available
EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies:Not Available
EC Extra Urban (mpg):Not Available
EC Urban (mpg):Not Available
Alternative Fuel Qualifying:Yes
Badge Engine CC:Data Not Available
Badge Power:170
Based On ID:Not Available
Coin Description:55.52kWh
Coin Series:S Line [C+S]
Generation Mark:1
Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07:27E
NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %:93
NCAP Child Occupant Protection %:89
NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09:5
NCAP Pedestrian Protection %:66
NCAP Safety Assist %:80
Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?:No
Service Interval Frequency - Months:24
Service Interval Mileage:999999
Special Edition:No
Special Order:No
Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage:60000
Standard manufacturers warranty - Years:3
Timing Belt Interval Frequency - Months:Not Available
Timing Belt Interval Mileage:Not Available
Vehicle Homologation Class:M1
0 to 62 mph (secs):9
Engine Power - BHP:170
Engine Power - KW:125
Engine Torque - LBS.FT:229
Engine Torque - MKG:31.6
Engine Torque - NM:310
Top Speed:99
Emissions Test Cycle:WLTP
RDE Certification Level:N/A
Alloys?:Yes
Space Saver?:No
Tyre Size Front:235/50 R20
Tyre Size Rear:255/45 R20
Tyre Size Spare:RUN FLAT TYRES
Wheel Style:5-Y SPOKE
Wheel Type:20" ALLOY
Height:Not Available
Height (including roof rails):1632
Length:4588
Wheelbase:2764
Width (including mirrors):2108
Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres):Not Available
Gross Vehicle Weight:2475
Luggage Capacity (Seats Down):1490
Luggage Capacity (Seats Up):520
Max. Loading Weight:585
Max. Towing Weight - Braked:1200
Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked:750
Minimum Kerbweight:1890
No. of Seats:5
Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb:10.2
With the Q4 e-tron, Audi gets serious about EVs for the mass market. Jonathan Crouch drives it.
The first production Audi built on the Volkswagen Group MEB platform for volume all-electric cars is this model, the Q4 e-tron. This compact-to-mid-sized crossover is pricier of course than other similarly-sized full-battery-powered SUVs from the Wolfsburg conglomerate, but it delivers a much more up-market feel that'll help ease you into your new electrified phase of motoring ownership.
With Audi's first three all-electric e-tron models, we saw what the brand was capable of with EV technology. These three models though - the e-tron, the e-tron Sportback and the e-tron GT quattro - were merely preludes to the BEV model that really matters to Ingolstadt, this car, the Q4 e-tron. It's tempting to merely dismiss this model as Audi's version of other similarly-sized VW Group crossover EVs like the Volkswagen ID.4, the Skoda Enyaq iV and the CUPRA Born. Certainly, all the engineering bits that matter are common between the four cars, namely the MEB platform and the battery tech. Yet Audi claims to have put its own stamp on the way this car drives and feels. Let's see.
The Q4's pretty straightforward to get to grips with behind the wheel. You select drive using a slider-type shifter situated on the centre console and once underway, there's the kind of instant throttle response you'd usually get from an EV of this sort. In terms of powertrains, there's nothing we haven't seen before in Volkswagen Group EVs. Audi no longer offers the base 35 e-tron variant with the smaller 52kWh battery and 170PS rear-driven electric motor because most customers found its modest 208 mile range figure inadequate. So the line-up starts with the Q4 40 e-tron, which has a bigger 76.6kWh (net) battery and a more powerful 204PS rear-driven motor, making 62mph in 8.5s and offering a 316 mile driving range. The flagship Q4 50 e-tron also uses the 76.6kWh battery, but has both front and rear-mounted electric motors developing a combined 299PS. Which means 62mph in just 6.2s and a range of 295 miles. Plus, with this top performance variant, the top speed is lifted from the usual Q4 maximum of 99mph to 111mph. Across the range, there's the same kind of suspension set-up you'd find in other mid-sized Audi SUVs - a MacPherson strut front and five-link rear arrangement, with sports suspension available (which lowers ride height by 15mm) and adaptive damping offered further up the range.
You can't really see the Q4 e-tron as either an EV Q3 or an EV Q5 because its size dimensions don't fit with either of those two established combustion crossover models. As with those two cars, the Q4 comes in both regular SUV and swept-back coupe-style forms, the latter known as the Q4 Sportback e-tron. The regular model's dimensions (4,588mm long, 1,865mm wide and 1,632mm tall) place it neatly between a Q3 and a Q5 size-wise and visually, this car has its own bespoke look. This is the first of the company's models to get new digital LED technology that offers four different exterior lighting signatures the driver can choose between. And it's the first of Audi's smaller cars to get a full-width LED tail light bar at the back. Inside, the Q4 gets its own unique dashboard and cabin architecture, though this incorporates the company's usual screen technology. There's a 10.25-inch instrument display and an 11.6-inch central monitor. Premium materials are generously applied around the cabin and Audi's keen to highlight the extensive interior storage areas. To accommodate the battery, the back seat is mounted 70mm higher than the front. Boot space meanwhile, is rated at 520-litres, extendable to 1,490-litres when the 40:20:40-split seatback is lowered.
There are three trim levels - 'Sport', 'S line' and 'Edition 1'. The 40 e-tron derivative with a 76.6kWh net capacity battery that most will want prices from around £49,000. The 50 e-tron quattro 4WD model costs from around £55,500. Base 'Sport' variants get 19-inch Graphite Grey alloy wheels, those rims upgraded to 20-inches in size with the mid-level 'S line' trim level most customers will choose. Even base 'Sport' trim includes LED headlights, front sports seats, 3-Zone air conditioning and an 'MMI navigation Plus' media system with an 11.6-inch centre screen. The later includes navigation, a WiFi hotspot and Amazon Alexa integration. There's also a 10.25-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit instrument screen, an 8-speaker 180-watt sound system, rear parking sensors and cruise control. Across the line-up, there's lots of sophisticated equipment available - much of it optional. Like the Matrix LED headlights with their 16 individually activated LEDs. And the bespoke Sonos sound system upgrade package. We'd also want to look at the optional heat pump, which rapidly heats and cools the interior using the thermal losses from the electric components and the temperature of the outside air. It uses eco-friendly CO2 as a refrigerant, which flows through the circuit at high pressure. The heat pump can reduce losses in range caused by usage of the climate control system, especially in winter. Its strengths come to the fore on long drives.
What about battery replenishment for the 76.6kWh (net) battery of the Q4 40 e-tron and Q4 50 e-tron? Well those variants have been engineered for charging speeds of up to 11kW during AC charging and 135kW for DC charging. With such a rapid public charger, WLTP testing has confirmed that in only 10 minutes, the Q4 40 e-tron can recharge enough electricity to cover a distance of about 80 miles. Charging at 135kW in ideal conditions, the battery can achieve an 80% state of charge from a 5% starting point in 29 minutes. If you're using a conventional 7kW garage wallbox, a Q4 40 e-tron can charge 255 miles of range in eight and a quarter hours. Using the myAudi app, owners can activate charging remotely using a smartphone. The app also provides access to the comfort remote preconditioning system, which enables remote adjustment of the cabin temperature and seat heating functions to ensure that the cabin climate is always comfortable well before a journey begins. Accessing and paying for electricity while on the road can be easily taken care of using the 'e-tron Charging Service', which provides UK subscribers with one RFID payment card that is accepted at a vast number of charge points operated by 18 suppliers across the UK and Europe, and offers a choice of two fixed price charging tariffs.
In surveying the VW Group MEB platform mid-sized SUV electric vehicles launched to date, we always felt that this Wolfsburg conglomerate was leaving room for an Audi model able to deliver this engineering with a touch more polish and driver-orientated luxury - and so it proves here. The Q4 e-tron has the size of a compact BEV, but the finish, luxury and (to some extent) the driving dynamics of an electric crossover from next class up - that for larger EV models like the Jaguar I-PACE and the Mercedes EQC. In that respect, it's far more like a BMW iX3 than a Volkswagen ID.4. If you're looking at those Jaguar, Mercedes or BMW models, we think you should be looking at a Q4 e-tron too because it'll satisfy you in much the same way. If that's your perspective, the premium prices being asked here will seem reasonable. If it isn't, you'll start to question just why a car which shares pretty much every significant aspect of its engineering with comparable Volkswagen, Skoda and CUPRA EVs can be worth so much more. A matter of perspective then. With Audi, it was ever thus.
Battery Capacity % guaranteed under warranty:70
Battery Capacity in kWh:55.52
Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Charge Time (Mins):1560
Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Percentage Change:0-100
Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Power Supply - kW:2.3
Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Charge Time (Mins):450
Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Percentage Change:0-100
Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Power Supply - kW:7
Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Charge Time (Mins):53
Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Percentage Change:5-80
Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Power Supply - kW:50
Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Charge Time (Mins):36
Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Percentage Change:5-80
Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Power Supply - kW:110
Battery Leased:No
Battery Type:Lithium-ion
Charging Port Location:Right Side Rear
Coupler/Connector Type:CCS Type 2
Maximum Charging Rate - kW:110
NEDC Electricity Consumption kWh/100 km:Not Available
NEDC Maximum EV Range Miles:Not Available
Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Mileage:100000
Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Years:8
Usable Battery Capacity:51.5
WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - Comb:17.4
WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - Comb - TEH:17.8
WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - Comb - TEL:17.3
WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - Comb:2.1
WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - Comb - TEH:2.06
WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - Comb - TEL:2.11
WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Comb:323
WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Comb - TEH:315
WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Comb - TEL:323
WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Comb:201
WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Comb - TEH:196
WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Comb - TEL:201
CO:Not Available
CO2 (g/km):Data Not Available
HC:Not Available
HC+NOx:Not Available
Noise Level dB(A):Not Available
NOx:Not Available
Particles:Not Available
Standard Euro Emissions:Not Available
Camshaft:Not Available
Catalytic Convertor:Not Available
CC:1
Compression Ratio:Not Available
Cylinder Layout:Not Available
Cylinders:Not Available
Cylinders - Bore (mm):Not Available
Cylinders - Stroke (mm):Not Available
Engine Code:F4BAI1
Engine Layout:Not Available
Fuel Delivery:Not Available
Gears:1 SPEED
Number of Valves:Not Available
Transmission:AUTO
EC Combined (mpg):Not Available
EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies:Not Available
EC Extra Urban (mpg):Not Available
EC Urban (mpg):Not Available
Alternative Fuel Qualifying:Yes
Badge Engine CC:Data Not Available
Badge Power:170
Based On ID:Not Available
Coin Description:55.52kWh
Coin Series:S Line [C+S]
Generation Mark:1
Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07:27E
NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %:93
NCAP Child Occupant Protection %:89
NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09:5
NCAP Pedestrian Protection %:66
NCAP Safety Assist %:80
Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?:No
Service Interval Frequency - Months:24
Service Interval Mileage:999999
Special Edition:No
Special Order:No
Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage:60000
Standard manufacturers warranty - Years:3
Timing Belt Interval Frequency - Months:Not Available
Timing Belt Interval Mileage:Not Available
Vehicle Homologation Class:M1
0 to 62 mph (secs):9
Engine Power - BHP:170
Engine Power - KW:125
Engine Torque - LBS.FT:229
Engine Torque - MKG:31.6
Engine Torque - NM:310
Top Speed:99
Emissions Test Cycle:WLTP
RDE Certification Level:N/A
Alloys?:Yes
Space Saver?:No
Tyre Size Front:235/50 R20
Tyre Size Rear:255/45 R20
Tyre Size Spare:RUN FLAT TYRES
Wheel Style:5-Y SPOKE
Wheel Type:20" ALLOY
Height:Not Available
Height (including roof rails):1632
Length:4588
Wheelbase:2764
Width (including mirrors):2108
Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres):Not Available
Gross Vehicle Weight:2475
Luggage Capacity (Seats Down):1490
Luggage Capacity (Seats Up):520
Max. Loading Weight:585
Max. Towing Weight - Braked:1200
Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked:750
Minimum Kerbweight:1890
No. of Seats:5
Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb:10.2
125kW 35 55.52kWh S Line 5dr Auto [C+S]
*Model Shown is for illustration purposes only.
