Audi Q4 e-tron review

The Audi Q4 e-tron – in either SUV and Sportback guise – wasn’t your typical Audi when it arrived in 2021, and we’re not talking about its propulsion system. There were all-electric Audis before the Q4 e-tron, after all. In the main, it was a good electric SUV, too, with many notable Audi traits: smooth and quiet to drive, and relatively roomy and practical.

What stood out as atypically Audi was the Q4 e-tron’s interior. It wasn’t very…ahem…it wasn’t very nice. At least not for an SUV wearing those four fabled rings on its nose. You can forgive a bit of earthiness in rivals such as the Skoda Enyaq, and to some extent the VW ID 4. They’re cheaper cars, but you’re meant to be getting something a bit special when you splash out extra for a premium brand, and the Q4 e-tron’s interior had the whiff of cost-cutting about it. 

At the same time, the revised Tesla Model Y came along offering much improved interior quality, and the Genesis GV60 showcased to everyone that it was more than capable of catering for the more discerning buyer looking for something a bit special inside.

It seems we weren't alone in feeling underwhelmed about the quality of the Q4 e-tron’s interior. Because in 2026 Audi launched the facelifted Q4 e-tron, and while the exterior wasn’t radically altered they binned the old interior and started from scratch. What’s more, it fitted a whole new infotainment package, improved the Q4 e-tron’s battery range and added some new features, too.

But is that enough to restore the Audi Q4 e-tron’s reputation, and is it still competitive in other ways against the best electric SUVs? 

What’s new?

- June 2026: We drive the facelifted Audi Q4 e-tron SUV and Sportback in Germany, featuring an all-new interior and infotainment system, slightly improved range, and new features, such as vehicle-to-load (V2L) and vehicle-to-home (V2H)
- March 2025: New entry-level Q4 40 e-tron has 55kWh battery
- September 2023: Facelift brings recalibrated suspension, extra standard equipment, more efficient motors, wider choice of optional driver assistance systems
- July 2021: First customer cars delivered
- March 2021: Production Q4 e-tron launched. Choice of 168bhp 35 e-tron with 55kWh battery, 201bhp 40 e-tron and 295bhp 50 e-tron quattro, with 82kWh battery
- March 2019: Q4 e-tron concept shown at Geneva motor show

How fast is it and which motor is best?

In terms of performance – that’s battery size and power – there are three grades of Audi Q4 e-tron. The cheapest is called, simply, e-tron. It has a single, 201bhp motor driving the rear wheels, and can get you from 0-62mph in 8.1sec. That’s relatively pedestrian for an electric SUV, and off the pace of the cheaper Tesla Model Y RWD. It’s peppy enough up to 50mph but feels a tad lacklustre above that. 

The e-tron Performance is the one we recommend. It still has just the one motor, but it delivers a more useful 282bhp that drops the 0-62mph to 6.6sec. It’s noticeably punchier in every situation, but particularly when you’re at motorway speeds or overtaking slower cars on A roads. That said, the equivalent Tesla Model Y Long Range RWD is still quite a bit quicker. 

If you live in a particularly weather-beaten part of the UK, you’ll be pleased to know you can spec the Q4 e-tron with all-wheel drive. It’s called the e-tron quattro Performance, has an extra motor energising the front wheels, and, in total, produces 335bhp. That means it accelerates from 0-62mph in a hot-hatch rivalling 5.4sec. It’s certainly quick but, from behind the wheel, the performance differential doesn’t feel vast compared with the e-tron Performance. The Volvo EX40 Twin Motor and Model Y Long Range AWD are even quicker, too.

Is it agile and is the ride comfortable?

Sport trim, which comes with the smallest 19in alloy wheels, feels generally supple around town and cosseting at higher speeds. It has decent body control, too, so it’s not overtly floaty over heavy undulations. In fact, it’s the trim we recommend because it makes the Q4 e-tron one of the better-riding cars in the class, behind only the ultra-cushy Genesis GV60.  

Not only do S line models have stiffer sports suspension but they also have larger 20in wheels – a combination that takes its toll on comfort. S line versions feel punchier over pockmarked roads and generally less settled. That said, even in S line guise, the Q4 e-tron rounds off rough edges on craggy roads slightly better than the equivalent EX40, and much better than the Ford Mustang Mach-E.

We don’t advise splashing out for the pricey Vorsprung trim but, if you do, it’s worth adding the relatively inexpensive Dynamic Pack. It includes adaptive suspension that makes the ride really plush, even with Vorsprung’s sizable 21in wheels. 

The adaptive dampers also allow you to stiffen the suspension on a whim to reduce body lean in bends. You’ll certainly notice more of that in the softer-sprung Sport compared with the stiffer S line, but even the Sport version is enjoyable to drive. Why? Well, all Q4 e-trons offer plenty of grip and the sweet, accurate steering is more predictable than the hyperactive helm in the Model Y. It’s what makes the Q4 e-tron more fun and confidence-inspiring to hustle along country roads. 

The rear-wheel drive models have plenty of traction out of bends, and, arguably, are more engaging to drive. But if muddy lanes or the prospect of snow loom large in your life to the extent that stability is key, the four-wheel-drive e-tron quattro Performance is worth considering.

Is it quiet and how easy is it to drive smoothly?

If silence is golden, the Q4 e-tron metaphorically blings regardless of its bodycolour. At this price point it’s one of the quietest electric SUVs you can buy. Wind noise, for example, is minimal at 70mph, and there’s little road noise – especially the Sport trim, which has the smallest-diameter wheels. You barely hear a peep from the electric motor, either. 

True, the pricier GV60 it is slightly better at isolating you from the outside world, but compared with the bulk of its rivals, particularly the Mustang Mach-E and Volvo EX40, the Q4 e-tron’s refinement is superb.

That’s true in less obvious ways. Take the Q4 e-tron’s power delivery, for instance. The way it builds speed is calm and predictable, and its brakes are similarly finessed. Many electric cars are hard to slow smoothly because their normal friction brakes aren’t blended correctly with their regenerative brakes. The Mach-E is a classic example of this: horribly grabby brakes that make slowing down smoothly hard work. Meanwhile, the Q4 e-tron’s brakes are more consistent and predictable.

What’s the range and efficiency like, and how quickly can it charge?

The updated Audi Q4 e-tron, which arrived in 2026, has more efficient electric motors that officially deliver up to 4.0mi/kWh average efficiency. That means range improved slightly across the board, but not by enough to worry the class leaders. You still have to pay extra for a heat pump, too – something that a lot of rivals have by default to boost efficiency in hot or cold weather. 

The entry-level Q4 e-tron has a 59kWh (usable capacity) battery and an official range of 269 miles, while the basic Tesla Model Y RWD offers up to 314 miles. The Tesla’s cheaper, too, which is the theme rather than a one off: the Model Y always delivers more range for less cash than the equivalent Q4 e-tron. 

Take our favourite Q4 e-tron Performance. It has a 77kWh (usable capacity) battery that delivers a decent official range of up to 352 miles. Yet the equivalent Model Y Long-Range RWD is slightly cheaper and will officially do up to 378 miles. Then there’s the Q4 e-tron quattro Performance, which also has that 77kWh battery but the range drops to 330 miles; the cheaper Model Y Long-Range AWD, meanwhile, manages up to 391 miles per one charge. 

The Q4 e-tron doesn’t have a particularly high peak charging rate, either. For the 59kWh battery it’s 160kW, increasing slightly to 165kW for the 77kWh e-tron Performance. The 77kWh e-tron quattro Performance has the fastest charging speed, but at 185kW, it’s still well down on the equivalent Model Y (250kW) and Genesis GV60 (240kW).

Whatever Q4 e-tron you buy, expect to wait just under 30mins to rapid-charge from 10-80%. If you’re charging at home using a 7kW charger, the e-tron 59kW takes approximately 10 hours to charge (0-100%), increasing to 12.5 hours for e-tron Performance 77kW, and 15 hours for the e-tron quattro Performance 77kW.

The Q4 e-tron is available with vehicle-to-load (V2L), so you can run electrical appliances with a three-pin plug from the car: a kettle, perhaps, if you’re camping in the wilderness, or an electric mountain bike if you’re planning to ride up it. And the Q4 supports vehicle-to-home (V2H), a system that’s currently on trial in the UK. When rolled out, it will allow you to charge the Q4’s battery at home, potentially for free if you have solar panels, then power your house when electricity is expensive or unavailable – if there’s a power cut.

"The Q4 is one of the most hushed electric cars at this price. At motorway speeds I heard some background wind and road noise, but barely a peep from the electric motor.” – John Howell, Deputy Reviews Editor

What does the interior look like and is it well made?

Well, if you’ve read our intro you’ll know the current Audi Q4 e-tron (launched in 2026) looks nothing like the original version inside. But it will look familiar to anyone who’s sat in the latest Audi Q6 e-tron, because that’s what the Q4 e-tron’s revised interior was modelled on. It’s up to you whether you prefer the current style of the previous one. We think the current car’s interior is a more cohesive design than the sharper, rather angular look of old, but that’s opinion rather than a fact. 

Sticking with facts, the interior quality of this latest Q4 e-tron is better than it was. Not perfect by any means, but better. There are enough soft-touch finishes in the key areas you’ll touch regularly to stop it appearing cheap – the smooth leather on the steering wheel and soft-touch plastics on the upper sections of the front doors, for example. 

The lower part of the front doors is hard plastic, though, and, worse still, so is the top of the rear doors. And there’s a panel with USB ports beneath the main touchscreen that feels pretty flimsy. That’s a let down on a car with a premium badge and price tag. The cheaper Tesla Model Y has barely any hard surfaces and feels consistently solid, while the Genesis GV60 is pricier than both but pushes the perception of luxury to another level.

Is the driving position comfortable and is it easy to see out?

You’ll still be looking up at Range Rover drivers in traffic jams, but you sit relatively high up in the Audi Q4 e-tron. It’s a much nicer driving position than the Model Y’s, where you feel weirdly perched because the driver’s seat is jacked up relative to its low-set dashboard and windowlines. 

Another plus with the Q4 e-tron is you don’t have to delve into the touchscreen to adjust the steering wheel or door mirrors – a policy Tesla came up with that many car companies are sadly following. You adjust the Q4 e-tron’s mirrors with a physical joystick, while the steering wheel adjustment is manual, which is basic but effective. 

The driver’s seat is adjusted manually, too, which is a little stingy. You have to splash out for the pricey Black Edition trim if you want a fully electrically adjustable driver’s seat, although all trims come with electrically adjustable lumbar support. But regardless of how you adjust the driver’s seat, you should find its basic shape offers good long-distance comfort. 

The long, sloping windscreen pillars can sometimes obscure your view at junctions, but large side windows help with over-the-shoulder visibility. Front and rear parking sensors are standard, as well as a rear-view camera. Vorsprung trim adds a 360-degree parking camera.

Vorsprung trim also comes with adaptive matrix LED headlights that can stay on main beam without dazzling other road users. You can add those to lesser trims by selecting the optional Technology Pack, but that’s very expensive. Otherwise you get regular LED headlights, which are less versatile but still bright.

Are the dashboard and infotainment system easy to use?

One area where Audi has followed the herd, including Tesla, is in migrating the climate controls to the bottom of the touchscreen as a row of icons. That makes them more distracting to use while you’re driving, but at least they are permanently displayed.

All Q4 e-trons have a configurable 11.9in digital driver’s display (or Virtual Cockpit in Audi speak). The optional Technology Pack adds an augmented head-up display, which comes as standard on the Vorsprung trim. Augmented means that, along with essential information such as your speed, the head-up display projects sat-nav directions onto the windscreen as animated arrows. It’s meant to make directions easier to follow, but, while it’s novel, it's not worth the extra cost.

The 12.8in infotainment touchscreen sits in the centre of the dashboard, but angled towards the driver so it’s easier to see and reach. The screen’s definition is good, the menus are quite straightforward and the software is snappy. The front passenger gets their own 12.0in touchscreen with Vorsprung trim. They can log on to apps to watch YouTube or play games, but it has a filter to stop the driver taking a sneaky peak at the action.  

Another feature is the Audi Assistant, which is voice control that operates many of the car’s functions. But rather than a dumb system that can’t understand a word you’re saying, the Q4 e-tron’s system is powered by ChatGPT. So you can also chat away to it like it’s an old friend, or seek deep and meaningful questions about life, the universe and everything. Well, that’s the idea, at least. 

On a more basic level, every Q4 e-trons come with a DAB radio, sat-nav, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone mirroring, online services (Google Maps, weather and hazard alerts) and twin 15W wireless phone chargers – cooled to stop your phone overheating. 

The standard stereo has eight speakers, but if you go for Vorsprung trim (or option the Technology Pack) you get a bassy 10-speaker Sonos sound system with a 580W amplifier.

"In the summer of 2026 the Audi Q4 e-tron’s interior was revamped to improve its quality. It’s better than it was but isn’t head and shoulders above its key rivals’ for fit or finish. I think that’s a shame because interior quality was a haulmark of Audi not that long ago." – John Howell, Deputy Reviews Editor

How much space does it have for people?

Even if you’re tall there’s no need to fret about front space in the Audi Q4 e-tron. It has plenty of head and leg room, and, despite being Audi’s smallest electric SUV, feels broad and spacious enough. 

There’s a healthy amount of front storage space, too. The upper deck of the centre console has the cup holders, wireless charging pads, and a cubby under the centre armrest. Then there’s the lower tier, which is effectively a big, open area big enough to store a takeaway for two. The door bins are also a good size and there’s a separate recess above for a bottle of water.

If you go for the Q4 e-tron SUV, rather than the Sportback, you’ll find the rear seats spacious, too. Two six-footers can sit comfortably even when the front seats are slid back. In fact, for rear space the Q4 e-tron SUV matches the closely related Skoda Enyaq, and offers more leg room than a Volvo EX40, and better head room than a Ford Mustang Mach-E.

Shoulder room in the middle rear seat is a bit tight with three broad adults sitting side by side, but the flat floor means there’s plenty of foot space (the EX40 has a tall central tunnel to straddle).

The Q4 e-tron Sportback offers essentially the same package but minus a chunk of head room. Taller adults will find it’s just on the limit when sitting upright, but if they lean back against their head will be wedged against the rooflining.  

Whatever version you go for – SUV or Sportback – the rear seats don’t slide or recline. You get electrically reclining rear seats in a Tesla Model Y.

How much room does it have for luggage?

Oddly, the Audi Q4 e-tron SUV has less boot space than the coupé-esque Sportback – 515 litres versus 527 litres, if you’re measuring up to the tonneau cover with the rear seats in place. Either way, the boot’s broadly similar in size to the Audi Q5. 

We managed to fit in seven carry-on suitcases when we tested the Q4 e-tron SUV, which is a good tally. Or it is, until you realise that the Tesla Model Y fits 10 cases in total. One of those cases fits in the Tesla’s front boot – something the Q4 e-tron lacks. 

The Q4 e-tron does come with a powered tailgate and height-adjustable boot floor, which, if you raise it up, gives you a fully flat load bay when you drop the 40/20/40 rear seatbacks. It also creates a space for the charging cables to go.

“If you choose the Q4 e-tron SUV over the Sportback, the rear seats are comfy with plenty of head and leg room. The Sportback is fine for leg room, but I’m 6’3” and I found head room was tight.” – John Howell, Deputy Reviews Editor

How much does it cost and what equipment do you get?

Many of you won’t be surprised to learn that you’ll have to fork out a lot more cash if you want an Audi Q4 e-tron. It’s significantly more expensive than the Skoda Enyaq, even though, underneath, they’re essentially the same. But the Q4 e-tron also has a more expensive starting price than the Volvo EX40 and Tesla Model Y, and if you’re thinking about a top-spec Vorsprung trim the price is borderline absurd – it’s deep into the territory of bigger electric SUVs.

If you’re buying on PCP finance it’s worth checking what deals are available to narrow the gap to its rivals. Because it has a higher P11D value, the Q4 e-tron’s also going to cost you more as a company car, but, with BIK tax so low for all EVs, the difference won’t be vast. 

Bearing in mind the price is on the higher side, we’d stick with entry-level Sport trim, which also rides better than upper trims with sports suspension. It’s not as well equipped as a Model Y but comes with a decent amount of kit. We’ve already covered some of its standard features – 19in alloy wheels, powered tailgate, front and rear parking sensors, rear-view camera, wireless phone charging, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, LED headlights, electrically adjustable lumbar support (front)  – but the list also includes adaptive cruise control, keyless entry, three-zone climate control, power-folding mirrors, and heated front seats.

S line brings 20in wheels and sportier styling, along with privacy glass and leather seats. Black Edition has black exterior highlights, heated steering wheel and heated rear seats, while Vorsprung has all the bells and whistles – 21in wheels, adaptive LED headlights, head-up display, panoramic roof and Sonos 10-speaker sound system – but the heavily inflated price is standard, too.

Worthwhile options to think about include a heat pump and the Comfort Package, which adds a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats and electric front seat adjustment with memory function. The optional vehicle-to-load (V2L) and vehicle-to-home (V2H) charging facilities add additional flexibility as well.

Is it reliable, and how long is the warranty?

The pre-facelift Q4 e-tron finished 13th out of the 22 electric SUVs featured in our 2025 What Car? Reliability Survey. Meanwhile, Audi finished in a disappointing 22nd place out 30 brands covered – level with Mercedes but well behind BMW and Tesla.

The Q4 e-tron’s battery warranty lasts for eight years or 100,000 miles (whichever comes first) and Audi covers the rest of the car for three years or 60,000 miles. That’s poor by today’s standards; many brands cover their cars for longer, such as Kia, which offer cover up to seven years or 100,000 miles.

How safe is it, and is it easy to steal?

The Audi Q4 e-tron was given a full five stars for overall safety when it was tested by Euro NCAP in 2025. Digging into the category scores showed mostly minor issues for adult occupant protection (not unusual) and no real issues concerning child occupant protection.

Audi gives you lots of safety equipment as standard, including lane-departure warning and an automatic emergency braking (AEB) system that can detect pedestrians and cyclists as well as other cars. You also get blind-spot monitoring and a system that warns you if another vehicle is passing behind you when you’re reversing out of a parking space.

"You have to pay a lot for the Audi Q4 e-tron, especially as you move up the trim ladder, and plenty of cheaper rivals come with more kit. But I was impressed by the Q4’s Euro NCAP scores and its standard safety systems." – John Howell, Deputy Reviews Editor

Buy it if...

–You value a quiet and comfortable car – in Sport trim at least
–A good Euro NCAP safety rating is a high priority
–Tidy handling is more important than straight-line performance

Don't it if...

–You want the best range or performance for the money
–You want all the toys included 
–You’re concerned about reliability  

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