Audi doubles its focus on the electric SUV segment. After the e-tron, here is the Q4 e-tron with more compact dimensions and autonomy flirting with 500 km in version 40 with large battery. Design and life on board work in its favor.
Test car: Audi Q4 e-tron 40 S line
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From€ 58,700
€ 2,000 bonus
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Positioned in size between a Q3 and a Q5, the new Audi Q4 e-tron displays a template of 4.59 m. It stands out above all from its high-end neighbors by its 100% electric motorization, a proposal it owes to its MEB platform dedicated to the Volkswagen group’s electric vehicles and already available on the Skoda Enyaq and Volkswagen ID. 4. The Q4 is the brand’s third battery-powered vehicle after the large e-tron SUV and the e-tron GT sedan. This is only the start of the fireworks display, since Audi promises 20 electric models in France in 2025 … and will present its latest thermal model in 2026.
The shift to electric is as scary as it is fascinating, and the majority of brands are taking the same trajectory as Audi to meet CO emissions targets.2 set by Europe. A bet that will be successful if customers are seduced and the Q4 therefore intends to put them in its pocket with an approach worthy of the brand on the design side. Its prominent lines and compact profile give it a pleasant look, while its front face reveals an imposing full grille and a light signature that can be personalized from the on-board screen (with Matrix LED headlights). The Q4’s electric motor is located on the rear axle for the two-wheel drive versions 35 (170 hp) and 40 (204 hp), and it is supported by a second motor on the front axle for the four-wheel drive version 50 quattro (299 hp).
Audi Q4 e-tron price
The range starts at € 42,800, which gives access to the bonus of € 6,000. Corn the average price of Audi Q4 e-tron will be closer to € 60,000, a limit not to be exceeded to collect € 2,000 bonus. Our trial version Q4 40 S line is in this target with a price of 58,700 €. Its standard equipment includes the new augmented reality head-up display, a first for Audi. If the standard endowment is already complete and technological in this finish, unsurprisingly the options remain numerous and tempting (see next page for all prices and equipment).
Autonomy and recharging
The Audi Q4 e-tron offers two battery capacities : 55 kWh (52 useful) for the entry-level model Q4 35, which has 310 km of autonomy, and 82 kWh (77 useful) for the Q4 40 and 50 quattro versions, which announce more interesting ranges of 472 and 412 km in WLTP homologation. These are the proposals that will be the most requested because they somewhat remove the obstacle of the range of action of electric vehicles. The Q4 40 is equipped with an on-board charger of 11 kW in alternating current and it accepts fast charging up to 125 kW in direct current to recover a full charge in 30 minutes on a high capacity terminal. However, this remains theoretical because experience shows that the charging rates of the terminals often tend to make the Yo-Yo. To note that the compact home charger offered by Audi (€ 760) provides a power of 7.4 kW from a single-phase 32 A socket that will have to be installed. The type 2 charging cable for public AC terminals is supplied as standard.
Driving
If, within the group, the Volkswagen brand has shaken up the presentation of its interiors (not always in good) by switching to the electric car, this is not the case at Audi. The dashboard of the Q4 is inspired by that of the compact Audi A3. We thus find a well thought out ergonomics to easily control the functions of the car with, for example, direct access to the air conditioning unit. Only false note, the touch buttons on the steering wheel are too sensitive, to the point that we often skip several menus at once. To review because not everyone has fairy fingers. The steering wheel, precisely, with its double flat is new and pretty cool to learn. The good driving position and the quality of the S line seats effectively complete the system of the on-board installation. Finally, if the driver can be happy to have a dashboard oriented towards him, the passenger must deal with imposing furniture in front of him.
On the first few meters made with the Q4, we pull a little on the neck because the contours of the car are not easy to identify during maneuvers (as with the Volkswagen ID.4), and confidence in radars has inevitably its limits. at the beginning. The rest of the program is more relaxing thanks to the silence of the electric propulsion, reinforced by good sound insulation, and the ride comfort of our test version. The combination of 20-inch rims and adaptive damping takes care of the well-being on board while correctly channeling the body movements. Moreover, the road feel of the Q4 offers a pleasant and precise ride, although a little less filtered steering and a slightly more agile chassis would have been appreciated for the pleasure in the winding parts. The fun comes from the paddles on the steering wheel that allow you to adjust the regenerative force of the engine in addition to the B mode, as on the Mercedes EQA. On the left, regeneration is increased, therefore the engine brake. On the right, it is the opposite and the system is fun when entering a bend or arriving in town.
The values of the electric motor of the 40 version are flattering (204 hp and 310 Nm of torque), but the mass of 2.1 t to carry weighs on performance. However, the Q4 never showed up to the trouble and even showed vigor in raises or to overtake. Thanks to the instant torque of the electric motor which saves the day. For the sensations, it will still be necessary to iron … or jump aboard the 299 hp Q4 50 quattro and above all 460 Nm. This version offers more toned driving, sporty acceleration (6.2 s from 0 to 100 km / h) and flawless traction thanks to the four-wheel drive. The other side of the coin: discomfort reigns on board at low speed with the combination of 21-inch rims and conventional damping present on the tested Q4 e-tron 50 quattro version. Know before you get carried away.
In terms of electricity consumption, we made a road trip of 277 km with the Q4 40. And the flow was established at 16.7 kWh / 100 km. At this rate and taking into account the useful capacity of the battery, the range would have reached 460 km, a figure in line with the initial promise. Like other recent electric models, the Q4 therefore shows that autonomy is no longer a problem on a daily basis. Grosso modo, we run the week with a load. It remains to verify the ability to travel, which is legitimate when you spend nearly € 60,000 for a car. As we know, the density of the fast charging network is still insufficient to be serene throughout the territory, and it will be necessary to check consumption on the motorway. We could not do it this time and will develop this point in a future test dedicated to autonomy.
On board
Audi does not give in to the temptation of the giant central screen. The dashboard of the Q4 is fitted out in a fairly conventional manner, and it distributes plenty of storage space. The technological footprint is evident with the two screens equipped with a beautiful graphic quality and augmented reality head-up display that projects guidance information far down the road. The design of the furniture turns out to be quite aggressive with a lot of ridges, a bit like on board the new Peugeot 308. Those who like sleek interiors will therefore go their way. Finally, the perceived quality is undeniable but uneven. For example, the rear door panels are molded from a rigid plastic, even on the upper parts.
In its compact size, the Audi Q4 offers good habitability thanks to the architecture of its platform, which does without a service tunnel. The generous wheelbase (2.76 m), which benefits the rear seats, where passengers can stretch their legs. With the boot volume rising to 520 l, the Q4 confirms its family spirit. The modularity expected of an SUV is not forgotten with a flat loading floor when the 60-40 bench seatbacks are folded down. There are also two spaces under the boot floor for charging cables, but Audi could have done more practical by installing a bin under the engine cover (there is room!) To easily accommodate cables that are often dirty afterwards. use.
Competetion
It did not take long for the three German brands to be found on this new segment of the electric SUV and premium. Opposite the Q4 is the very attractive Mercedes EQA with a shorter template, and the BMW iX3 which is moving up the level in size and price. As with the thermal models, the alternative comes from Volvo with its powerful XC40 Recharge of 408 hp. The Tesla Model Y is made to wait in Europe because of the delays in the construction of the Berlin plant. Ford is present with its Mach-E offered at a less elite price, while the Koreans are showing their strong ambitions through the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and the Kia EV6. So here is a segment of the electric SUV already well filled with an average price of around € 55,000. Now remains the hardest part for builders: getting purchase orders signed.
