Tesla Model Y vs Audi Q4 e-tron test: the match between electric SUVs

At Tesla’s last annual shareholders meeting, the big boss Elon Musk announced it: the Model Y SUV would eventually become the best-selling car in the world. A forecast that would have made analysts laugh barely a year ago, but whose credibility is reinforced by the observation of the insolent success of the Tesla Model 3, its technical basis. The Model Y SUV recovers 75% of the elements and differs on several points: increased dimensions (+ 7 cm long, + 6 cm wide, + 18 cm high), trunk volume almost doubled (854 l now !) and modularity enhanced by both the large motorized tailgate and the reclining / folding bench in three parts. The power butterfly rear doors, on the other hand, remain the property of the Model X, the XXL SUV of the family.

Opposite, the competition is organized. The Volkswagen group inaugurated its 100% electric platform in 2020 with the compact ID.3, quickly declined in SUV ID.4. Audi is now using it to market its Q4 e-tron, an SUV 9 cm longer than a Q3 and available like it in a classic or Sportback version (lowered roof and gently sloping tailgate for € 2,000 more). For its first match with the Tesla Model Y, the Audi Q4 must summon its top version: the 50 quattro. Compared to the Q4 40 rear-wheel drive, the power goes from 204 to 299 hp and is transmitted to all four wheels thanks to the second motor on the front axle. What brings it closer to the Model Y Grande Autonomie, also with all-wheel drive and estimated at 351 hp (Tesla does not communicate any official power). From the outset, it is the prices that guide the duel. In favor of Tesla.

Audi Q4 vs Tesla Model Y price

At € 59,990, the Tesla Model Y Grande Autonomie only benefits from the € 2,000 bonus allocated to electric models sold for less than € 60,000. We must then be content with the standard paint (this pearly white), the black leatherette interior (the white upholstery of our test model is optional) and 19-inch aero rims (the 20 inches are prettier. but…), because the slightest option propels the final invoice beyond the limit for obtaining the bonus. That said, the base Model Y does not lack for anything with its five heated seats, its hands-free key on smartphone, its huge glass roof and its famous giant 15-inch screen. The latter includes all the functions of the vehicle and more or less doubtful gadgets, such as this (sound) emitter of flatulence that can be diffused when stationary, when the horn is activated, via an external loudspeaker also capable of other imitations… Unique.

A hundred leagues from these pranks, the ideal son-in-law Q4 Sportback comes here in the Edition One launch series flanked by pretty gold wheels and Audi stickers on the fenders. Rate ? € 69,950 ie € 12,000 more than the “bonus” Model Y. Even by opting for the S line call level, the price does not fall below € 67,700 and still demands many, many options to match the American’s endowment: electric and heated seats, premium audio system, centering active in the way, panoramic roof, without forgetting the heat pump supposed to extend the autonomy in cold weather. Precisely tested at temperatures oscillating between 3 and 7 ° C, our two rivals have, again, shown very different fields of action.

Autonomy and recharging

To best arbitrate this comparative test, we confronted these SUVs with our test course for electric cars cumulating 109 km of motorway and 138 km of secondary roads. Certainly paved more favorably (19-inch aerodynamic hubcaps for the Tesla, 21-inch honeycomb rims for the Audi), the American clearly dominated the German thanks to much lower fuel consumption. We found 15.5 kWh / 100 km on the road and 24.4 kWh / 100 km on the highway for the Tesla, or respectively 3 and 8 kWh less than the Audi. In terms of range, the Model Y could therefore cover 303 km on the highway and 477 km on the highway on a single charge, while the Q4 would fail at 237 and 419 km under the same conditions.

On long journeys, the owner of the Audi will have to stop both more often and for longer, the maximum charging power on the Q4 fast terminal capping at 125 kW, or half that of the Model Y. The penalty is moreover triple for the German, which cannot count on a network of fast terminals as well meshed and reliable as the famous Superchargers of Tesla, inexpensive and not requiring any subscription or particular badge. However, these differences remain to be put into perspective in daily use, since it is rare to afford an electric car to accumulate more than 300 km per day. Both models have an 11 kW charger, which allows refueling at a public terminal in 7:30 a.m. according to Audi… and certainly the same time in Tesla, which has a very similar capacity battery, estimated at 74 kWh useful against 77 kWh for the Q4. On the classic domestic socket, on the other hand, it will take more than 45 hours in both cases.

To drive

Very different until then, our two rivals finally share a common point that we would have done well, namely their discomfort at low speed. Contrasting with the pleasant silence of walking, the jolts felt when passing manhole covers are real and add to a fault in each camp in urban areas: poor turning circle for the Tesla, lack of “one-pedal” mode for the Audi (eliminating the need to use the brake pedal to stop). However, this leaves the choice between three levels of regeneration on deceleration via the paddles located behind the steering wheel. Freewheeling does not exist in Tesla but, once accustomed to the marked deceleration when letting go of the accelerator, the driver takes real pleasure at the wheel.

Very direct steering, more incisive front axle, better managed traction, the Tesla appears more dynamic and lighter than the Audi, also behind in a straight line and not only in acceleration (0 to 100 km / h in 6.2 s against 5 s for the Model Y). The gap widens even at higher speed, the Tesla sending the revivals with a speed that the Audi can not reproduce. What health ! Our test Model Y did not, however, have the Acceleration Boost option at € 1,800, which reduces 0 to 100 km / h to only 4.4 s.

This superior dynamism does not affect the daily enjoyment since the Model Y, however deprived of controlled suspension (available as a supplement from Audi), better absorbs deformations past 80 km / h. Its soundproofing is also effective, correcting air noise emitted by Model 3s above 120 km / h. The semi-autonomous driving system succeeds in seducing, even if the centering in the lane disconnects a little too abruptly when changing lanes (an option at 3,800 € improves and multiplies the functions). We could not test it on the Q4, with optional adaptive cruise control but no centering in the track, still charged extra despite the purchase price.

To live

If it sometimes becomes difficult to decide between modern cars, the interiors of the Model Y and Q4 e-tron are so far apart that each will have its followers… and its detractors. In Audi, the dashboard is quite invasive and cut with a billhook, caricaturing the sharp lines of the last A3. The wide variety of materials is surprising, and a few rigid plastics prevent the Q4 from dominating the Model Y in terms of perceived quality. The ergonomics are however respected with a readable digital instrumentation and equipped with several display modes, but also a central 12.3-inch touch screen with an intuitive interface and several still physical controls for ventilation or disconnection of certain aids. to driving. The only false note: the steering wheel controls, sensitive, but too sensitive, to the point of forcing them to repeat the maneuver to call up the correct on-board computer page or to finely modulate the volume of the audio system.

Radical change of scenery in the Tesla, which combines 100% of the functions in its giant screen, which alone sums up a very, very refined dashboard. The display can then be handled like a high-end tablet, with comparable responsiveness and resolution, and menus that are fairly easy to find. On a daily basis, the ecosystem as much as the simplicity of use seduce and do not regret the absence of Android Auto or Apple CarPlay connections. There is no longer any need for it since the Spotify library is connected to an excellent sound system, navigation is carried out via Google Maps, and the route planner appears more advanced than that of the Q4 e-tron. Its advantage? Know in real time the occupation of terminals at Superchargers; information unavailable at Audi, which does not benefit from its own network despite its participation in the Ionity consortium (fewer terminals and often less reliable during our tests).

Shorter by 16 cm, the Audi does not make up for it in terms of interior space and seems to use its platform dedicated to electricity less well. At the front, its generous storage remains less numerous than those of the Tesla. At the rear, its bench is better designed in the side seats, but its shallower footwells do not offer the leisure to stretch your legs as much (this is possible in Tesla, even in the center, and the backrests are tilted. a few degrees).

The Model Y’s trunk seals the debate: 854 l at the rear up to the bezel (there is no luggage cover) and including the deep well under the floor, before adding the 117 l of the small front box, ideal for storing charging cables in a separate space. None of this in Q4, which peaks at 535 l in five places and cannot fold up its files from the trunk entrance. The outcome of the comparison may lack suspense …

Find the result of the match and the prices, equipment, technical sheets and autonomy compared on the next page.