Overview
If you’re shopping for an electric vehicle, driving range is likely at the top of your list of concerns. While the 2024 Audi Q4 e-tron and Q4 e-tron Sportback both offer a package that’s good for reducing those range anxieties, neither are class leaders in this metric. The rear-wheel drive 40 is rated for up to 265 miles per charge, which is more than most drivers will do in a day’s worth of commuting and errand running. And the Q4 e-tron is capable of mastering such tasks, thanks to a practical cabin that offers similar cargo space as the gas-powered Q5; buyers of the sleeker-looking Q4 e-tron Sportback will give up some cargo area in the name of fashion. Rivals such as the Volvo XC40 Recharge and the Tesla Model Y offer similar packages, though, and both offer more driving range, leaving the Audi with its tech-filled cabin and handsome styling as its core selling points.
What’s New for 2024?
Adaptive cruise control with a lane-centering feature is newly standard on all Q4 e-tron models for 2024. The SUV’s steering wheel also gains paddle shifters that allow for quick adjustments of the regenerative braking levels. Premium models with the Convenience package now include a programmable garage door opener; this feature is now standard on Premium Plus and Prestige trims.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
We’ll let you decide if the regular squareback or the swoopier Sportback body style is right for you, but with either one, we’d recommend the Premium Plus trim. This mid-range trim adds a power-operated liftgate, a four-way power-adjustable passenger seat, SiriusXM satellite radio, a wireless smartphone charging pad, keyless entry, and more. We’d spring for the all-wheel drive 50 powertrain because makes 94 more horsepower than the standard setup. But if you value the extra range of the base propulsion system, you know what to do.
EV Motor, Power, and Performance
The entry-level Q4 e-tron 40 comes with a single 201-hp electric motor that powers the rear wheels. We haven’t had a chance to drive the Q4 e-tron with this setup yet but weren’t impressed with it in the mechanically similar Volkswagen ID.4 With an electric motor powering each axle, the all-wheel-drive Q4 e-tron 50 and Q4 e-tron Sportback 50 models make 295 horsepower. During testing, the Q4 e-tron 50 sprang to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds. That is far more satisfying than the 7.9-second estimate for the 40 but still not as quick as the gasoline-powered Audi Q5 SUV. Around town, the Q4 e-tron 50’s powertrain feels like more than enough even if its initial shove is more muted than rival SUVs such as the Model Y and the XC40. At higher speeds though, such as when passing on the highway, the powertrain feels more lethargic. The Q4 e-tron’s road manners are polite; the ride is smooth and the Audi feels reasonably maneuverable thanks to a tight turning radius. We’d stop short of calling it fun, though, as it feels heavy in corners and its steering feedback feels artificial.
Range, Charging, and Battery Life
The Q4 e-tron’s 77.0-kWh battery pack provides up to 265 miles per charge when paired with the standard single-motor 40 powertrain. The all-wheel drive 50 powertrain isn’t as efficient, with an estimated range of 236 miles for the squareback model and 242 miles for the Sportback. The Q4 e-tron 50 we tested on our 75-mph highway route achieved 190 miles of driving range. All models support fast charging at up to 150-kW and, according to Audi, can be charged from five to 80 percent in just 36 minutes. This is slower charging than the Genesis GV60, which is capable of charging to the same level in just 18 minutes. The Q4 e-tron 50 we tested charged from 10 to 90 percent in 44 minutes, with an average DC Fast-Charge rate of 87 kW.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
Both body styles of the Q4 e-tron 50 are rated for 100 MPGe city and 89 MPGe highway, which is similar to other luxury-branded EV crossovers. During our drive with the Q4 e-tron 50, it returned a 93 MPGe combined rating. The Q4 e-tron 40 has not yet been rated by the government agency but should provide slightly higher efficiency due to its single-motor setup. For more information about the Q4 e-tron’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Like other Audi models, the Q4 e-tron’s cabin is a technological showcase for Audi’s latest and greatest gadgets but it incorporates a few unique features such as a squared-off steering wheel with touch-sensitive controls. Although the Q4 e-tron concept was shown strictly as a four-seater, the production version offers seating for five. The interior’s passenger space is about the same as the gas-powered Q5’s but cargo space isn’t as generous.
Infotainment and Connectivity
The Q4 e-tron has the latest version of Audi’s MMI system. A 10.3-inch digital gauge display is standard, and a large 11.6-inch infotainment touchscreen is angled toward the driver for easier access to its various menus and features. Audi also offers a head-up display with an augmented reality feature that can project information such as navigation instructions or driver-assistance warnings in the driver’s eye line.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
The Q4 e-tron models are stocked with plenty of driver-assistance technology features, such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automated emergency braking. For more information about the Q4 e-tron’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
- Standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking
- Standard blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert
- Standard adaptive cruise control with a lane-centering feature
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
The Audi Q4 e-tron and Q4 e-tron Sportback will offer the same limited and powertrain warranty as the larger e-tron SUV.
- Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
- Electric components are covered for eight years or 100,000 miles
- No complimentary scheduled maintenance
Specifications
Specifications
2022 Audi Q4 e-tron
Vehicle Type: front- and rear-motor, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE
Base: 50 Premium quattro, $51,095; Sportback 50 Premium quattro, $53,895
POWERTRAIN
Motors, F/R: induction asynchronous AC/permanent magnet synchronous AC
Combined Power: 295 hp
Combined Torque: 339 lb-ft
Battery Pack: liquid-cooled lithium-ion, 77 kWh
Onboard Charger: 11 kW
Peak DC Fast-Charge Rate: 125 kW
Transmissions, F/R: direct-drive/direct-drive
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 108.7 in
Length: 180.7 in
Width: 73.4 in
Height: 64.7 in
Passenger Volume: 97 ft3
Cargo Volume, Rear Seats Up/Down: 25/53 ft3
Curb Weight: 4964 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 5.6 sec
1/4-Mile: 14.2 sec @ 98 mph
100 mph: 14.9 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 5.7 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 2.4 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 3.3 sec
Top Speed (gov ltd): 113 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 177 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.84 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY AND CHARGING
Observed: 93 MPGe
75-mph Highway Range: 190 mi
Average DC Fast-Charge Rate, 10–90%: 87 kW
DC Fast-Charge Time, 10–90%: 44 min
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 95/100/89 MPGe
Range: 241 mi
