Audi Q4 e-tron is the newest compact electric SUV in the Audi family. It’s built on the Volkswagen MEB electric platform, which is also shared by VW ID.4. However, the Q4 e-tron is a far more premium car than its distant cousin.
It comes with a slightly hefty price tag. In the UK, the price of the Audi Q4 e-tron starts at £41,325, which means the buyers won’t get the UK government’s grant of £2,500. The incentive is available only for EVs priced below £35,000.
However, the experts say it’s still one of the best options. Recently, Matt Watson from Carwow drove this electric SUV and commented it’s the best compact electric SUV available in the U.K.
Let’s discuss what Matt said about the new Q4 e-tron. Matt had a mid-range variant of the electric car.
Audi Q4 e-tron: Best Electric SUV?
Design And Looks
One of the most distinguishing features of Audi is obviously its design. Unlike the VW ID.4 and Skoda, the Audi Q4 e-tron looks more stylish and modern.
The full-length taillights, spoiler, matrix headlights, carved e-tron badging, alloy wheels, along with other details, adds nice attributes to the overall design.
Interestingly, owners can choose between four different patterns of matrix headlights using the touchscreen.
Also, the Q4 e-tron is 10 cm longer than Q3 which makes it spacious and gives it a better stance when viewed from the side. However, according to Matt, the front grille seems a bit too wide. It could have been less expanded.
Still, the overall look of the car is far more alive than Volkswagen ID.4.
What About The Interior?
As expected, Audi used good quality material for the interior. The center console has a 10.1-inch touchscreen similar to the ones you see in other models.
However, there’s also an optional heads-up display integrated with Augmented Reality to seemingly project information. What Matt likes the most is the hexagonal steering which provides comfortable handling. However, what he doesn’t like are the touch-sensitive controls which he thinks hinder the practicality of the operations.
Also, the position of front AC vents is too straight exactly behind the edges of the steering wheel, which may lead to an unpleasant driving experience.
Speaking of the space, there’s ample room both in the front and rear compartment. In fact, people over six feet in height can easily fit on the rear seats without touching their heads on the roof. It has a boot space of 520 liters. Moreover, there are tri-zone climate settings with controls on the second row as well.
Pricing And Trims Of Audi Q4 e-tron: Explained
Audi Q4 e-tron is available in three variants with names: 35, 40, and 50. The 35 is the base variant and comes with a 51.5 kWh or 55 kWh (gross) battery and RWD configuration. It’s capable of generating 170 HP.
The 40 is the mid-spec variant with a bigger battery pack. It comes equipped with a 76.6 kWh or 82 kWh (gross) battery pack. It also has an RWD configuration and could produce up to 204 HP.
At last, there’s 50, which the top-spec variant. It also has an 82 kWh (gross) battery pack, however, it offers an all-wheel-drive configuration. Owing to an AWD powertrain, it can make 300 HP.
Speaking of the price tag, it varies from £41,325 and £55,025.
Audi Q4 e-tron: Electric Range And Charging
The base model 35 with a 55 kWh battery pack offers an electric range of 208 miles. On the other hand, models with the 40 badging offer the highest 316 miles of driving range.
Meanwhile, the top-of-the-line, 50 variant, is capable of delivering an electric range of 298 miles.
As mentioned in the beginning, Matt drove the mid-range variant which is actually the 40 variant. He also calculated a real-world range of this model which he said would be around 270 miles.
Both 40 and 50 Q4 e-tron support a standard 7 kW home charger, 11 kW AC public, 125 kW DC public chargers.
However, the 35 e-tron supports the standard 7 kW home charger and 7.2 kW AC and 100 kW DC public chargers.
How Does It Drive?
Unlike the Tesla cars, the Q4 e-tron isn’t very quick. However, it also offers a punchy as well as a comfortable ride.
The steering wheel feels light in normal mode and gets stiffer in Sport mode for better handling. The soundproofing of the car is really impressive.
It also handles pretty well in the corners due to a low center of gravity. Furthermore, you don’t really need to apply brakes if you have turned on the regenerative braking as it applies brakes itself as soon as you release the accelerator pedal.
In short, Audi Q4 e-tron is a nice car to wander around the city.
Why Is It The Best Small Electric SUV?
After displaying all its pros and cons Matt said it’s the best small electric SUV in the UK.
Interestingly, he said, that’s because Tesla Model Y is yet to arrive in Europe. Will Model Y snatch this Title from Audi when it enters Europe? Share your views in the comments section below.
