Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback review: Powerful refinement

I enjoyed my recent encounter with the Audi Q8 e-tron, even if it was a little too big for my needs. It’s a common issue: Pick your way through the best electric car offerings out there and bulk is a regular feature. Thankfully, the Q4 e-tron Sportback comes as a much more manageable package. In fact, as far as SUV designs go, I’d say it’s just about right for what I want from this type of EV.

We’ve reviewed earlier incarnations of the Q4 e-tron and the Q4 e-tron Sportback, both of which were solid enough propositions. While it’s not much different to look at from the outside, Audi has furnished the newest edition of the Q4 with some subtle tweaks that help make the EV even better than before. Much of the appeal revolves around more power and improved efficiency, with the model you see here packing 335bhp via a twin motor, fully-automatic setup. So, if you want sportiness, without the size, the Audi Q4 e-tron could be for you.

Recommended

Audi Q4 e-tron

The Audi Q4 e-tron is a much better car than the lumbering beast that is the Q8 e-tron. While aesthetic improvements to the latest incarnation are minimal, the biggest difference is found when you driven. There’s potent performance, better range and some decent handling to be had even when it’s being pushed. Best of all though, is the excellent practicality that makes the Q4 perfectly suited to its target market.

Engine

Twin electric motors powered by Lithium-ion battery

Drive Layout

Four-wheel drive

Horsepower

77 kW / 335bhp

0-60mph

5.4 seconds

Torque

679 Nm

Top Speed

112 mph

Transsmission

Automatic

Range

323 miles

Pros

• Boosted power and efficiency is impressive
• Dependable Audi interior and fittings
• Infotainment and tech levels feel good

Cons

• Sporty ride might not appeal to families
• Expensive

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Price, availability, and specs

The Audi Q4 e-tron can get expensive, especially when put up against something like the hugely popular Tesla Model Y. The Sportback model starts at $58,200 in the US. My test car came with all the toys though, which ramps up the on-the-road price to a hefty £64,185 (nearly $83,000).

Design and build

Business as usual

While the latest iteration of the Q4 e-tron might not be dramatically different from its predecessors, Audi has made some minor design adjustments. The LED headlights on my car looked great and, better still, they were excellent after dark. I’m into the smoother look of the exterior, with the front end being improved by some trim embellishments. The effect at the back is solid too, with the taillight bar working well.

Considering this is a mid-size SUV, I think the overall look of the Audi Q4 is quite conservative and having less bulk to deal with, as per the Q8 e-tron means it’s much more inviting. Space levels are still good though, and I particularly like the trunk area, with a powered liftback that opens up to reveal a nice flat loading entry point and plenty of room for just about anything really. Granted, the Audi Q4 e-tron isn’t the most exciting thing I’ve seen this year, but it is undeniably practical.

A refreshing interior

Predictable but practical

I can’t say I found the Q4 e-tron offers a dramatically different experience from the Q8, but that’s hardly a criticism. The Audi design team has stuck to its tried and tested interior formula, which means a cockpit that is functional rather than exciting, while still managing to be comfortable. This extends to the rear seats too, with a lot of storage options for passengers to keep their stuff close at hand. Everyday necessities like power plugs fall easily to hand too.

Back up front, I still find the gloss black plastic a bit distracting due to how reflective it can be in harsh sunlight. Nevertheless, the overall effect is impressive, and I also love the body-color matched dashboard trim components, which seems like a lot of effort to go to. Quite how many people will notice this stubble touch remains to be seen, but commendable finishing and a keen eye for detail is what frequently sets the premium German brands apart from the competition.

The technology breakdown

Lots to enhance the journey

Audi’s infotainment system has been around for a while now and feels almost interchangeable no matter the model I drive. That’s fine by me as it works well, and I’m not faced with spending time picking through menus and sub-menus trying to get my head around it. Central to the features and functionality is the slightly enlarged 11.6-inch central touchscreen, which is as crisp and clear as I’ve found in any other Audi.

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Battery, range, and performance

Better range and punchier too

I’ve been hugely impressed with the Q4 e-tron Sportback. It feels much more focused than that big and bulky Q8 e-tron, which was fun but just felt a little too unwieldy in tight spaces. The Q4 is more interesting to drive and certainly more manageable. In fact, with that extra power on tap, there’s a lot of fun to be had, and it’s much easier to steer around narrow roads without breaking into a cold sweat as walls and hedges get perilously close, like they do with the Q8 e-tron.

Unsurprisingly, the Q4 e-tron Sportback excels on the highway too, with excellent ride quality and near silent drivetrain offering a very relaxing experience. This is supplemented by the improved range, which for this model is officially 323 miles. I found the figure to be pretty accurate too, and considering its design, the mid-size SUV is actually quite frugal when it comes to power consumption.

Naturally, whenever I started playing around with the drive modes, the performance did suffer, but overall, I think the Q4 e-tron Sportback takes the stress out of longer journeys. This is a feisty thing though, with the Q4 e-tron capable of accelerating from zero to 60 miles in just 5.4 seconds, although the top speed is a slightly less impressive 112mph. I did find that acceleration was more than capable of catching passengers unaware. The maximum charging rate is up to 175kW as well, which is decent enough for quick pitstops out on the road.

Should you buy the Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback

The Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback might not look like a new car, and I get that the familiarity might make anyone wonder about the appeal of this latest edition. However, the real magic arrived when I got behind the wheel of this mid-size SUV because it delivered some real surprises once I hit the road. Better still, this is a car that’s wonderfully comfortable, with that side of things being helped immeasurably by the 20-inch wheels shod with reasonably high profile tires. Anyone keen to own a mid-size SUV that’s both potent and more efficient than ever would do well to get behind the wheel of one pronto.