Audi Q4 E-tron 50 Sportback 2021 review
19 Jul 2021
The Audi Q4 E-tron Sportback is, in our opinion, the most significant car Audi has released since the original A3 hatchback. Not only is it supported by government incentives across the globe but efforts to establish suitable charging network infrastructure are pushing electric car sales to an all-time high.
It’s called the Q4 ‘Sportback’, just like the coupe-ified versions of Audi’s other SUVs just with a slipperier four-door coupe-style body that sacrifices a bit of space (with a whole lot more style). This all-electric family SUV has the likes of the Ford Mustang Mach-e in its sights and is Audi’s first ground-up electric SUV. The bigger e-tron SUV, that’s been with us for a few years now and is too available in Sportback form, sits on an older platform shared with combustion-engined cars. So it’s inherently compromised.
According to Audi, in 2022 the Q4 will be its second best-selling model behind the A3 hatchback, with the Sportback accounting for around 16 percent of Q4 sales. Let’s see if the new electric SUV lives up to the hype.
What is the Audi Q4 E-tron like?
The Q4 E-tron Sportback is spacious, especially in the rear. At 2100kg, the SUV is around 100kg lighter than some of its rivals. Audi says there’s as much cabin room as in a conventional SUV from the class above. As for the back seats, the Sportback has a good amount of headroom and legroom.
There are lots of stylish features throughout the Q4’s interior. Not only is there an option of a leather-free interior, boosting the Q4’s eco-credentials, but the technology is top of the range too. A 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system alongside a 10.25-inch digital panel look impressively high-tech.
On the outside, there is a particularly large, fake grille that may not quite be to everyone's tastes and some may deem unnecessary. Luckily, the sharp LED headlights alongside its chiselled bodywork and classy alloy wheels add to the Audi Q4’s stylish aesthetic.
How does it drive?
On the road, the Q4 E-tron Sportback feels instantly fast. This is mostly because its four-wheel traction is so effective off the mark, in both wet and dry weather. Of course, the Q4 e-tron isn’t exactly as heart-racingly fast as a Tesla, but it is impressive. With the near-300bhp twin-motor, this Audi SUV is certainly rapid enough for those adrenaline junkies amongst us.
The car always feels neutral, well-planted and responsive. Throughout the drive, the steering is quick and very responsive around the straight-ahead. Overall, the Q4 is a very smooth, easy car to drive around town. Impressive wheel control combined with the car's ability to absorb bumps with one cushioned impact makes it a calm and relaxing car to drive.
Drivers have three versions of the Q4 e-tron. Firstly, you have the Q4 ’35’ e-tron. This comes with a 52kWh battery and is able to deliver up to 212 miles of range in the SUV and 217 miles in the Sportback. Next, we have the ‘40’ which comes with a 77kWh battery. This level up offers the driver up to 316 miles on the WLTP cycle. Finally, sitting at the top of the range, there is the ‘50. This version comes with a 77kWh battery but an extra motor on the front axle making it four-wheel drive and it gets just under 300bhp.
Our final thoughts
In short, the Q4 has a good quality interior, impressive range, fancy tech and a range of batteries to choose from meaning that we can see a successful future in the UK for the new EV.
If we had to nit-pick then you could excuse us for finding Sportback’s boot is a less useful shape than the Q4 SUV’s. But, like we said, that’s if we were being picky. The back offers a great amount of space and legroom.
In summary, we don’t think that the Q4 e-tron is by any means a game-changer, but it’s a brilliant, dependable offering from Audi. Predicted to appeal to a big, broad cross-section of people who like the brand. This could be the electric best-seller Audi is looking for.
It’s called the Q4 ‘Sportback’, just like the coupe-ified versions of Audi’s other SUVs just with a slipperier four-door coupe-style body that sacrifices a bit of space (with a whole lot more style). This all-electric family SUV has the likes of the Ford Mustang Mach-e in its sights and is Audi’s first ground-up electric SUV. The bigger e-tron SUV, that’s been with us for a few years now and is too available in Sportback form, sits on an older platform shared with combustion-engined cars. So it’s inherently compromised.
According to Audi, in 2022 the Q4 will be its second best-selling model behind the A3 hatchback, with the Sportback accounting for around 16 percent of Q4 sales. Let’s see if the new electric SUV lives up to the hype.
What is the Audi Q4 E-tron like?
The Q4 E-tron Sportback is spacious, especially in the rear. At 2100kg, the SUV is around 100kg lighter than some of its rivals. Audi says there’s as much cabin room as in a conventional SUV from the class above. As for the back seats, the Sportback has a good amount of headroom and legroom.
There are lots of stylish features throughout the Q4’s interior. Not only is there an option of a leather-free interior, boosting the Q4’s eco-credentials, but the technology is top of the range too. A 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system alongside a 10.25-inch digital panel look impressively high-tech.
On the outside, there is a particularly large, fake grille that may not quite be to everyone's tastes and some may deem unnecessary. Luckily, the sharp LED headlights alongside its chiselled bodywork and classy alloy wheels add to the Audi Q4’s stylish aesthetic.
How does it drive?
On the road, the Q4 E-tron Sportback feels instantly fast. This is mostly because its four-wheel traction is so effective off the mark, in both wet and dry weather. Of course, the Q4 e-tron isn’t exactly as heart-racingly fast as a Tesla, but it is impressive. With the near-300bhp twin-motor, this Audi SUV is certainly rapid enough for those adrenaline junkies amongst us.
The car always feels neutral, well-planted and responsive. Throughout the drive, the steering is quick and very responsive around the straight-ahead. Overall, the Q4 is a very smooth, easy car to drive around town. Impressive wheel control combined with the car's ability to absorb bumps with one cushioned impact makes it a calm and relaxing car to drive.
Drivers have three versions of the Q4 e-tron. Firstly, you have the Q4 ’35’ e-tron. This comes with a 52kWh battery and is able to deliver up to 212 miles of range in the SUV and 217 miles in the Sportback. Next, we have the ‘40’ which comes with a 77kWh battery. This level up offers the driver up to 316 miles on the WLTP cycle. Finally, sitting at the top of the range, there is the ‘50. This version comes with a 77kWh battery but an extra motor on the front axle making it four-wheel drive and it gets just under 300bhp.
Our final thoughts
In short, the Q4 has a good quality interior, impressive range, fancy tech and a range of batteries to choose from meaning that we can see a successful future in the UK for the new EV.
If we had to nit-pick then you could excuse us for finding Sportback’s boot is a less useful shape than the Q4 SUV’s. But, like we said, that’s if we were being picky. The back offers a great amount of space and legroom.
In summary, we don’t think that the Q4 e-tron is by any means a game-changer, but it’s a brilliant, dependable offering from Audi. Predicted to appeal to a big, broad cross-section of people who like the brand. This could be the electric best-seller Audi is looking for.