Road test | Audi Q4 e-tron: a major challenge

On paper, the Audi Q4 e-tron does not really make the weight. Its autonomy places it behind many players in its segment, as well as its electrical architecture as well as its interior, devoid of a front trunk. The entry -level electric SUV must also be behind the Volkswagen ID.4 from which it closely derives on the technical level. An impossible mission? Not entirely.

Son design

Visually speaking, the compact SUV naturally entered the Audi range with its textured octagonal grille supplemented by elegant flagships tapered with vertical diodes. The slightly sculpted shield adds a little volume to a differently plan facies. Aside, we perceive a desire to shape a body that offers little air resistance, without however making it a leader in this regard, with a drag coefficient of only 0.31. Audi does not use retractable handles, probably in order to make this Q4 easier to approach. The horizontal rear light composed of a series of lines harmoniously completes the lighting to support the overall refinement. Is it a fundamentally original creation? Not so much, but that’s the purpose of the exercise.

On board

Various geometric shapes punctuate the outposts to wrap the dashboard describing a obtuse angle on the side of the passenger. The drawing is quite busy, despite the desire to identify the driver’s view because of its low design. Where the rub the most, however, is in terms of the quality of certain materials. Large hard plastic moldings with a metallic finish do not really have their place in a luxury vehicle. That said, there is an impression of solidity that emanates from this SUV, as much at the closure of the doors as by pressing the various physical keys. These doors are also ingeniously designed to receive gourdes at the front of the-tutor in addition to their storage. An abundant interior volume completes it all.

Under the hood

The entry -level livery of Q4, 45, is provided with a single 282 hp rear engine. A second version, called 55 Quattro, adds an asynchronous front engine to bring the account to 335 hp. Whatever the selected variant, it is an 82 kWh battery to store energy to ensure 463 km or 414 km of autonomy respectively. When the SUVs with two engines, the SUV has an obvious dynamism with a 0-100 km/h estimated in 5.3 s by Audi. The whole is delivered with obvious predictability, without however threatening anyone in the performance department, but that is not the target. On the recharge side, its 400 V architecture limits power to 175 kW on a quick terminal. It is not very competitive, but the majority of fast terminals cap long before.

Behind the steering wheel

Audi proceeded in 2024 to a revision of the suspense elements of the Q4 without providing it with adaptive depreciation. Never mind, the bearing generally remains permissive, but lacks a bit of refinement when negotiating successive roughness. The 21 “rims that the test vehicle put on did not help its cause. The soundproofing of the train would also deserve to be refined, while deaf noises are often transmitted in the passenger compartment to the passage of bumps. Moreover, the SUV has a beautiful general form dynamic. It is felt solid, comfortable in most contexts and its direction is lively and precise. Braking nevertheless sorely lacks linearity, which does not inspire confidence due to a spongy pedal at the end of the race.

Embedded technologies

In contrast to competition that chooses screen walls, the SUV adopts a slightly older approach. It splits instrumentation and multimedia screens, which makes their integration more harmoniously more harmonious into the dashboard. Audi resisted the haptic turn with the use of physical pimples on the command basket. The oval rectangle steering wheel, however, receives digital keys, which generally work well … until our hands are placed on them by robbing the steering wheel. The multimedia system is in itself an example to follow, as much by its readability as by its stability and its speed of execution. The optional Sonos audio channel, however, lacks radiance, a disappointment for a luxury model.

The verdict

Despite its good overall qualities, the biggest obstacle to which this Audi Q4 e-tron must face is undeniably competition from generalist brands. They offer much less expensive proposals that can travel more kilometers while also being garnished in terms of equipment. It is the implacable leveling caused by electrification, making any effort of differentiation between the mechanics so complex to make. Admittedly, there is the attraction of the status conferred by the four rings and its level of finish which ensures a certain degree of refinement, but is it enough to justify this invoice which bangs at the door of $ 90,000 for the copy tried? There is reason to question.