Audi’s Q4 e-Tron stands as a preamble to their future fully-EV fleet. But how does it stand on its own? Let’s check out some reviews!
One of the newest kids on the block for Audi, the Q4 e-Tron represents the company’s flagship of family-minded crossover. At first glance, most gearheads groan at the prospect. Let’s face it, plenty of crossovers these days just blend into the background. It’s safe for manufacturers to create unassuming, bland, “typical” crossovers. Audi, however, well they’re trying something a bit different. Promoting their upcoming all-encompassing EV lineup, they’re hitting the ground running with something rarely glimpsed in the wild. According to critics, Audi made an EV crossover that’s actually exciting.
The new Q4 e-Tron represents Audi’s fourth entry into their fully-EV e-Tron series, and the first luxury crossover on their MEB-platform. Supplemented by the larger Q5 e-Tron, Audi’s take on the body style represents a harbinger for what’s to come. The Q4 appears in either traditional SUV or a Sportback body style, and features either one or two motors for AWD models. Its electric powerplant features regen-braking, fast-charging capability, and an estimated range of 241 miles.
A Recipe for Success
The Q4 e-Tron, in many critics’ minds, represents one of the best takes on the luxury crossover to date. That said, at the end of the day, the Q4 remains one of the first of Audi’s fully-EV lineup. So while there’s undoubtedly kinks to iron out, it’s what you get for your money that counts here. In terms of its accessibility, CNET calls the Q4 “an easy way for the electro-curious to take the plunge on EV living.” Certainly appropriate given it’s one of Audi’s opening acts to the fully-EV main event. So that fills out the EV and crossover bits, but what about the luxury?
True to its mid-$50,000 price, the Q4 features a plethora of standard luxury features, along with a few surprises. That is, aside from the usual givens – leather interior, premium infotainment, power everything. In addition, Audi incorporated a number of advanced technologies such as adaptive cruise control linked to an augmented-reality HUD. And for Audi’s first venture, it’s apparently a pretty good one. Ars Technica calls it “very easy to use, and it makes you feel like you’re playing some kind of futuristic video game as you drive along.” Certainly an interesting and novel way to liven up the commute in a crossover. Audi also included adjustable regen-braking using paddle shifters. Which Bloomberg remarked, “allows me to coast like a normal person rather than abruptly slowing to regain energy.” All in all, Q4 reviews list it as an affordable premium luxury crossover or sportback. Perfect, then, for daily commutes and gearheads with families.
Hitting the Ground Running
On the flipside, CNET calls the ride “a comfy experience, with a solid highway ride and controlled body motions.” Bloomberg equates it to the ride quality of a Q3, which in their mind, “is a good thing. It means Audi was able to match the prompt acceleration, responsive braking, and intuitive handling as its conventional SUV in this lithium-ion marvel.” Ride stiffness tends to rear its head under specific circumstances – potholes, sharp cornering, and so on. So if you live in a nice, hilly area with good roads, the Q4 looks to be perfectly serviceable. It’s certainly not the most exciting ride. But it’s also a crossover, so you can’t necessarily fault it for that. That said, the fact remains that Audi hit the nail on the head with the Q4 e-Tron. An important factor to consider since it’s all uphill from here. Even as a preamble, this humble crossover’s certain to leave a lasting impact with new buyers.
M.C. Cuccio
I’ve been an automotive aficionado since I had baby teeth. My path was set when I first leaned on my grandfather’s classic Porsche as I learned how to walk. One of my first memories was my mother sitting me behind the wheel of her Pontiac and talking me through the instrumentation and controls. Even though I was a mere three or four years old, I was instantly sold, and filled notebooks with technical drawings, sketches, and collections of manuals of all sorts of cars. I’ve actively tracked developments in automotive and motorsport technology for well over 20 years, and pride myself on being intimately familiar with the functions and history of a wide range of vehicles.
My primary goal as a writer and enthusiast is to equally learn and share what I’ve learned in a constructive and interesting way. I maintain connections with people from around the world and can read technical manuals in Italian, Japanese, and Spanish, granting me access to a wide array of resources. My primary focuses are deep-dives into historical topics, motorsport discussion, and learning about the complex mechanical elements of such vehicles. As such, my research is never perfect; as anyone into cars will attest, the more you learn about cars, the more you realize how little you actually know. Therefore, I always welcome fresh knowledge and corrections to help me better my work in the future.