The Audi Q4 e-tron marks the entry point to Audi’s global EV range. The Q4 e-tron is a tighter and more affordable package than the e-tron SUV, sans any compromises on performance and technology. Audi aims to democratize luxury EVs with affordable offerings like the Q4 e-tron.
The Q4 e-tron promises a great blend of luxury, practicality, and of course, sustainable mobility. For perspective, the Audi Q4 e-tron is similar in dimensions to the Q5, measuring 180.7 in. in length (Q5 – 184.3 in.), and Audi says that even the cabin space is comparable to the ICE model.
Here’s everything we know about the Audi Q4 e-tron as of February 2022:
Design
At first glance, the Q4 e-tron appears athletic with its sharp creases and muscular shoulder lines. Upfront, it sports a sizeable single-frame grille, short overhangs, and a bonnet that looks rather busy — it houses a lower air intake, parking sensors, a skid plate, and vertical black panels on the flanks that don’t seem to have any function.
The Matrix LED headlamps look futuristic and offer a choice of 4 running light signatures, which can be changed through the MMI touchscreen. The side profile is chiseled, and the wheels look prominent. Customers in the U.S. can choose from four wheel options depending on the variant – 19-inch 5-arm, 19-inch W-spoke graphite gray, 20-inch 5-Y-spoke graphite gray, and 20-inch 10-spoke-star-aero black.
The single-frame grille and matrix LEDs look striking; the Audi Q4 e-tron’s rear is chiseled. Image: Audi
At the rear, the windshield is sharply raked while a full-width LED light strip unites the tail lamps. The Q4 e-tron also presents customers with ‘coming-home’ and ‘leaving-home’ light animations. The Audi Q4 e-tron can be had with four metallic paints; Pebble gray, Glacier white, Mythos black, and Navarra Blue.
For an extra USD 2,200 on the range-topping Prestige variant, buyers can get the S line plus package, which offers more aggressive bumpers, gloss-black exterior accents, S line badging, and black roof rails in addition to some special interior features.
Interior & features
The Audi Q4 e-tron interior is like a science class. For starters, infotainment and navigation are operated using the central 10.1-inch MMI touchscreen display canted towards the driver. Behind the steering is a 10.25-inch digital instrument console or the optional virtual cockpit. The cockpit also houses a surround-view monitor to facilitate driving in tight spaces.
Augmented reality heads-up display
The Audi Q4 e-tron can be specced with a heads-up display that supports augmented reality. It displays crucial navigation and driving-related information. Audi says augmented reality creates a virtual, floating image at a perceived 30-feet distance from the driver for an ‘eyes-forward’ experience. The Q4 e-tron also offers Sonos premium audio system.
There’s so much technology inside the Audi Q4 e-tron; it looks like a science class. Image: Audi
Standard interior themes include brown, beige, and gray options with a black dashboard and carpets and a steel gray headliner. Customers can pay USD 2,200 extra on the range-topping Prestige trim and get the premium black and rock gray stitching. The S line plus package mentioned before also adds sports seats, flat top and bottom steering, brushed aluminum inlays, and 20-inch 10-spoke star aero design wheels.
In terms of cargo, the Audi Q4 e-tron offers up to 24.8 cu ft of space with the rear seats up and 53.1 cu ft of luggage space with the rear bench folded flat.
Specifications
The Audi Q4 e-tron is offered with two powertrain configurations in the U.S. The Q4 40 e-tron gets a single-motor, rear-wheel-drive setup. Its electric motor makes 201 hp and 229 lb-ft. Acceleration and top-speed figures are respectable as well. The sprint to 60 mph comes in 7.9 seconds, and the top speed is limited to 99 mph.
The Q4 50 e-tron is the variant to choose for enthusiasts. It comes with Quattro AWD, thanks to a dual-motor setup. The powertrain produces 295 hp and 339 lb-ft, enough to accelerate the SUV to 60 mph in just 5.8 seconds. It goes on to achieve a top speed of 112 mph.
An 82 kWh floor-mounted battery pack is standard, and the maximum charging rate it can be charged at is 9.6 kW (AC)/125 kW (DC). Charging from 0-100% SoC on AC at 9.6 kW takes nine hours. Using a DC fast charger, 80% charge can be added in about 38 minutes.
The SUV gets an onboard heat pump. The heat from the high voltage electric modules is used to heat the cabin if required. There’s also a three-stage brake regeneration. The efficiency of the Q4 50 e-tron is identical to the Q4 40 e-tron. The front axle only engages when the system detects low traction. It runs like a rear-wheel-drive SUV when the grip and surfaces are good.
Additionally, the Audi Drive Select system allows customers to choose between multiple drive modes, namely Efficiency, Comfort, Dynamic and Individual.
Audi Q4 e-tron variantsQ4 40 e-tronQ4 50 e-tron QuattroLength (in.)180.7180.7Width w/o mirrors (in.) 73.473.4Height (in.)64.764.7Wheelbase (in.)108.7108.7Motor(s)OneTwoDrivetrain LayoutRWDAWDHorsepower (hp)201295Torque (lb-ft)2293390-60 mph 7.9 seconds5.8 secondsTop speed99 mph112 mphBattery (kWh)8282Range (miles)To Be Disclosed241Charging (AC/DC)9.6 kW / 125 kW9.6 kW / 125 kW
Audi Q4 e-tron specifications
Price & release date
Deliveries of the Audi Q4 e-tron in the U.S. began towards the end of 2021. It is imported from the same production site as the VW ID.4, the Volkswagen Zwickau plant (Germany), a 100% sustainable plant with carbon neutrality. CSR projects offset unavoidable emissions.
The all-electric compact SUV coupe is available in Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige trims, with prices ranging between USD 43,900-57,500. Audi expects the Q4 e-tron to qualify for USD 7,500 in federal tax incentives. Refer to the table below for a detailed Audi Q4 e-tron price list.
Audi Q4 e-tron variantsPrice before tax credit (USD)Q4 40 e-tron Premium43,900Q4 50 e-tron Quattro49,900Q4 40 e-tron Premium Plus48,000Q4 50 e-tron Premium Plus54,000Q4 50 e-tron Prestige57,000
Audi Q4 e-tron prices
Audi says that the Q4 e-tron’s interior space is comparable to Q5. Image: Audi
Sales
Audi sold 33,184 cars in the USA in the fourth quarter of 2021, a 46.9% decline compared to 2020. However, the its annual sales figure for 2021 was 5% higher than that of 2020 – 196,038 units. EVs accounted for just 5.6% of Audi’s total 2021 sales.
Audi released the Q4 e-tron in the U.S. only in the Q4 of 2021, so its sales were low. It delivered only 45 units of the Q4 e-tron and 19 units of the Q4 Sportback e-tron last year. The company’s overall EV sales were up by 53% compared to 2020. The German luxury brand plans to have a 30% electrified portfolio by 2025.
Featured image source: Audi
Keyword: Audi Q4 e-tron – Everything we know as of February 2022