Audi, much like pretty much every other car manufacturer, is pushing hard when it comes to EVs. Using the e-tron badge, this new line-up of cars aims to deliver the kind of premium experience people expect from an Audi but with a distinctly modern and eco-friendly flavour.
The e-tron and Q4 e-tron are two key offerings from the firm, coming underneath the range-topping e-tron GT performance car. But what do you need to know about this duo? Let’s take a look.
Exterior
Both cars here bring a very futuristic yet very Audi-centric design. The e-tron is the larger of the two, while the Q4 sits on the more compact end of the spectrum. Both, however, gain a variety of technologically advanced features, including a full-width light bar that looks particularly distinctive at night.
An added bonus is that both cars are available as sleeker-looking Sportback versions. This brings a more raked roofline, which helps to give both the e-tron and Q4 e-tron a more coupe-esque appeal.
Interior
As you might expect, there are plenty of traditionally ‘Audi’ touches inside both car, including plenty of high-quality materials and a good approach to ergonomics. The Q4 sits on the same platform as cars like the Skoda Enyaq iV and Volkswagen ID.4, so it adopts the same button-less interior as both of those vehicles. There’s plenty of boot space in the Q4, too, with up to 520 litres accessible with the seats in place.
The larger e-tron affords slightly more space than the Q4, with its wide and open cabin feeling particularly comfortable and roomy. There’s plenty of light, too, while its raised driving position elevates you over the road ahead. It’s also got a 605-litre boot, which can be increased to 1,755 by lowering the rear seats.
Technology
Being two cutting-edge EVs, it’ll come as little surprise that both cars here are jam-packed with technology. The Q4 utilises a large central touchscreen for the majority of functions, with satellite navigation and media functions accessed here - though you also use it for heating and ventilation controls. As with nearly all other Audi models, there’s a Virtual Cockpit display ahead of the driver too.
The e-tron has a different setup to the Q4. Rather than the single-screen layout, it utilises the same dual-display configuration that you’ll find in other cars from Audi’s range, such as the A6 or Q7. The top half prioritises media and navigation while the bottom one mainly manages the heating and ventilation controls. It’s a really classy configuration and one which is just as good to use as it is to look at.
Engine
Of course, both cars here use a solely electric-powered setup. But what you get from each in terms of range is quite different. With the Q4, you’ve got three options - the 35 e-tron, 40 e-tron and the 50 e-tron quattro. You’ll get the best range from the 40 which brings up to 317 miles between charges, while you’ll get 208 miles and 298 miles from the 35 and 50 respectively. It does mean that, regardless of the model, you’re getting plenty of range.
The ‘regular’ e-tron was Audi’s first mainstream EV, but despite having been on sale for a little while, continues to do well in terms of range. You’ve got the 50 quattro and 55 quattro bringing all-wheel-drive and ranges of 197 and 254 miles respectively, while the tip-top e-tron S has a range of up to 223 miles.
Performance
All models here offer the kind of zippy performance that you expect from an EV, with the instant delivery of torque making all models feel far quicker than their petrol or diesel-powered rivals. In the regular e-tron, you get a 230kW dual-motor setup in the 50 or 300kW in the 55, equating to a 0-60mph time of 6.5 and 5.5 seconds respectively. The three-motor e-tron S takes this one step further, bringing 370kW and a 0-60mph time of just 4.3 seconds.
The Q4, meanwhile, still does very well indeed. Both the 35 and 40 use single, rear-mounted motors to deliver 0-60mph in 8.8 and 8.3 seconds respectively, while the range-topping 50 e-tron has a dual-motor setup to bring a quicker acceleration time of six seconds dead.