2024 Audi Q4 E-Tron Expert Review
Reviewed by Billy Rehbock
Addressing criticisms surrounding range and charging, Audi makes significant updates to its entry-level EV this year. Once again, the Q4 E-Tron comes in a conventional SUV body style and as a slinky Sportback variant with a sloped roof. It shares the Volkswagen Group's MEB platform with its cross-brand sibling, the Volkswagen ID4. Rivals to the 2024 Audi Q4 E-Tron include other upscale EV SUVs such as the Genesis GV60, Volvo XC40, and Tesla Model Y.
Interested in the style-focused Sportback model? See the Audi Q4 Sportback E-Tron here.
What's New
- Retuned suspension and steering for Q4 E-Tron 55
- More powerful rear motor for Q4 E-Tron 55
- Improved dual-motor range for Q4 E-Tron 55
- New chemistry for 82-kWh battery with improved fast charging for Q4 E-Tron 55
- Available 21-inch wheel package with all-season tires for Q4 E-Tron 55
- Adaptive cruise control with lane following assist
- Steering wheel regeneration selector paddles
- Audi's HomeLink functionality added to rearview mirror with Convenience package
What We Think
E-Tron denotes Audi’s electric vehicles, and the Q4 E-Tron is the brand’s smallest. The 2024 Q4 E-Tron possesses many of the characteristics that draw buyers to the luxury automaker; its exterior styling is sharp, the cabin is full of high-tech gadgetry, and all-wheel-drive capability is offered across the range.
The Audi Q4 E-Tron also exists as an approachable option for folks who are new to electric vehicles. Its regenerative brake calibration relies less on one-pedal modulation than rivals, which provides a more familiar driving experience for new adopters. Unfortunately, the Q4 E-Tron's driving dynamics don't measure up to what we've come to expect from Audi's products. Unpredictable steering and a frenetic ride detract from the SUV's refinement. We appreciate its quick, smooth acceleration, but the Q4 E-Tron's range and charging capabilities lag rivals. Read our 2022 Q4 E-Tron First Test here.
Fortunately, Audi has made a series of improvements to address these issues, at least for the top-level Q4 E-Tron. Audi now calls this model the Q4 E-Tron 55 instead of the Q4 E-Tron 50, a reflection of the more powerful permanently excited synchronous motor located in the SUV’s rear. Battery chemistry has been altered for better range and charging as well. New steering and suspension tuning round out the enhancements that are sure to bring about some much-needed change to the Q4 E-Tron’s driving dynamics. We’re looking forward to seeing the results of this refresh in our testing. Audi hasn’t announced any of these improvements for the basic Q4 E-Tron 40, however.
If Audi's compact electric SUV sounds like a mixed bag, that's because it is. The Q4 E-Tron can't escape the reality that it's a transitory vehicle on the precipice of the automaker's upcoming EV onslaught. The Q4 E-Tron serves its purpose, but there are better alternatives currently available within the luxury EV segment.
Performance, Range, and Charging
The 2024 Audi Q4 E-Tron 40 comes equipped with a standard single motor driving the rear wheels. Output measures 201 hp and 229 lb-ft of torque. Briefly called the 2024 Q4 E-Tron 50, the dual-motor all-wheel-drive model has received a mid-year update with changes including a more powerful rear motor. Audi now calls this variant the Q4 E-Tron 55, which is available for the SUV body style and is standard for the slick-looking Sportback model. Combined output is rated at 335 hp, an improvement of 40 hp over the Q4 E-Tron 50. The outgoing configuration was good for a 0-60-mph time of 5.6 seconds, according to our testing, but Audi says the new model should be a full second quicker off the line.
Audi equips every 2024 Q4 E-Tron with an 82.0-kWh battery pack with 77 kWh usable, regardless of motor configuration or body style. The rear-wheel-drive Q4 E-Tron 40 is rated at 265 miles of range while now-discontinued Q4 E-Tron 50's range falls to 236 miles. Audi remixed the Q4 E-Tron 55’s battery chemistry and improved the rear motor’s efficiency, granting 258 miles of range for SUV and Sportback variants. The Audi Q4 E-Tron 40 recharges at a peak rate of 150 kW, which falls short of its rivals. Thanks to new technology, the Q4 E-Tron 55 recharges a bit quicker. The dual-motor variant peaks at 175 kW, replenishing the battery from 10 to 80 percent in as little as 28 minutes.
How Are the Q4 E-Tron and Q4 Sportback E-Tron Different?
Audi's smallest electric crossover is offered in standard roof or fashion-forward Sportback configurations. Both carry the same battery, but the Sportback model comes standard with the dual-motor AWD powertrain, raising its starting price over that of the rear-motor regular Q4 E-Tron. Even when equipped with the dual-motor powertrain, the regular Q4 E-Tron costs exactly $3,000 less than the stylish Sportback. Other differences to consider are the standard Q4 E-Tron SUV's increased headroom and cargo capacity. The IIHS rated the 2024 Audi Q4 E-Tron favorably, with top scores of Good in all crashworthiness categories. It also earned a 2024 Top Safety Pick award. The NHTSA issued the 2024 Q4 E-Tron a five-star overall rating.
Audi strengthens the Q4 E-Tron's suite of active safety features for 2024. Standard adaptive cruise control with lane following assist joins the list with front automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beams. Higher trims offer road sign recognition and automated parking. We’ve noted that the very top of the rear camera view is blocked by the rear LED taillight bar.
Safety Ratings and Features
The IIHS rated the 2023 Audi Q4 E-Tron favorably, with top scores of Good in all crashworthiness categories. It earned a 2023 Top Safety Pick+ award. The NHTSA issued the 2023 Q4 E-Tron a five-star overall rating.
The IIHS rated the 2024 Audi Q4 E-Tron favorably, with top scores of Good in all crashworthiness categories. It also earned a 2024 Top Safety Pick award. The NHTSA issued the 2024 Q4 E-Tron a five-star overall rating.
Audi strengthens the Q4 E-Tron's suite of active safety features for 2024. Standard adaptive cruise control with lane following assist joins the list with front automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beams. Higher trims offer road sign recognition and automated parking. We’ve noted that the very top of the rear camera view is blocked by the rear LED taillight bar.
Cargo Space and Interior Room
Despite the 2024 Audi Q4 E-Tron's compact exterior dimensions, the cabin feels roomy. Rivals offer more space for passengers and cargo, though.
Technology
All 2024 Audi Q4 E-Tron models come equipped with an infotainment suite with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility controlled by a 11.6-inch touchscreen. A 10.3-inch digital instrument cluster is standard. Built-in navigation with augmented reality directions, a head-up display, a 19-speaker Sonos audio system, and wireless charging are available on higher trims.
How Much Does an Audi Q4 E-Tron Cost?
Audi asks about $51,000 for the entry-level Q4 E-Tron 40 Premium with rear-wheel drive. The Premium Plus model costs just under $56,000. The Q4 E-Tron 55 Premium, the base trim of the dual-motor lineup, starts over $56,000. Premium Plus versions cost just over $61,000, and the top-tier Prestige variant starts over $63,000. The Q4 E-Tron Sportback 55 is offered in the same three trims as the standard SUV but at a $3,000 premium over its SUV equivalents.
Which 2024 Audi Q4 E-Tron Trim Level Is Best?
We recommend the 55 trim level, which outfits the SUV with dual-motor all-wheel drive, 19-inch wheels, a 10.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and an 11.6-inch touchscreen. Consider saving some money and sticking with the standard SUV body style rather than springing for the cool-looking Sportback, which costs a premium of $3,000. That money is better put toward the range-topping Prestige trim, which adds features including the augmented-reality head-up display, animated headlights and taillights, Sonos audio setup, and heated windshield.
