The 2024 Audi Q4 Sportback E-Tron Is a Better Entry-Level Luxury EV
An update fixes most of the issues we had with Audi’s electric compact SUV.
Pros
- Quick acceleration
- Nimble handling
- Composed ride
Cons
- Pricey for segment
- Middling range and charging
- Buggy infotainment
Automakers typically follow rigid lifecycles for most vehicles, introducing a new generation once approximately every six to eight years, punctuated by a refresh halfway through. As such, it comes as a surprise when an established marque such as Audi breaks from that pattern and makes major changes to one of its products after just a couple model years.
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That happens to be the case with the 2024 Audi Q4 Sportback E-Tron, which first arrived for 2022. While we think Audi’s first attempt with the Q4 Sportback E-Tron was decent, we found plenty of room for improvement. We’ve put the updated 2024 Audi Q4 Sportback 55 E-Tron Quattro S-Line through its paces to see how the changes have affected the fastback SUV.
What’s Changed?
Audi’s series of upgrades start with new battery cell chemistry that improves range and charging speeds. That 82-kWh battery, with 77 kWh usable, allows the Q4 Sportback 55 E-Tron Quattro to drive 258 miles on a charge, an improvement of 22 over earlier examples of Audi’s EV. Charging now tops out at 175 kW instead of 150 kW, which is an improvement but still far from the Genesis GV60’s class-leading rate of 235 kW.
The upgraded battery supplies energy for the Q4 Sportback E-Tron Quattro’s dual-motor all-wheel-drive system, which itself received a new rear motor. Combined output now stands at 335 hp, an increase of 40. (The tailgate trim badge is also now 55 instead of 50.) Torque from the front motor measures 99 lb-ft while the rear motor spins out 402 lb-ft. Audi claims a 5.0-second 0–60-mph sprint for this model, but we went quicker in our testing, registering a time of just 4.7 seconds.
Audi also addressed some additional prior criticisms. We noted unnatural and unpredictable feel from the progressive steering rack and a squishy brake pedal. Suspension tuning was oversprung and underdamped.
These flaws are no longer present. Audi updated the steering to feel far more linear and direct without sacrificing low-speed maneuverability. The automaker also adjusted brake modulation, which resulted in more responsiveness and predictable stopping distances. Finally, the suspension was retuned to deliver the taut-but-comfortable ride we expect from an Audi.
Tech updates include standard adaptive cruise control with lane following assist, which we’ve found to accelerate and decelerate the Q4 in a way that feels natural to the driver and passengers. This feature, in tandem with adaptive cruise control, confidently locks the Sportback into its lane for navigating rush hour traffic with less stress. Steering wheel paddles to control regenerative braking force, optional 21-inch wheels, and available Audi HomeLink Functionality complete the upgrades.
Sportback = Sporty + Practicality
The Q4 Sportback E-Tron Quattro is also more fun to drive. Turn in feels sharp, crisp, and immediate. Rapid acceleration is delivered with immediacy, but toggle the drive mode selector to Dynamic and it’s even more responsive. Audi doesn’t offer one-pedal driving—it believes such features worsen overall efficiency—but selecting the B mode on the sliding gear selector enables more intense regenerative braking. If coasting is your jam, the Q4 Sportback E-Tron Quattro coasts in D mode like a gasoline-powered car. Those that prefer a blend of coasting and regenerative braking can change the aggressiveness with the paddles mounted on the steering wheel.
Lively chassis tuning and engaging steering grant the Q4 Sportback 55 E-Tron Quattro hot-hatch-adjacent character, making for agile around-town driving. On runs to congested Los Angeles International Airport, the Audi darted through gaps with confidence. Cargo space for hauling luggage is plentiful and can be made more expansive by a folding and removable floor panel in the trunk. Second-row legroom should be comfortable for most adults, but rivals such as the Genesis GV60 and Volvo C40 Recharge boast a bit more space.
Surprisingly, the Sportback’s sloped roofline doesn’t take away much overall cargo volume. In fact, with the second row in place, the official measurement of 26.1 cubic feet tops the Q4 E-Tron SUV’s 24.8 cubic feet. Rear seat passengers should be pleased with the Sportback’s generous headroom.
What We Didn’t Like
EV drivers accustomed to one-pedal driving, as we have become with our long-term 2024 Polestar 2, stepping on the Q4 Sportback E-Tron’s brake pedal at every stop light and stop sign gets a bit tedious. Even though Audi greatly improved its compact SUV’s overall braking calibration, we’d also like lift-off regeneration to be a bit stronger. Furthermore, this 2024 Audi Q4 Sportback E-Tron Quattro S-Line Prestige took six feet further to stop from 60–0 mph than the 2022 Audi Q4 50 E-Tron Quattro S-Line Prestige. The new model takes 129 feet to come to a standstill while the earlier model managed just 123 feet.
While our test car utilized lots of cool tech, many of the best features still need more polish. The augmented reality navigation is entertaining at first, rendering directional arrows and planting a flag at your destination as they would appear in a racing video game via the head-up display. But after a few trips the prominence of the animated arrows is more of a distraction than we’d like. And the Q4 Sportback 55 E-Tron Quattro’s 11.6-inch touchscreen needed to be rebooted every few days to restore CarPlay phone projection and media audio. Thankfully, power cycling the display fixed the issues, allowing us to enjoy the excellent sound quality from the 19-speaker Sonos setup.
The Verdict
The 2024 Q4 Sportback 55 E-Tron Quattro’s value proposition is somewhat affected by the premium incurred by its stylish bodywork. Starting at $59,395, this swoopier version of Audi’s compact EV is $3,000 more than the traditional-SUV-shaped Q4 55 E-Tron despite similar standard equipment. It’s undercut by the 2024 Tesla Model Y Performance, too, which begins at $53,130. The 2024 Volvo C40 Recharge Core Twin Motor also sports a sleek roof and starts at $56,645.
Stepping up to this model’s Prestige trim adds a lot of tech, but also piles $7,000 to the price tag. Then, equipping the Black Optic Plus package contributes a further $1,050 to the total. Finally, this Q4’s 21-inch wheels cost an additional $1,000. Audi asks a sum of $68,445 for a Q4 Sportback 55 e-tron Quattro S-Line Prestige like this, a price some will understandably find steep given how the range and charging stack up within the segment.
While we would have struggled to recommend the Q4 Sportback E-Tron to buyers in the past, Audi did a commendable job with its targeted updates. Range and charging are indeed more competitive and—perhaps more important to Audi buyers—the ride and handling are much more appropriate for a vehicle with a luxury badge. While a few quibbles remain, the 2024 Q4 Sportback has far more appeal now.
Billy Rehbock's passion for cars started with his dad's Volkswagen Jetta GLX, his mom's Cabriolet, and his own Hot Wheels collection. A USC graduate with a Master of Science in journalism, he's an associate editor for the MotorTrend Buyer's Guide and covers everything from sports cars to SUVs.
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