The Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron at a glance
There is space in the smallest gap
Anyone who thought that an SUV would really not fit between Q3 and Q5 was greatly mistaken a few months ago. Q4 e-tron is the name of the latest piece from Ingolstadt. As “e-tron” suggests correctly, it is always a fully electric SUV based on MEB (modular e-drive kit of the VW Group) – we drove the Sportback variant with a coupé-like rear to the test the currently largest battery (net 76.6 kWh), all-wheel drive and 220 kW top motorization (combined power consumption: 17.8 kWh / 100 km; combined CO2 emissions: 0 g / km²).
The purely technical data is impressive. They are similar to those of the sister models from Volkswagen and Skoda, although the Audi with a base price of 55,600 euros is a good penny more expensive than the in-house competitors. It almost goes without saying that the budget should also have some extras in store for the Ingolstadt-based company. Our test car came with a good, but by no means full equipment list, at a price of 77,110 euros. But you can approach this car with a certain expectation.
Premium price and premium appearance
The visual appearance does justice to that. Especially in a light shade (floret silver, 700 euros), the Audi Q4 Sportback 50 e-tron quattro earns some looks in traffic. The masculine front with its effect-seeking matrix LED headlights and their adjustable light signature (1,130 euros) makes an impression. Opinions differ at the stern. From a purely subjective point of view, we can only gain little from the collar spoiler, which was borrowed from the past Audi A2 era and which divides the rear window, and would therefore go for the “normal” Q4 e-tron for visual reasons alone. Especially since this burdens the budget with 2,000 euros less.
Inside, however, the impression is divided into two parts. Visually, the integration of the two displays is nicely done, the resolution of the instrument cluster and multimedia unit is fabulous and the sports steering wheel (300 euros), which is flattened at the top and bottom, looks futuristic and sits comfortably in the hand. The S-Line sports seats in leather and synthetic leather (2,840 euros as part of the S-Line interior package), on the other hand, should use more lateral support – whether you really need them in view of the dubious sporting ambitions is an open question.
But the material appearance of the various plastics used should also be of higher quality in parts. Audi does not live up to the claim it has set itself there. In return, the SONOS sound system (700 euros), which premiered in the Q4, shone with a very balanced sound image.
Advantages of e-mobility
A good sound system is also necessary, because this is the only way to effectively drown out the sometimes harsh rolling noise. This may also have been due to the 19-inch winter tires mounted on the test car, but even wind and road noise penetrated the passengers comparatively unfiltered. This is not a particularly pleasant feature, especially on long journeys, as the quietness of an electric car is one of the advantages that this type of drive can offer.
The fact that the Q4 e-tron was unfortunately hardly able to convince with further advantages of electromobility in our test was for once not due to the continuously improving German charging infrastructure, but above all to itself. Its power consumption is too high, the battery then closes small or the possible fast charging power simply too low.
Audi specifies the Q4 50 e-tron quattro with a whopping 491 kilometers WLTP range. How this value was achieved is a mystery to us, it seems almost impossible. When the battery was fully charged, the on-board computer showed a maximum range of 340 kilometers, 280 kilometers were realistic on long journeys. Now you have to pay attention to the current temperatures between 0 and 5 degrees Celsius, but other media consistently report of experiences of this kind at equally higher temperatures. Our test consumption averaged 24.9 kWh per 100 kilometers – with pure motorway operation up to a maximum of 130 km / h it was 25.6 kWh.
Charging performance is not very convincing
The meager range for a base price of more than 55,000 euros would not be a problem if it weren’t for the low charging power, which makes long journeys a real test of patience. Audi specifies a maximum charging power of 125 kW for the Q4 50 e-tron quattro – a value that we never achieved on corresponding DC columns. Even with a preconditioned battery and the corresponding charge level, there was never more than 100 kW in it – the charging curve dropped just as extremely after a short time. The Audi needs at least 35, usually 40 minutes to recharge from 10 to 80 percent battery level.
Unfortunately, things don’t look any better at the public AC charging stations either. Audi has given the Q4 e-tron 50 quattro an 11 kW on-board charger ex works, but 22 kW is now quite desirable and has probably also been technically feasible.
A car for short and medium-haul journeys
The real use of the Q4 e-tron is therefore limited to short and medium-haul journeys and, if necessary, occasionally also to long-haul journeys. He’s doing really well here. The dimensions are pleasant, the turning circle impressively small, the overview acceptable despite the different body shape. In everyday life, people like to use recuperation using paddles on the steering wheel, so that one is rarely tempted to use the brake pedal.
However, the Q4 does not brake by itself until it comes to a standstill. In the meantime, despite various S-Line signets, the Q4 does not turn into a sports car: the steering offers too little feedback, the chassis seems a bit overwhelmed with the weight in fast cornering combinations and the available power is sufficient, but not particularly lively judge – a Hyundai Kona Elektro drives away from the Q4 e-tron on the autobahn, for example, to our own surprise.
“Softer factors” also fit in the Q4 e-tron: The space available both in the front and in the second row of seats (despite the roofline sloping early) is exemplary, as is the range of storage areas for smartphones and other small and large items. The heating output is also very positive (heat pump: 990 euros extra). The optional head-up display, which also projects navigation arrows and distance recommendations onto the road or into the environment, is also very information-rich – but this often seemed irritating to us when driving at night.
Conclusion
If you are often on the move, you should not rely on the WLTP range information. That person will also be pondering about the slow charging performance very soon. For someone who has mainly used their powerful combustion engine on the commute to the office and who needs a lot of space in a small space with an appealing look and premium features, the new Audi Q4 e-tron appears to be the right electric car. The range and the available power are sufficient for these purposes, the all-wheel drive provides the necessary portion of security. Then there would only be the price tag. (Text: Maximilian Planker | Pictures: Manufacturer)