2025 Audi Q4 e-tron review: Australian first drive

02/19/2025 05:00 PM

2025 Audi Q4 e-tron

Electric Audis are nothing new, but they've essentially remained out of reach for the vast majority of Audi buyers due to the brand reserving the technology for higher-end models.

However, that's set to change with the introduction of the Q4 e-tron SUV. Audi's fighter in the mid-size SUV segment finally drops below the $100,000 barrier and is set to become the brand's top-selling electric vehicle.

It comes more expensive than mainstream rivals such as the Tesla Model Y and Kia EV5, but Audi buyers expect a little more punch from their extra spend. That's why this Q4 e-tron SUV competes directly against alternatives such as the Volvo XC40 and BMW iX1.

Audi has some ground to make up after launching the Q4 e-tron later than those rivals… so was it worth the wait?

How much is an Audi Q4 e-tron?

The Audi Q4 e-tron has been a long time coming for Australians. It first went on sale in European countries in 2021, but the model's launch was postponed locally in order to benefit from subsequent model updates available overseas.

Pricing for the model was first announced at the end of 2023, though it has since been discounted, with the range starting from $84,900 plus on-road costs (ORCs).

Audi isn't the only brand to revise its pricing strategy before a model's launch, with Subaru discounting the Solterra before its local debut and Ford slashing the price of the Mustang Mach-E too.

Four variants are available across two model grades – the rear-wheel-drive 45 and all-wheel-drive 55 quattro in regular wagon and sleeker Sportback body styles.

The top-of-the-range prices out at $107,900 plus ORCs. But, the car I'll focus on is the Q4 55 e-tron SUV that costs $105,900 plus ORCs.

The Audi Q4 e-tron bridges the gap size-wise between the Audi Q3 and Q5 SUVs, but the defining difference is the fact that the Q4 e-tron is electric only.

It features a distinctive front-end design, unmistakably Audi in its presentation, and a closed-off grille that's become commonplace in electric vehicles.

Entry-level versions of the Q4 e-tron use a single, rear-mount electric motor with up to 540km of driving range based on WLTP testing.  

However, those buyers chasing performance will want the Q4 55 e-tron quattro, which comes with dual electric motors outputting a combined 250kW and 679Nm.

Both variants are underpinned by an 82kWh battery pack (with a 77kWh useable capacity) that can charge at up to 175kW speeds on a DC fast charger.

Both cars also get kit including a power-operated boot, tri-zone climate control, leather-appointed seats with heating, wireless charging, and a convenience key function.

But, it's only the Q4 55 e-tron range-topper that benefits from matrix LED headlights, Audi Virtual Cockpit plus, progressive-rate steering, more advanced adaptive cruise control including lane-centring, and ambient lighting.

MORE: 2025 Audi Q4 e-tron price cut in Australia ahead of launch

Audi Q4 e-tron best deals

If you're in the market for an electric SUV and are shopping for something fancier than the Tesla Model Y or the Kia EV5, the Audi Q4 e-tron is a safe bet.

If it were my money, I'd opt for the entry-level car because it comes with a majority of the features and kit that I'd look for in a medium SUV. The powertrain is easily powerful enough too.

That said, Audi has good stock of both cars in the country, so drive both to discern which one is the best for you.

You can find your local Audi dealership here, and browse listings of all kinds of electric cars for sale on Drive Marketplace.

How big is an Audi Q4 e-tron?

Even after a short amount of time inside the Q4's interior, the space feels very Audi-like.

That means a pair of nicely sculpted S Line sports seats in this flagship specification, Audi's signature silver trims throughout, and clear screens that run snappy software.

The materials used inside the cabin are hit-and-miss. There are more hard plastics than I'd expected given the Q4 e-tron's pricing, though most panels have soft-touch elements. It's around the centre console that things feel a bit low-rent.

The ergonomics feel functional and user-friendly for everyday use. But, there's plenty of stylistic flair used inside the cabin too. I'm a big fan of the dash-wide slats for the air vents, and I like the quilted-stitch effect of the seat upholstery on the S Line top-spec trim.

Design-wise, I like the flyover centre console arrangement that houses the gear selector. Beneath that you'll find a pair of cupholders and various trays to hold loose items.

In terms of space, there's good room to move in the front row, even as a taller driver.

The rear-seat space is a similar story. This is a medium SUV, but I was very comfortable behind my own driving position, and I'm 194cm tall. There was clear air around my knees, good space for my head, and enough room for my shoes under the seat.

Amenities in the second row include map pockets, a fold-down centre armrest with cupholders, tri-zone air controls, dual USB-C ports, and a 12-volt outlet.

It's nice to see all specifications fitted with a power-operated boot. Interestingly, the boot is larger if you've got a Sportback version according to Audi, but the wagon-bodied Q4 e-tron comes with 520 litres of storage capacity. This is expandable to 1490L overall if you fold the 40/20/40 rear seats flat.

Sadly, the Q4 e-tron doesn't come with a spare wheel – but a tyre repair kit instead. It does have underfloor storage for stowing away the charging cables.

Does the Audi Q4 e-tron have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?

The Audi Q4 e-tron uses an 11.6-inch screen running the main infotainment display. It runs an older-style MMI software, and though it might present old hat, the underlying functionality is brilliant.

There are big blocky icons for navigating your way around the system and even shortcuts along the right-hand side of the display.

There's native satellite navigation, digital radio functionality, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality built into the MMI software.

A higher grade of Audi's Virtual Cockpit digital instrument cluster comes with the top-spec Q4 55 e-tron, and it's customisable using the buttons on the steering wheel. The clear, crisp display contains a ton of information to cycle through and there are varying graphics too.

The Audi Q4 e-tron is the first of Audi's models to come with an augmented reality head-up display as an option. One of the examples at the model launch had this option and the functionality was great – clear, quick processing, and helpful information that integrates well with the real world.

Fitted to our tester was a high-end SONOS sound system with 10 speakers. It’s the first in-car sound system produced by SONOS, and, to my ears at least, the system was clear with crisp sound.

The Q4 e-tron does not come with connected services to allow smartphone app integration.

Is the Audi Q4 e-tron a safe car?

The Audi Q4 e-tron was safety-tested in Europe in 2021 as part of the model's launch. ANCAP has utilised this result to come to a five-star crash-test rating. Of note, although only launching now, the rating is based of ANCAP/NCAP’s older assessment criteria and may not be directly comparable to a more recent five-star result.

It earned individual scores of 93 per cent for adult occupant protection, 89 per cent for child occupant protection, 66 per cent for vulnerable road users, and 71 per cent for safety assist software.

What safety technology does the Audi Q4 e-tron have?

Audi offers a wide array of active safety measures as standard, meaning both 45 and 55 variants benefit from the inclusions.

All the normal kit you'd expect is present and accounted for – autonomous emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, tyre pressure monitoring, blind-spot warning, and lane-departure warning.

However, some functionality is only included with the Comfort package on the entry-level level variant, such as lane-centring, parking assistance, and stop-and-go assist for the adaptive cruise-control system.

At launch, all systems functioned without fault. A highlight was the adaptive cruise-control system that worked seamlessly with the augmented-reality head-up display on the high-spec 55 quattro variant.

How much does the Audi Q4 e-tron cost to service?

Audis in Australia come with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty and electric Audis are no exception. As with other EVs in the Audi line-up the high-voltage battery is warranted for eight years or 160,000km, whichever occurs first.

At launch, the car is being offered with 12 months of free Chargefox access to remotely charge the vehicle. If you buy a home charging solution through Audi, it'll cover the installation cost too.

There are six years of roadside assistance from the date of delivery, and a six-year service plan costs $2050.

This is more expensive than Polestar’s, for example, which come with five years of free servicing.

Insurance was quoted at $3277 per year for comprehensive cover based on a 35-year-old male living in Chatswood, NSW. Insurance estimates may vary based on your location, driving history, and personal circumstances.

Those same details returned a lower $2066 quote for a 2025 Polestar 4 Dual Motor.

What is the range of an Audi Q4 e-tron?

The maximum amount of driving range you can extract from an Audi Q4 e-tron in any specification is 540km (WLTP). However, only the entry-level powertrain with the Sportback body will do that.

The Q4 55 e-tron quattro wagon specification I've been focusing on is actually the least efficient; it'll run 488km before needing a recharge. This is matched with an energy efficiency of 18.1kWh per 100 kilometres.

That's the claim. In my time with the car on the launch I was seeing consumption around the 19kWh/100km mark, which is still decent for an electric vehicle of this size.

The Q4 e-tron now does 175kW DC fast charging for MY25 examples, and up to 11kW AC on a three-phase connection.

What is the Audi Q4 e-tron like to drive?

There's a great amount of carryover between what the Audi Q4 e-tron is like to drive and its more expensive range-mates such as the Q8 e-tron and e-tron GT.

That means it's quiet inside the cabin, comfortable in terms of ride comfort, and it's just as easy to get going as you'd expect from any one of Audi's petrol cars.

Though you can choose from single- and dual-motor variants, the entry-level rear-wheel-drive car has all the power you need for a mid-size SUV. It's punchy as soon as you lean into the throttle, and the on-the-move acceleration is swift for sharp overtakes.

The dual-motor is substantially faster with 250kW and 679Nm on tap – enough to run from zero to 100km/h in 5.4 seconds. That said, this is no sports SUV. While it's fun to steer the Audi around a set of corners and be rewarded with some sturdy body control, the Q4 e-tron isn't a hugely engaging drive experience.

There are five separate driving modes to cycle between, but I found the Auto setting had the best qualities. There's no adaptive damping control on either specification as standard, so only parameters such as the steering weight and throttle sensitivity are tweaked between modes.

Steering feel is light and airy, without too much feeling or connection, making it an easy car to manoeuvre.

The brake pedal is also a bit lifeless in how it feels to haul the Q4 e-tron's weight to a halt. A lot of the time it relies on regenerative braking, but the friction aspect does not feel particularly connected to the pressure applied to the brake pedal.

Despite a lack of adaptive dampers, the Q4 e-tron comes with well-balanced ride comfort across dynamic driving and suburban settings. The car can hook into a bend and hold its composure over mid-corner bumps, while the suspension is compliant enough to eat up larger road impacts such as speed humps.

Even small imperfections are dispatched without much intrusion inside the cabin.

Lastly, the cabin ambience is very impressive. The interior is near-silent across pockmarked roads and coarse-chip bitumen, while wind noise doesn't get a look inside the cabin.

Can an Audi Q4 e-tron tow?

No one's going to be buying a Q4 e-tron for its haulage capabilities, but it's nice to know there's some merit to fitting a tow bar to the back of the car.

Audi claims a maximum towing ability of 1200kg on dual-motor variants. Payload is rated at 415kg, accounting for the weight of passengers and cargo.

Should I buy an Audi Q4 e-tron?

There is no debate that the Q4 e-tron has arrived unfashionably late to the medium-sized SUV game. Whereas most Audis will launch in Australia following Europe in a matter of months, the Q4 e-tron's delay is measured in years.

But it hasn’t arrived empty-handed.

This is Audi's take on what electric motoring should be like for the well-heeled masses and the experience is largely positive.

I love the way the interior looks and the technology on offer. Some materials are a bit scratchy for the front row, but all others are covered in soft-touch panels befitting of the brand.

It's quite spacious in both rows, but then you're not getting short-changed on boot capacity either. Likewise, it's a great driving experience that feels surefooted and sporty.

You'll have to shell out a lot of money for one, especially when comparing against like-for-like rivals such as the Polestar 4 Dual Motor.

However, you want for nothing in the flagship Q4 e-tron and the overarching experience is textbook Audi – clean design, tech-forward, and an assured, dynamic driving experience.

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