Is the Audi Q4 45 e-tron the Right Electric SUV for You?
How Does the Q4 45 e-tron Stack Up Against Rivals?
Audi’s Q4 e-tron has jumped into the electric SUV race with some serious competition breathing down its neck. Tesla’s Model Y, Volvo’s XC40 Recharge, and BMW’s iX1 have all carved out loyal followings, and now there’s a new wave of Chinese EVs shaking up the market with aggressive pricing and features. So, where does the Q4 45 e-tron fit in? It’s not the cheapest option, but it brings the kind of design flair and ride comfort you’d expect from Audi. The catch? It’s not without its quirks, and some rivals offer a bit more for less.
What’s Under the Hood (or Floor) of the Q4 45 e-tron?
Let’s get technical for a second. The Q4 45 e-tron rides on Volkswagen’s MEB platform, sharing its bones with the VW ID.4 and Skoda Enyaq. Power comes from a rear-mounted electric motor putting out 282 hp and a healthy 402 lb-ft of torque, all fed by a 77 kWh usable battery. Audi claims a 0-62 mph sprint in 6.7 seconds, which is plenty zippy for an SUV of this size. Real-world efficiency? Expect around 17.4 kWh/100 km, translating to a practical range of about 450 km (280 miles) on a full charge. Charging is straightforward: 11 kW AC at home or up to 175 kW DC fast charging on the go, getting you from 10% to 80% in under half an hour.
Does the Q4 e-tron’s Cabin Live Up to Audi’s Reputation?
Here’s where things get interesting—and a bit divisive. The dashboard stands out with its personality, breaking away from the bland, screen-dominated interiors popping up in many new EVs. The 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster and 11.4-inch infotainment screen are standard, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto making life easier. The system is intuitive, though the software feels a step behind the latest from Mercedes or BMW.
But not all is rosy. The floating center console, finished in glossy piano black, looks cool but is a magnet for fingerprints and scratches. Storage solutions are a mixed bag: there’s a vertical wireless phone charger that’s more fiddly than functional, and some of the plastics feel out of place in a car costing over $55,000. The haptic touch buttons on the steering wheel? Let’s just say you’ll accidentally call your mom more than once while trying to skip a song. It’s a reminder that sometimes, physical buttons just work better.
How Comfortable and Practical Is It for Daily Life?
Front seats are plush, with heating and lumbar support, but only the driver’s seat is electrically adjustable—a surprising omission at this price. Rear seat space is decent for adults, though taller passengers might find headroom tight. Cargo space is competitive, offering 520 liters with the seats up and nearly 1,500 liters with them folded. Still, you won’t find a panoramic glass roof here, which is becoming standard in many rivals. And while the ambient lighting and eight-speaker sound system are nice touches, the overall fit and finish don’t quite hit the high notes Audi is known for.
What’s the Q4 e-tron Like to Drive?
This is where the Q4 45 e-tron earns back some points. The ride is genuinely impressive—smooth, composed, and just sporty enough to keep things interesting. Australian roads, notorious for their imperfections, are handled with ease. Acceleration is brisk, and the car feels planted at highway speeds. You can tweak brake regeneration using steering wheel paddles, but there’s no true one-pedal driving mode, which some EV fans might miss.
Adaptive cruise control with lane centering comes standard, making commutes less stressful. The cabin is whisper-quiet, and the steering strikes a nice balance between lightness and precision. In short, it’s an easy car to live with day-to-day, whether you’re crawling through city traffic or cruising down the motorway.
Are There Any Major Drawbacks?
Let’s be honest: the Q4 e-tron isn’t perfect. The interior, while stylish, uses too much hard black plastic for a premium SUV. The lack of a panoramic roof and some missing features—like full electric adjustment for both front seats—are hard to ignore when you look at the price tag. And with Chinese EVs and the Polestar 4 offering more kit for less money, Audi’s value proposition gets a little murky.
Should You Buy the Audi Q4 45 e-tron?
If you’re after a sleek, comfortable electric SUV with a badge that still carries weight, the Q4 45 e-tron is a solid choice. It drives beautifully, looks the part, and covers all the basics for daily life. But if you’re expecting perfection, especially inside, you might find yourself wishing for a bit more polish—or a bit less plastic.
The big takeaway? Choosing your next EV isn’t about perfection—it’s about smarter adjustments. Start with one change this week, and you’ll likely spot the difference by month’s end.