Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron Review 2023

So far the only version of the Audi Q4 Sportback we've driven is the range-topping 50 e-tron Quattro, which comes with four-wheel drive and puts out nearly 300PS. It's the fastest, although not as fast as some rivals, and unless you simply must have four-wheel drive and hot hatch-rivalling pace we reckon there's better value to be found. 

We drove the regular Audi Q4 40 e-tron Sport and didn't find it lacking in any particular area. It's probably the perfect blend of performance and affordability, and because its rear-wheel drive you get a better range than the four-wheel drive model. 

Like London buses, you wait ages for a competitive electric SUV and suddenly there's loads of them. In the last couple of years we've had a huge influx of rivals, and the list is broadly the same as the regular Q4 e-tron. 

Key competitors include the BMW iX3, the Volvo C40 Recharge (or its boxier XC40 equivalent), the Tesla Model Y and the Mercedes-Benz EQA. The Jaguar I-Pace is an older model now, but it's still bang on the money in terms of its premium cabin and its driving experience.

If you're not too bothered about the badge on the front, then we reckon the Kia EV6 or Hyundai Ioniq 5 are two of the best electric cars money can buy. We'd also recommend looking at the Nissan Ariya, the Ford Mustang Mach-E and the Q4's cheaper siblings; the Volkswagen ID.5 and Skoda Enyaq Coupe. 

You only need to sit inside the Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron to see what sets it apart from its platform-sharing siblings. While we can't really knock the Skoda Enyaq iV, Cupra Born or Volkswagen ID.5, but the Audi feels the cut above it should for the money. 

Pretty much everything feels plush, solid and tactile, with a distinct edge over alternatives like the Ford Mustang Mach-E. Tesla can only dream of creating interiors like this. Even where there is a few harder plastics the actual fit-and-finish is so solid that it doesn't really matter. 

You don't need to go to town on the options, either, or stretch yourself to a pricier model. The Sport trim level covers the basics, with things like a leather steering wheel, auto-dimming rear-view mirror and heated front sports seats – not to mention a plethora of interior LED lighting. 

All Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron models feature the same 10.1-inch infotainment system system. Unlike the screens in lesser VW and Skoda siblings you get proper haptic feedback, where the screen gives you a 'click' sensation through your finger when you select something. That makes it more confidence-inspiring on the move. 

Refreshingly, this isn't a large Tesla-like portrait display, rather the kind of easy-to-use touchscreen we're used to from Audi. It's intuitively laid out, with sharp graphics and speedy reactions, while Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also standard (the former wireless). There are even some physical buttons for the climate control system – old-fashioned to some, but far easier to use than the silly touch-sensitive sliding bar used in the Volkswagen ID.4.

Some reports have criticised glitchy software or screens going blank in the Q4 models. All we can say is that our example never put a foot wrong in the week we spent with it. 

There's also a trick augmented-reality head-up display available as part of the Technology Pack (standard on Vorsprung models). This isn't necessarily as fancy as it sounds – it just points in the direction you need to drive when you're following navigation directions. A useful feature, if a bit gimmicky.

Just like other Volkswagen Group vehicles based on the MEB platform (namely the Skoda Enyaq iV and Volkswagen ID.4), the Audi Sportback Q4 e-tron's wheel-at-each-corner approach provides an impressively roomy cabin. Despite the dark trim it seems pretty airy, although we'd spec the panoramic sunroof to add to that effect even further.

Passengers up front have plenty of space, as like other MEB-based cars there's deep footwells and no central tunnel crowding your legs. Headroom up front is basically the same as the regular Q4, so fine even for those well over six-foot. Storage is decent, too. 

There's a generous amount of legroom in the rear as well, beating a number of key rivals. Headroom does suffer somewhat due to that sloping roofline, with those over six foot brushing the headlining. A regular Q4 is better if you regularly have tall adults in the back.

The larger Audi e-tron is also more capable at carrying three people side-by-side. However both outer rear seats come with Isofix mounting points for child seats, while the high seating position aids access.

Like many SUVs loading things into the boot is made harder by a high access point, which might make it harder for an ageing dog to climb aboard. But there is some surprise and delight here: Audi actually quotes the Q4 Sportback e-tron's boot capacity at 535 litres, which is 15 litres more than the standard Q4 e-tron despite that sloping back end. 

We don't know how Audi has managed that, but we'll give the benefit of the doubt. It's not as if it's any longer, as the Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback's external dimensions make it 4588mm long, 1865mm wide and 1614mm tall. It's worth noting, though, that as the roof isn't as tall you won't fit in really bulky items. 

There isn't much of a loading lip, helped by a false floor which also provides a useful stowage area for charging leads.There are some useful tie-down points while the Q4's fairly square boot means it's  pretty practical, even though it's not as big as a Skoda Enyaq iV Coupe. The rear seats only fold and split 60:40, however, unless you splash out on Edition 1 and Vorsprung models for a 40:20:40 split. 

The Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron is available in three core flavours, just like the standard Q4. The entry-level car is the 35 e-tron, which uses a 52kWh (usable) battery and a 170PS motor driving the rear wheels. With 310Nm torque, this'll saunter to 62mph in 9.0 seconds flat. We say saunter, because that's no faster than, say, an electric Fiat 500. 

The mid-range Audi Q4 Sportback 40 e-tron is a better bet as a premium car. This uses an 77kWh battery and a 204PS electric motor, again driving the rear wheels. With 310Nm of torque it takes 8.5 seconds to cover 0-62mph – not a particularly rapid time by electric vehicle standards, but punchy enough to take the stress out of joining fast-moving traffic.

Topping the range is the Audi Q4 Sportback 50 e-tron Quattro. As its name suggests, this uses two electric motors (one on each axle) to provide up to 299PS, four-wheel drive and a healthy 460Nm of torque. This can sprint to 62mph in 6.2 seconds and is noticeably perkier. But it costs several thousand more, and if you really want to go quickly then a twin-motor Volvo C40 Recharge or Tesla Model Y will blow it into the weeds. 

The Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback gets a very useable on-paper electric range. It's also slightly more efficient than the regular Q4 e-tron, getting more miles out of the same charge level. 

The entry-level Audi Q4 Sportback 35 with its 52kWh battery manages between 200 and 211 miles of range on the WLTP cycle, depending on spec (lower spec models have a longer quoted range). Step up to the 40 model with a 77kWh battery and it jumps to between 300 and 320 miles, the longest of the range. 

Going for the 50 e-tron Quattro model brings four-wheel drive, reducing the range. But it still gets between 285 and 303 miles depending on spec. 

This is, of course, very dependent on the kind of driving you cover and whether you make full use of the Q4 Sportback e-tron's regenerative braking system. This slows the car down using the electric motor, recuperating any energy you'd ordinarily lose under braking. It's actually very clever in the Q4, using data from the navigation system to ramp up the regen when it thinks you'll need to slow down (approaching a roundabout, for example). You can also increase the recuperative braking manually by shifting the gear selector to B or using the (optional on some models) paddles behind the steering wheel . None of these are as severe as you'd find in some EVs, though – don't expect to resort to one-pedal driving around town.

As a comparison, the best version of the Volvo C40 Recharge can travel up to 274 miles on a charge, while the BMW iX3 has a range of up to 282 miles. The Mercedes-Benz EQA has an all-electric range of up to 264 miles, while the Ford Mustang Mach-E can cover up to 379 miles (depending on model). So, the Audi Q4 e-tron scores highly compared to its direct premium competitors, but there are options which can travel further...

With no engine noise to worry about the Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron is a quiet car overall. It'll make a relaxing road trip companion, with no intrusive electric motor whine at low speeds and very well-isolated wind and road noise at speed, even with the 21-inch wheels fitted. It's one of the quietest electric cars at this price point. 

The regular Audi Q4 e-tron was crash tested by Euro NCAP and received the full five-star rating, and we see no reason why the Sportback model would be any different. 

Standard safety kit is comprehensive, with driver-assistance features including Audi's automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection. Lane departure warning is also standard, as well as a turn assist function which can prevent you colliding with oncoming traffic when turning into a side road. 

Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron Vorsprung models also come with the Assistance Package Pro (with adaptive cruise assist and a four-camera system providing 360-degree visibility), as well as the Safety Package Plus (which comes with Audi Side Assist blindspot monitoring and rear cross traffic assist reversing aid).

We've heard of very few issues reported with electric Audi models, including the Q4 Sportback e-tron and the regular Q4 e-tron. Audi as a brand is generally very reliable, while electric cars are less mechanically complex than their petrol or diesel equivalents. 

Having said that, some owners reported problems with the infotainment system freezing and the car's software throwing a wobbly. We didn't experience any issues, but make sure any Q4 you buy has had a recent software update. 

Insurance groups for the Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron are identical to the regular Q4 e-tron, so expect broadly similar insurance costs. 

The cheapest version is the smallest battery Q4 35 Sport, which starts in insurance group 26. Stepping up to the Q4 40 brings it up to 29, while the 50 Quattro model is in group 37. S Line variants are broadly the same, but Edition 1 and Vorsprung models are a few groups higher for each version on account of their higher list price.  

If you're dead set on saving money on insurance costs, you might find our guide to the cheapest electric cars to insure helpful.

As the Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron is a pure electric vehicle, it's exempt from VED (vehicle excise duty – a.k.a. road tax). You also don't have to pay the 'premium car' tax on any electric models - that's a bonus. 

Standard equipment on the Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron Sport includes 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and aluminium roof rails. There's a powered tailgate as standard, while inside you'll find sport seats (heated in the front), automatic three-zone climate control and LED interior lighting. A twin-spoke leather steering wheel is standard, as well as a 10.1-inch navigation system and 10.25-inch Virtual Cockpit. 

The Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron S Line builds on the Sport trim with 20-inch alloy wheels, sport suspension (with a 15mm drop in ride height), S line exterior styling and front sport seats in part-leatherette. There are dark matt brushed aluminium inlays on the dashboard, while the steering wheel gets chrome-look trim and perforated leather with contrast stitching. 

The Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron Edition 1 features 20-inch alloy wheels, Matrix LED headlights, a choice of four driver-selectable digital light signatures and a full-width rear LED light strip. The interior features electrically-adjustable front leather sport seats, a flat-top and bottomed twin-spoke leather steering wheel (with shift paddles for recuperation) and a range of ambient lighting.

Highlights of the top-of-the-range Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron Vorsprung model include 21-inch alloy wheels, suspension with damper control and a panoramic glass sunroof. There's front sport seats finished in Nappa leather, Virtual Cockpit Plus and a premium sound system. Driver assistance systems including augmented reality head-up display, Audi parking system plus, Audi pre-sense basic and pre-sense rear, Audi side assist, cross-traffic assist rear, reversing camera, adaptive cruise control, emergency assist and advanced key with wireless communication, including electric boot release using gesture control.

There's a variety of option packs and separate individual options available to order on the Q4 Sportback e-tron. You can make it an awfully expensive car if you want...