With a small footprint, stylish aesthetics and a well packaged interior, Audi’s Q4 e-tron could be the perfect formula for inner city dwellers seeking an EV that has the range to head for the hills on the weekend.
It’s the smallest all-electric option in the Audi Australia line-up, available in a traditional SUV shape or Sportback. The latter is our subject here, sampled with the base 45 driveline, which houses a single motor on the rear axle and feeds off a 77kWh battery pack.
The combination provides a healthy 210kW and 545Nm that can propel the little Audi to 100km/h in 6.7 seconds. That’s plenty fast for the intended use and more than able to get you ahead of traffic or merge into the freeway.
It also comes with a claimed range of up to 540km, a larger number than its wagon sibling, owing presumedly to the slipperier profile. Despite this, we were unable to better 18kwh/100km against the claimed 16.9.
This could have something to do with driving dynamics though. You see, it’s a great little thing to drive. Covering the bases in terms of everyday commuting is a given, where it proved to be quiet and composed beyond expectation inside.
But switching out of the Normal drive mode to Dynamic, one of five available, sharpens everything up. The direct ratio steering is lively with good feel, inspiring confidence when pointing into corners.
Concurrently, it remains light and manageable during more mundane pursuits, such as shopping centre carparks. One contentious aspect is the braking. To be clear, performance wasn’t the issue, rather a spongy pedal with a little more travel than we would’ve liked.
The surprising culprit was drum brakes on the rear axle. Audi’s explanation for the hardware choice revolves around reduced maintenance and propensity for corrosion, citing that the majority of deceleration comes in the form of regenerative braking.
The suspension setup keeps things in check with a pleasing combination of compliance over pockmarked Sydney roads and firmness should things become tempting. It does exhibit some understeer early to mid-corner though.
That can be attributed to 2145kg of heft in a chassis this small. Exterior aesthetics are a strong point for the Q4. Ours was finished in Geyser Blue Metallic, one of eight to choose from, in a pallete made up predominantly of metallic pastels.
It complements the swooping lines of the Sportback, while living happily against contrasting painted charcoal trims and the optional Black pack. 20-inch 5-Y spoke alloy wheels complete exterior visuals as part of the Style trim.
The latter is an option that also brings with it privacy glass and coloured interior ambient lighting. Stepping inside for the first time reveals a stylish and spacious cabin that belies the overall footprint.
Strong aesthetics continue with a dash that was both angular and soft, if that’s possible. The leading edges are finished in gloss silver and flank the 10.1-inch screen that takes pride of place in the centre.
Operating systems are familiar Audi territory, and that’s not a bad thing. Further down from the centre screen is a bank of actual switchgear (yes!) for climate and a shelf that houses the gear and handbrake controls, along with a start button and haptic volume setup.
The latter can control your tunes through wired and wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, with sound courtesy of an 8-speaker audio system. Under the shelf we found well thought out storage, with various hidey-holes for things like sunglasses.
It’s here where you will also find two USB-C ports and a wireless charging pad. Storage is a real positive of the Q4, with a centre bin that has a sliding armrest and clever bottle holders that sit at the leading edge of the door cards, right near the dash.
It’s such a great way to use what is often wasted space. The driver hangs on to a flat top and bottom steering wheel. It feels quite large, with touch sensitive switchgear for various controls on either side. Behind the tiller sits a second screen for driver vitals.
Seating is another highlight, with bolstered leather and fabric seats that form part of an optional S-Line interior pack, which also brings a dark headliner. The back row wants for nothing, with a full size adult able to sit in comfort.
Leg and head room are surprisingly good, even with the optional panoramic glass roof. Separate third zone air conditioning controls also feature, along with charging ports. A button lifts the boot, revealing 535-litres of space.
This can be extended to 1460-litres with the rear row folded. The only disappointment is the lack of a completely flat floor. Most of it is, but there were pockets down each side where things would inevitably get lost.
That flat space is a shelf that can be folded up to gain access to hidden compartment underneath. It’s the same width and breadth and about 4-inches deep. Beneath is another storage space, for charging cables (although a home-use one isn’t included with the car).
At this end of the market, one needs to question whether it’s reasonable to be shelling out even a few hundred dollars for the convenience of charging at home. Where there’s no scrimping is in safety gear, with a comprehensive list of all the relevant abbreviations.
They were all well calibrated too, although we do find the parking sensors in this vehicle a little overzealous. You can tame them if you find the beeping a little bit much. Pricing for the Q4 e-tron 45 starts at $86,500 plus on road costs.
Our example had a fair bit of worthwhile fruit added, which stretches that figure out to $95,114. Yours truly couldn’t help but draw comparisons to Volvo’s excellent EX30, which with similar inclusions comes in at $66,290 plus on-roads.
They both have stylish good looks inside and out, poised driving dynamics in a small footprint and well packaged and spacious interiors. The Q4 pips the pint-sized Volvo for rear passenger space, with 50mm more wheelbase, and has 80km more range.
That said, it’s an awfully big price difference. It’s a tough choice to choose between the two as well. You can find out more on the Audi Australia website, or by talking to your local dealership.
To get a low rate finance quote, talk to Australia’s best reviewed car finance broker; Credit One. To see a great range of vehicles for sale, check out OnlyCars.com.au.
Our test vehicle was supplied by Audi Australia for independent review purposes. Exhaust Notes Australia has not been paid to review this vehicle.
