Big Upgrades to Audi EV SUV
Introduced in 2021 for the 2022 model year, the Audi Q4 e-tron has always been a solid, if not a standout, electric SUV. Smoothly-styled, and smooth to drive, it has offered drivers plenty of interior space, up-to-date technology, reasonable range, and good value for a luxury vehicle – but nothing about it has truly stood out. Now, for the 2024 model year, Audi has made some significant upgrades to the Q4 e-tron to make it a more compelling package.
You’ll need look really carefully to notice the visual differences between the 2024 Q4 e-tron and its predecessor. There’s a new pattern for the “grille” up front, and the lights front and rear have been subtly changed. New wheel designs add sharper style as well as improving aerodynamics, as well. The Q4 is also still available in two body styles: a more practical SUV shape, which you see here, as well as a sleeker “sportback” version with a sloping rear hatch that gives it a more sporty look, as well as marginally increasing range at the expense of headroom and cargo space. What unites all of the models is a new rear power pack, as well as significantly improved range and charging performance.
All Q4 e-tron models use the same 82-kWh battery, the same capacity as before. However, improved software as well as optimized chemistry for the individual battery cells means that the battery can now charge at 175 kW, a significant increase from before. Charging from to 10 to 80 percent now takes around 28 minutes on a compatible charger. While that isn’t class-leading Level 3 performance – the Genesis GV60 EV can theoretically charge at double that speed – it’s more than fast enough for a quick stop on a road trip, and most Q4 owners will charge at home on a Level 2 charger most of the time.
Audi Q4 e-tron Range
The EPA estimates the Q4 55 e-tron, the model I tested, will go 258 miles or about 415 km on a full charge, but I regularly saw numbers higher than that in a mix of urban and highway driving; indeed, with a charge of just over 90 percent, I saw a range estimate on the dashboard of 328 miles on a mild summer day. Like most German electric vehicles, Audi’s range estimates are conservative, and you will regularly exceed them in day-to-day driving.
What’s most impressive about the increase in range and charging speed is that it also comes with more power for 2024. Maximum output from the two electric motors, one for the front axle and one for the rear, has jumped from 310 to 335 hp, with the corresponding 0-60 mph time dropping to 5 seconds flat. Top speed remains an electronically-limited 99 mph, which doesn’t sound high, but is more than enough for American roads.
Audi says that an all-new electric motor on the rear axle is responsible for the improvements in both efficiency and power. An optimized thermal management system and better arrangement of the gear wheels in the single-speed transmission mean that the rear drive module runs cooler than before, making its performance more consistent in all kinds of temperatures and weathers.
How Does the Audi Q4 e-tron Drive?
What’s more noticeable than the improved thermal efficiency is the increased performance and responsiveness. The original Q4 50 (Audi uses abstract numbers to designate theoretical power outputs) felt sprightly enough, with a 0-60 time of 5.8 seconds, but the new model just feels stronger and more lively in every situation – whether you’re pulling away from a stoplight or passing other cars on the highway. The performance is more in keeping with the expectations set by a premium SUV with a starting MSRP of $55,200.
At least in the least-expensive Premium trim with 19-inch wheels (an optional package gives you more aggressive 20-inch wheels), the Q4 e-tron is definitely set up more for comfort than sportiness. Thanks to the tall sidewalls and a relatively soft suspension, the ride quality is really good, enhancing the sense of calm created by the silent, refined operation of the drivetrain and the lack of wind and road noise. The steering is light and easy, without a lot of feel, and the brake pedal has kind of a squishy feel; while it’s not super-sharp, it does make it easy to drive the Q4 smoothly in traffic.
Of course, like most modern vehicles, you can customize how the Q4 drives. Standard Audi Drive Select lets you choose efficient, comfort, sport, or individual drive modes, and the individual mode lets you tailor your preferred steering weight and throttle response. Paddles mounted on the back of the steering wheel let you rapidly and conveniently adjust the level of regenerative braking; none of the four settings is nearly as aggressive as Tesla’s one-pedal driving feel, but that was fine with me; in default mode, the car actually uses its various sensors to automatically vary the level of regen to improve efficiency and smoothness – and it works really well.
At low speeds, you’ll also notice a new “character sound,” which Audi says gives the 2024 Q4 e-tron an “emotional bond between the vehicle and driver.” The sound generator, which has two exterior speakers at the rear, is a safety feature that’s audible to pedestrians at speeds below about 20 mph.
Audi Q4 Interior and Practicality
While the Audi Q4 e-tron’s driving experience is decidedly luxurious, its interior is a little more basic than you might expect given its price, and the Audi badges on the front and back. There’s good-looking and durable synthetic leather on the seats, but the rest of the interior is dominated by hard plastics and swaths of shiny piano-black trim in angular, aggressive shapes. Overall, the ambiance in the Q4 e-tron is more akin to Audi’s entry-level A3 sedan, which carries a starting MSRP of just over $35,000. At almost $20,000 more, I would have expected a better finishes and a higher-end feel, even if the actual solidity and build quality remained first-rate.
No complaints, however, about how it all worked. The seats – which are only heated and not ventilated as standard, and which require a $2,850 “convenience” package if you want a memory function – are all-day comfortable. The standard audio system sounds great, and all the controls are intuitive. Blessedly, there are physical controls for the climate system, and the steering wheel still features real buttons for frequently-used functions, though it would be nice to have an actual volume knob instead of a fussy haptic circle to swipe your finger over. There’s a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster as well as a large central touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay; I experienced a few glitches with it, which was a surprise, as Audi’s systems are generally rock-solid.
Because it’s built on a dedicated platform designed as an EV from the beginning, the Q4 has more space and practicality than you might expect of something with its compact exterior dimensions. The drive units, even though there are two of them, are much smaller than a gasoline engine, and like the big battery, mostly live under the floor – freeing up space inside for people and cargo.
Headroom, legroom, and shoulder room in both the front and rear seats is excellent, and the cargo area is large and easy to access through the power liftgate. While there’s no “frunk” at the front – the HVAC system, power management electronics, and other items live under the hood – there’s a decent amount of under-floor storage in the rear, in addition to large and useful cubbies and storage bins throughout the cabin.
Conclusion: Should I Buy an Audi Q4 e-tron?
The 2024 Audi Q4 e-tron has a lot to recommend it. It’s spacious, practical, and has a superbly luxurious driving experience – and will regularly return range and efficiency that’s better than its good on-paper specs. It is also a far more compelling proposition than the 2023 model, which came with less range, less power, and less performance.
Is the Q4 e-tron a good value? A starting MSRP of $55,200 for the Premium version, $59,900 for the Premium Plus with more tech features and the all-important heat pump for better range in cold weather, or $62,200 for the Prestige with matrix LED lights, heated windshield, head-up display, and Sonos sound system, seems high if you’re comparing it to something like a Tesla Model Y, which offers similar space and features with more performance and range. The Volkswagen ID.4, with which the Q4 shares its platform and mechanical pieces, has a starting MSRP of $49,755 in Pro AWD trim.
On the other hand, the Belgium-built Q4 e-tron (you'll need to lease it to access the $7,500 federal tax incentive) stacks up reasonably well compared to EV SVs from brands like Genesis, whose GV60 has a starting MSRP of $52,000, or the admittedly larger Cadillac Lyriq, which has a $57,195 starting MSRP. Mercedes-Benz and BMW don’t offer an electric SUV in the Q4’s price class, requiring you to step up into a much larger and more expensive vehicle in the EQE or iX if you want an EV.
One thing is for certain: the upgrades made to the Q4 e-tron for the 2024 model year address all of the shortcomings of earlier models, without bringing with them any more compromises. If you’re looking for a spacious luxury SUV with a relatively compact exterior, the Q4 should definitely be on your shopping list.
