The Volkswagen Group is a master of offering one and the same vehicle base under different brands and in different versions. Significant economies of scale can be achieved with this solution in model development. The German group with its eight car brands has been using this recipe successfully for decades, from small cars to sporty speedsters and luxury limousines. The other side of the coin: in the entry-level segment it is sometimes difficult to develop cars that are really different from each other.
That is exactly the case for the Q4 e-tron, Audi’s entry-level electric car. Compared to its cousins VW ID.4 and Skoda Enyaq iV, the latecomer isn’t much of a surprise technically, although it does have some advantages. Like its cousins, the Q4 is based on the Volkswagen Group’s MEB (modular e-drive system) architecture for electric mobility, which is powered by one or two engines with 170 to 299 hp, which are in turn powered by a battery supplied with 52 or 77 kWh of useful power.
Apart from a more distinctive design statement and interior design, the vehicle frame and performance parameters of the Q4 e-tron are absolutely identical to those of the VW ID.4 and the Skoda Enyaq iV. What is the only “real” difference? In price and in the list of options necessary for the Audi: for a well-equipped vehicle, as befits a premium model, you have to dig much deeper into your wallet, even if you start with the top model « 50 Quattro » version, starting at CHF 65 800,– is available.
You are then in a stately interior, where the Audi ergonomics have not eliminated all switches, unlike VW and Skoda, where everything is controlled via a display. That’s a wise decision. Overall the vehicle is well made, even if some hard plastic parts in highly visible places are frustrating at this price. This applies to the floating center console with the gear lever, the glove compartment and the door panels.
The space is pleasant: because the floor is flat and there is no center tunnel, the passengers in the rear have a lot of space.
Our e-tron 50 Quattro is equipped with two engines that develop a total of 299 hp and 460 Nm of torque and has four-wheel drive. Driving performance is generally good and benefits from the electric punch. It sprints from 0 to 100 km in 6.2 seconds.
However, the chassis of this MEB architecture is designed for comfort rather than sporty driving. Although Audi has opted for a stiffer chassis than VW or Škoda, that does not make the Q4 e-tron a sporty ballerina. After all, it weighs no less than 2200 kg. You lose some comfort, especially on slightly uneven roads, but you get a lot of grip in corners and on long bumps. The precise and direct steering also contributes to this touch of dynamism. The Q4 e-tron is homogeneous and radiates safety, but has a certain dynamism that its cousins lack.
Consumption varies between 19.8 and 24 kWh/100 km, allowing a range of 350 to 400 km under real conditions and depending on the route and topography. The Q4 e-tron can be charged up to 135 kW (5 to 80% in about 35 minutes). A full charge from a household outlet takes approximately 7.5 hours (with the optional charger for CHF 850).
The fact is that the Q4 e-tron certainly has certain merits, but you have to pay a hefty price for its performance, which is not much different from its cousins. Our test model costs CHF 65,800 in the standard version and almost CHF 90,000 if you equip it well, but without wanting to impress… that’s a piece of cake! Not to mention a few necessary extras or nitpicks on the option list, for example you’ll need to pick a package between CHF 1,300 and 4,000 to have the rear camera, or spend around CHF 1,300 for the heat pump, which is for the air conditioning of an electric vehicle is essential. Normally, such equipment is standard on competing models in this price range. Or if you have to pay a high price for the brand image…
