4th Report: Looking back…
Over halfway into my time with the Q4 E-Tron Sportback, and over 500 easy miles have passed under the wheels of our Audi. Maybe this car sensed how happy I’ve been with the efficiency, and whether I should be charging to 80, or 100% on my own 7kW home charger? I wonder, as just after I’d penned the Audi’s last report, it took it upon itself to only charge to 80%! This was a surprise, but thanks to this Q4’s long range, even 80% equals 220 miles – more than enough for even my longest trips.
Speaking of the range, that was a regular talking point of our old Q4 E-Tron, which was a 50 Quattro, with a claimed 295 miles official range. The most we saw during the five-months I had the car was 250 miles, and that was at the tail end of the Summer. As the weather got colder, that became 220 miles of range – and even as low as 160 miles at one point!
By contrast, our current Q4 E-Tron Sportback is the facelifted single motor 45 version. It has 77kWh battery, but is fitted with a new, and improved electric motor, with power and efficiency both increased over pre-facelift models. Power is up 81hp, to 282hp, and if that power upgrade isn’t enough, the claimed efficiency gains are like night and day. With the official range of our car climbing to 330 miles. It is consistently returning 3.6 miles/kWh efficiency – even when not fully charged. The most we saw in our original Q4 E-Tron, was 3.4, which dropped to 2.8 miles/kWh in the cold.
It will be interesting to see how the range changes as the temperature drops with the latest Q4, but we do have the added security of an optional heat pump.
On the move, we sometimes found the throttle can be a bit snatchy in the first Q4, and although better, it can even feel a bit on the sharp side in the new car. In fact, the only real driving issue of the current Q4 E-Tron is the lack of brake feel, which is proving difficult to master.
Our curvier Sportback bodystyle wasn’t available at launch in 2021, but even as a conventional SUV, we had visibility issues. Oddly, probably due to Covid, or more likely supply issues, our original Q4 E-Tron had an odd spec – and we really missed a rear camera, as it wasn’t fitted! The Sportback, with its split glass rear tailgate, has its own visibility issues – the lack of rear wiper to clean the curvier screen being the biggest issue. As we are staring Winter in the face, it is getting noticeably dirtier, so I’m thankful we do have the rear camera – it’s coming in very useful!
The Q4 E-Tron still looks modern, but the Black Edition spec certainly smartens things up even further, with its full dechrome. However, as I mentioned in my first report – I should have studied the standard wheel specs more carefully, as the 21in wheels are bigger than the 20s fitted to the first Q4 E-Tron – and they spoilt the ride! After over four-months at the wheel of our car, the ride is unsettled – particularly at low speeds, and if we were choosing again, despite the look, we’d probably go smaller!
The only other issues we had with our old Q4 E-Tron was with the tech, or freezing infotainment, and the haptic controls on the multi-function steering wheel. This time I’ve experienced no issues with the infotainment, but the haptic controls on the steering wheel and the quartic wheel itself continue to frustrate.
Safe, efficient and fast best sum up the Q4 E-Tron’s driving experience, although I still long for a slightly keener drive.
| Model | Audi Q4 E-Tron Sportback 45 Black Edition |
| P11D price | £58,235 |
| As tested | £61,240 |
| WLTP Combined Range | 330 miles |
| Test consumption/Range | 3.6 miles per/kWh |
| Mileage | 2,150 |
3rd Report: Impressive efficiency equals less time at the chargers
I touched on our Q4 E-Tron’s impressive efficiency in its first report, in fact, it was such an improvement over the old car, I must admit that I thought it wouldn’t last. However, after three months and almost 1,500 miles in this Audi, I can confirm it is consistently returning 3.6miles/kWh efficiency when fully charged. This is much better than I ever saw in seven months of admiration for my former long-termer, the BMW i5.
As a result, I’ve found that at least a 280-mile range is achievable between charges – meaning that unless I’m doing long trips, I’m only home-charging once or twice a week. In fact, the warm start to September has seen me achieve the best figures for this Audi, with one charge equalling 316 miles – not far off the official 330 figure.
Audi would rather you charge to 80% for shorter journeys, which would probably equal a 260-mile range, but because I’m having to charge less to 100%, I feel less guilty. On the move, I’ve seen the figure rise to 4.2miles/kWh, with careful driving, but I wonder if the Black Edition’s standard 21in wheels will stop the range rising by much?
It will be interesting to see how this changes as we head into winter, but I hope with the optionally fitted heat pump, this Audi’s impressive EV range won’t be dented too much. I have noticed, that in ECO mode, the air-conditioning doesn’t appear to affect the range, and the same for the heated front seats. Oddly though, if I put the fan on ‘Max’ to clear the windscreen, the range drops 40 miles immediately. Although, if it’s only used for short bursts – it quickly returns to what it was before the fan was on.
I’ve been making the most of the Q4 E-Tron’s extra range during the recent school summer holidays, running my children around and for family days out. Most recently with a trip to Woburn Safari Park, the last before they went back to school. The trip to and from Woburn, plus running around the park at walking speed (and no we didn’t go through the monkey enclosure in case of possible damage!), was no sweat for the Audi, and I got home with just under 200 miles or 80% of its battery. In fact, I wonder whether the animals are more receptive to the fact that EVs make no noise. I ask, as I was able to get very close to a group of giraffes – and they certainly weren’t bothered by us being there.
Elsewhere, we’ve managed to get the very useful Audi App working, allowing me to see the state of charge from my phone. There’s a satisfying feeling of quality in the spacious and comfortable interior – although the Sportback’s split rear window and lack of wash wipe does compromise vision a bit – making me reliant on the rear camera. Interior niggles are mostly focused on the odd-shaped, almost quartic wheel and its haptic controls, which sometimes seem to have a mind of their own.
There are niggles on the drive too, most serious is the inconsistent feel to the brakes. Sometimes they pull up fine, other times I’ve been more worried about stopping due to the pressure needed – due to their sometimes-spongy feel – although you do get used to this. As expected, the ride on the 21in wheels is inconsistent, but generally hard.
Safe and fast best sum up the Q4 E-Tron’s driving experience, although I think I would trade some of the Audi’s efficiency for a keener drive.
| Model | Audi Q4 E-Tron Sportback 45 Black Edition |
| P11D price | £58,235 |
| As tested | £61,240 |
| WLTP Combined Range | 330 miles |
| Test consumption/Range | 3.6 miles per/kWh |
| Mileage | 1,520 |
2nd Report: Stylish and practical – just don’t mention the app!
Curvy Sportback body or not, one of the first things I did when this Audi was delivered, was to open the Q4 E-Tron’s large tailgate. The 520-litre load area impressed me at how practical it was. The fact it was bigger than the 504 litres of my own second-generation Mini Countryman, quickly made it our first choice for holiday duties.
Even though the Q4 E-Tron continues to impress with its battery efficiency and range, a discussion with colleagues about EV batteries discharging when parked for long periods worried me. In fact, it was concerned enough to do a largely fruitless Google search. Instead, I thought I’d get the Audi App downloaded on to my phone as soon as possible. I thought that whilst lounging by the pool in the sun, I’d be able to check on this Audi’s battery condition and range back in the U.K.
Well, that was the plan. As despite downloading the app in good time, for some reason it kept telling me to visit my local Audi retailer to finish the installation! With free time tight before we left for the holiday, I didn’t make it to a dealer, so I didn’t have this safety net in time for our trip. However, since my holiday, I’ve had a chance to catch up with the Audi team and was told there were some updates to the app at around the time I downloaded it – so I will try again and report back in my next update.
After fully charging the Q4 E-Tron at home the previous night, I was more than happy with the 280 miles of claimed range on the morning of the day we left – this was more than enough to get there and home. As expected, the boot was easy to load with our three large and heavy cases – although I kept the Audi’s charging cable out, just in case of an emergency. With the fourth smaller case going between my children on the back seat.
An early afternoon trip around the M25 and over the Dartford Bridge proved to be surprisingly tedious! Traffic, lane closures, and speed restrictions, conspiring to leave us with less time to get to the airport than I’d thought. So, I was grateful for the Audi’s smooth and undemanding drive. Whilst I could feel the weight of our luggage in the boot, it didn’t seem to have a negative effect on the ride or driving experience either.
We were sent to what seemed to like the furthest part of the long stay car park, but I took comfort in seeing all the other EV models also parked up. Then, the luggage was quickly unloaded, the Audi locked, and I took pictures so I could remember where I parked it for our return. After that, it seemed like we were quickly on our way to the terminal.
10 days of welcome relaxation later, it was then sadly time to come home. Despite being outwardly confident that all would still be well with the Audi’s range, I secretly had some anxiety about getting to the Q4 in the early hours, and the battery being dead!
I really shouldn’t have worried, because after reloading our luggage, the Q4 quickly came back to life, and as I slotted the controller into drive, I glanced at the 220 mile range – which was the same as when I’d parked it!
The Audi’s smooth drive was again welcomed by my kids, as they slept all the way, and we were home a short time later.
| Model | Audi Q4 E-Tron Sportback 45 Black Edition |
| P11D price | £58,235 |
| As tested | £61,240 |
| WLTP Combined Range | 330 miles |
| Test consumption/Range | 3.6 miles per/kWh |
| Mileage | 910 |
1st Report: Performance and efficiency – but are the wheels too big?
The Audi Q4 E-Tron is no stranger to the Business Car long-term fleet, as we ran a 50 Quattro just after launch. It was the second EV I had ever run, and my first as editor of this magazine.
Back then, just after the pandemic, the Q4 E-Tron was a rare sight, mainly down to the chip crisis that quickly followed! Anyway, we quickly grew to admire its quality, practicality, refinement, and performance. Even if the low-speed ride was hard, thanks to the big wheels fitted, we never achieved its predicted range, and the haptic controls proved problematic. This all added up to a car we appreciated, rather than loved driving.
Three-years later, and just before the impressive E-Tron GT made its way back to them, Audi offered us the opportunity to spec our own, facelifted Q4 E-Tron 45 to replace it.
After some deliberation on the configurator, I agreed the specification of this car. This time around, we were keen to try the curvier Sportback bodystyle, we also chose the ‘Black Edition’ trim, which as the name suggests blacks out the grille, exterior trim, and even the badging. There might be far more Q4 E-Trons on UK roads than three-years ago, but most that we see are finished in greys and silvers, so to be different and the fact it appeared to go well with the dark trim of our Audi, we choose Navarra Blue at £695.
Changes for the facelifted Audi Q4 E-Tron mostly centre on the drivetrain, with the previous 40 and 50 replaced by 45 and 55 versions. Both have the same 77kWh battery, but are fitted with an improved new electric motor, with power and efficiency both increased over pre-facelift models. Power is up 81hp, to 282hp, plus the sprint to 60mph is dispatched in 8.5 seconds, all with the transformation from 40 to 45 badging.
If the power upgrade isn’t enough, the claimed efficiency gains are equally impressive. With the official range of our car climbing to 330 miles.
Anyway, after a couple of months waiting, our car finally arrived in the middle of June, with just 90 miles on the clock. This unfortunately coincided with more planned surgery for me – but I still managed to squeeze some driving in, before I was forced to rely on my wife to chauffeur me around for a week!
Initial thoughts are that the efficiency and performance changes are the most obvious. This Audi wasn’t quite fully charged when it arrived, but easily achieved mid 200 miles of range on that charge – with it telling me it was doing an impressive 3.4 miles/kWh efficiency. First go on my own 7kW charger, equalled an impressive 250 mile range – although it will be interesting to see whether the range tails off as we head into Autumn.
Inside, the Audi is as high-quality and well-equipped as before, although I don’t recall noticing the harder plastics on the door cards and centre console, which lets down the overall look a bit. Still, it feels as spacious as I remember, the driving position is comfortable, and the seats are supportive.
There are improvements to the driving experience, too. The changes to the steering are the most obvious, with it feeling more precise – although I’m still not a fan of the quartic multi-function steering wheel. Then there is this Audi’s wheels… Perhaps I should have studied this Q4’s specification more closely, as I overlooked the standard 21in wheels, and one of my biggest gripes of the previous Q4 E-Tron, was its ride on 20in wheels! Still, I’m looking forward to spending time with this Audi in the coming months.
Standard Equipment: Power heated and folding wing mirrors, Audi Connect Navigation and Infotainment system, Audi Virtual Cockpit, MMI Navigation Plus, DAB Digital Radio, adaptive cruise control, Audi Parking System Plus, 3-zone automatic air conditioning, heated front sports seats, leather trim, sports suspension, 21in alloy wheels.
Options: Navarra Blue metallic paint (£695), heat pump (£950), park assist plus system (£530), Technology Pack (£1,495).
Why we’re running it: To see how the updated Audi Q4 E-Tron works for fleet.
