Audi Q4 e-tron: the big reasons why real owners love it

Open gallery

Michael stresses the value of having the Audi Service Charge Card.

“I go on so many long drives and it never feels long” says Michael.

We asked two real Audi Q4 e-tron owners to tell us why they love their cars.

Michael welcomes the familiarity of Audi’s Q4 classic design language.

“Its lines are incredibly sleek, and it has real presence” says Michael.

Living in rural Scotland has plenty of perks: namely access to some of the UK’s best and most scenic roads.

“If I’m doing country roads, I stick it in Dynamic mode” says Alan.

“We use it for the weekly shop. We use it to move furniture. We use it when we’re taking the paddle boards out.”

“We genuinely didn’t expect to do as much with the Audi Q4 e-tron as we do” says Alan.

A self-professed ‘outdoors guy’, Alan loves to get out and get active on the weekends.

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Boasting the latest in-car technology, a cosseting premium tech-packed interior and eye-catching design, the Audi Q4 e-tron and Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron are the beating hearts of Audi’s fast-growing range of all-electric e-tron models. But, to truly get to the core of what makes these all-electric SUVs so compelling, you need to talk to real owners who know the car best.

That’s why we turned to Alan and Michael – two passionate drivers who have already put thousands of miles on their Audi Q4 e-trons, finding small moments of magic every time they get in.

Focusing on five key areas that matter to all-electric SUV owners – that’s styling, in-car tech, range, and charging, driving feel and practicality – they talked us through their personal highlights.

Learn more about the Audi Q4 e-tron range here

Styling: iconic style re-imagined

First up, Michael: a technology consultant from Manchester and owner of a fair few Audis in his time. Doing weekly 400-mile return journeys to and from London, he well and truly puts his Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron through its paces.

For Michael, the Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron’s striking styling was the first thing to capture his attention. “When I saw the first video for the Audi Q4 e-tron, I knew I had to have it, based on the grille alone,” he says. “Those Matrix LED headlights are one of the best features.”

“Both the Audi Q4 e-tron and the Sportback e-tron look amazing, but I love how sporty the Sportback is in particular. Its lines are incredibly sleek, and it has real presence. It just stands out from any of the other cars on the road. The fact you could also get a few extra miles of range out of the Sportback e-tron (compared to the regular Q4 e-tron SUV*) is an added bonus of that Sportback shape. For me, EVs are all about efficiency as well as looks, and I feel like my Q4 Sportback e-tron ticks all those boxes.”

Although many rival electric cars opt for sometimes controversial styling in a bid to defy conventions and stand out, Michael welcomes the familiarity of Audi’s Q4 classic design language – albeit boasting some subtle forward-looking e-tron touches. “It doesn’t look so futuristic that it looks out of place,” Michael says. “It looks contemporary, but with futuristic design elements in it. You can tell it’s an EV without it needing it to look like a spaceship.”

That familiar well-considered Audi design continues inside the Q4 Sportback e-tron, too, “Whenever I get in, I realise the time and care that has gone into thinking about what the driver wants and needs behind the wheel,” says Michael. “The S Line sport seats** are incredibly comfy. They literally hug you while you’re driving. I go on so many long drives and it never feels long. The dog loves sitting in the back, too. Put it this way, if it gets his approval, then that’s good enough for me.”

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“It’s not just the seats, everything is angled towards me. I never have to lean over to the left-hand side to see the infotainment screen, and I don’t have to reach uncomfortably for anything. All the key features are right there.”

Technology: driver-focused and easy to use

The future-facing technology in Audi’s Q4 Sportback e-tron is designed with safety, convenience and ease of use in mind – providing owners with a familiar, intuitive experience. “I think the tech in my Audi Q4 e-tron is fantastic,” says Michael. “Nothing about the tech ever feels like it’s an afterthought. It feels like it has all been part of the seamless design of the car – from the looks to the actual driver experience.”

“A lot of people would say Audi’s MMI (multimedia interface) is ‘easy to use’, but I’d use the word ‘intuitive’. You just know where everything is. I didn’t have to read the manual when I first got the car, I just got in and everything was labelled and worked exactly how it should. I especially love the phone integration, which is wireless now.”

“The main screen is crisp and responsive, and I absolutely love Audi’s Virtual Cockpit. I can change all the different clusters to suit the mode I’m in: like bigger dials when I’m in Sport mode. I can also change it to see more of the map and less of the dials or see my journey efficiency and the map at the same time.”

“The head-up display is another standout feature. I don’t have to look around at the other screens; I don’t have to look down at the dash, because it’s all there at my eye level. And unlike other new cars where the temperature controls are all digital, and you have to go into sub-menus to change anything, my Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron has physical buttons! It’s tangible and tactile which makes adjusting settings easy.”