Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron Review & Prices

The Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron is a family electric SUV, with a sporty, sloping roofline. Underneath the Sportback body, this is exactly the same as the regular Audi Q4 e-tron SUV – and that’s no bad thing. Both Q4s are mechanically identical to the Volkswagen ID4 and Skoda Enyaq, so they’re in pretty good company.

From the front, the Q4 Sportback has the same face as the regular Q4 – including the somewhat questionable faux grille. Setting that aside, the Sportback is a smart-looking car – you could say it’s better looking than the standard SUV, with its sculpted rear end that features a subtle rear spoiler for added sportiness.

The cabin feels modern and futuristic, with expensive materials and solid build quality. There’s a central 11.6-inch infotainment touchscreen that’s angled towards the driver; it’s quick to respond and the graphics are sharp. USB-C charging ports are in the front but they’re only an optional extra for the back. If you’ve got grumpy teenagers, definitely add the Technology Pack.

Range Test: Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback v Genesis GV60 v Mercedes EQA v Nissan Ariya v Tesla Model Y v Volkswagen ID Buzz

Compared to the Q4 SUV, the Sportline has slightly less headroom in the back, but unless your rear passengers are over six foot, this shouldn’t be a problem. The seats throughout a very comfy too.

You get LED headlights as standard and there are 19- and 20-inch alloy wheel options. On the regular Q4 you can also get 21-inch wheels, but it’s unlikely that will be a dealbreaker for most.

Useful items like adaptive cruise control and a head-up display have to be added as an option and are not included as standard, even on the top-of-the-range Edition 1 model. That’s a bit disappointing on such an expensive car, but this is a premium model and spending more on optional extras is often part of the game.

The 40 e-tron comes with a 77kWh battery and a single motor. From a full charge it can officially achieve up to 328 miles of range, which is good enough for long trips. But as with all EVs, you're unlikely to achieve the claimed range in the real world. On one of our range test videos, the Sportback 50 quattro managed 235 miles at 3.2 miles per kWh on mostly motorway miles, which is 75% of its claimed range 312 miles. It performed the worst compared to its claimed range but was in the middle of the pack for efficiency.

The four-wheel drive 50 e-tron quattro is the quickest model, but isn’t as fun to drive as, say, the Ford Mustang Mach-e. You're much better off taking it easy and cruising around, where the Q4 e-tron Sportback performs the best.

The Sportback has a sleeker, more aerodynamic shape, with marginally better range compared to the Q4 SUV. Despite its sloping roofline, the Sportback has an extra 15 litres of boot storage over the standard Q4 under the parcel shelf. In reality, though, you’ll be able to pack more into the Q4 SUV than the Sportback if you’re using the entirety of the boot.

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The sportier looks of the Sportback come at a price – but while it is more expensive than the regular Q4, it’s really not much of a premium. If you’re sold on the Sportback’s looks, the extra cost shouldn’t put you off.

The quality materials and build quality compared to the Volkswagen ID4 and Skoda Enyaq justify Audi’s premium price-tag. Even if they are all similar under the skin, the Audi feels a bit more special inside.

That being said, a lot of useful equipment, like adaptive cruise control, is not available as standard so needs to be added as an option. That means you could end up paying a lot more for the spec you want compared to the ID4 and Enyaq.

Fortunately, there are plenty of EVs out there to choose from. The Kia EV6, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Ford Mustang Mach-E are other great alternatives.

Despite the sporty naming, the Q4 Sportback is anything but sporty to drive. Although, it is comfy on the motorway and around town

In town

Around town and at low speeds, the Q4 Sportback is smooth and easy to manoeuvre. The steering is light and despite its porky size, the Q4 – just like the Volkswagen ID4 and Skoda Enyaq – has a decent turning circle compared to the Tesla Model Y. So you’ll have no trouble with your three-point turn.

For stop-start traffic, you can easily select B mode on the gear selector and switch to one-pedal driving. For first-timers it’ll take some getting used to, but it’s so much easier in busy traffic jams. Otherwise, the standard D mode lets you coast as you lift off and is best for cruising.

The regenerative braking system works best at lower speeds around town and will recuperate energy under braking to charge the battery – like most EVs, you should see the best efficiency around town.

With its lower sloping roof-line, the Sportback has bigger rear blind spots compared to the standard Q4 and then there’s the spoiler which doesn’t help. Whilst it looks cool and sporty from the outside, the rear visibility is compromised. You can still see through the rear window but it's not great.

If you’re not that confident with parking, it’ll be worth adding the Comfort and Sound pack with a reversing camera – the Q4’s quite large. The side mirrors are a decent size and the driving position is comfortable. Although you can’t see the front of the car, the nose is quite short so it’s easy to place.

On the motorway

At motorway speeds, the Q4 Sportback e-tron is a comfortable cruiser and the seats are nice and supportive on longer journeys. With no engine noise, like all EVs, it’s relatively quiet, but even then it’s a bit quieter on the move than the likes of the Volkswagen ID4. You will notice some wind and tyre noise at motorway speeds, though – it’s not quite a Rolls-Royce.

The S Line model features sports suspension, which means it has a harder, stiffer ride than other trims. Across the range though, the Q4 feels planted and controlled at motorway speeds. The Sportback has a more streamlined body and is more efficient than the standard Q4 at higher speeds, giving a slightly better range.

If you do a lot of motorway miles, you should definitely consider adding the Comfort and Sound pack, which gets you adaptive cruise control. All you need to do is set the speed and the car will do the work, whilst keeping a safe distance from the car in front. The Q4 doesn’t have fully autonomous driving capability, but as long as you keep your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road, it’ll do most of the work for you.

On a twisty road

You’ll definitely notice the sheer weight of the Q4 on a twisty road, especially under braking. The Sportback is a tiny bit heavier than the Q4 SUV but the difference isn’t noticeable in normal driving.

On uneven and rough country road surfaces, the stiff sports suspension on the S Line is a lot more noticeable, but other models feel just as hard and unsettled. The steering is light and quick, but it’s a heavy car and despite the Sportback naming, not exactly sporty to drive. If you’re after a more engaging and sporty electric SUV, the Ford Mustang Mach-E will serve you better.

The Q4 Sportback may be less practical overall than the Q4 SUV, but it still has a decent size boot

Apart from the sloping roofline inside – it’s 18mm lower than the regular Q4 at the back – the Sportback is just like its SUV-shaped sibling. That means you get the same dashboard, centre console, seating and practical door bins.

Unfortunately, that also means there are similar drawbacks, like the touch-sensitive buttons on the steering wheel, manual seat adjustment at the front and a small glovebox. There are plenty of other good things inside the Q4, though.

One thing the Q4 Sportback definitely isn't short of is door bins. The storage bins in the front are a decent size and the ones in the back are pretty good too. You’ll be able to store a large water bottle in each one and they’re lined in a felt fabric to stop things rattling around and getting on your nerves.

The centre console has a storage compartment beneath the drive controls and gear selector ledge, where you can charge your phone through a USB-C connection. Next to that, you have two cup holders and under the armrest, a small storage bin. Whilst it has a large opening, the glovebox is rather small as the fuse box hasn’t been moved over for right-hand drive cars. Not ideal in a premium Audi.

Space in the back seats

The back seats have a decent amount of room, but three adults will be a slight squeeze – although this shouldn't be a problem on shorter journeys. Again, the sloping roofline means there’s less headroom in the back compared to the regular Q4, but unless you’re giving a lift to professional rugby players, or perhaps Stephen Merchant, this isn’t a deal breaker.

The Q4 has a roomy interior and the Sportback is much the same. Even with the driver’s seat positioned for someone over six feet tall, there is enough legroom in the back and space under the front seats to stretch your legs out. The rear seats aren’t too low compared to other EVs like the Kia EV6, so the seating position is comfortable.

You’ll have to pay extra if you want USB-C plugs in the back or storage nets behind the front seats, which feels a bit much when you consider the premium starting price. The centre armrest has two cup holders, although it’s no good as an armrest as they’re not covered, so your elbows end up digging into them.

You’ll find ISOFIX anchor points on the outer two rear seats and the front passenger seat; they’re easy to locate and lock in as the anchor covers conveniently slide out of the way.

Boot space

On paper it looks like the Sportback has more boot space than the Q4 SUV, with 535 litres of storage instead of 520 litres. However, this is because the boot space is measured up to the parcel shelf, which in the Sportback sits higher than in the Q4 SUV. If you’re packing the car for a family holiday and trying to cram as much as possible into the boot, you’ll easily fit more into the Q4 SUV.

With the rear seats down, the lower roofline on the Sportback means there’s 30 litres less total storage compared to the regular Q4. That’s still a useful 1,460 litres of space, although you’ll struggle to fit large bulky items into the Sportback with its lower sloping roof. If you need to transport a bookcase or armchair, get the Q4 SUV. Or maybe a van.

Even if you pick a Q4 e-tron 40 with the larger battery or 50 quattro with its extra motor, the boot space is the same. There’s underfloor storage for the parcel shelf and charging cables, along with deeper storage space on either side of the boot floor.

There are shopping bag hooks, tie-down anchor points and a 12V socket in the boot. There’s no load lip, so putting in and lifting out heavy items is easy. Unfortunately, through loading, where you can drop the centre rear seat and carry long items, is only available on top-spec trims. The rear seats, when folded down, are flush to the boot floor, although there isn’t a quick-release lever in the back of the boot.

If you’re looking for an electric family SUV but need more space, the Tesla Model Y has a massive 854-litre boot. Another good option is the Skoda Enyaq, which has a healthy 585 litres of boot space. The Ioniq 5 is just seven litres up on the Audi, while the EV6 is slightly disappointing at 490 litres.

The large infotainment screen is quick to respond and has a high resolution. Although, some of the touch sensitive buttons on the steering wheel are a little fiddly

The infotainment screen and climate controls are angled towards the driver, so they’re easy to control whilst on the move. Top spec models come with a hexagonal four-spoke steering wheel that looks particularly futuristic and in keeping with the rest of the modern design. This can be added as an option if you choose a lower spec.

Overall, the cabin is stylish and has a luxurious feel with good quality materials and a solid build quality. There are a few scratchy plastics on the door bins, and on the side of the centre console, but the surfaces you’re going to touch and interact with all feel premium and worthy of the price tag.

Compared to the lighter interior trims you find in the Volkswagen ID4, the Q4’s dark interior is a little dull. But this is a minor criticism and rather subjective; if you want a brighter cabin, make sure you spec the panoramic sunroof.

Top-spec models get leather or faux leather seats, but even entry-level models have sport seats in cloth that are comfortable and definitely don’t look cheap. Better still, they are heated up front and have four-way electric lumbar adjustment.

As standard, the Q4 Sportback gets an 11.6-inch infotainment touchscreen. The Audi interface is intuitive to use, but you can connect your phone and use Apple CarPlay wirelessly or Android Auto with USB connection.

If you prefer to go old school and would rather use the onboard system, satellite navigation comes on all models. This system has live hazard and traffic alerts, along with the e-tron planner, which will show you to the nearest chargers and pre-plan the best charging stops on longer journeys.

For the driver, there is a 10.25-inch digital driver’s display with clear graphics for all of your driving data. Amazon Alexa is also built-in, so you can keep your hands on the wheel and add to your shopping list, manage your calendar or simply ask for directions on the sat nav.

Whilst you get physical buttons to operate the climate control settings that are easy to adjust whilst driving, you still have touch-sensitive multi-functional buttons on the steering wheel. Now this may seem fancy and techy, but practically this does make basic functions like scrolling through your driving info or adjusting the volume a tad tricky and distracting.

Worse still, the volume control on the centre dash is also touch-sensitive. Just be careful changing the volume on a bumpy road. The Q4 does redeem itself with the easy-to-use touchscreen infotainment screen and the fact that this and the digital driver’s display come as standard.

The handiest option is the Comfort and Sound pack, with a reversing rear camera, 360-degree parking sensors, adaptive cruise control and a premium SONOS sound system. You can also get upgraded matrix LED headlights for cool dynamic light graphics and improved night-time visibility.

There are two versions of the Q4 Sportback e-tron to choose from. Called 40 and 50 quattro, both have a 77kWh battery. The 40 has a single rear motor and makes 204hp, with the 0-60mph sprint taking around 8.5 seconds. But if you’re after performance, the four-wheel drive 50 e-tron – with its additional motor on the front and 299hp – manages 0-60mph in 6.2 seconds. Not too shabby for such a big, heavy car.

The 40 e-tron has the best range and can go a claimed 328 miles on a single charge, while the 50 can go up to 308 miles. Like for like, the Sportback gives an extra six miles of range compared to the regular Q4 SUV. The sleek design of the Sportback isn’t just for looks, then, even though the range difference is marginal.

If you have a 7kW home-charging wallbox you’ll be able to top up overnight worry-free. At faster chargers, the Q4 Sportback e-tron can charge at speeds of up to 135kW using DC power. That’s rapid enough to get you from 5% to 80% charge in 29 minutes.

Being an electric vehicle, you won’t be paying road tax for the Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback, and it's also exempt from the extra charge for vehicles over £40,000. In addition to this, like all EVs, you’ll be exempt from congestion charges in city centres.

If you’re concerned with range but still want to go electric, the Mustang Mach-E can outdo the Q4 Sportback e-tron with an impressive 379 miles on a single charge.

The Q4 Sportback has not been specifically tested by the independent safety board Euro NCAP, but the Q4 SUV that it’s based on has been put to the test and scored highly, with a five-out-of-five rating. But it’s not just vehicle impact that determines safety scores these days.

The Q4 has a good amount of safety functions, like autonomous emergency braking. Not only can the Q4’s system detect oncoming collisions with cars, walls and bollards, but it can also spot pedestrians and cyclists, too.

In terms of airbags, there are 12 in total, and the system will even identify how many passengers are in the car and how big they are. Airbag deployment is a dangerous business and being able to determine how big or small someone is, lets the system know how much force to unleash the airbags with. Smart stuff.

A tyre pressure warning system (that could prevent a serious accident), lane-departure warning (that literally keeps you in your lane) and even anti-theft wheel nuts have all played a part in the Q4 impressive five-star rating.

As an optional extra, you can add the Safety Package Plus, which gives you blind-spot warnings in the side mirrors and an added level of autonomous braking when reversing. All in all though, the Q4 Sportback is an extremely safe car with good protection in the event of vehicle impact and plenty of tech to prevent an impact in the first place.

The Q4 Sportback lacks an extensive owner and reliability record, seeing as it’s a recent model. The Q4 SUV however, has had one recall. Between April and May of 2021, Audi requested the recall of just 22 models to have the right airbags fitted.

As standard, all Q4 Sportback e-tron’s get a three-year/60,000-mile warranty, while the battery gets up to eight years and 100,000 miles. This is similar to the BMW iX3, but the Hyundai Ioniq 5 comes with five years and the Kia EV6 gets seven years. That said, the warranty on your Q4 Sportback can be extended to 75,000 miles and four years or even five years and 90,000 miles for a reasonable price. It’s recommended that you service your Q4 Sportback every two years.