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By Jonathan Crouch

With this further enhanced Q4 e-tron, Audi gets even more serious about Evs for the mass market. Jonathan Crouch takes a look at the most recent changes.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 92

The Q4 e-tron was the first production Audi built on the Volkswagen Group MEB platform for volume all-electric cars and has had two significant updates since it was originally launched back in 2021, the second of them creating the car we're going to look at here. This lower-mid-sized crossover remains pricier than other similarly-sized full-battery-powered VW Group SUVs. But it aims to deliver a slightly more up-market feel that'll help ease you into your new electrified phase of motoring ownership. That objective's helped by this second update, with its substantially upgraded cabin.

Backgroundword count: 172

The Q4 e-tron wasn't Audi's first EV. Prior to its introduction back in 2021, we'd already had three Ingolstadt full-battery models (the e-tron, the e-tron Sportback and the e-tron GT quattro). But the Q4 e-tron was the brand's first really significant and accessible electric car. Initially, it sold well, despite quality glitches and high depreciation, but in recent times sales have slowed as segment competition has fiercened. To keep its money-spinner afloat, Audi announced a far-reaching package of updates in Autumn 2023, following this up with a package of further changes in Spring 2026, these creating the car we're going to look at here. It's tempting to merely dismiss this model as Audi's version of other similarly-sized VW Group crossover EVs like the Volkswagen ID.4, the Skoda Enyaq and the CUPRA Tavascan. Certainly, all the engineering bits that matter are common between the four cars, namely the MEB platform and the battery tech. Yet Audi claims to have put its own stamp on the way this car drives and feels. Let's see.

Driving Experienceword count: 344

With this further Q4 e-tron update, the car benefits from the VW Group's latest torquier and more efficient APP350 motor. Its power output depends on the size of battery you choose. As before, things kick off with a 63kWh (net) battery model offering 204PS, which in standard SUV form now goes 18 miles further on a charge than the equivalent pre-facelift Q4 40 e-tron SUV - think about 269 miles. Performance in the base Q4 e-tron isn't especially rapid (0-62mph in 8.1s en route to 99mph). Ideally though, you'd stretch to the larger 83kWh (net) battery most Q4 e-tron customers choose. This comes with a choice of two powertrains. Most will be looking at the Q4 e-tron 'performance' model, which like the base version also has a rear-driven single motor, in this case putting out 286PS, and makes up to 367 miles between charges (up from 338 miles previously). Your other option with the 83kWh battery is the twin motor 'quattro performance' top variant, which puts out 340PS and makes 336 miles between charges. That's between 10-20 miles better than the equivalent pre-facelift model, depending on the spec you choose. With the 'quattro performance', the 62mph sprint can be dispatched in just 5.4s on the way to 112mph. Towing capacity for the 'quattro performance' version has been improved as part of this update - to 1,800kg. All the range figures we've given by the way, are for the Q4 e-tron SUV body shape; you'll get about 10 miles more range with the sleeker Sportback version. Otherwise, things are much as before with this Audi. As previously, there's the option of what Ingolstadt calls a 'character sound' powertrain soundtrack, which is offered as an option and varies according to load and speed. The Q4's pretty straightforward to get to grips with behind the wheel. You select drive using a slider-type shifter situated on the centre console and once underway, there's the kind of instant throttle response you'd usually get from an EV of this sort. The rear-driven versions have an impressively tight urban turning circle.

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