Audi Q4 e-tron 2025 Review

Audi Australia has been clever in the pricing of its new Q4 e-tron and snuck not one but two variants under the Luxury Car Tax threshold, making them eligible for the government’s Fringe Benefits Tax exemption.

The entry-level 2025 Audi Q4 45 e-tron opens proceedings from $84,900 plus on-road costs, with the swoopy Sportback version demanding an extra $1600 at $86,500.

Both versions are powered by a 210kW/545Nm single-motor, rear-drive powertrain good for 0-100km/h in a reasonable if unremarkable 6.7 seconds, while the 82kWh battery pack provides a range of between 524km for the SUV and 540km for the Sportback.

Upping the ante in most respects are the dual-motor 55 e-tron quattro twins.

The SUV starts from $105,900 while the corresponding Sportback checks in at $107,900, each packing 250kW and a 5.4-second 0-100km/h time.

The 55s share the same battery pack as the 45s, but the extra motor does limit the cruising range to between 488 to 503km, depending on the body.

All Q4 e-trons come as standard with leather-appointed seats, tri-zone automatic climate control, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, an 11.6-inch infotainment interface with wireless smartphone mirroring, an eight-speaker sound system, auto-dimming rearview mirror, powered tailgate and driver’s seat, LED exterior lighting, ambient cabin lighting and metallic paint.

Unique to the 55s is a sports suspension set-up, progressive steering system, a more advanced digital cockpit, Matrix LED headlights, S-Line body kit and S-Line interior, the latter adding a sport steering wheel, seats and pedals, fabric and faux leather upholstery, and a black headliner.

Audis have always had a unique look and the new Q4 e-tron is no different.

Immediately recognisable as a product of the four-ringed brand, the 2025 Audi Q4 e-tron is easily one of the best-looking small-medium SUVs on the market, regardless of price point, with its powerful lines, imposing front apron and pumped-up stance.

The Sportbacks double down on this with their sloping rooflines and S-Line exterior treatment which, among other things, removes the unflattering black cladding from around the wheelarches.

It’s a similar story inside the cabin with the interior awash with bold angles and contours – there really is no impression at all that this is a direct relative to the VW ID.4 and Skoda Enyaq, a point hammered home by the dedicated climate control panel on the dash (good call, Audi!).

The cabin gets even better if the car’s fitted with the S-Line interior, which injects another layer of drama and ‘premium-ness’ to the ensemble.

It really does feel flash inside, the only obvious shortcoming being the hard plastics on the rear doors, but – to this author at least – that just translates to the car being kid-proof and easy to clean.

Despite the striking presentation, the vast majority of controls and interfaces are easy to use and cycle through on the fly, something that can’t be said for other, lesser, Volkswagen MEB-platform models.

We sampled every Q4 e-tron variant on the two-day media launch and all of them deliver an Audi-like drive, albeit in different ways – the single-motor 45s are more comfortable while the 55s up the performance ante with their dual-motor powertrain, all-wheel drive, progressive steering and sports suspension.

On paper then it sounds like the 55s would be the way to go if you’re into sporty driving, but there’s less in it than you might expect.

The 45s strike a great balance between ride comfort and agility and, thanks to being rear-drive, are actually quite a hoot to get stuck into on a twisty road, with more than enough grunt to shake the back end loose under power and enough chassis composure not to pitch, role, squat or wobble too much in the process.

The 55s meantime are more about point-to-point performance, with more direct steering, less body roll and noticeably more straight-line performance, but there is a trade-off for the extra agility (see below).

All versions offer great legroom for second-row passengers and decent headroom, though the SUVs predictably outdo the Sportbacks for the latter, even if the coupes somehow beat the five-doors for boot space (535 litres vs 520 litres).

While this is of course just our first taste of the 2025 Audi Q4 e-tron, there a couple of shortcomings that jumped out at us.

The most pressing was the braking system, which sees drums fitted at the rear instead of discs, something Audi defended valiantly by claiming drums are better for energy recuperation and that the rear motor’s regenerative capabilities offset the power deficit.

That’s a cool story, but drum brakes on a premium vehicle starting from 85 grand is simply unacceptable, no matter how humble its underpinnings or donor car.

They stop the vehicle okay in an emergency – we checked – but the pedal feel isn’t up to scratch with a long take-up, vague bite point and soft action, none of which fills you with confidence on the fly, especially downhill.

The next issue is the value equation of the 55 quattro twins, both of which command a six-figure outlay but don’t come with adaptive dampers as standard – or even as an option – leaving you to bounce and jiggle your way over country roads on the passive sports suspension and up to 21-inch wheels.

The ride isn’t brittle per say; it’s just on the wrong side of firm and undermines the flagships’ premium intent and heady asking price, especially when you remember there’s nothing you can do about it… but at least you get some sharp handling in return.

Other hiccups include the position and functionality of the drive mode button, which can be awkward to locate at the base of the dash and clunky to use on the move, while the Sportbacks’ spoiler splits the rear window into two parts, mildly impeding your view to the rear.

If you’re after a premium electric SUV that doesn’t cast a shadow comparable to a cruise ship or cost the same as a small mortgage, the 2025 Audi Q4 e-tron is a compelling option and interesting new addition to the market.

Based on our short first experience on local soil, the pick of the bunch is the Sportback 45 e-tron, owing to its sharp pricing, healthy 540km cruising range, acceptable performance and sexy design that’s backed up by a comfortable yet engaging drive.

If we were pulling the trigger, we’d be specifying the no-cost optional S-Line interior to nab the swisher steering wheel, sport seats and other trinketry to help match the cabin with the dynamic exterior.

As for the 55 e-tron quattros, they’re less convincing in that beyond the additional grunt and agility, they don’t offer enough of an equipment jump to justify the hefty price premium, and if drum rear brakes aren’t acceptable on an $85,000 vehicle, they have no place at all on one costing over $100K.

For now then, colour us intrigued, and we’re looking forward to pitching the Q4 e-tron against its rivals later this year.

2025 Audi Q4 e-tron at a glance:
Price: $84,900-$107,900 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Powertrain: Single permanent magnet synchronous motor, two asynchronous electric motors
Output: 210kW/545Nm (single-motor), 250kW (dual-motor)
Transmission: Single-speed reduction gear
Battery: 82kWh lithium-ion
Range: 488-540km (WLTP)
Energy consumption: 16.9-18.1kWh/100km
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2021)

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