Review
Q STARTS HERE
Audi Q4 is a Greta-friendly family SUV stuffed with tech, classy cabin and only needs weekly charging
IT’S going to cost the Government a fortune to get Britain ready for 2030.
Boris is probably thinking: “I know — let’s dip into the money we make from speeding fines.”
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But he won’t be able to. Because the minute the UK goes completely electric, no one is going to get caught speeding on a motorway again.
As I’ve found out every time I’ve driven an electric car up and down the M1, the faster you go, the quicker you eat range.
So no one is going to get near the speed limit, let alone risk breaking it, to avoid having to stop to power up.
True story: I had 186 miles to go in this Audi Q4 e-tron and exactly 186 miles of charge left in the battery.
I was so petrified of missing the footie, I set the cruise control at 67.5mph and cracked open a window (air con bleeds range too).
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It was looking just about achievable for most of the way.
But then I got snarled up behind a wide load on the A42 for half an hour . . . and actually gained miles.
To cut a long story short, I got home with fives miles left in the tank. If I’d gone any faster, I wouldn’t have made it.
Lessons learned?
Two things.
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First, it proved this car’s range is genuine — if you drive super-sensibly.
Other EVs don’t do the numbers promised.
Secondly, and just as pleasingly, it felt like a proper Audi.
Shut your ears and you wouldn’t notice any difference.
By that, I mean beautifully-appointed cabin, the right mix of looks and logical design, and you can just sense the engineering excellence working hard in the background to keep things calm, relaxed and quiet.
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It’s a lovely place to be.
While the Volkswagen ID4, the Q4’s sister, is minimalist and a bit soulless, this feels more like a car — an EV for people who still like to drive rather than be transported about in a torch.
At this point, I should also say the Q4 is like the Tardis inside.
Same footprint as a Q3 but with the interior space of a Q5.
By September, the Q4 will be joined by the swoopy Q4 Sportback.
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Less rear space but more looks.
Now, let’s talk prices.
Some say the base Q4 (52kWh battery) is expensive at £41k.
And they are right.
It is a fair chunk more than the equivalent ID4 or Skoda Enyaq.
Others say it’s a bargain compared to the XL-sized e-tron SUV or a Volvo XC40 Recharge.
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Either way, it’s the cheapest electric Audi you can get right now and only a bit more on PCP, right?
It makes even more sense as a company car with all the tax benefits.
That’s why Audi is confident the Q4 will quickly become its second best-selling car in the UK after the A3.
A bold statement — but I think they might be right.
The Q4 ticks all the boxes.
It’s a Greta-friendly family SUV stuffed with tech, classy cabin, familiar looks, drives nicely and only needs charging once a week.
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But most of all, it has those alluring four rings on the steering wheel.
This, my friends, is the electric car you were waiting for.
Of course, all EVs have a wicked streak — instant torque — which means they can charge off into the distance at a rate of knots when required.
My test car, the rear-drive Q4 Sport, has more than enough punch for most people.
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But Audi will also sell you a 299hp Q4 quattro (super-sticky electric four-wheel drive) that boxes off the 0-62mph sprint in just 6.2 seconds and has a higher top speed.
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More money at £51k, a bit less range . . . and you’re more likely to get zapped by a speed camera.
Over to you.
Key facts: Audi Q4 E-Tron Sport
Price: £44,990
Battery: 77kWh
Power: 204hp, 310Nm
0-62mph: 8.5 secs
Top speed: 99mph
Range: 316 miles
CO2: 0g/km
Rivals: VW ID4, Skoda Enyaq, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Volvo XC40 Recharge
Out: Now
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