2025 Audi Q4 e-tron Second Take: A Refined Balance of Luxury and Everyday Usability

While it’s not the sportiest EV, the 2025 Audi Q4 E-Tron has an appealingly refined look and feel. The 2025 Audi Q4 E-Tron is a small electric SUV that competes with the Genesis GV60, Tesla Model Y, and Volvo XC40 Recharge. It’s an increasingly appealing choice now that it has more power and a longer range estimate. The 2025 Audi Q4 E-Tron scores well for features, safety, and refinement, if not excitement. Following a revamp last year, a digital instrument cluster and navigation are now standard on all versions of the Q4 E-Tron. Additionally, Audi quietly tweaked the Q4 E-Tron for more power last year, which results in quicker acceleration. The new battery pack also improves range. The Q4 E-Tron comes in two basic configurations: one with an SUV-like profile and one called Sportback that has sleeker lines.

Audi’s entry-level EV looks just much like one of the brand’s gas-fueled models. It’s pleasant enough, with standard Audi lines that definitely don’t stand out in comparison to the rest of the automaker’s models. Audi has two different Q4 E-Tron bodies: a conventional crossover SUV model and one with a sleek roofline that it calls Sportback. Up front, they have a soft, Q3-esque front end with a big shield-like grille, which is mostly a facade since there’s not much to cool here. The Q4 E-Tron looks more like the brand’s Q5 from the side with its subtly flared haunches. At the rear, it’s all wrapped up with crisp, simple taillights. The E-Tron Sportback is a bit off an odd duck, though, with its weird split rear window.

The 2025 Audi Q4 E-Tron is refined, but not especially fun. Audi’s Q4 E-Tron is quiet and serene, but light on driving thrills. Versions of the Q4 E-Tron marked 55 have a second motor on the front axle that gives them all-wheel drive. The base Q4 E-Tron is rear-wheel drive, though. It’s adequate in base form and reasonably peppy as a 55. The base 45 version has a single 288-hp electric motor, while the 55 has a second motor for a total of 335 hp, though its range is shorter. That said, the dual-motor version can zip from 0-60 mph in less than six seconds.

Where the Q4 E-Tron shines is in its refinement. It’s downright silent inside, with only a distant hum from the electric motor(s). The suspension quietly takes in bumps, which is something we can’t necessarily say about many of its archrivals. The Q4 E-Tron can have as many as five drive modes, though we’d stick with the standard Auto mode. This EV has a firm but comfortable enough ride, even with the available 20-inch wheels. It doesn’t lean much in corners, but it’s not nimble and its steering has a distant, disconnected feel. It’s like Audi figured nobody would use a Q4 E-Tron for anything other than commuting.

The Q4’s regenerative braking works well enough, though there’s no one-pedal mode. Paddles mounted to the steering wheel modulate the amount of regenerative braking, though. And, if you look closely, you’ll see that the Q4 E-Tron uses drum brakes out back. They’re not necessarily worse than disc brakes given EVs don’t have the same kind of braking requirements as gas-fueled vehicles, but they still look a bit cheap behind those big 19-inch wheels.

While efficient, the 2025 Audi Q4 E-Tron’s range estimates are modest. Audi estimates a 258-mile range for the Q4 E-Tron and 288 miles for the Q4 E-Tron 45. Those estimates still trail class leaders, but they’re a couple dozen miles better than last year’s model—with more power, to boot. Audi estimates DC fast-charging at a public charger to be able to juice up a Q4 E-Tron from 10 to 80% in just 28 minutes, which is pretty quick. The 55 model now has a maximum charging capacity of 175 kw, a 25-kw increase from before.

The 2025 Audi Q4 E-Tron has a good crash-test record. The Q4 E-Tron earned a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Those features include automatic emergency braking, active lane control, and adaptive cruise control. A surround-view camera is included on higher-end versions, as are an augmented reality head-up display and matrix LED headlights. Rearward vision isn’t great in either body style, though. Those big roof pillars out back could practically block a semi.

Inside, the Q4 E-Tron is Audi-typical, with reasonably good control organization and nice materials. The look is modern, with a 10.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an 11.6-inch touchscreen canted toward the driver that sits above a panel of climate controls. The gear and drive mode buttons on the center console take up a lot of real estate, though. A small bin would have been nice there. Audi offers several interior hues on each trim level, which is a nice touch compared to rivals with more restrictive design choices.

The 2025 Audi E-Tron has a comfy, reasonably spacious cabin. Audi is great at interiors, and it didn’t skimp on the Q4 E-Tron. This model earns an 8 on the TCC scale thanks to  its comfortable seats, impressive materials, and good cargo space. One thing the Q4 E-Tron inherits from the VW ID.4 is its well-wrought cabin, which has plenty of space up front and a decent rear seat with around 37 inches of legroom. The standard panoramic sunroof cuts into headroom more than we’d like, though the Sportback isn’t much different. 

The Q4 has a luxury-appropriate interior with standard leather upholstery and available wood trim that fit our expectations for a traditional luxury model. Top-end versions have acoustic glass, too, which makes an already fairly quiet small SUV nearly silent at speed. Where the Sportback is actually better than the standard model is in its overall cargo capacity. It has about 26 cubic feet of luggage space, compared to 25 cubes for the base model. That’s because the Sportback’s tailgate bows out slightly, which opens up a bit more space. There’s no frunk here, though.

The 2025 Audi Q4 E-Tron is well-equipped for its class. Audi fits a fair amount of features to its Q4 E-Tron range, including standard leather upholstery, a power liftgate, a big panoramic sunroof, a 10.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and an 11.6-inch touchscreen for infotainment with navigation and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. It also includes good crash-avoidance tech in base configuration for $51,095, or $56,495 for the dual-motor version. The mid-level Premium Plus trim adds parking sensors, a hands-free power liftgate, auto-dimming mirrors, acoustic glass, a power-adjustable front passenger seat, and a wireless charging pad. If you can’t live without those features, it’s not a bad buy. The Q4 E-Tron Sportback comes only in 55 form. Outfitted in Prestige trim with matrix LED headlights, a Sonos audio system, and a heated windshield, it costs around $66,000 to start. Audi’s 4-year/50,000-mile warranty is nothing special by luxury standards, though.

The 2025 Audi Q4 e-tron solidifies its position as one of the most well-rounded luxury electric SUVs in the market. It delivers the premium design and craftsmanship Audi is known for, wrapped in a practical, compact SUV package that appeals to a broad range of buyers. With strong performance, smooth ride quality, and confident handling, it makes daily driving feel effortless, while its modern cabin, advanced technology, and high-quality materials reinforce its luxury credentials. Add in respectable driving range, competitive charging capabilities, and a suite of standard safety features, and the Q4 e-tron becomes a compelling choice for those ready to transition to an EV without compromise. For drivers who want a blend of sophistication, comfort, and sustainability, the 2025 Audi Q4 e-tron strikes an excellent balance and proves that electric luxury can also be practical.