[Auto] New Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback 2021 review

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Verdict Most people will choose the Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron for the way it looks. But the big news here is that if you want the sleek styling of a coupe SUV but aren’t prepared to compromise when it comes to space or practicality, then this Tesla Model Y-rival comes alarmingly close to being a zero compromise family car. Roomy, good to drive and built like an Audi should be, the Q4 Sportback will tick a lot of boxes for a lot of people.The idea of a coupe SUV is nothing new. BMW has been doing it for decades, and even mainstream manufacturers like Renault have had a decent crack at the whip in recent years.Audi, too, has launched its fair share of sleek SUVs in its time. But where others suffer with regards to headroom or boot space, the designers in Ingolstadt have repeatedly managed to navigate around the supposedly inevitable compromises when it comes to packaging and practicality. The e-tron Sportback is a perfect example of this – though its sheer size probably plays a part here. The smaller Q3 Sportback is another, however, boasting that characteristic coupe roofline without severe detriment for those sitting in the back. Now it’s the turn of the Q4 e-tron. On paper, the Sportback is actually more practical than the conventional SUV; measured to the parcel shelf, the coupe’s boot stands at 535 litres – 15 litres more than the normal Q4. Fold the seats down and the standard SUV has the advantage, though not by much; 1,490 litres plays 1,460 litres. There’s space under the floor to store the charge cables, too. You might expect rear-seat practicality to suffer, but Audi’s designers have once again managed to be creative here – carving space out of the roof to ensure there’s enough room even for those approaching six-foot. There isn’t surplus headroom for taller passengers, but knee and legroom is very generous indeed. From the B-pillar forward, you get the very same cabin you’ll find in the standard Q4 e-tron. It feels markedly more plush than the Volkswagen ID.4 on which it shares its platform with. The central screen is integrated into the dash rather than being perched on top of it, and it works well, with a row of separate buttons for the climate control underneath.Quality is very good, doing enough to elevate the Q4 above its Volkswagen Group siblings – justifying its premium in the process. Speaking of which, prices start from £41,535 for the Q4 e-tron Sportback 35 in Sport trim – £1,500 more than the equivalent Q4 e-tron SUV.Sport models get a long list of kit, and as such, it’s the trim level we’d recommend. Entry-level versions come with LED lights, 19-inch wheels, a 10.1-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus Audi’s terrific Virtual Cockpit dials. Aside from the sports suspension, tweaks for S line models are mainly visual, bringing bigger wheels and sportier bumpers, as well as privacy glass and brushed aluminium trim.

 

 

Ignoring the limited-run Edition 1, Vorsprung variants top the range. These models get a panoramic roof, Matrix LED lights, electrically-adjustable seats and a head-up display, plus bigger digital dials, a premium stereo and various driver aids.

Link: https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/audi/q4-e-tron/355338/new-audi-q4-e-tron-sportback-2021-review