Audi Q4 e-tron updated for 2022 with faster charging and improved connectivity

Audi has made a series of upgrades to its Q4 e-tron and Q4 Sportback e-tron electric SUVs for the 2022 model year. The 77kWh battery variants get faster rapid-charging speeds, boosted from 125kW to 135kW. This is said to shave approximately 10 and five minutes respectively off the fastest possible 5-80% top-up time of the 50 e-tron quattro and 40 e-tron quattro versions.

On the connectivity front, Amazon Alexa is now integrated with the cars' Audi connect infotainment system, letting owners manage their calendar or shopping list by voice commands, as well as control compatible smart home devices from the car. Individual user profiles in the car, last-mile navigation options, and expanded app functions on the car's status and parked position have also been added.

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Performance, top speed & acceleration

The top-of-the-range 50 e-tron quattro uses two electric motors, giving a total output of 295bhp. The front motor is only used when more grip is required, or under full throttle. The top speed of variants with this powertrain is limited to 112mph. The rear-drive Q4 35 produces 168bhp from a single rear-mounted electric motor and will do 0-62mph in nine seconds. The more powerful 201bhp Q4 40 still uses a single electric motor, but cuts the 0-62mph time to 8.5 seconds. Models with these powertrains are limited to 99mph.

Range and charging

The Q4 e-tron and Q4 e-tron Sportback are available with either a 52 or 77kWh battery. The basic Q4 35 e-tron uses the smaller battery and is capable of 208 miles on a single charge, depending on which trim level you select. The same is true for the Q4 40 e-tron and top-of-the-range Q4 50 e-tron quattro, which can cover between 294-316 miles and 279-294 miles respectively on a charge thanks to their larger 77kWh batteries.

Entry-level Q4 35 e-trons are capable of 100kW rapid charging, as well as charging from a home wallbox at speeds up to 7.2kW. The Q4 40 e-tron quattro and Q4 50 e-tron quattro are both capable of charging at up to 135kW from a public rapid charger, or at up to 11kW from a wallbox if your home has three-phase electricity. From a rapid charger, you can add 80 miles of range in 10 minutes, or go from 5-80% in circa 30 minutes.

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Interior, technology and practicality

The Q4 e-tron gets a fully digital interior, which isn’t surprising when you look inside other modern Audis and electric SUVs like the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Polestar 2 and Tesla Model Y. Sportier Q4 S line models get seats made using the equivalent of 26 recycled plastic bottles. Audi’s optional augmented reality (AR) head-up display superimposes navigation arrows and safety warnings onto your view out the windscreen. 

The regular Q4 e-tron has 520 litres of boot space and a maximum load capacity of 1,490 litres with the 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats lowered. Meanwhile, the coupe-style Q4 e-tron Sportback has a 535-litre boot, with up to 1,460 litres on offer when the rear seats are folded down.

Trim levels, specs and standard equipment

The Q4 e-tron comes with a 10.25-inch 'Virtual Cockpit' driver's display, an 11.6-inch main screen, LED headlights, a powered tailgate, heated front seats and safety systems such as road-sign recognition.

Both bodystyles are available in four trim levels. Sport is the entry level, coming with 19-inch aerodynamic alloys for reduced drag, as well as the 11.6-inch infotainment display and 10.25-inch digital driver’s display. Above Sport is S line, which adds 20-inch alloy wheels, more aggressive front and rear bumpers and sports suspension. It also gets a sports steering wheel, black headliner and sports seats.

Finally there's Vorsprung – a top-of-the-line variant with 21-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic sunroof and some extra safety systems like blind-spot monitoring and side assist. Inside, Vorsprung features Nappa leather sports seats, an upgraded Sonos audio system and wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto connectivity.

Several option packs are also available, including the ‘comfort and sound pack’, which adds a reversing camera and premium sound system. There’s also the ‘technology pack’, which includes the augmented-reality head-up display and wireless smartphone charging, and the ‘safety pack plus’, which adds side assistance with exit warning and rear cross-traffic assistance. Adaptive shock absorbers with damper control are also available, along with a heat pump for reducing energy used to heat the interior