Audi Q4 e-tron review: interior, dashboard & infotainment
There’s lot of choice when it comes to Q4 e-tron trim levels and options, but all models come with a slick infotainment system and the German brand’s excellent Virtual Cockpit
Superior interior and build quality is one attribute that Audi has excelled at over the years, and the Q4 e-tron is no different. For some, it may even be the deciding factor between this car and its rivals from BMW, Mercedes and Tesla. Thankfully, the cabin doesn’t disappoint, with a driver-focused cockpit that's well laid out, as well an interior that overall feels spacious, airy and well put-together.
Audi Q4 e-tron dashboard
Like many electric cars, including the Volkswagen ID.4 and Skoda Enyaq iV that the Q4 e-tron shares its platform with, Audi’s latest SUV features a minimalist dashboard. But the Q4 does have physical buttons for the climate control and some other functions below it on a 'floating' panel that also houses the gear selector.
For some, that may represent a return to the dark ages, but others will find it easier than the touch-sensitive sliding bars used in Volkswagen's ID models. There are high-quality materials all around the Q4's cabin, with a soft and squishy finish on top of the dashboard in particular. There are just a few harder plastics on the door inserts and the area around the gear shifter. Generally, the cabin feels broadly similar to petrol-powered Audis, which is no bad thing, but is even more refined with so little engine noise to endure.
Equipment, options & accessories
The Audi Q4 e-tron is offered in three trim levels – Sport, S line and Black Edition – with each compatible with any one of the car's trio of powertrain options.
Sport is the entry point into the range and features 19-inch aerodynamic alloy wheels for reduced drag, LED headlights, a powered tailgate, heated front seats, keyless go, an 11.6-inch touchscreen, plus a 10.25-inch Virtual Cockpit instrument panel. You also get safety kit like adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, front and rear parking sensors and a reversing camera as standard. With all this kit as standard, we see little reason to upgrade to higher-spec models, unless you pine after something with a sportier appearance.
Above that is S line, which adds 20-inch alloys, more aggressive front and rear bumpers and sports suspension. It also gets a black headliner, leather sports seats and 40:20:40 folding rear seats – the rear bench in base cars only splits 60:40. The new-for-2023 Black Edition builds on the S line spec with larger 21-inch wheels, a gloss black exterior styling pack and a hexagonal sports steering wheel.
Three main option packs are available on the Q4 e-tron: the Technology Pack and the Technology Pack Pro . Costing around £1,500, the Technology Pack adds Matrix LED headlights, an upgraded SONOS sound system, a wireless phone charging pad and a couple more USB-C charging ports. Step up further to the Technology Pack Pro and, in addition to what’s offered by the standard Tech Pack, you get a clever augmented reality head-up display, a panoramic sunroof, a gesture-controlled powered bootlid and a 360-degree camera system. This costs around £5,000 extra.
Buyers can also spec a heat pump for around £1,000 for more efficient heating of the cabin during winter months – a worthy addition if you ask us – while the 360-degree camera can be added for just over £500 if you’re not fussed by the bundle of extra kit in the Technology Pack Pro.
Another interesting option is e-tron Sport Sound at £625 which adds four dedicated speakers (two inside and two outside) that broadcast a simulated 'engine' noise. It might help with pedestrian safety at low speeds but we really aren't sure the extra whining adds much to the driving experience.
Infotainment, apps & sat nav
At launch all Q4 e-trons featured a 10.1-inch central touchscreen, but that’s since been upgraded to an 11.6-inch display for all new models. The Q4 e-tron’s Virtual Cockpit driver's display is unchanged though at 10.25 inches, with wireless Apple CarPlay also standard. Android Auto is fitted too, but you need to plug your phone in to use it.
The home page displays eight large tiles for the main menus, which can be customised to suit your preferences, while one quick swipe to the left reveals three larger widgets. Audi’s 'MMI' operating system is one of the slickest in the business and far superior to the soon-to-be-upgraded one in the Volkswagen ID.4 in particular. In fact, it’s one of the key ways the Q4 e-tron can justify the price jump over its Skoda and VW counterparts.
The built-in navigation uses Google satellite graphics which look fantastic and loading times are fairly quick. Our one gripe with this setup is the displays aren’t quite as razor-sharp as those you’ll find in a Mercedes or Tesla, but they’re impressive nonetheless.
