SPORT- ELECTRIFIED(some text hidden)

By Jonathan Crouch

Ten Second Review word count: 101

The Q4 e-tron is an important model for Audi, so important that Ingolstadt feels the need to create two distinct variants, this Q4 Sportback e-tron derivative being the more dynamic-looking one. Like its standard counterpart, it's built on the Volkswagen Group MEB chassis for volume all-electric cars, but pushes the boundaries of that platform in terms of the premium prices being charged here for the size of car delivered. Still, you certainly get a very up-market feel that'll help ease you into your new electrified phase of motoring ownership. That objective's helped by this second update, with its substantially upgraded cabin.

Background word count: 234

The Q4 e-tron line-up has performed better than Audi might have dared hope in the UK. For much of its life here, it's been Britain's second best-selling EV and the update package that boosted this car's appeal two years after launch worked a treat for Ingolstadt, netting 17,465 UK sales in 2024, a large proportion of them being of this sleeker-looking Sportback variant. Sales have slowed since though, hence the need for a second update package, announced in Spring 2026. You're probably already familiar with the standard Q4 e-tron model; it's Audi's entrant at the posher end of the over-crowded mid-sized EV segment, giving a more premium sheen to VW Group engineering duplicated by more affordable EV crossovers like the Volkswagen ID.4 and the Skoda Enyaq. Those two cars offer customers the option of having a sportier-looking body shape - in the form of the Volkswagen ID.5 and the Skoda Enyaq Coupe. And it's those two coupe-like SUV rivals that are targeted most closely by this Q4 Sportback e-tron. This slightly more aspirational body style is also probably the Q4 alternative you'd consider if you were looking at two other identically-engineered MEB-platformed models in this segment, the CUPRA Tavascan and the Ford Capri. So lots of shared bits feature here, but Audi insists that it's put its own stamp on the way this model drives and feels - especially in this further updated form.

Driving Experience word count: 348

With this further Q4 Sportback e-tron update, the car benefits from the VW Group's latest torquier and more efficient APP350 motor. Its power output depends on the size of battery you choose. As before, things kick off with a 63kWh (net) battery model offering 204PS, which in Sportback form now goes 18 miles further on a charge than the equivalent pre-facelift Q4 Sportback 40 e-tron SUV - think about 279 miles. Performance in the base Q4 Sportback e-tron isn't especially rapid (0-62mph in 8.1s en route to 99mph). Ideally though, you'd stretch to the larger 83kWh (net) battery most Q4 Sportback e-tron customers choose. This comes with a choice of two powertrains. Most will be looking at the Q4 Sportback e-tron 'performance' model, which like the base version also has a rear-driven single motor, in this case putting out 286PS, and makes up to 377 miles between charges (up from 348 miles previously). Your other option with the 83kWh battery is the twin motor 'quattro performance' top variant, which puts out 340PS and makes 346 miles between charges. That's between 10-20 miles better than the equivalent pre-facelift model, depending on the spec you choose. With the 'quattro performance', the 62mph sprint can be dispatched in just 5.4s on the way to 112mph. Towing capacity for the 'quattro performance' version has been improved as part of this update - to 1,800kg. All the range figures we've given by the way, are for the Q4 Sportback e-tron body shape; you'll get about 10 miles less range with the chunkier SUV version. Otherwise, things are much as before with this Audi. As previously, there's the option of what Ingolstadt calls a 'character sound' powertrain soundtrack, which is offered as an option and varies according to load and speed. This Q4's pretty straightforward to get to grips with behind the wheel. You select drive using a slider-type shifter situated on the centre console and once underway, there's the kind of instant throttle response you'd usually get from an EV of this sort. The rear-driven versions have an impressively tight urban turning circle.