Used Audi Q4 e-tron buying guide: The posh one
Historically, the UK has always loved an Audi. With five of its current models all hitting five figures when it comes to brand new sales in 2026, it’s clear that the love affair is far from over between the British motorist and the Ingolstadt-based manufacturer.
Given that the Audi Q4 e-tron and SUV and its swoopy sibling, the Q4 e-tron Sportback, rank amongst some of the most popular pre-owned EVs around today, the love-in has clearly carried over to the used market, too
Introduced in 2021, the Audi Q4 e-tron rides on the Volkswagen Group’s electric-only MEB platform, which underpins the now-discontinued Volkswagen ID.4 and the ultra-successful Škoda Enyaq. Yet thanks to the brand cache that Audi’s four rings carry, the Q4 became the de facto posh one of the three.
Moreover, the Q4 marked a pivot for Audi’s electrification programme: it was the first electric-only model to succeed the e-tron SUV, a car that while handsome, was widely criticised for its poor range. Capable of up to 316 miles on a single charge, the Q4 e-tron showed that Audi could now compete with the best in the EV business.
While newer Audi fully-electric models such as the A6, Q6, and even the baby new A2 e-tron have the Q4 beaten for range and charging speeds, the first properly usable electric Audi remains a very good used EV.
Audi Q4 e-tron UK history
The Audi Q4 e-tron’s 2021 arrival opened a new and controversial chapter for Audi’s interior design.
While the Q4 e-tron’s cabin remains very much an Audi in terms of subdued monochromatic hues and a logical layout, Ingolstadt ditched the swathes of soft touch plastics and lovingly-knurled aluminium switchgear found on its previous cars in favour of a driver-focused 10.1-inch infotainment screen in the centre of the dashboard, and piano black aplenty across the centre console and inner door cards.
This switch from largely analogue to digital prompted ire amongst the Audi faithful. Do note, however, that each aluminium-trimmed piece of hardware would, according to automotive design critic, Christopher Butt, cost the firm at least “a few euros” to produce. Multiply that by thousands or even millions of units, and things soon add up. Not ideal when a car manufacturer is out – ultimately – to make a profit.
Nonetheless, the Q4 e-tron’s cabin is a well-built, spacious and easy-to-use affair. The centre console is huge with cubbyholes aplenty, along with two cupholders. Despite its well-cemented position as a premium carmaker, Audi hasn’t forgotten its practical, utilitarian roots with two specially-designed bottle holders in the doors.
Audi initially offered the Q4 e-tron with three power outputs: 35, 40, and 50. The 168bhp and 210bhp 35 and 40 were both rear-wheel-drive (RWD), while the 295bhp is the only one fitted with Audi’s celebrated all-wheel-drive (AWD) Quattro system.
In 2024, the Q4 e-tron underwent a mild facelift. A new drive unit introduced a more efficient motor. Additional updates to the steering and dampers improved weighting to return a more signature ‘Audi’ driving feel characterised by a balance of comfort and engagement.
The same facelift saw Audi drop the 35 moniker in favour of 40. The 282bhp 45 went on to replace the 40, and the 355bhp 55 superseded the 50. The fact that Audi refused to enter a horsepower arms race with Tesla and Chinese competitors is testament to the brand’s focus on usability and accessible power.
Used Audi Q4 e-tron equipment
The Audi Q4 e-tron is available in three trim levels: base-spec Sport, mid-tier S line, and range-topping Vorsprung.
Sport versions come with 19-inch alloy wheels, an electric tailgate, heated front sports seats, tri-zone climate control, and Audi’s MMI (Multi Media Interface) system. S line models add on sporty 20-inch alloys, a stiffer suspension, a brawny two-tone body kit, and tinted privacy glass.
The flagship Audi Q4 e-tron Vorsprung comes with a panoramic glass roof, 21-inch alloys, a Nappa leather cabin, additional driver safety features, and a Sonos sound system. An S line-based Black Edition is also available, featuring blacked out detailing inside and out. Edition 1 trims were also available during the car’s nascent days.
The 10.1-inch touchscreen is standard fit across the range, as is Audi’s Audi Drive Select system with three drive modes: Comfort, Auto, and Dynamic. Pre-2022 Q4 e-trons did not come with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto compatibility. Remember that.
Used Audi Q4 e-tron price, range, and running costs
Audi’s premium residuals mean that the Q4 e-tron retains a fair chunk of its value on the pre-owned market. On Autotrader, we found a total of 993 cars for sale, spanning from around £14,000 for an early Sport trim model to approximately £40,000 for a facelifted 2024 S line.
Using Audi’s official UK website, we came across 184 Q4 e-trons looking for new owners. The most affordable was a 2021 S line model priced at £20,000, while the most expensive was a £37,000 S line. For reference, cars built from 2024 and afterwards start at around £26,000 depending on mileage, trim level, and powertrain.
When it comes to buying any used or brand new car, you pays your money and makes your choice. However, we’d advise on spending a little more to buy from an official dealer for that extra piece of mind that having the backing of a nationwide dealer network brings.
Unusually for Audi, the battery naming system for the Q4 e-tron can get confusing. The pre-facelift entry-level 35 produces 168bhp from its rear-mounted single motor, while its 55kWh battery is capable of anything from 193 to 215 miles on a single charge. Mid-spec 40 versions get a 77kWh battery, which delivers from 294 to 316 miles of range, making it the longest-legged of the bunch. Like the 35, the 40 is rear-wheel drive.
The most powerful Q4 e-tron, the 50, gets a twin-motor AWD Quattro powertrain exclusive to S line cars and above. Its official range is between 278 miles and 298 miles. The 77kWh battery is shared with the 40, but the additional power comes at the expense of range.
When Audi facelifted the Q4 e-tron in 2024, the new base-spec 40 retained the same 55kWh battery pack as its predecessor. However, range increased significantly up to 250 miles for the SUV, and 258 miles for the Sportback.
How much the Audi Q4 e-tron costs to charge will depend entirely on whether you’re relying on public charging, or you have a dedicated EV home charging tariff. Using a home charging tariff can bring off-peak EV charging prices to as little as 7p/kWh. This means that a 35 model can cost as little as £3.85 to charge fully overnight, while big-batteried 77kWh versions are still cheaper than a fish supper at £5.39.
Given that public charging costs fluctuate from somewhere around 40p/kWh to 89p/kWh depending on network, charging speed, and any possible price-cutting subscription packages involved, frequently topping up the Q4 e-tron while out and about will be more expensive. EVs are no longer road tax exempt, meaning that all electrified vehicles registered after April 1, 2017, will be charged £200 in VED (Vehicle Excise Duty) or road tax each year.
Audi Q4 e-tron insurance
With premium badging comes premium prices, and the Q4 e-tron sits in the mid-to-higher insurance brackets. Sport models sit in group 26 from 50, while S line and Black Edition versions come under group 41.
The most expensive Audi Q4 e-tron to insure are group 43 Vorsprung models. For comparison, the mechanically similar Škoda Enyaq occupies insurance groups 22 to 37. Don’t forget that insurance costs will depend on where you live, your age, occupation, driving history, and whether you have on or off-street parking.
Used Audi A4 e-tron reliability, official recalls, and faults to look for
The Audi Q4 e-tron has been a mixed bag when it comes to reliability. While there are plenty of happy owners out there, others have faced various electrical problems such as touchscreen glitches, connectivity issues, and charging port flap failures.
As always, dealers were reported to be a mixed bag, and other issues have included un-Audi-like sticky pieces of trim around the cabin.
Over the last almost-six years, Audi UK has recalled the Q4 e-tron twice. The most recent was in May 2025, when seven units were recalled to remedy an Electronic Stabilisation Unit (ESU) failure via a software update. However, the February 2024 recall was more severe, when 17,397 cars were brought in for an Electronics Control Unit and another software update.
Using the Škoda Enyaq as a barometer once again, the Czech car finished ahead of the Q4 e-tron and the VW ID.4 in the latest What Car? reliability survey.
The ‘one to have’
Whatever Audi Q4 e-tron you choose, you’ll be buying into a well-built, good looking SUV that’s more than worthy of its badge.
If it were our money, though, we’d go for an S line 40 model. With up to 316 miles of range on tap, it’ll cover more miles than you need, and the styling enhancements make it a better looking proposition than the slightly dowdy Sport trim. Vorsprung cars are tempting, but do you really want any more intrusive ADAS systems? No. We didn’t think so.