Q4 e-tron

As of 2026 the Q4 45 e-tron lists at $84,900 and the 55 quattro at $105,900, before on-road costs. Both are manufacturer's recommended list prices, and they cover the two SUV-bodied grades sold here; sleeker Sportback versions of each sit slightly above them. The 45 is the one to note for tax reasons, because it falls under the luxury car tax threshold for electric vehicles, which also makes it eligible for the fringe benefits tax exemption on a novated lease. Drive-away pricing will vary by state once on-road costs are added.

On the WLTP cycle the rear-wheel-drive 45 e-tron claims 524km from its 82kWh battery, and the all-wheel-drive 55 e-tron quattro claims 488km. The cheaper car goes further because the quattro's second motor adds weight and drag. Both figures are laboratory numbers, so expect less in the real world, particularly on the highway and in cold weather, but the 45 in particular is competitive for a premium compact electric SUV. If maximum range matters most, the entry 45 is the pick of the two.

For most buyers the rear-drive 45 e-tron is the clear pick. It is the cheapest Q4, has the longest range, and sits under the tax threshold that lifts the fringe benefits tax break into play. The 55 e-tron quattro is the one to consider if you regularly drive on loose or slippery surfaces, want the quicker 5.4-second sprint, or need the extra 200kg of braked towing. Be aware that as of 2026 the quattro's $105,900 list price is about twenty-one thousand dollars above the 45's $84,900 and gives up range, which pushes it uncomfortably close to the larger Q6 e-tron.

Every Australian Q4 e-tron charges at up to 175kW on a DC fast charger. Audi says that is good for a 10 to 80 per cent top-up in about 28 minutes under ideal conditions. On AC the car accepts up to 11kW, so a three-phase home wallbox will fill it overnight. The Q4 uses a 400-volt electrical architecture, which is competitive but no longer class-leading: 800-volt rivals such as the Hyundai Ioniq 5 can add charge faster. For most owners who charge mainly at home, the difference matters less than the headline suggests.

The Q4 e-tron is rated to tow 1000kg braked in rear-drive 45 form and 1200kg in the all-wheel-drive 55 quattro. That is enough for a small box trailer, a pair of bikes or a light camper trailer, but it rules out most caravans, which is worth knowing if towing is central to your plans. The tow-ball download is capped at 75kg, a deliberately low figure typical of this electric platform rather than an error. Towing also cuts range noticeably, as it does on any electric vehicle.

The Q4 e-tron carries a five-star ANCAP safety rating dated 2021, valid until December 2027 and applying to all variants. It scored 93 per cent for adult occupant protection and 89 per cent for child occupant protection, both strong results, with 71 per cent for safety assist and a softer 66 per cent for vulnerable road user protection. Autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring and eight airbags, including a front-centre airbag, are standard across the range. On safety it is a well-equipped car.