Road Test: 2024 Audi Q4 55 E-tron Quattro

European Premium Electrical Compact SUV

Proper-sized for metropolis driving or taking a longer-range street journey, the 2024 Audi This autumn 55 E-tron Quattro holds its personal towards all different premium electrical compact SUVs.

It was all-new in 2022, however has obtained upgrades for 2024, together with extra energy and driving vary, refined steering and suspension, and quicker charging.

Getting There

Straight-line efficiency zips the 4,850-pound This autumn E-tron 0-60 mph in 5.0 seconds. With Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive system, the twin electrical motors (entrance and rear) produce 335 horsepower and 402 pound-feet of torque for even and clean acceleration, with on the spot torque at any pace going by means of a single pace transmission. Tromp the appropriate pedal and the linear acceleration is unaffected by gear shifts as a result of there are none. The This autumn E-tron has Audi Drive Choose with 5 driver-selectable drive modes–Effectivity, Consolation, Auto, Dynamic and Particular person, with every adjusting the steering really feel to supply a special driving expertise.

The EPA charges the 2024 Audi This autumn 55 E-tron Quattro at a 258-mile electrical driving vary. That is about what we noticed in our 160 miles driving round Southern California, the place our effectivity was 3.1 miles per kWh, aided in-part by the automobile’s 0.28 coefficient of drag.

The This autumn E-tron performs easily on the freeway and round city, the place the progressive, speed-dependent energy help steering made each straightforward. The steering was simply heavy sufficient for good street suggestions, however not a lot that you just wanted to muscle it by means of a nook.

The 255/40 Bridgestone Alenza all-season tires, mounted on 21-inch 5-Y-spoke design wheels, gripped effectively and have been quiet on the freeway. When outfitted with the trailer hitch ($650 choice), towing is rated at 2,650 kilos.

Nathan Hoyt, product communications supervisor at Audi, advised us: “It’s not meant to be a sports activities automobile by any means, it’s raison d’etre could be very a lot “approachable, premium electrification, to make the automobile participating and interesting to on a regular basis drivers.”

Charging

The 82 kWh battery prices 3 ways. Most homeowners will set up a 240-volt Stage 2 charger that with the 11.0 kW on-board charger, will take between 7.5 and 9 hours for full cost. Utilizing a DC Quick Charger (at 175 kW) the time for a 10-to-80-percent cost drops to twenty-eight minutes. Unique homeowners obtain as much as 250 kWh over two years of free quick charging by means of Electrify America. In an emergency, a standard 120-volt family outlet will recharge 0-One hundred pc in about 80 hours.

It is very important notice chilly climate can have an effect on the charging time and driving vary. To handle this, Audi has outfitted the This autumn E-tron with a warmth pump that pre and post-conditions the battery to an optimum temperature to maximise charging.

Regenerative Recharging

Regenerative charging is the place kinetic power is transformed into electrical energy when braking or coasting. The method of the motors slowing is managed with paddles on the steering wheel. The This autumn E-tron doesn’t have full one-pedal driving, the place the SUV comes to an entire cease with out touching the brake. It does gradual to a creep, at which level the Auto Maintain function will maintain the This autumn E-tron stationary without having to press on the brake.

Refined Cabin

The Audi’s inside house is spectacular and refined, with an consideration to element. The look is basic German, i.e., not ostentatious or stylish. Our inside was Parchment Beige with Metal Grey stitching; the dashboard and carpet is black and the headliner is grey to match the seat stitching. The usage of comfortable supplies, pure wooden inlay, brushed aluminum and gloss black trim have a unified and complementary look.

Audi hasn’t executed away with all buttons and different switchgear, however a lot of the controls are both on the heated leather-wrapped steering wheel or by touching the 11.6-inch multi-media interface (MMI) touchscreen. The training curve was quick to change between maps, music playlists and automobile settings. The ten.5-inch digital instrument cluster options conventional giant spherical gauges with white numbers on a black background. Toggling-through the choices permits you to see a big selection of screens that present the state-of-charge, speedometer with an effectivity meter and different useful data. The menus have been straightforward to study and didn’t require going by means of a number of screens to search out what you might be on the lookout for.

A decrease display screen is the read-out for the three-zone automated local weather system. There’s a fourth display screen of the configurable augmented actuality head-up show that tasks an assortment of data simply above the steering wheel on the windshield.

Our This autumn E-tron got here with a encompass view digicam, adaptive cruise management and the Sonos premium sound system with FM/SiriusXM radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There was no AM radio, however there was wi-fi cellphone charging and USB-C ports entrance and rear, in addition to a 12V outlet for the backseat passengers.

The entrance seats, lined in comfortable leather-based, have been supportive and power-everything together with driver and passenger lumbar. The rear seats supply loads of leg, head and shoulder room for 2 adults, three for shorter journeys. The great thing about an electrical automobile is the flat ground makes for distinctive leg room for the rear passengers.

The panoramic sunroof has an influence shade, and the facility raise gate’s kick function labored higher than most we’ve got tried not too long ago. The cargo space goes from 24.8 cubic ft with the rear seat upright, to 53.1 cubic ft with the rear 40:20:40 seat folded down. Inside storage is discovered within the doorways, underneath the cargo space ground and the floating console. Alas, there isn’t any frunk (entrance trunk).

Selection of Exterior Designs

There are two fashions–the This autumn E-tron and This autumn Sportback E-tron, with the latter being extra aerodynamic with a fastback roofline in comparison with the previous that has a extra standard SUV form.

Shade decisions start with Pebble Grey that comes with no cost, whereas the metallic finishes of Mythos Black, Navarra Blue, and what we drove, Glacier White, are all accessible for a further $595. Choosing a premium colour is a small funding if feeling good about showing-off and using round in your This autumn E-tron are vital.

The Status package deal included head and taillight animation, Matirix-design LED headlights, an alarm system with movement detectors, heated auto-dimming exterior mirrors and a heated windshield.

Security and Guarantee

The E-Tron comes with an in depth normal and non-obligatory listing of superior driver help methods (ADAS), together with eight airbags, ahead collision warning and avoidance help, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure and blind-spot warning, digital stability and traction management, together with 4 wheel anti-lock brakes and a tire stress monitoring system.

The 2024 Audi This autumn E-tron has earned 5 Stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), its highest security ranking. The Insurance coverage Institute of Freeway Security (IIHS) has not examined the 2024 mannequin, however gave the 2023 Q4 e-tron its highest ranking of High Security Choose+.

The This autumn E-tron comes with these warranties:

• New Automobile – 4 years/50,000 miles
• Battery – Eight years/100,000 miles
• Upkeep – One 12 months/10,000 miles        
• Roadside Help – 4 years/Limitless miles 
• Corrosion – 12 years/Limitless miles

Pricing

Out there in two fashions, these are the bottom costs that embrace the necessary $1,195 vacation spot cost.

This autumn 55 e-tron                  $56,395

This autumn Sportback 55 e-tron  $59,395

Clear Fleet Report drove the 2024 Audi Q 55 4 E-tron quattro. With $9,545 in choices and the $1,195 vacation spot cost, it introduced the entire value to $65,940.

Word: Beneath the Inflation Reduction Act, the MSRP of electrical automobiles should be $80,000 or much less for SUVs, vans and vehicles. All different electrical automobiles should be $55,000 or much less. However, there are different caveats and restrictions to qualify for a federal tax credit score, or a state tax credit score, so communicate together with your CPA earlier than visiting an Audi supplier.

Observations: 2024 Audi This autumn 55 4 E-tron Quattro

The straightforward and clear design of the 2024 Audi This autumn 55 E-tron Quattro implies that for years to come back it won’t look dated. Now in its third 12 months, the upgrades and enhancements make both the This autumn 55 E-tron or This autumn 55 Sportback E-tron fascinating premium electrical SUVs. The outside is simple and fashionable, and the inside is a spot it would be best to spend time.

The all-electric compact SUV class is getting extra crowded on a regular basis, with the This autumn 55 E-tron going through competitors from the Kia EV6 GT, Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, Ford Mustang Mach-E GT, Tesla Mannequin Y Efficiency, Lexus RZ 450e, Acura ZDX, Volkswagen ID4 AWD, Volvo XC40 Recharge, Polestar 2 AWD, Nissan Ariya, Mercedes EQB SUV, BMW iX3 and shortly the Cadillac Optiq. Hyperlinks to extra particulars on these rivals follows this text.

So how will the This autumn 55 E-tron Quattro match up? Go to your native Audi supplier, take a prolonged check drive, and tell us in the event you agree it does simply high quality towards the competitors.

Be certain that to opt-in to the Clean Fleet Report publication (prime proper of web page) to be notified of all new tales and automobile critiques.

Story by John Faulkner. Photographs by John Faulkner and Audi.

What We Know Concerning the Competitors (in alphabetical order):

Flash Drive: 2024 Acura ZDX

Information: BMW iX3 Spotted

Information: 2025 Cadillac Optiq

Highway Take a look at: Ford Mustang Mach-E GT

Flash Drive: 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N

Highway Take a look at: 2024 Kia EV6 GT

Flash Drive: 2023 Lexus RZ 450e

Information: 2023 Nissan Ariya

Flash Drive: 2024 Polestar 2 AWD

Highway Take a look at: 2024 Volkswagen ID4 Pro AWD

Highway Take a look at: 2023 Volvo C40 Rcharge