Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron review

IS THE Q4 SPORTBACK REALLY IMPRACTICAL? 

Given the fastback-style roofline, you’d be forgiven for assuming the Q4 Sportback has a much smaller boot and far less space for rear-seat passengers than the standard Q4 SUV. But the reality isn’t so bad. 

Engineering witchcraft means that in terms of sheer capacity, the Sportback and SUV’s boots are practically the same size (though obviously the SUV's is a much more useful shape). With the rear-seats folded flat there’s only 30-litres in it. And as for the rear-seats – there’s acres of legroom and sufficient headroom even for those who stand 6ft tall. 

Elsewhere in the cabin there’s good storage around the centre console and handy bottle-holders in all four doors. 

ANY ANNOYING TECH? 

The Volkswagen ID.4 can be pretty irritating to operate thanks to the general lack of physical buttons and switches in its cabin and work-in-progress infotainment. The Skoda Enyaq rights a lot of the VW’s wrongs, but the Audi is better still. For starters it has physical climate controls you can operate independently of the touchscreen, which is a big plus for us. Then there’s the touchscreen itself – Audi’s normal setup, with quick-reactions, sharp graphics and plenty of features. 

At first glance the controls on the steering wheel look touch-sensitive. You can swipe up or down on the middle bits to increase/decrease the stereo volume (the new Sonos-branded system sounds great) or scroll through the ‘Virtual Cockpit’ instrument cluster’s menus, but the other buttons all need a proper push. Little ridges help you identify which button you’re hitting. 

DOES IT FEEL WELL MADE?

All Audis do. The Q4 Sportback’s cabin feels well-constructed from solid, expensive materials. On materials – you can specify eco-friendly upholstery made from recycled materials should you wish.