With its Q3 and Q5 Sportback models, Audi slightly differentiates the suspension feel with base variants but there's none of that here, so the Q4 Sportback e-tron drives in the same way as the conventional Q4 model. 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. In terms of powertrains, there's nothing we haven't seen before in Volkswagen Group EVs. Most of these tend to be chosen with the 52kWh battery that's used by the base Q4 35 e-tron, which uses a 170PS rear-driven electric motor, makes 62mph in 9.0s and has a range of 215 miles. Next up is the Q4 40 e-tron, which has a bigger 76.6kWh net capacity battery and a more powerful 204PS rear-driven motor, making 62mph in 8.5s and offering a 323 mile driving range.
The flagship Q4 50 e-tron also uses the 76.6kWh battery, but has both front and rear-mounted electric motors developing a combined 299PS. Which means 62mph in just 6.2s and a range of 302 miles. Plus, with this top performance variant, the top speed is lifted from the usual Q4 maximum of 99mph to 111mph. Across the range, there's the same kind of suspension set-up you'd find in other mid-sized Audi SUVs - a MacPherson strut front and five-link rear arrangement, with sports suspension available (which lowers ride height by 15mm) and adaptive damping offered further up the range.