Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron review: running costs & insurance
The Q4 Sportback e-tron is undoubtedly expensive to buy, but may be cheaper to run than you think
| Insurance group | Warranty | Service interval | 2021/22 CC cost (20%/40%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31-40 | 3yrs / 60,000 miles | 2yrs | From £84 / £169 |
Despite being more expensive to buy than the equivalent petrol or diesel SUV, the Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron attracts all of the same benefits as other electric cars such as zero road tax (for now!), low company car tax rates and longer service intervals. Charging at home can also be cheaper than paying for petrol, too – although, using public rapid chargers can be even more expensive.
Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron insurance group
Like the majority of its rivals, the Q4 Sportback e-tron can sit in some of the highest insurance groups possible if you go for one of the top-of-the-range models, like those with all-wheel-drive or in well equipped Edition 1 trim. However, our test car, a 40 e-tron in Sport trim, would sit in insurance group 31, which is on par with a similarly priced Ford Mustang Mach-E and well below the group 37 rating of the BMW iX1.
Warranty
The Q4 Sportback e-tron is covered by a three-year/60,000-mile warranty from Audi, while the battery gets an eight-year/100,000-mile guarantee. The basic coverage is similar to that of an iX1, but less than the five and seven years respectively that Hyundai and Kia offer on the smaller Kona Electric and Niro EV models. You can also extend the Q4 e-tron's warranty up to four years/75,000 miles or five years/90,000 miles for an additional cost.
Servicing
The Q4 Sportback e-tron needs servicing every two years. Audi offers customers three service plans: Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3. The first covers the essentials, including one service and inspection, a pollen filter change and brake fluid change. Level 2 includes two essential services, as well as two brake fluid and pollen filter changes. The final, more comprehensive package is Service Plan Level 3, which also includes two MoTs covered in the third and fourth year of ownership. Make sure to check with your dealer for the latest prices.
Road tax
Like all electric cars, the Q4 Sportback e-tron is exempt from road tax (VED) until 2025, as well as the London Congestion Charge and the city’s Ultra-Low Emissions Zones (ULEZ) for the time being. It also attracts the lowest 2% Benefit-in-Kind company car tax rate, making it much cheaper to tax than the equivalent petrol or diesel SUV.
