Korea's No. 1 electric SUV in Europe..The secret to Audi Q4 Eton's popularity is

May 22, 2025

Photo courtesy : carguy(www.carguy.kr)



Unlike the domestic car market, the popularity of electric vehicles in the imported car market is increasing. Tesla Model Y and Model 3 have the highest sales. Among European electric vehicles, the Audi Q4 Eton is enjoying high popularity, ranking eighth as of March.

There is also the impact of promotions, but it is rare for vehicles that lack basic performance evaluation to rank in the top 10. The popularity factors were identified through the test drive of Auto Express, an overseas automobile media outlet.

Audi succeeded in transforming Volkswagen Group's electric platform into Audi through Q4 Eton.It is equipped with Audi's unique high-end materials and electronic gears. Despite its compact size, it provides ample space.




Electric power trains boast superior efficiency and performance compared to competing vehicles.The Sportback model has a slightly longer mileage than the regular Q4 itron. I don't recommend it because it's more expensive and less practical.

Audi's electric vehicle lineup is pouring out every month. Q4 Itron is still one of the most popular options for buyers.The reason is simple.This is because the family SUV offers the charm of Audi buyers' favorite premium badges at a price not much different from popular brand models.

It's a familiar formula for Audi.The Audi A3 hatchback shares a mechanical configuration with Volkswagen Golf. It uses the same MEB architecture as the Volkswagen ID.4, but the interior is designed to be more luxurious.




Like the ID.4, there are not only traditional five-door SUV models, but also sportier Audi Q4 Itron Sportback models. The Q4 Itron lineup offers two battery capacities, three outputs, and a rear-wheel or quattro four-wheel drive system.

With its smooth power train and handling, the Q4 has taken the lead in the joy of driving. In particular, the excellent handling balance and narrow turning radius in the rear-wheel drive model are helpful for low-speed driving. It also has a solid ride.

Whatever power train is fitted, the latest Q4 Itron is smooth and torque-rich. Throttle response is well controlled, giving it a much more positive feel than the earlier Q4, which was somewhat dull.The black edition model has a paddle on the steering wheel that can control the energy regeneration function.




To turn off the unpredictable adaptive regeneration system, it is recommended that the regeneration function be manually set in the infotainment system. The Q4 lineup starts with a 40 itron using a single rear-wheel drive motor and produces 201 horsepower output. 0-100 km/h acceleration takes 8.1 seconds. The vehicle is equipped with a 63 kWh battery (59 kWh available capacity).

Next up is the 45 Itron (same Korean specification), which has the same battery and motor configuration, but has improved output to 282 horsepower. The large 82kWh (77kWh available capacity) battery adds 105kg of weight, but reduces the 0-100km/h acceleration time to 6.7 seconds.

Q4 Eton rotation radius is much narrower than competing vehicles including the Tesla Model Y and Hyundai Ioniq 5, making it easy to operate even in narrow parking spaces.The ride is solid thanks to the Black Edition's largest 21-inch wheels and lower suspension (both Black Edition and S Line are 15mm below entry sports trim).

It also feels a little splashing as it passes through large irregularities at low speeds. Choosing a model with a smaller wheel size and a slightly wider tire sidewall has an advantage in ride comfort. Audi maintains excellent ride comfort and handling balance on winding roads. It's easier to drive than the Tesla Model Y.

Steering is a big part of this driving performance. Perfectly geared to chassis reaction, you can quickly break through corners without feeling like you're stuck in a computer game like Tesla.

Audi performs best in the rear wheel drive form.High-speed driving stability makes it an excellent long-distance vehicle.However, both models Y and iX1 are somewhat disappointing in terms of protecting the occupants from road noise and wind noise. The rear-wheel drive model is more efficient than the four-wheel drive quattro version.

Instead, competitors offer faster DC charging speeds. The Q4 e-tron S line, officially equipped with a 45 quattro power train, can travel 319 miles (about 540 km) on a single charge. I'm sure the mileage will improve if the number of city trips increases.

It included highway driving, but electric vehicle driving distance is somewhat insufficient.Once again, I have a reason to choose the rear-wheel drive 45 model instead of the Quattro.Officially, it can travel up to 23 miles (about 37 km) more on a single charge.

The maximum charging speed of the large-capacity battery model is 175 kW. This can be done in only 28 minutes, up to a 10% to 80% charge. Charging with a typical 7.4 kWh home wall charger takes about 13 hours to buffer a large 82-kWh battery model.

The driver-centered center touch screen is easy to use. Temperature control is simple due to the physical air conditioner control button. The main screen is not as big as some competing systems. The interior of the Q4 Eton adds a driver-centric feel to the Audi lineup than several other models.

The 11.6-inch Q4 touchscreen is a good size compared to some competitors.The angled steering wheel of Q4 is reminiscent of Austin Allegro's steering wheel.The high driving position allows for good visibility.

As the name suggests, the Q4 itron is about halfway between Q3 and Q5 in terms of length. Thanks to its electric platform, it offers nearly the same indoor space as Audi's second-largest electric SUV, the Audi Q6 Eton.

The front and back overhangs are short, but there is no shortage of trunk space at all. The driver's seat of Q4 is high, so you can see the road ahead well and adjust the seat angle.The back seat provides ample space for passengers to rest comfortably. The seats are also very comfortable.

The backrest angle is slightly more inclined than the Tesla Model Y, making it comfortable. There is also plenty of foot space. The trunk capacity is 520 liters, which is similar to the Hyundai Ioniq 5.However, the Audi Trunk is deeper and can carry more loads, which makes it more practical.But there is no prunk in Q4.

If you want a high-end Audi SUV, the Q3 and Q5 petrol and plug-in hybrid models are a better option. Q4 There are a lot of premium competitors that Ettron needs to win, but Ettron is pretty good at outpacing them.It is more efficient than the expensive Genesis GV60. It has longer mileage than the BMW iX1 and more indoor space than the Mercedes EQA.

The main competitor in the small premium electric SUV segment is the Tesla Model Y. It provides long mileage, various convenience equipment, convenience of supercharger network, and competitive price. If it's hard to ride a Tesla, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 has the best edge in its class.It looks more like a hatchback than a Q4, but it's bigger and has more internal space.

The overall evaluation of Q4 Eton is similar to that of the domestic market. There is no singularity that can overwhelm the Hyundai Ioniq 5, but it has the advantage of being able to wear a premium brand badge at a price similar to a narrow radius of rotation. On top of that, a high discount rate is applied in the current domestic standard. The reason for its high popularity in the top 10 imported cars is certain.

Editor Song Moon-cheol mc.song@carguy.kr





This article was translated by Naver AI translator.