When Model Y still isn’t available to order, Model X won’t be here for another year (I ordered a Plaid) and you have a second child arriving next month, you have to consider going to the dark side.
I test drove the Audi Q4 E-Tron today, which is basically the closet thing you can get to a Model Y excluding the Ford Mach E (size wise).
A nice car although with the spec we want (Audi Q4 Etron 40 Vorsprung) it’s not cheap at £62,000 especially when a top-spec’d Performance Model Y is likely ~£63,000… although the Audi is only a £250 fully refundable deposit 🤔🤔🤔
For anyone interested here is my brain dump:
Performance / Range / Driving / Charging
Note lots of these features listed below are optional extras but are included in the £62K price point we’re considering for the Vorsprung (top spec’d vehicle).
77kWh battery ✅
250-270 miles of range ✅
Heat pump ✅
Average acceleration 0-60mph 8.5s VS 4.8s for Model Y LR 😒
Top speed 99mph Vs 135-155mph from MY 😒
125kW CCS 😒 + 11kW type 2 ✅
Poor regen ❌ (Although CarWow saying it’s powerful so need to double-check that)
Rear-wheel drive only (for now, would be nice to try/buy the AWD) 😒
Drum brakes on the rear 😒 (some argue this is good but my gut feeling is this is VW group saving money, especially on the top spec’d model)
Good handling for an SUV ✅
Range varies depending on the wheel size (19 = best, 21 = worst)
More efficient than a standard E-Tron ✅
Decent visibility ✅
Adaptive dampening ✅
Steering options ✅
Show % instead of miles ✅
Boot / Doors
No frunk ❌
Powered boot (possible kick sensor) ✅
No Soft close doors ❌😂
Lots of storage in the doors ✅
Technology / Features
Pre-condition the car via the app or timers ✅
Augmented HUD ✅
Small/Average main screen ❌
Remote app unlocking and locking ✅ but no phone key 😒
Electronic Foldable Tow bar ✅
Software updates? ❌ / 🤷♂️
Second driver screen with maps etc ✅
12v in the boot, middle row and front ✅
USB-C throughout ✅
Fancy + practical Matrix headlights ✅
Fancy rear lights ✅
Adaptive cruise with stop and start ✅
Active lane assist ✅
Auto park ✅
‘AR creator’ software that continually moves the car within lane to avoid potholes etc ✅
Heated front seats only 😒
Audi nav system 😒
Handwriting recognition 😒
Average voice control ❌
Sonos sound system (10 speakers) ✅
QI wireless phone chargers ✅
Wireless Apple CarPlay ✅
Ambient colour interior ✅
No 3rd screen like standard e-Tron 😒
Rear cross-traffic assist ✅
The Cabin / Seats
Space for a Labrador, 2 kids and 2 adults ✅
Nice build quality ✅
All glass roof ✅
Adjustable armrest ✅
Memory seats with lumbar ✅
Glossy trim ❌
Traditional AC vents 😒
Ski hatch 😒
Decent sound deadening ✅
Physical buttons for cooling/heating (better than the ID.4 touch stuff) 😒
Decent rear space for 3 people with impressive head and legroom ✅
Extra items
Free PodPoint wall box ✅
£150 worth of free roaming public rapid charging including IONITY ✅
1 RFID card that works with 18 brands ✅
Optional vegan seats ✅
Sister car to ID3 and Enyaq which are both much cheaper 😒
Available for purchase now but depending on spec delivery in 6-12 week ✅
Conclusion
We really like it but with a likely end of Q3/Q4 delivery date for the spec we want the Model Y could arrive at the same time…
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | Model Y Performance (estimated £63,000) | Audi Q4 E-Tron Vorsprung (£62,000 – Top Spec 2WD) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 75 kWh (72.5kWh usable) | 82 kWh (77kWh usable) |
| Heat Pump | ✅ | ✅ (Optional) |
| 0-62mph | 4.8s (LR) or 3.7s (LR P) | 8.5s (Rear wheel) 6.2s (AWD) |
| AWD | ✅ | ❌ (Soon to be available) |
| Seats | 5 or 7 (heated front + rear) | 5 (heated front) |
| Range | 250 miles (326 listed) | 255 miles (316 listed) |
| Screen | 15″ | 10.1” + Driver screen |
| HUD | ❌ | ✅ with augmented reality |
| Charging | 250kW CCS + 11.5kW AC | 125kW CCS + 11kW AC |
| Lights | LED | LED Matrix with customisable patterns + washers |
| App | Yes | Yes (heating/cooling, range & unlock/lock) |
| Software updates | ✅ | 🤷♂️ |
| Brakes | Performance Brembo Brakes | No spec but rear are drum brakes |
| Storage | 1900 L total | 1490 L total (no frunk) |
| Tow | ✅ | ✅ (electronic & foldable) |
| Powered Boot | ✅ | ✅ (possible foot sensor) |
| Adaptive Cruise with Lane Assist + Stop/Start | ✅ | ✅ |
| Apple CarPlay | ❌ | ✅ (Wireless) |
| Sound system | Own brand 14 speakers | Sonos 10 speaker |
| Phone charging | ✅ (USB-C x 4) + (2 x QI chargers) + 1 x 12V | ✅ (USB-C x 4) + (2 x QI chargers) + 3 x 12V |