Did Audi Just Make the Q4 e-tron Redundant with the Q5 e-Hybrid?

By Team Dailyrevs June 13, 2025

Audi's electric ambitions are no secret. The Q4 e-tron was meant to be the brand’s accessible entry into full-electric luxury SUVs. But then came the updated Q5 e-hybrid—now with 62 miles (100 km) of electric-only range, quicker charging, and zero range anxiety.

Which begs the question: If you’re shopping for an Audi with electric capability, why would you choose the Q4 e-tron over the Q5 e-hybrid?

Spoiler: it's not as clear-cut as the product planners would like.

2025 Audi Q5 Sportback e-hybrid Quattro Image Gallery

The Q5 e-hybrid’s Real-World Advantage

Let’s start with numbers. The 2026 Audi Q5 e-hybrid boasts a 25.9 kWh battery, good for up to 62 miles of electric driving—right in the same territory as real-world figures for many EVs, including the Q4 e-tron.

But unlike its full-electric sibling, the Q5 e-hybrid has a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine quietly backing it up. Need to go 400+ miles? Just drive. No charger. No plan. No problem.

See full details and images here

That range flexibility is hard to ignore. For drivers without reliable home charging—or those who simply don’t want to think about their next top-up—the Q5 e-hybrid becomes the no-brainer.

Performance and Power Without the Wait

It’s not just about convenience. Audi offers two variants of the Q5 e-hybrid:

295 hp standard model, 0–62 mph in 6.2 seconds
362 hp performance version, 0–62 mph in 5.1 seconds

By comparison, even the top-tier Q4 50 e-tron quattro only delivers 295 hp—and that’s with more weight and less range flexibility. If quick, confident performance matters, the Q5 hybrid’s edge becomes even sharper.

Charging: Fast, Familiar, Frictionless

The Q5 e-hybrid charges its battery using an 11 kW AC charger, which can fully replenish in around 2.5 hours. That’s faster than many EVs on similar setups and perfectly aligned with daily use patterns.

Plus, you still have the option to pull into a gas station and refill in minutes—something the Q4 simply can’t offer.

What the Q4 e-tron Still Does Better

To be fair, Audi didn’t totally undercut the Q4 e-tron.

Zero tailpipe emissions at all times
Dedicated EV packaging, with a flat floor and more open-feeling cabin
Advanced UI like the augmented reality HUD
Future-ready compliance, especially in zero-emission zones
Often better government incentives than PHEVs

So if you're committed to a fully electric lifestyle, and you charge at home reliably, the Q4 still makes sense. But the Q5 e-hybrid’s range and versatility make that commitment a tougher sell.

For Fleet Buyers and Pragmatists, the Q5 Is Just Smarter

Let’s get pragmatic. If you're a fleet manager, the Q5 e-hybrid’s 62-mile EV range makes it eligible for low BiK tax brackets in the UK and Europe. You get the electric mileage for the spreadsheets, and the petrol safety net for employees who just want to drive.

Add that to Audi’s tried-and-tested Quattro AWD, SUV/Sportback body options, and familiar luxury interior, and the Q5 isn’t just a middle ground—it’s an optimal one.

Final Verdict: One Car, Two Jobs

The Q4 e-tron was built to be the future. But in trying to make that future work in today’s world, Audi may have just built a better solution in the Q5 e-hybrid.

It doesn’t virtue-signal. It doesn’t overwhelm with tech. It just works—for EV commutes and cross-country weekends alike.

So did Audi make the Q4 e-tron redundant?

Not entirely. But with the Q5 e-hybrid, they definitely made it harder to justify.

Audi Q5 e-hybrid Plug-in SUV Official Specs