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My wife and I are trying to come to a decision about coming back on to the scheme and what car to go for. Having had three utterly brilliant Volvo estates through Motability (and bought the last one off them which we still run) we’d really love another, but there’s now zero chance of getting one. Sadly the smaller Volvos available on the list simply don’t have enough luggage space for the kit we unfortunately have to carry with us. We also need/want to go electric, the reduced running costs would be very welcome as we do 20k miles a year.
So far we’ve ruled out several cars, including a BMW i4 (too difficult for my wife to get into), VW ID5 (nice panoramic roof but uninspiring otherwise), Hyundai Ioniq 6 (stunning car and great value, if only it was a hatch!) and several others for various reasons.
We’ve ended up with a shortlist of three cars – the Kia EV6, the obvious Skoda Enyaq, and a car that doesn’t seem to be mentioned on here much, the Audi Q4. Our impressions of the Audi were that it felt lovely to sit in, oozed quality and had a dashboard designed with a bit of thought, without an over-reliance on a huge touchscreen that looks like it has just been plonked on the dash as an afterthought, like so many electric cars seem to have. Online reviews tend to mark down the Q4 for its lack of range and equipment, but they appear to be out of date as they mostly refer to older versions of the car. The updated 45 model now also available on the list has 282bhp and a quoted range of 329 miles which as good as or better than any of its competitors. It also has heated leather seats, front and rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise and an electric tailgate. The £3999 AP isn’t the cheapest, but its on a par or cheaper than the Kia EV6. The luggage space isn’t quite as capacious as the Enyaq, but it’s not exactly cramped and has more litres than our Volvo estate.
So are we missing something? What are the downsides of this car? Have we overlooked a reason why it doesn’t seem to be a popular choice on this forum? Comments from owners especially welcome.
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Although I’d very much prefer a petrol car over an EV, I intend to look at the Q4. Exterior looks wise I think it ticks the box, but the reason that it didn’t get a lot of interest on this forum was I think primarily down to the fact that the interior seems lower quality than Audi’s usual standard and a bit dated compare to some other cars. Plus, a lot of forum members tend to be drawn to standard equipment count, where the premium brands tend to not compare as well to the budget / mid-market brands.
Personally I prefer the Q4 out of the rest of the VW group (i’d 5 Enyak etc). As you say it doesn’t adopt the big box little box theme on the dash.
The Q4 like the rest of the group has indeed had some changes to the battery software/management and new AP550 electric motor, meaning the are up from 201bhp to 286bhp, with a range increase to 330 miles and 349 for the coupe WLTP. 0-62mph has reduced from 8.5s to 6,7s,
The EV6 is also a nice car, with plenty equipment more the the Q4, id’s etc but, its the mid range so misses out on leather seats the Q4 has, as standard, if that is important. I think it sits a bit lower than the Q4 if I remember.
Either the Q4 or EV6 are nice cars, with more logical interiors and have similar range.
Have you looked at the Ioniq 5?
Although I’d very much prefer a petrol car over an EV, I intend to look at the Q4. Exterior looks wise I think it ticks the box, but the reason that it didn’t get a lot of interest on this forum was I think primarily down to the fact that the interior seems lower quality than Audi’s usual standard and a bit dated compare to some other cars. Plus, a lot of forum members tend to be drawn to standard equipment count, where the premium brands tend to not compare as well to the budget / mid-market brands.
AP I also believe plays a part i.e the rest of the groups EV’s are £2-3k cheaper.
I liked the Q4, the interior is the size of a Q5 ICE. The only let down I felt was top of doorcards on rear doors was hard plastic. The 45 now comes with leather(ish?) as standard, plus a few more things are now included but, can’t remember 🙂
The EV6 is also a nice car, with plenty equipment more the the Q4, id’s etc but, its the mid range so misses out on leather seats the Q4 has, as standard, if that is important. I think it sits a bit lower than the Q4 if I remember. Either the Q4 or EV6 are nice cars, with more logical interiors and have similar range. Have you looked at the Ioniq 5?
Yes, we like leather seats so that’s a big plus for us. Equipment wise, I’m not sure what the EV6 gives us that the Q4 doesn’t. We did look at the Ioniq 5, it seems a very competent car but to be honest when we visited the Hyundai showroom we got too distracted by the 6 and then ran out of time!
Mum recently got the Nissan Ariya and it’s a fantastic car I recommend taking it for a test drive. We ourselves have a q3 and are due to order end of June. By then we are hoping the ix2 / cupra tavascan comes on the scheme (it’s the cupra id5 but looks much better)
if not then we are considering the ix1/q4, ev prices keep dropping, keep in mind the q4 used to be 8k now 4, hopefully drops more and comes with packs. There’s quite a few q4s in our area, looks great in black but here’s a grey one parked next to the ix1, when you see them both close up like this it just makes the choice harder
We didn’t look at an Ariya because the 466L boot (as opposed to 520L in the Q4 and 585L in the Enyaq) put us off. I’ve not been able to find a figure for the capacity with the rear seats folded flat.
I think bootspace numbers can be deceiving sometimes, I know a lot of cases where the car with the less L has more practical space if that makes sense. There’s a deal for an extra £750 off posted on the deals section on the forum, that’s on top of the £750 by mota, so 1500 off, mum went for the evolve, we’re getting 200miles in the winter which won’t be great for some but we live in inner London and it’s perfect for city driving. Did do a 180mile motorway drive with it and the range was accurate
@Burgerman333 was it you who had issues with the Ariya indicators or something and terminated early?
I think one of the common themes is a combination of cost, spec and build quality. Within the same group the Enyaq and Q4 are surprisingly close in terms of build but the Skoda is significant cheaper but achieves the same range similar ride comfort, better equipment within the standard AP (so the risks of losing money on upgrading packs being lost in cases of write off are negated) so it all comes down to looks and how frugal you’d be with your own money.
The EV6 is a surprising choice when boot space counts as the shape creates a smaller capacity but it’s a lovely car. The GT Line is very well equipped and it comes with the 800V infrastructure that increases recharging speeds on public rapid and ultra rapid chargers.
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I'll try to give my honest opinion but am always open to learning.Mark
I think bootspace numbers can be deceiving sometimes, I know a lot of cases where the car with the less L has more practical space if that makes sense.
I know what you mean, but 466L is substantially less volume. Our Volvo spends 95% of its time with the rear seats folded flat so I’ve been comparing luggage capacity for all these cars with the seats folded too, however that figure for the Ariya is conspicuous by its absence, even on the Nissan site.
Re looks of the iX1 versus the Q4, from the front I think the Q4 just looks ok, whilst to my eyes the BMW looks like a caricature.
I think one of the common themes is a combination of cost, spec and build quality. Within the same group the Enyaq and Q4 are surprisingly close in terms of build but the Skoda is significant cheaper but achieves the same range similar ride comfort, better equipment within the standard AP (so the risks of losing money on upgrading packs being lost in cases of write off are negated) so it all comes down to looks and how frugal you’d be with your own money. The EV6 is a surprising choice when boot space counts as the shape creates a smaller capacity
1260L with the rear seats flat though (see my reply to SUVguy above) so almost identical to our Volvo.
What better equipment has the Enyaq got over the Q4?
Don’t trust the range figures of 349 being mentioned on here, likely to be closer to 249 if max range is important to you.
The web site EV Database is usually regarded as a good source of information.
https://ev-database.org/uk/cheatsheet/range-electric-car
Don’t trust the range figures of 349 being mentioned on here, likely to be closer to 249 if max range is important to you. The web site EV Database is usually regarded as a good source of information. https://ev-database.org/uk/cheatsheet/range-electric-car
I’m sure the mention of WLTP was enough not to trust what was stated.
I’ve got the new 45 model. Would highly recommend it. The torque has been upped from 310Nm to 565Nm which makes all the difference. Interior quality is actually a lot better than some commenters have said especially when compared to the ioniq 5 when I test drove them back to back but again this is subjective to the user. The 45 spec on motability comes with leather seats now too which was the key reason I bought it. Also lumbar support is standard as is adaptive cruise control, reversing camera with front sensors. In terms of driving it has all the competition beat in my opinion. The suspension is comfortable and it goes road corners excellently considering it’s a big SUV. This is partly down to the 45 model suspension retune compared to the old 40 spec. What I’d suggest is test drive a 45 model if you can get a dealer to provide one. The difference from 40 to 45 is night and day.
I’ve got the new 45 model. Would highly recommend it. The torque has been upped from 310Nm to 565Nm which makes all the difference. Interior quality is actually a lot better than some commenters have said especially when compared to the ioniq 5 when I test drove them back to back but again this is subjective to the user. The 45 spec on motability comes with leather seats now too which was the key reason I bought it. Also lumbar support is standard as is adaptive cruise control, reversing camera with front sensors. In terms of driving it has all the competition beat in my opinion. The suspension is comfortable and it goes road corners excellently considering it’s a big SUV. This is partly down to the 45 model suspension retune compared to the old 40 spec. What I’d suggest is test drive a 45 model if you can get a dealer to provide one. The difference from 40 to 45 is night and day.
Thanks Masky, that’s exactly the sort of owner experience reply I was hoping for. I can feel a test drive coming on.
I’m test driving this on Friday and ordering any colour any plate I don’t care once my window opens 10th February UNLESS the AP increase ( I cannot see it going lower) or it hurts me (I am slightly concerned about the sports seats) but it felt amazing to sit in. I only wanted a) electric b) safe c) heated leather seats and if possible adaptive cruise control and it has all of that and it’s sexy. Win / win.
I sat in one on Saturday albeit the S Line. Nice car but I just don’t like the wheels on the Sport model and just like the Ford Mustang you can’t change them.
I sat in one on Saturday albeit the S Line. Nice car but I just don’t like the wheels on the Sport model and just like the Ford Mustang you can’t change them.
Aftermarket and just swop the tyre over?
I’m sure the mention of WLTP was enough not to trust what was stated.
I would hope so but why post figures that can’t be trusted?
@Ant3 we tested the Q4, albeit last years model and it was excellent, didn’t order it cause in the end the SUV style isn’t for me. Between the Q4, Enyaq, IDs, Kia, Ioniq, BMW etc there was very little between them so I’d try them all, good luck ?
I’m sure the mention of WLTP was enough not to trust what was stated.
I would hope so but why post figures that can’t be trusted? @Ant3 we tested the Q4, albeit last years model and it was excellent, didn’t order it cause in the end the SUV style isn’t for me. Between the Q4, Enyaq, IDs, Kia, Ioniq, BMW etc there was very little between them so I’d try them all, good luck
I couldn’t remember the “claimed” range of the 40, which the op had been watching the data on, so posted the new “claimed range” hoping they could remember what they saw on the old 40 model and beable to calculate the “claimed difference” 🙂
The simple truth is this is a comparison between a group of cars that are all very good cars. As an EV they’re all smooth and easy to drive, as long as the driver doesn’t make it different. The least best of the bunch is down to a few materials and the feeling of being surrounded by quality (or lack of), fundamentally the whole VW group offerings have the same underpinnings, battery and motors, the same can be said for the EV6 and Ioniq 5 & 6, then there’s the Mustang out on its own and the Ariya and Megane sharing the base design.
The main points of difference are how well they’ve been put together and what equipment has been included plus the odd battery difference. If your list of equipment needs is short, then you’re going to have a busy few weeks test driving some very nice cars. The choice is down to personal preferences like looks, seat comfort and how you feel driving it. We can’t answer how you respond to those factors, just how we do and that is inevitably different to others.
I'm Autistic, if I say something you find offensive, please let me know, I can guarantee it was unintentional.
I'll try to give my honest opinion but am always open to learning.Mark
I really wanted the mustang because I do do a long motorway stretch in their allowed driverless car stretch on the m1. And it would mean a huge amount to me to be able to do that independently again instead if getting trains as I do now. But I could not justify either the A P or the extra charge to do driverless. Surely disabled drivers are key to trialling driverless tech?
I sat in one on Saturday albeit the S Line. Nice car but I just don’t like the wheels on the Sport model and just like the Ford Mustang you can’t change them.
Aftermarket and just swop the tyre over?
The insurance wouldn’t cover it.
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