Volkswagen ID.5 vs Audi Q4 e-Tron: What’s the best choice?
The war on electric SUVs continues, with two references that will be confronted today. Volkswagen ID.5, takes on Audi Q4 e-Tron, premium SUV. Depending on your profile, one of the two will probably be more suitable. Let’s see which one suits you best.
The Volkswagen group is looking to electrify itself quite aggressively and is thus offering an increasingly complete panel for buyers looking for a connected car. Today, we’re going to put the freshly arrived VW ID.5 and the Audi Q4 e-Tron face to face.
While the premium SUV of the four rings brand has serious assets to show in terms of comfort and qualities inside the cabin, the top-of-the-range versions of the VW ID.5 show comparable performances to the best Audi Q4 e-Tron, for a lower price.
Here we try to help you decide which is suitable for you by comparing the technical features, onboard feeling, and driving pleasure. Without further ado, let’s get this German electric SUV match started.
Volkswagen ID.5 vs Audi Q4 e-Tron Spcefications
| Launch | VW ID.5 Launch | Audi Q4 e-tron Specifications |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, November 03 | 2021 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, Q1 | Available. Released 2021 |
| Base price | €47,550 | $ 50,940 € 53,600 £ 52,440 |
Volkswagen ID.5 vs Audi Q4 e-Tron, DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT, AND EXTERIOR DESIGN
| Body | Volkswagen ID.5 Body | Audi Q4 e-tron Body |
|---|---|---|
| Type | 5 door SUV, 5 seats | 5 door SUV, 5 seats |
| Dimensions | 181.1 x 72.9 x 63.6 in (4599 x 1852 x 1615 mm) | 180.6 x 73.4 x 63.7 in (4588 x 1865 x 1617 mm) |
| Wheelbase | 109.1 in (2771 mm) | 108.8 in (2764 mm) |
| Clearance | ||
| Weight | EU: 4667 lb unladen, 5842 lb gross | EU: 4707 lb unladen, 5997 lb gross |
| Suspension | Front MacPherson struts, rear multi-link | Front MacPherson struts, rear five-link |
| Wheels | R19, R20, R21 | R19, R20, R21 |
| Trunk | EU: 19.4 ft³, 55.1 ft³ max | EU: 18.4 ft³, 52.6 ft³ max |
| Frunk | No | No |
| Towing | EU: 1653 lb unbraked, 2646 lb braked | No |
Similar in size, the two Volkswagen Group SUVs differ in appearance. The Volkswagen ID.5 proudly displays the coupe look, with a receding rear roof. The front light signature is also quite aggressive, showing that sportiness is more important than comfort.
At 4.60 meters long, 1.85 meters wide, and 1.61 meters high, the ID.5 looks like the Audi Q4 e-Tron on paper. Indeed, the Audi SUV is 4.59 meters long, 1.86 meters wide, and 1.63 meters high. As a result, one of the two doesn’t stand out from the other and can boast of fitting into narrower parking spaces.
On the scales, the Audi Q4 e-Tron weighs between 1,965 and 2,210 kilograms depending on the configuration, compared to between 2,117 and 2,242 kilograms for the ID.5. As you can see from the pictures above, the lines of the Audi Q4 e-Tron are those of an SUV, with relatively high ground clearance and a rather massive rear end.
If we were to choose between these two electric vehicles in terms of exterior design, the Volkswagen ID.5 and its coupe style would win over the more conventional side of the Audi Q4 e-Tron.
INSIDE Volkswagen ID.5 and Audi Q4 e-tron
| Comfort | Volkswagen ID.5 Comfort | Audi Q4 e-tron Comfort |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | Heated and ventilated front seats, massage | Heated front seats |
| Roof | Panoramic glass sunroof | Panoramic glass roof |
| Parking aids | 8 front and rear sensors, 360 camera, front and reversing camera | Front and rear sensors, 360 camera, reversing camera |
| Connectivity | Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay | Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay |
| 3-zone climatronic |
More focused on technology than refinement, the Volkswagen ID.5 didn’t make much of an impression on us regarding interior quality. And when you compare it to the Q4 e-Tron from Audi, it’s clear that it will be difficult for the ID.5 to stand out.
Indeed, with ergonomics that are far from unanimous on the infotainment system of the ID.5 and a set of materials used just correct, the positive points of the ID.5 are instead to be found at the level of the space on board.
It’s worth noting that legroom is quite generous for second-row passengers. Even tall people will not be bothered by the roof clearance of the SUV’s coupe profile. Finally, family trips will be uncontrolled, with a trunk capacity that reaches 549 liters.
The Audi Q4 e-Tron has a different atmosphere, with a more qualitative and ergonomic design. We find the classic brand layout with four rings, with a dashboard all in screens, completed by a floating center console.
The driving position is excellent: you have a good view of the road behind the wheel. If the space in the back is not as generous as in the Volkswagen ID.5, the trunk volume remains perfect, at 520 liters. Considering the overall quality of the Audi Q4 e-Tron’s interior, the latter beat the ID.5 on this point.
Volkswagen ID.5 VS Audi Q4 e-Tron: ONBOARD TECHNOLOGIES
Volkswagen wanted to go the extra mile when it came to onboard technology. The Discover Pro Max system with two screens (5.3 inches behind the steering wheel and 12 inches in the middle) lacks tiny ergonomics for our taste. Sensitive controls are everywhere, whereas we would have preferred more conventional buttons for specific settings.
| Displays | Volkswagen ID.5 Displays | Audi Q4 e-tron Displays |
|---|---|---|
| Center | 12″ touchscreeen | 10.1″ Full HD touchscreen |
| Driver’s | 5.3″ | 10.25″ |
| Head-up | Yes, with augmented reality | Yes, with augmented reality |
Regardless, Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto are in the mix, and there’s also a suite of top-notch driving assists. Of course, adaptive cruise control and active lane keeping are present. In the optional packages, it is possible to go much further, for example, with a freeway overtaking assistance or a head-up display in augmented reality of the most beautiful effect.
In the Q4 e-Tron, the Virtual Cockpit instrument cluster allows you to control everything related to the vehicle. It is excellent to use. The same augmented reality projection technology on the ID.5 is present, as are Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
If we consider the much better ergonomics of the Audi Q4 e-Tron’s infotainment system, the point in terms of on-board technologies will go to the SUV of the brand with the four rings, which offers a more convincing package than the ID.5.
Volkswagen ID.5 VS Audi Q4 e-Tron ON THE ROAD
The VW ID.5 is not a champion of comfort but has chosen to emphasize sporty driving, particularly noticeable on the 299-horsepower GTX trim, with 21-inch wheels. Although equipped with a DCC-controlled suspension, the SUV coupe fails to be as comfortable as one would like and is no match for the Q4 e-Tron on this point.
| Performance | Volkswagen ID.5 Performance | Audi Q4 e-tron Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Power | RWD 204 hp (150 kW) | AWD 299 hp (220 kW) |
| Torque | 229 lb-ft (310 Nm) | 339 lb-ft (460 Nm) |
| Acceleration | 8.4 sec 0-62 mph | 6.2 sec 0-62 mph |
| Max speed | 99 mph (160 km/h) | 112 mph (180 km/h) |
Regarding fuel consumption, we found an average of 21 kWh per 100 kilometers during our test drive, which allows us to cover about 350 kilometers in real-life conditions. Finally, we should note that while the regenerative braking system is well managed on the ID.5, it, unfortunately, does not work to come to a complete stop without touching the brake pedal.
The Audi Q4 e-Tron is a very different story. The silence on board is impressive, even at high speeds where the air noise is very discreet. A good point for Audi is the paddles on the steering wheel, which allow you to choose a regenerative braking level to suit all driving styles.
Our test of the Audi Q4 e-Tron allowed us to obtain more reasonable fuel consumption than on the ID.5: getting down to around 18 kWh per 100 kilometers is not mission impossible. This would allow us to reach 450 kilometers of autonomy by playing the game of eco-driving.
On the road, the advantage goes to the Q4 e-Tron, which is more comfortable than the ID.5 while offering excellent performance in its most potent versions.
THE DIFFERENT ENGINES OFFERED
Volkswagen ID.5 is available in three different engine options:
- ID.5 Pro, rear-wheel drive with 77 kWh battery: rear engine only (174 hp), 0 to 100 km/h in 10.4 seconds, top speed 160 km/h ;
- ID.5 Pro Performance, rear-wheel drive with 77 kWh battery: rear engine only (204 hp), 0 to 100 km/h in 8.4 seconds, top speed 160 km/h ;
- ID.5 GTX, all-wheel drive with 77 kWh battery: front and rear engine (299 hp), 0 to 100 km/h in 6.3 seconds, top speed 180 km/h.
For the Q4 e-Tron, four versions are in the Audi catalog:
35 e-Tron with 55 kWh battery: rear engine (170 hp), rear-wheel drive, 0 to 100 km/h in 9.0 seconds, top speed 160 km/h ;
40 e-tron with 82 kWh battery: rear engine (204 hp), rear-wheel drive, 0 to 100 km/h in 8.5 seconds, top speed 160 km/h ;
45 e-Tron Quattro with 82 kWh battery: front and rear engine (265 hp), all-wheel drive, 0 to 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds, top speed 180 km/h;
50 e-Tron Quattro with 82 kWh battery: front and rear engine (299 hp), all-wheel drive, 0 to 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds, top speed 180 km/h.
Volkswagen ID.5 VS Audi Q4 e-Tron, RANGE, BATTERY, AND RECHARGING
Only one battery size is offered in the French catalog for the ID.5. With its 77 kWh sound power, the announced range varies between 511 and 533 kilometers in the WLTP cycle. As mentioned above, this figure is less in real-life conditions, especially at high speeds, where exceeding 350 kilometers is a feat.
Fast charging is available as standard at 135 kW peak and 150 kW for the ID.5 GTX. Under ideal circumstances, it takes 29 minutes to go from 5 to 80 percent battery power, especially on Ionity fast chargers. The 11 kW onboard charger allows the battery to be charged at a home charging station in about 7.5 hours, whereas a conventional power outlet takes just over 40 hours to charge fully.
With two different battery sizes (52 or 77 kWh), the Audi Q4 e-Tron’s claimed WLTP range is from 308 to 517 kilometers. The smaller battery should be preferred for those who don’t plan to go on frequent road trips.
On the Audi Q4, 35 e-Tron with its 52 kWh battery, the maximum DC charging power is 110 kW, whereas it peaks at 135 kW on versions with the large 77 kWh battery. It takes about half an hour to reach 80 percent of the battery in ideal conditions.
The onboard charger accepts a maximum of 7 kW on the entry-level version and 11 kW on the other finishes in the catalog, which allows the battery to be filled in about 7 hours and 30 minutes on a suitable wall box. With a slightly better DC charging power and a somewhat better WLTP range, the Volkswagen ID.5 wins this round against the Audi Q4 e-Tron.
| Battery | Volkswagen ID.5 Battery | Audi Q4 e-tron Battery |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 77 kWh usable, 82 kWh total | 76.6 kWh usable, 82 kWh total |
| Tech | Liquid-cooled Li-ion 400V | Liquid-cooled Li-ion 400V |
| Range | 325 mi WLTP, 325 mi NEDC | 241 mi EPA (303 mi WLTP) |
| Consumption | 3.7 mi/kWh WLTP, 3.8 mi/kWh NEDC | 2.8 mi/kWh EPA (3.5 mi/kWh WLTP, 3.8 mi/kWh NEDC) |
| Recuperation | Yes, via driving modes and driving profiles | 3 levels, via driving modes, optional steering wheel paddles |
| Heat pump | Yes | Yes |
| AC Charging | Type 2 11 kW, 0-100% in 7 hours 30 min | Type 2 11 kW, 0-100% in 8 hours 17 min |
| DC Charging | CCS 135 kW, 5-80% in 29 min | CCS 126 kW max, 10-80% in 33 min |
VW ID.5 VS Audi Q4 e-Tron Price
With a starting price of $54,700, excluding the environmental bonus, the Volkswagen ID. 5 Pro has a substantial price tag that could put off more than one person. The GTX version starts at $61,600. No ecological bonus is available. The catalog of options makes it possible to approach the $70,000 mark without exceeding it.
Audi offers its Q4 e-Tron for 44,750 dollars and therefore benefits from the maximum ecological bonus. Of course, this version has a smaller battery than the ID.5, so it has a shorter range. The versions with the 77 kWh battery start at $50,900 and go up to $71,000.
Audi’s options catalog being what it is, you can easily add $5,000 to $7,000 worth of options, bringing the total bill to nearly $80,000 for an Audi Q4 50 e-Tron Quattro in Design Luxury trim and numerous optional packages.
WHICH ONE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN THE ID.5 AND THE AUDI Q4 E-TRON?
Regarding the bottom line, it’s worth distinguishing the Audi Q4 35 e-Tron from the rest. With its 52 kWh battery, it has a much lower starting price than the cheapest ID.5. So, if you’re looking for a vehicle primarily dedicated to urban and suburban environments, this will be an excellent choice as the car is comfortable, well finished and fun to drive.
For those who hit the road much more frequently on longer trips, the ID.5 and the Audi Q4 e-Tron are close in price. Since the driving experience is fundamentally different between the two vehicles, you must define what you are looking for. For comfort and silence on board, the Audi Q4 e-Tron is far ahead of the ID.5.
However, for a more engaging driving experience, a slightly more pleasing design, and more rear seat space, the ID.5 is for you.