I have a friend with a 21 Q5 plug in hybrid and it has normal knobs and switches for the infotainment, climate and steering wheel. I much prefer that setup. I do like that this as a normal instrument cluster and a driver focused infotainment screen as opposed to one big screen which looks cool but I don’t think works as well. These days I think a bit more normal actually makes your EV more special. The car looks great on the outside in styling and color.
Thank you for another great video. Your discussion about the MEB platform is exactly the problem of the VW group. They came up with something mediocre. If they would have made it really great, like the Hyundai/Kia motorgroup platform, I believe they would be in a much better position now.
@@markplott4820 Except they aren't. Sure, Electrify America has a reputation for being unreliable; but it's not even that *EVERY* EA dispenser at _EVERY_ EA station is unreliable. I've rarely had an EVgo station have any down dispensers. I've *NEVER* had Rivian have a down dispenser. I have had bad Superchargers. Usually enough working at any given location to not be a big deal, but I've had one station have half of their 8 dispensers out of service, causing a long line. Thankfully I could make it to another Supercharger; but only because Tesla had opened a newer Supercharger station across town just a month earlier. The problem with Tesla previously was that because there was no competition, there are many stretches of highway with just one Supercharger station for miles. If you arrive at low state of charge, and something is wrong or it's super-busy; you don't have another option. With CCS, there is usually *SOMETHING* else nearby. I've been saved from an "out" EA (my own fault - I saw it in Plugshare, but missed that it was "coming soon", this was back when EA was just starting up,) by a municipal CCS station.
One of the nicer parts about owning my 20 year old Jetta is that parts have been available for it from all of the many, many other VWAG vehicles that shared its chassis. SO, it has control arm bushings from the Audi TT, sway bars from the Seat Cupra, higher capacity springs from the Euro spec wagon, etc. If I end up with an ID4 once my Jetta dies (has to happen some time) hopefully, there will be sources to buy chassis parts from other more kinetically focused variants of the MEB platform that I can swap in.
Nice review. I for one love that it is smaller than a Tesla Model Y, and would cross shop this against a Volvo EX40. Having recently seen the Geely E5 and other Chinese competitors available in Thailand for well under $30k, it’s really hard to imagine paying $55k for any electric car available in the USA 😢. As an aside, I enjoy a lot of your content but must admit I often watch it at 1.7x or even 2x speed - maybe it’s just me! Cheers.
I really wish I could get you a drive in an Enyaq. I've had 3(perks of the job) and currently have an ID4 which will be swapped next month for a 2wd Q4. Having previously all 3, for day to day use the skoda is just a step better. The refresh coming next week will push that even further. The MEB SUV sister I havent driven yet is the Cupra Taavscan.... but it will have to be truly spectacular!
Woah, fascinated that forward sensors failed in even moderate rain. Mine gave up yesterday night, but I was driving in a blizzard, and my radar sensor was crusted with snow.
Good review ladies thanks. I just bought a 3 year old 40 S Line (without driving it!) which has the lowered suspension, and I am worried a little that the suspension may be a little harsh, wasn't sure if your review had the adjustable suspension?
The locking of the charge port is really annoying, at least based on my ID.4. What I've noticed is that opening the door boots the computer, which actually causes it to lock the port, even if it was unlocked before. If you don't open the door, and if you have it set to unlock the port when it's done charging, you can unplug without pressing the unlock button, but it will still lock it if the computer boots up, even if it doesn't have to charge further. Also, if you plug the car in, but don't open the door, the car won't notice the cable is there, and it won't charge. So you do have to remember when you go to plug in to also open the door so the car charges.
Center mounted shifter is so weird, just put it behind the wheel like it is on the id4! Use that space for cup holders or storage or something not a huge shifter knob
Why can't I get a car that charges like a Porsche Taycan, has comfort like a Mercedes EQS SUV, range like a Lucid, mature software like a Tesla at the price of a Chevy Bolt from a company with the seeming ethical leadership of Rivian? . Come on auto makers, step up your game! As for service and after market support, I suppose I'll have to write to Santa to ask about those. We have lots of examples (way more so in Europe and China) of excellence in different areas. It would be lovely to see a move towards auto makers bundling more of the good bits in the future. Not being aquatic based though, I won't hold my breath for anytime soon.
@wimd4964 Alas neither are available to me in my state. Non-US locations have so many good choices now. Lucky. I'll just have to keep watching and hoping.
@@wimd4964 Keeping an eye out for what happens with the Rivian R2 and R3/R3X releases in the coming years. If R2 is coming out in 2026, I expect to start seeing more details released on it in 2025. Buying used also would significantly drop some costs. The Audi in the review for example may not be super at new car cost, but give it 1-3 years and that thing is at a much more compelling price on the used market.
@@PattyTheGeek yes Rivian looks good, could be something in the US because there is only Tesla at the moment. I think in Europe they will be late to the party as there are already a lot of cars in that class and price range, competition is fierce.
You could well be lucky with a cheap Q4 E-tron if you are willing to drop from the 55 to the 50; at least in the UK, where low mileage examples can be found for well under £30k
Here in the UK the average speed is 50 mph so the furthest one can drive without a toilet/toilet break is, ordinarily, less than 5 hours so is a 250 mile range actually a problem? Is the average road speed in the USA higher or stomaches, bowels and bladders larger?
I knew VW recycled their controls for years on different models. Did not know it carried over to Audi. The stupidest choice to me is that little panel at the top of the windshield. The surface is parallel to line of sight so you cannot see the labels and even the ones with buttons are not illuminated. They are not meant to be seen. It is perfected with touch controls.
I can't get past those trypophobia-inducing air vents. Audi and Volkswagen have had so many models with beautiful vent designs (such as the Passat B5 and certain generations of the Audi 100/200) or ones that hide the vents entirely, like in the Phaeton.
I've been a bit of an Audi head for a couple of vehicles now (2004 A4, 2011 S5 and now a 2017 A4 allroad) and have been very underwhelmed with most of the Audi/VW/Porsche offerings, at least here in the US. I did a short test drive of the quattro 55 e-tron Q4 (Audi has also failed on their naming schemes from where it was before introducing the e-tron EVs) and was not happy with its efficiency nor its interior packaging and materials. It's basically a Q3 with EV underpinnings. Since I've already made the commitment to go with an EV to replace my allroad, none of the VW Group's offerings are on the consider list. The Q6 is too expensive and focuses too much on widgets and tech doodads and same with the A6 e-tron (which we wouldn't be getting the Avant anyway).
How in 2025 do they not just have it automatically disengage AWD when it's not needed? That seems like it shouldn't require rocket science to figure out? Also, many of the other issues you highlight like the charger unplugging sound like software issues that Rivian smarts will help with!
I can't be the only one to despair at some of the, better late than never decisions Volkswagen group made, about it's Electric vehicle platforms. Audi & Volkswagen vehicles used to be objects of desire. Now thanks to poor decisions they look like boxy monstrosities. Late to the table, with EV's the Volkswagen groups roof is on fire. Foreign and American competition is eating their lunch. I really hope Volkswagen group get their act together. We need the capability to manufacture our own vehicles in Europe. Being pawns of the Chinese, would be a disaster for us all...
Well, VW just made a darn big investment into Rivian for Rivian to supply them with drivetrain and electric components and software. Not that that will help the floundering design issues, but it at least potentially means a big upgrade to the underlying platform that is sorely needed. And not that that is "homegrown" but at least it shows that VW has finally admitted that they need help and are reaching out. We have seen other "investment partnerships" like this that ultimately just sort of fizzled (think Ford and Rivian) but hopefully this one is serious.
A car 'you could live with if you can buy one 2nd hand in 5 years' and 'good job Audi' in the same sentence doesn't sound very convincing. Also, the Chinese blow this out of the water for a lower price. Buy an Xpeng G6, Zeekr 7x, BYD Sealion 7 or Onvo L60 instead.
I'm not sure if Rivian software will fix the poor software issues VW Group has, but I think VW is watching their future crumble. They are going to be a Chinese company or gone before 2035 if they do not have massive strides forward in many areas.
VW will be bailed out by the German government if it gets to "becoming a Chinese company." They are actually required by German law to be German-owned. Same with Porsche. Which is one of the odd reasons that "Porsche owns VW and VW owns Porsche." The two companies are not actually "single ownership" like GM owning Chevy and Cadillac, they're independent companies that both own significant portions of each other. Audi, on the other hand, is now fully owned by VW. (It didn't used to be, it used to be an arrangement similar to VW/Porsche, but Audi was on the verge of failing, so the German government had VW buy them outright back in the '60s.)
Regen on demand comes with D mode. They are not meant to set a permanent rate if braking but to be used like downshifting your car as you go down hills. To be honest, I don’t see the point of B-mode.
It's basically shouting into the wind to rail against EV mandates, when none of the EV mandates any countries had previously envoked were really enforceable, and most of them have already been rolled back. EVs are inevitable, regardless of the mandates. Also, I'll bet dollars to dimes his opinions on "freedom" are suddenty a whole lot quieter when it comes to subjects like gay marriage, abortion, immigration, and tariffs.
I hear these complaints and think "oh that's not too bad, you would have the same experience in the VW ID.4" - NOBODY NEEDS TO EXPLAIN THE MEB PLATFORM TO ME - However I am curious to know if this vehicle had the new APP 550 motor?
Absolutely wild this car is 4 years newer and a bit more upmarket and expensive vs my id4 and all the same complaints are still there that I have with my id4. Cmon vw get your shit together
Thank you. These conversational reviews are very nice and easy to listen to.
Very nuanced coverage, as expected. Thanks. Not a car to interest me but now I understand better the owner across the street who has one.
Great review. Really appreciate understanding how the Q4 eTron stacks up against other EVs.
Thank you for this content. Very informative and entertaining presentation.
I have a friend with a 21 Q5 plug in hybrid and it has normal knobs and switches for the infotainment, climate and steering wheel. I much prefer that setup. I do like that this as a normal instrument cluster and a driver focused infotainment screen as opposed to one big screen which looks cool but I don’t think works as well. These days I think a bit more normal actually makes your EV more special. The car looks great on the outside in styling and color.
My wife has a Q4 and she loves it.
Sounds like something you need penicillin for.
❤🎉
"Onwards Jeeves", thanks for the PG Wodehouse reference.
All these comments by the way, are about my Skoda Enyaq, the best iteration of the MEB platform. It has real buttons on the steering too.
😅 training to be a proctologist comment to describe a tailgater was gold.
Thank you for another great video. Your discussion about the MEB platform is exactly the problem of the VW group. They came up with something mediocre. If they would have made it really great, like the Hyundai/Kia motorgroup platform, I believe they would be in a much better position now.
I like the light inside the CCS1 inlet on my i4. Also, BMW makes easy the charge cable release
NACS is a superior connector.
J3400 may be superior but I am used to CCS1 and will be using it for at least the next decade, as will many others.
@barryw9473 - how when CCS NA chargers are ALL unreliable ?
Most CCS1 stations work fine. I have encountered broken Tesla Superchargers.
@@markplott4820 Except they aren't. Sure, Electrify America has a reputation for being unreliable; but it's not even that *EVERY* EA dispenser at _EVERY_ EA station is unreliable.
I've rarely had an EVgo station have any down dispensers. I've *NEVER* had Rivian have a down dispenser.
I have had bad Superchargers. Usually enough working at any given location to not be a big deal, but I've had one station have half of their 8 dispensers out of service, causing a long line. Thankfully I could make it to another Supercharger; but only because Tesla had opened a newer Supercharger station across town just a month earlier. The problem with Tesla previously was that because there was no competition, there are many stretches of highway with just one Supercharger station for miles. If you arrive at low state of charge, and something is wrong or it's super-busy; you don't have another option.
With CCS, there is usually *SOMETHING* else nearby. I've been saved from an "out" EA (my own fault - I saw it in Plugshare, but missed that it was "coming soon", this was back when EA was just starting up,) by a municipal CCS station.
One of the nicer parts about owning my 20 year old Jetta is that parts have been available for it from all of the many, many other VWAG vehicles that shared its chassis. SO, it has control arm bushings from the Audi TT, sway bars from the Seat Cupra, higher capacity springs from the Euro spec wagon, etc.
If I end up with an ID4 once my Jetta dies (has to happen some time) hopefully, there will be sources to buy chassis parts from other more kinetically focused variants of the MEB platform that I can swap in.
the ERA of the ICE car is over.
TESLA last 250,000 miles without maintenance.
and multiple DECADES.
Agree, one of the reasons I got my 2023 Chevy bolt ev, it's been in production since 2017
@@rp9674 - Shitty BOLT = Compliance car.
It uses ICE body.
^ your ignorance is showing, Bolt was not built on an ice platform. Good acceleration good range, is the best deal in EVS yet.
@@rp9674 - Could not even outsell TESLA model 3 in 2018.
demand dropped off cliff.
BOLT never recovered.
Nice review. I for one love that it is smaller than a Tesla Model Y, and would cross shop this against a Volvo EX40. Having recently seen the Geely E5 and other Chinese competitors available in Thailand for well under $30k, it’s really hard to imagine paying $55k for any electric car available in the USA 😢. As an aside, I enjoy a lot of your content but must admit I often watch it at 1.7x or even 2x speed - maybe it’s just me! Cheers.
I really wish I could get you a drive in an Enyaq. I've had 3(perks of the job) and currently have an ID4 which will be swapped next month for a 2wd Q4. Having previously all 3, for day to day use the skoda is just a step better. The refresh coming next week will push that even further.
The MEB SUV sister I havent driven yet is the Cupra Taavscan.... but it will have to be truly spectacular!
Woah, fascinated that forward sensors failed in even moderate rain. Mine gave up yesterday night, but I was driving in a blizzard, and my radar sensor was crusted with snow.
I use travel assist in town and hardly ever touch either pedal.
Good review ladies thanks. I just bought a 3 year old 40 S Line (without driving it!) which has the lowered suspension, and I am worried a little that the suspension may be a little harsh, wasn't sure if your review had the adjustable suspension?
The locking of the charge port is really annoying, at least based on my ID.4. What I've noticed is that opening the door boots the computer, which actually causes it to lock the port, even if it was unlocked before. If you don't open the door, and if you have it set to unlock the port when it's done charging, you can unplug without pressing the unlock button, but it will still lock it if the computer boots up, even if it doesn't have to charge further.
Also, if you plug the car in, but don't open the door, the car won't notice the cable is there, and it won't charge. So you do have to remember when you go to plug in to also open the door so the car charges.
The best SUV with the meb platform is the Skoda Enyaq
Gotta say, I think travel assist is much better than Tesla Autopilot (in Europe at least)
Center mounted shifter is so weird, just put it behind the wheel like it is on the id4! Use that space for cup holders or storage or something not a huge shifter knob
"Somebody training to be a proctologist behind me" LOL!! I hate those people!
Anybody would have to be paid to look at those two Bums .
Why can't I get a car that charges like a Porsche Taycan, has comfort like a Mercedes EQS SUV, range like a Lucid, mature software like a Tesla at the price of a Chevy Bolt from a company with the seeming ethical leadership of Rivian? . Come on auto makers, step up your game! As for service and after market support, I suppose I'll have to write to Santa to ask about those.
We have lots of examples (way more so in Europe and China) of excellence in different areas. It would be lovely to see a move towards auto makers bundling more of the good bits in the future. Not being aquatic based though, I won't hold my breath for anytime soon.
@@PattyTheGeek you should buy an Xpeng G6 then, or an Onvo L60
@wimd4964 Alas neither are available to me in my state. Non-US locations have so many good choices now. Lucky. I'll just have to keep watching and hoping.
@@PattyTheGeek yeah US is mostly Tesla I guess, Rivian and Lucid far more expensive no? Faraday Future is another startup I believe.
@@wimd4964 Keeping an eye out for what happens with the Rivian R2 and R3/R3X releases in the coming years. If R2 is coming out in 2026, I expect to start seeing more details released on it in 2025.
Buying used also would significantly drop some costs. The Audi in the review for example may not be super at new car cost, but give it 1-3 years and that thing is at a much more compelling price on the used market.
@@PattyTheGeek yes Rivian looks good, could be something in the US because there is only Tesla at the moment. I think in Europe they will be late to the party as there are already a lot of cars in that class and price range, competition is fierce.
You could well be lucky with a cheap Q4 E-tron if you are willing to drop from the 55 to the 50; at least in the UK, where low mileage examples can be found for well under £30k
Here in the UK the average speed is 50 mph so the furthest one can drive without a toilet/toilet break is, ordinarily, less than 5 hours so is a 250 mile range actually a problem? Is the average road speed in the USA higher or stomaches, bowels and bladders larger?
The better ID.4 is a skoda
Every VW has a better Skoda equivalent.
Alas we’re unlikely to get one to test…
better iD4 is a MODEL Y
Skoda is made worse than BYD....lol.
@@markplott4820 as someone who has driven both, nope.
I knew VW recycled their controls for years on different models. Did not know it carried over to Audi. The stupidest choice to me is that little panel at the top of the windshield. The surface is parallel to line of sight so you cannot see the labels and even the ones with buttons are not illuminated. They are not meant to be seen. It is perfected with touch controls.
I can't get past those trypophobia-inducing air vents. Audi and Volkswagen have had so many models with beautiful vent designs (such as the Passat B5 and certain generations of the Audi 100/200) or ones that hide the vents entirely, like in the Phaeton.
@0:17 vista house!
I've been a bit of an Audi head for a couple of vehicles now (2004 A4, 2011 S5 and now a 2017 A4 allroad) and have been very underwhelmed with most of the Audi/VW/Porsche offerings, at least here in the US. I did a short test drive of the quattro 55 e-tron Q4 (Audi has also failed on their naming schemes from where it was before introducing the e-tron EVs) and was not happy with its efficiency nor its interior packaging and materials. It's basically a Q3 with EV underpinnings.
Since I've already made the commitment to go with an EV to replace my allroad, none of the VW Group's offerings are on the consider list. The Q6 is too expensive and focuses too much on widgets and tech doodads and same with the A6 e-tron (which we wouldn't be getting the Avant anyway).
BMW i4 has great adaptive braking. Not sure why VW could not figure it out.
How in 2025 do they not just have it automatically disengage AWD when it's not needed? That seems like it shouldn't require rocket science to figure out?
Also, many of the other issues you highlight like the charger unplugging sound like software issues that Rivian smarts will help with!
My id4 only activates all the wheels when it needs them, idk why they decided to do something different with the q4
I can't be the only one to despair at some of the, better late than never decisions Volkswagen group made, about it's Electric vehicle platforms. Audi & Volkswagen vehicles used to be objects of desire. Now thanks to poor decisions they look like boxy monstrosities. Late to the table, with EV's the Volkswagen groups roof is on fire. Foreign and American competition is eating their lunch. I really hope Volkswagen group get their act together. We need the capability to manufacture our own vehicles in Europe. Being pawns of the Chinese, would be a disaster for us all...
Well, VW just made a darn big investment into Rivian for Rivian to supply them with drivetrain and electric components and software. Not that that will help the floundering design issues, but it at least potentially means a big upgrade to the underlying platform that is sorely needed. And not that that is "homegrown" but at least it shows that VW has finally admitted that they need help and are reaching out. We have seen other "investment partnerships" like this that ultimately just sort of fizzled (think Ford and Rivian) but hopefully this one is serious.
Look at obstacle avoidance ratings on it. Emergency braking etc. performs quite poorly.
A car 'you could live with if you can buy one 2nd hand in 5 years' and 'good job Audi' in the same sentence doesn't sound very convincing. Also, the Chinese blow this out of the water for a lower price. Buy an Xpeng G6, Zeekr 7x, BYD Sealion 7 or Onvo L60 instead.
I like audi but the lack of solid one pedal driving and their old feeling infotainment system are deal brakers
Does VW group still post your location online?
The better ID4 is an ID3, or better yet an eUP!...
I'm not sure if Rivian software will fix the poor software issues VW Group has, but I think VW is watching their future crumble. They are going to be a Chinese company or gone before 2035 if they do not have massive strides forward in many areas.
VW will be bailed out by the German government if it gets to "becoming a Chinese company." They are actually required by German law to be German-owned. Same with Porsche. Which is one of the odd reasons that "Porsche owns VW and VW owns Porsche." The two companies are not actually "single ownership" like GM owning Chevy and Cadillac, they're independent companies that both own significant portions of each other.
Audi, on the other hand, is now fully owned by VW. (It didn't used to be, it used to be an arrangement similar to VW/Porsche, but Audi was on the verge of failing, so the German government had VW buy them outright back in the '60s.)
Except the e-tron GT and the new q6, all Audis are VW underneath
… and overpriced
Regen on demand comes with D mode. They are not meant to set a permanent rate if braking but to be used like downshifting your car as you go down hills. To be honest, I don’t see the point of B-mode.
Almost one pedal mode
Just put a new badge on the front. Like in China. AUDI. That’s how you trick the consumer.
41%
Go play with your kiwi farm pals and leave RUclips channels alone you absolute wazzock
does it constantly spy on you like teslas?
I think that's all modern vehicles to varying degrees
The Skoda Enyaq is the better ID4.
Alas, we can’t test it
I guess that the Enyaq is not available in the USA.
Audi lacks LEVEL 3 FSD supervised like TESLA has.
Audi has a very OUTDATED feel.
Audi has very crappy sales in CHYNA, along with ALL VW products.
BYD in Q4 & 2024 OUTSOLD vw group globally.
Toyota #1 and BYD #2 globally.
Audi & VW are very incompetent in vehicle software.
Audi eTron (turd💩) is built too Expensive, too HEAVY, and very inefficient.
Hillsdale College : EV Mandates vs Freedom | Mark P. Mills . The Facts. POP goes EV world.
It's basically shouting into the wind to rail against EV mandates, when none of the EV mandates any countries had previously envoked were really enforceable, and most of them have already been rolled back. EVs are inevitable, regardless of the mandates.
Also, I'll bet dollars to dimes his opinions on "freedom" are suddenty a whole lot quieter when it comes to subjects like gay marriage, abortion, immigration, and tariffs.
@@patreekotime4578 Really ? Did you watch the whole thing ? Don't lie now . EV's are not inevitable unless you applaud WEF tyranny .
1000% Tarrifs for AUDI soon.....lol.
I hear these complaints and think "oh that's not too bad, you would have the same experience in the VW ID.4" - NOBODY NEEDS TO EXPLAIN THE MEB PLATFORM TO ME - However I am curious to know if this vehicle had the new APP 550 motor?
Absolutely wild this car is 4 years newer and a bit more upmarket and expensive vs my id4 and all the same complaints are still there that I have with my id4. Cmon vw get your shit together