Audi Q4 e-tron vs Tesla Model Y

The Audi Q4 e-tron costs £4,270 more than the Tesla Model Y. On the headline specs that premium buys little measurable advantage - the two are closely matched on range, charging and space. The Tesla Model Y is not just cheaper - it also offers 40 miles more WLTP range, 334 litres more boot space and a 1.2s quicker 0-62mph time. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Tesla Model Y comes out ahead overall.

The Tesla Model Y is £4,270 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £152 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Tesla Model Y comes out roughly £4,310 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.

EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 229 miles for the Audi Q4 e-tron and 251 miles for the Tesla Model Y - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Tesla Model Y goes roughly 22 miles further between charging stops.

The Audi Q4 e-tron is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 116 mm narrower than the Tesla Model Y. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 535 mm of total clearance for the Audi Q4 e-tron and about 419 mm of total clearance for the Tesla Model Y. The Audi Q4 e-tron also turns in a 1.9 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.

Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the Audi Q4 e-tron and 90% for the Tesla Model Y. That gives the Tesla Model Y a modest edge in retained real-world range. The Tesla Model Y's LFP-type pack tolerates daily 100% charging, while the Audi Q4 e-tron's NMC-type pack lasts longest kept to about 80% for everyday use. Both batteries carry a 8-year manufacturer warranty.