Does the Audi Q4 E-Tron Have What It Takes to Beat the Mercedes EQB?
Like a new Taylor Swift album, the anticipation for the 2023 Mercedes EQB and the Audi Q4 E-tron is palpable. They’re electric and will go head-to-head. But, in the ways you measure a luxury SUV – space, pace, tech, and style – which comes out on top? Sure, the Tesla Model Y plays in this space, as does the Cadillac Lyriq and the Rivian R1S. But, in a Bavarian brawl, which should you pick, the cool Audi Q4 e-tron or the sleek Mercedes-Benz EQB?
Let’s start with the price of the 2023 Audi Q4 e-tron and Mercedes EQB
The Audi Q4 e-tron starts at $48,800 for the base Q4 e-tron 40 Premium. However, most will want the cool virtual cockpit and adaptive cruise control and step up the Premium Plus SUV for $55,400 that puts it right in the EQB’s sweet spot, or the even more expensive Prestive that starts at $61,900. Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive is a $5,000 option. The 50 trim is 300 horsepower.
The Mercedes-Bez EQB starts at $54,500 for the 300 4Matic version, which is all-wheel drive, or $58,050 for the faster EQB 350 4Matic. You can add the Exclusive and Pinnacle trims that add niceties like 4-zone climate control that includes a (really) fragrance and ionizing purifier, a multi-camera surround view system, and a panoramic roof. On many other Benzes options can add up, but the packages on the EQB are more reasonable.
Space: The EQB is larger than the Audi
The Q4 e-tron is a five-seater SUV, while the EQB can be a seven-seater. The Audi is a tiny bit shorter, with an overall length of 180 inches. I n back, with the seats up, it can hold 25 cubic feet of stuff, and 52 cubic feet of cargo with seats folded.
The Mercedes comes with five seats standard, and the back row is a $1,250 option that also adds sliding middle seats. The Benz is only two inches longer than the Audi, yet it can hold 62 cubic feet of cargo with the seats folded, though only 22 cubic feet when they’re up.
Pace: The Mercedes wins, unless you toggle Audi’s boost
Neither SUV is a rocket ship, but not many will say they are slow. The Audi makes 201 horsepower and has a range of 265 miles. However, the Audi in 40 trim has an electric boost mode that, when you have charged battery, will let you add 94 more horses. It can be ordered in rear- or all-wheel drive. However, the more expensive 50 trim, though, trumps the Benz with 300 horsepower.
The Mercedes uses front and rear motors that make every EQB all-wheel drive. The EQB 300 makes 225 horsepower while the EQB 350 gets 288 horsepower. It has a range of up to 243 miles.
Both are technology-heavy SUVs
Both of these SUVs in the growing EV field come with the latest in their brands’ drivers safety aids. Audi’s is called Pre sense, and it scans the road ahead to alert you of obstacles. But, it also comes with adaptive cruse, lane guidance, park assist and more. Inside, it comes with an optional heads-up display, a Sonos sound system, a connected app, and a new MMI, or multi-touch display, that has faster processing.
The Mercedes brings the company’s new MB Navigation that helps you choose the most efficient route, all while also adjusting for traffic and terrain. The new Mercedes-Benz User Experience is voice activate and it uses AI to learn your routines and preferences. However, nearly everything is digital and it has a distinct lack of knobs or buttons on the dash.
Neither wants to advertise (too much) its electric bones
The Audi’s style certainly reflects the designs of the uber-popular Q3 and Q5 SUVs. In fact, it’s conservative profile means that only Audi fans may recognize the e-tron as an electric vehicle. That could pay dividends if you want to travel a bit more incognito. Inside, too, it looks like a Q5.
The Mercdes, too, tries to restrain its styling from barking “I’m electric.” But, the smooth grille and clearly modern design give it away as a space age SUV. It’s inside, though, that Mercedes took the chances and gave it fighter-jet like vents and a unique twin screen panel that stretches across a large portion of the dash. Overall, both of these SUVs try not to stand out as EVs and instead they look like the SUVs most of us see on the roads every day, just with a few tweaks.
