Audi Q4 e-tron vs BMW X1
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
BMW X1 scores higher, 75 vs 74
Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 28 Aug 2026, price 4 Oct 2026
Audi Q4 e-tron
20 of 27 standard · no option data · 7 no dataFrom
$84,900
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Electric
- Engine
- Electric
- Power
- 210kW
- Energy use
- 17.4 kWh/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2021
- Boot (seats up)
- 520L
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
BMW X1
19 of 27 standard · no option data · 8 no dataFrom
$61,800
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Petrol
- Engine
- Petrol
- Power
- 115kW
- Economy
- 6.5 L/100kmWLTP test cycle, not directly comparable with ADR 81/02 figures
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2022
- Boot (seats up)
- 540L
Top CarSorted Score, 75 vs 74
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
$84,900RRP
- no option data for this car
$61,800RRP
- no option data for this car
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
Price and cost per week
Audi Q4 e-tron 45 e-tron
$84,900
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 4 Oct 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $369 a week in repayments ($84,900 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
BMW X1 sDrive18i
$61,800
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 24 June 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $263 a week in repayments ($61,800 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
The BMW X1 starts $23,100 lower on RRP.
The Audi Q4 e-tron currently qualifies for the electric-vehicle FBT exemption, which applies to novated leases. The BMW X1 does not: only battery-electric vehicles qualify.
On-road costs (stamp duty, registration, CTP and dealer delivery) depend on your state and the dealer; ask for a written drive-away price before you sign.
CarSorted
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Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$263/wk(≈$1,138/mo)
Estimate on the BMW X1 at $61,800 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Electric, with an RRP under the $91,661 fuel-efficient LCT threshold (2026-27): under the ATO's electric cars exemption a novated lease of an eligible electric car attracts no FBT if luxury car tax was never payable on it. The benefit is still reportable.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the Audi Q4 e-tronDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP lists the Audi Q4 e-tron at 5 stars (2021) and the BMW X1 at 5 stars (2022). ANCAP tested these in different years (2021 vs 2022). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like. Adult occupant protection scored 93% for the Audi Q4 e-tron and 86% for the BMW X1, under different test years.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 9 of 10 key ADAS systems on the Audi Q4 e-tron, against 5 on the BMW X1.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 7 in the Audi Q4 e-tron and 6 in the BMW X1.
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Driver assistance, system by system. We can confirm 9 of 10 key systems on the Audi Q4 e-tron and 5 on the BMW X1.
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
Recalls on our record
Audi Q4 e-tron
None open on our record
BMW X1
- REC-006553 · published 4 Mar 2026Due to a manufacturing defect, the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) cooler may develop an internal coolant leak.Year range on the notice: 2010 - 2022
- REC-006090 · published 2 Oct 2024Due to a manufacturing defect, a component of the brake booster system may have been incorrectly welded and could break.Year range on the notice: 2022 - 2024
- REC-006063 · published 30 Aug 2024Due to a manufacturing defect, liquid may enter the electrical water pump connectors.Year range on the notice: 2011 - 2018
- 5 more on the model page.
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Charging times
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to a DC fast charger, estimated from battery size and the car's own maximum charge rates.
How long to charge
77kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 175kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 175kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The Audi Q4 e-tron features a 11.6-inch touchscreen paired with a 10.3-inch digital dash, while the BMW X1 gets a 10.7-inch display and 10.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Audi Q4 e-tron stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bang & Olufsen audio and ambient lighting — features our data doesn't list for the BMW X1. The BMW X1 counters with Apple CarPlay, head-up display, heated front seats and Harman Kardon audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Audi Q4 e-tron gets synthetic leather upholstery while the BMW X1 offers sensatec synthetic leather. Climate control is 3-zone in the Audi Q4 e-tron and 2-zone in the BMW X1.
Equipment few rivals have, on either carShowHide
Drivetrain
The Audi Q4 e-tron uses a Electric producing 210kW and 545Nm of torque, sent through a single-speed (two-stage planetary) to a RWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 6.7 seconds.
The BMW X1 responds with a Petrol making 115kW and 230Nm, paired to a auto driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 9 seconds.
The Audi Q4 e-tron has the clear power advantage at 210kW vs 115kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Audi Q4 e-tron is 2.3s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Audi Q4 e-tron measures 4,588mm long on a 2,764mm wheelbase, 88mm longer than the BMW X1 at 4,500mm (2,692mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Audi Q4 e-tron generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 520L in the Audi Q4 e-tron and 540L in the BMW X1, giving the BMW X1 a 20L advantage.
For towing, the BMW X1 leads with a 1,700kg braked capacity vs 1,000kg. That 700kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Neither U-turns in one sweep on a 7 m local street (both need a three-point turn); the Audi Q4 e-tron's turning circle is 0.1 m tighter, 11.2 m against 11.3 m kerb to kerb. The street estimate is indicative, worked from the published turning circles.
Cost to own
At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the Audi Q4 e-tron costs about $835 a year (17.4 kWh/100km) and fuel for the BMW X1 about $1,853 a year (6.5 L/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh.
Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (Audi Q4 e-tron) and 5 years / Unlimited (BMW X1).
Where each one leads
The Audi Q4 e-tron: more power (210kW against 115kW).
The BMW X1: the lower starting price ($61,800 against $84,900), the bigger boot with the seats up (540L against 520L) and the higher braked towing limit (1,700kg against 1,000kg).
The Verdict
BMW X1 scores higher, 75 vs 74
The BMW X1 scores 75 to the Audi Q4 e-tron's 74 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 3 of the 5 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: performance (Audi Q4 e-tron ahead by 24 points), practicality (BMW X1 ahead by 8 points).
Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$263/wk(≈$1,138/mo)
Estimate on the BMW X1 at $61,800 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Electric, with an RRP under the $91,661 fuel-efficient LCT threshold (2026-27): under the ATO's electric cars exemption a novated lease of an eligible electric car attracts no FBT if luxury car tax was never payable on it. The benefit is still reportable.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the Audi Q4 e-tronDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Audi Q4 e-tron and BMW X1?
The BMW X1 is the cheapest at $61,800 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Audi Q4 e-tron by $23,100.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Audi Q4 e-tron holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2021) and BMW X1 holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2022). ANCAP tested these in different years (2021 vs 2022). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The BMW X1 has the largest boot at 540L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The BMW X1 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,700kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Audi Q4 e-tron makes the most power at 210kW. The Audi Q4 e-tron is quickest to 100km/h in 6.7s.
Track the Audi Q4 e-tron & BMW X1
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How to read this page. Prices, specifications, ANCAP ratings, warranty, the CarSorted Score and the verdict come from our records for the grades shown, sourced from the manufacturers' Australian documents, and change when those records change; the date each was last checked is printed under the headline. Prices are recommended retail prices before on-road costs unless marked drive-away. A plug-in hybrid's fuel figure is labelled with its basis: with a full battery (the certified combined figure) or as a hybrid (battery depleted). Charging and running costs are estimates on the stated assumptions. Always confirm price and specification with the manufacturer or dealer before you buy. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
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