2026 Audi Q4 e-tron

midsize luxury SUV / 4-door SUV

Fully electric
2026 Audi Q4 e-tron 4-door SUV
2025 Audi Q4 e-tron shown

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Evaluation criteriaRating
Small overlap front
G
Moderate overlap front: updated test
P
Side: updated test
G

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Evaluation criteriaRating
Headlights
A
Front crash prevention: pedestrian
Standard system
A

Seat belts & child restraints

Evaluation criteriaRating
Seat belt reminders
A

Key

  • Good
  • Acceptable
  • Marginal
  • Poor

Small overlap front

The small overlap front evaluation consists of a driver-side and a passenger-side component. If the results of the two evaluations differ, then the combined small overlap rating is equal to the lower rating.

Driver-side

Tested vehicle: 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 Pro EV 4-door
Rating applies to 2022-26 models

The Volkswagen ID.4 was introduced in the 2021 model year as the first electric SUV in Volkswagen's lineup. These ratings also apply to the Audi Q4 e-tron and Q4 Sportback e-tron, introduced in the 2022 model year.

Evaluation criteriaRating
Overall driver-side evaluation
G
Structure and safety cage
G
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
G
Chest
G
Hip/thigh
G
Lower leg/foot
G
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
G

Action shot taken during the driver-side small overlap frontal crash test.

The dummy's position in relation to the door frame, steering wheel, and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained very well.

The frontal and side curtain airbags worked well together to keep the head from coming close to any stiff structure or outside objects that could cause injury.

The driver's space was maintained well, and risk of injuries to the dummy's legs and feet was low.

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Evaluation criteriaMeasurement
Test ID CEN2105
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 4
Footrest (cm) 5
Left toepan (cm) 5
Brake pedal (cm) 7
Parking brake (cm)
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 0
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column 0
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 5
Upper dash (cm) 7
Lower instrument panel (cm) 5

Driver injury measures

Evaluation criteriaMeasurement
Test ID CEN2105
Head
HIC-15 307
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.7
Extension bending moment (Nm) 8
Maximum Nij 0.30
Chest maximum compression (mm) 27
Femur (kN)
Left 0.2
Right 0.0
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 0
Right 0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.33
Right 0.48
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 1.6
Right 1.5
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 68
Right 57

Passenger-side

Tested vehicle: 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 Pro EV 4-door
Rating applies to 2022-26 models

The Volkswagen ID.4 was introduced in the 2021 model year as the first electric SUV in Volkswagen's lineup. Passenger-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Volkswagen/Audi. These ratings also apply to the Audi Q4 e-tron and Q4 Sportback e-tron, introduced in the 2022 model year.

Evaluation criteriaRating
Overall passenger-side evaluation
G
Structure and safety cage
G
Passenger injury measures
Head/neck
G
Chest
G
Hip/thigh
G
Lower leg/foot
G
Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics
G
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
G
Chest
G
Hip/thigh
G
Lower leg/foot
G
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
G
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on passenger side

Evaluation criteriaMeasurement
Test ID VTP2111
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 5
Footrest (cm) 7
Right toepan (cm) 5
Center toepan (cm) 3
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 0
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm) 3
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 4
Upper dash (cm) 3
Right lower dash (cm) 3

Passenger injury measures

Evaluation criteriaMeasurement
Test ID VTP2111
Head
HIC-15 266
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.9
Extension bending moment (Nm) 25
Maximum Nij 0.28
Chest maximum compression (mm) 23
Femur (kN)
Left 0.3
Right 0.7
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 0
Right 0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.54
Right 0.37
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 2.5
Right 2.7
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 57
Right 74

Driver injury measures

Evaluation criteriaMeasurement
Test ID VTP2111
Head
HIC-15 324
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.1
Extension bending moment (Nm) 7
Maximum Nij 0.24
Chest maximum compression (mm) 35
Femur (kN)
Left 0.0
Right 0.3
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 0
Right 0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.29
Right 0.43
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 2.0
Right 2.1
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 51
Right 62

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: updated test

Tested vehicle: 2025 Audi Q4 55 e-tron quattro 4-door 4wd
Rating applies to 2025-26 models

The Audi Q4 e-tron and Q4 Sportback e-tron were introduced for the 2022 model year. Beginning with 2025 models, rear passenger seatbelt changes were implemented. These ratings apply to both Q4 e-tron and Q4 Sportback e-tron models.

Evaluation criteriaRating
Overall evaluation
P
Structure and safety cage
G
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
G
Chest
G
Thigh/hip
G
Leg/foot
G
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
G
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
G
Chest
P
Thigh
G
Rear passenger restraints and dummy kinematics
M

View of the vehicle after the crash showing the airbags and damage to the occupant compartment.

The rear passenger dummy's head remained a safe distance from the front seatback.

Rear passenger dummy injury values indicate a low risk of injury to the head or neck and a likelihood of injury to the chest. During the crash, the shoulder belt remained in an ideal position on the dummy’s chest.

The rear passenger dummy's lap belt moved from the ideal position on the pelvis onto the abdomen, increasing the risk of abdominal injuries.

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Evaluation criteriaMeasurement
Test ID CEF2550
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm) 3
Left (cm) 4
Center (cm) 4
Right (cm) 3
Brake pedal (cm) 1
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm) 0
Right (cm) 1
Steering column movement
Upward (cm) -2
Rearward (cm) -4
A-pillar rearward movement (cm) 0

Driver injury measures

Evaluation criteriaMeasurement
Test ID CEF2550
Head
HIC-15 234
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.8
Extension bending moment (Nm) 10
Maximum Nij 0.19
Chest maximum compression (mm) 28
Femur (kN)
Left 0.2
Right 0.2
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 0
Right 0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 1
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.21
Right 0.33
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 1.3
Right 1.5
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 35
Right 39

Rear passenger injury measures

Test ID CEF2550
Head
HIC-15 for head contact during forward excursion
no contact
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.7
Compression (kN) 0.1
Maximum Nij for head contact during forward excursion
no contact
Chest
Chest index 47
Shoulder belt tension (kN) 3.8
Thigh (kN)
Left femur compression 0.2
Right femur compression 0.2

About the moderate overlap front test

February 2024 adjustment to rating criteria

Side: updated test

Tested vehicle: 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 Pro S EV 4-door 4wd
Rating applies to 2022-26 models

The Volkswagen ID.4 was introduced in the 2021 model year as the first electric SUV in Volkswagen's lineup. These ratings also apply to the Audi Q4 e-tron and Q4 Sportback e-tron, introduced in the 2022 model year.

Evaluation criteriaRating
Overall evaluation
G
Structure and safety cage
G
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
G
Torso
G
Pelvis
G
Driver head protection
G
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
G
Torso
G
Pelvis
G
Rear passenger head protection
G

View of the vehicle just after the crash test.

View of the vehicle after the crash with doors removed, showing the side airbags and damage to the occupant compartment.

Smeared greasepaint shows where the driver dummy's head was protected from being hit by hard structures by the side airbags.

Smeared greasepaint shows where the rear passenger dummy’s head was protected by the side airbag.

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Evaluation criteria Measurement
Test ID CES2213
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm) -29.0
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Driver injury measures

Evaluation criteria Measurement
Test ID CES2213
Head
HIC-15 41
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.8
Compression (kN) 0.1
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 25
Lateral force (kN) 0.8
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 21
Average deflection (mm) 18
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 1.70
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.15
Pelvis
Combined force (kN) 1.6

Passenger injury measures

Evaluation criteria Measurement
Test ID CES2213
Head
HIC-15 243
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.3
Compression (kN) 0.5
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 7
Lateral force (kN) 0.5
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 18
Average deflection (mm) 14
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 1.94
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.19
Pelvis
Combined force (kN) 2.0

About the side crash test

Headlights

Trim level(s): All trims

Evaluation criteriaRating
Low-beam headlight typeLED reflector
High-beam headlight typeLED reflector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?Yes
Overall rating
A
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination High-beam assist credit

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the left side of the road and fair on the right side. On curves, visibility was fair on the sharp left curve and inadequate on the gradual left and both right curves.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the left side of the road and fair on the right side. On curves, visibility was good on the gradual left curve, fair on the sharp left curve and inadequate on both right curves.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and all 4 curves.

Technical measurements for this test
Evaluation criteria Measurement
Trim level(s)
  • All trims
Low-beam headlight type LED reflector
High-beam headlight type LED reflector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2022-26 models
A
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 82.4 m None
Straightaway left edge 58.8 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 50.7 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 53.1 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 42.2 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 48.0 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 134.2 m
Straightaway left edge 146.6 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 61.3 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 77.8 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 47.7 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 57.3 m

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: pedestrian

System details

  • standard Front Assist (with Automatic Emergency Braking and Pedestrian Monitoring)
Evaluation criteriaRating
Overall evaluation
A
Includes high-beam assist credit
Rating applies to all 2025-26 models

Crossing child — day

  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Crossing adult — night

  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision when using its high beams. When using its low beams, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision when using its high beams. When using its low beams, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Parallel adult — night

  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision when using its high beams. When using its low beams, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 37 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 21 mph when using its high beams and a warning was issued 1.7 seconds before impact. When using its low beams, impact speed was reduced by 21 mph and a warning was issued 1.8 seconds before impact.

About the pedestrian front crash prevention test

Seat belt reminders

Rating applies to 2025-26 models

Evaluation criteriaRating
Overall evaluation
A
Front row
Unbelted occupant alert (audible & visual)
Initiation time
DurationLong enough (90+ seconds)
Volume
Audio frequency
Second row
Startup status alert (visual)
None
Technical measurements for this test
Background cabin sound pressure level at 24 km/h 51 dB
Audible signal sound pressure level at 24 km/h 63 dB
Difference between background and signal 11.5 dB
Background cabin sound pressure level at 40 km/h 54 dB
Audible signal sound pressure level at 40 km/h 62 dB
Difference between background and signal 8.6 dB
Dominant audio frequency 1800 Hz

About the seat belt reminder evaluation