Audi Q4 e-tron from “Biedronka” - does it make sense?
Audi's mid-sized SUV is roomy, practical and well designed. The Q4 e-tron is built on the MEB platform, so you will find the same drivetrain layout in Volkswagen, Škoda and SEAT models. We had the chance to test an ex-lease car that had previously been used for 3 years by an employee at the head office of the “Biedronka” supermarket chain.
As the famous slogan of the cars from Ingolstadt has it - “Vorsprung durch Technik” - it is technology that is meant to set these German cars apart. The car is offered with a 77 kWh battery, which is good for between 400 and 500 km. The version tested carried the “40” badge, which means rear-wheel drive, around 200 hp and 0-100 km/h in 8.5 seconds. Top speed is limited to 160 km/h.
Stalks, cockpit and boot
With the Q4 e-tron, Audi has relied on proven solutions. Many of the car's functions are operated with switches and buttons. Not everything is run through the touchscreen. For some this is an advantage, while others may see it as “old-fashioned”. Nevertheless, the designers deserve credit for practicality. No fewer than 5 different controls are mounted on the steering column: two standard stalks operate the indicators and wipers, an extra lever handles the cruise control settings and two paddles adjust the level of regenerative braking. You can also increase regeneration with the drive selector on the centre console - switching from “D” to “B” recovers more energy.
For those who like the “cockpit concept”, the driver's station in the Audi Q4 e-tron may be just about perfect. The high centre console, the central screen angled towards the driver and the wide door trim give a sense of full control over the car, as everything is close at hand. Despite its sizeable dimensions, the car is also very easy to manoeuvre. This is partly down to the way its edges are clearly marked in the styling, but also to a well-judged turning circle.
The large and very practical boot is worth a mention - 510 litres will certainly be enough for a big shop or several suitcases. It is a pity there is no front boot, as in a Tesla, for example. The test car had 8Jx19" Aero alloy wheels, polished in graphite grey, with 235/55/R19 tyres.
Condition after 3 years of leasing and buying from NFM
Apart from a slight dent in the rear bumper, the car had practically no damage. It was also hard to spot any signs of normal wear and tear - clearly the user had been careful, and the materials are of such high quality that 3 years of use had left no marks on the interior. The test car had 48,000 km on the clock, was priced at 154,000 złoty and was built in 2022.
The car we tested was provided by NFM, a company specialising in long-term rental and leasing. It is a member of the Polish Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (PZWLP). It is worth stressing that every customer interested in buying a car after rental or leasing has full access to its description and documentation covering mileage, how it was used and any repairs, including bodywork and paintwork. You can also check the car's technical condition and specifications. NFM's Warsaw lot held several dozen cars from many brands, from Europe as well as Japan and Korea. Just before the sale, the car's technical condition can also be confirmed by an independent assessor, which gives buyers confidence in its quality and origin.
It is worth emphasising that ex-lease and ex-rental cars are, above all, vehicles that have been serviced regularly in line with the manufacturers' strict standards. All repairs are carried out at authorised workshops or other carefully selected service networks, keeping to the intervals recommended by the manufacturers.
