Compare the2026 Kia EV6VS 2026 Audi Q4 e-tron

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the EV6 are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Q4 e-tron doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Kia EV6 has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Q4 e-tron doesn’t offer knee airbags.

With its standard Auto Emergency Braking with Pedestrian, Cyclist, and Junction Turning Detection, the Kia EV6 is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Audi Q4 e-tron, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

	EV6	Q4 e-tron
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Crossing Child - DAY
12 MPH	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH	AVOIDED	-15 MPH
	Crossing Adult - NIGHT
12 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
12 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-21 MPH
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-24 MPH
	Parallel Adult - NIGHT
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
37 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-21 MPH
37 MPH Low beams	-24 MPH	-22 MPH

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Kia EV6 achieved a “Acceptable” rating - the second highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Audi Q4 e-tron has not been tested.

The EV6’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Q4 e-tron doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the EV6 and the Q4 e-tron have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Kia EV6 is safer than the Audi Q4 e-tron:

	EV6	Q4 e-tron
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	122	165
Neck Injury Risk	19.2%	33.2%
Neck Compression	20 lbs.	75 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	170	264
Chest Compression	.7 inches	.8 inches
Neck Injury Risk	32.5%	37.1%
Neck Stress	98 lbs.	102 lbs.
Neck Compression	89 lbs.	132 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Kia EV6 is safer than the Audi Q4 e-tron:

	EV6	Q4 e-tron
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	3 Stars

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the EV6, with its five-star roll-over rating, is 3.1% less likely to roll over than the Q4 e-tron, which received a four-star rating.

Warranty

The EV6 comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Q4 e-tron’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 10,000 miles sooner.

Kia’s powertrain warranty covers the EV6 6 years and 50,000 miles longer than Audi covers the Q4 e-tron. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Q4 e-tron ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 3 times as many Kia dealers as there are Audi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the EV6’s warranty.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia above average in initial quality. With 88 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia above average in long-term dependability. With 6 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Audi is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Kia 3 places higher in reliability than Audi.

Engine

As tested in Motor Trend the EV6 Long Range electric motors is faster than the Q4 55 e-tron electric motors:

	EV6	Q4 e-tron
Zero to 60 MPH	4.4 sec	4.7 sec
Quarter Mile	13.1 sec	13.4 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	103.4 MPH	98.8 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the EV6 gets better mileage than the Q4 e-tron:

			MPGe
EV6
	RWD	Light Standard Range Electric Motor	128 city/103 hwy
	AWD	19" Wheels Electric Motors	117 city/95 hwy
Q4 e-tron
	RWD	Q4 45 e-tron Electric Motor	125 city/104 hwy
	AWD	Q4 55 e-tron Electric Motors	107 city/92 hwy

The EV6 can travel longer on a full charge than the Q4 e-tron on a full charge:

			Miles
EV6
	RWD	Long Range Electric Motor	319 miles
	AWD	19" Wheels Electric Motors	295 miles
		20" Wheels Electric Motors	270 miles
Q4 e-tron
	RWD	Q4 45 e-tron Electric Motor	288 miles
	AWD	Q4 55 e-tron Electric Motors	258 miles

Brakes and Stopping

The Kia EV6 has standard four-wheel disc brakes for better stopping power and improved directional control in poor weather. Only rear drums come on the Q4 e-tron. Drums can heat up and make stops longer, especially with antilock brakes that work much harder than conventional brakes.

The EV6 stops shorter than the Q4 e-tron:

	EV6	Q4 e-tron
60 to 0 MPH	124 feet	125 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the EV6 GT-Line e-AWD’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Q4 e-tron (255/45R20 vs. 235/55R19).

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the EV6’s wheelbase is 5.5 inches longer than on the Q4 e-tron (114.2 inches vs. 108.7 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the EV6 is 1.8 inches wider in the front and 3 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Q4 e-tron.

The EV6 Wind e-AWD handles at .85 G’s, while the Q4 e-tron Quattro pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The EV6 Wind e-AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Q4 e-tron Quattro (26.1 seconds @ .72 average G’s vs. 26.6 seconds @ .69 average G’s).

Chassis

The Kia EV6 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 200 to 550 pounds less than the Audi Q4 e-tron.

The front grille of the EV6 uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Q4 e-tron doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The EV6 has .5 inches more front headroom, 1.2 inches more front legroom, 1.1 inches more front shoulder room, 1.8 inches more rear legroom and .5 inches more rear shoulder room than the Q4 e-tron.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the EV6’s rear seats recline. The Q4 e-tron’s rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the EV6’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Q4 e-tron doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

Servicing Ease

The EV6 uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Q4 e-tron uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

Ergonomics

The EV6 Light/Wind/GT-Line’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Q4 e-tron doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The EV6’s standard Smart Key allows you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, open the cargo door, and start the vehicle, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Keyless Start standard on the Q4 e-tron only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle.

The EV6’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Q4 e-tron’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Kia EV6 has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors costs extra on the Q4 e-tron.

Both the EV6 and the Q4 e-tron have standard heated front seats. The EV6 also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Q4 e-tron.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the EV6 Wind/GT-Line keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Q4 e-tron doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

Compared to traditional radio, the Kia EV6’s standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks. Satellite radio costs extra on the Q4 e-tron.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Kia EV6 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the Q4 e-tron.

The EV6 offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the rear seat, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Q4 e-tron doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The EV6 GT-Line’s Smart Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Smart Parking Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Q4 e-tron Premium Plus’ automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.

Recommendations

The EV6 was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2023. The Q4 e-tron has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the EV6 as the 2023 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year. The Q4 e-tron has never been chosen.

The Kia EV6 outsold the Audi Q4 by almost two to one during 2025.

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