Grading on their curves

These upmarket electric SUVs have striking looks to go with their promise of sensible running costs. But this is more than just a beauty contest

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THE AUDI Q4 Sportback e-tron and Volvo C40 Recharge are electric SUVs that follow the ‘less is more’ approach. While their sleek rooflines give you less head room in the back than in their boxier Q4 and XC40 siblings, they bring a useful benefit: increased range.

Because these cars can slip through the air more easily than their less curvy counterparts, the Q4 Sportback can officially travel seven miles farther than the regular Q4 between top-ups, while the C40 trumps the electric XC40 by 19 miles. That could come in handy on longer journeys.

Another area in which these cars tap into their philosophy is pricing; you can buy a three-yearold example of either for not far off half of what they cost new.

Both offer respectable official ranges (the Q4’s being slightly longer) and plush interiors. We're testing them in range-topping dual-motor, four-wheel-drive forms and in popular trims.

DRIVING

Performance, ride, handling, refinement

The Q4’s electric motors produce a healthy 295bhp, but that figure is dwarfed by the C40's very un-Volvolike 402bhp. As a result, the latter is significantly quicker, both from a standstill (4.6sec versus 6.0sec from 0-60mph) and when you ask for a burst of acceleration when rolling along. You won't feel shortchanged in the Q4, though.

When it comes to slowing down, you'll find reassuringly consistent pressure underfoot in the C40. This isn’t the case in the Q4; the resistance in the pedal tends to change as you slow down; coming to a smooth halt can be tricky.