Compare the2023 Jaguar I-PaceVS 2023 Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback

The I-Pace’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 Sportback doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the I-Pace and the Q4 e-tron Sportback have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, 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 I-Pace 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 Sportback’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 10,000 miles sooner.

Jaguar pays for scheduled maintenance on the I-Pace for 5 years and 60,000 miles. Jaguar will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Audi only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the Q4 e-tron Sportback.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Jaguar vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. With 29 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Jaguar higher than Audi.

The I-Pace’s electric motors produces 99 more horsepower (394 vs. 295) and 173 lbs.-ft. more torque (512 vs. 339) than the Q4 e-tron Sportback’s electric motors.

The I-Pace with 20-inch tires can travel longer on a full charge than the Q4 50 e-tron Sportback (246 miles vs. 242 miles).

The Jaguar I-Pace 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 Sportback. Drums can heat up and make stops longer, especially with antilock brakes that work much harder than conventional brakes.

For better traction, the I-Pace has larger standard tires than the Q4 e-tron Sportback (245/50R20 vs. 235/50R20). The I-Pace’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Q4 e-tron Sportback (255/40R22 vs. 235/50R20).

The I-Pace’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Q4 e-tron Sportback’s optional 50 series front and 45 series rear tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the I-Pace offers optional 22-inch wheels. The Q4 e-tron Sportback’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

The I-Pace offers an optional space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Q4 e-tron Sportback; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The front and rear suspension of the I-Pace uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the Q4 e-tron Sportback, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The I-Pace offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Q4 e-tron Sportback’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The I-Pace has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The I-Pace’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The Q4 e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the I-Pace’s wheelbase is 9 inches longer than on the Q4 e-tron Sportback (117.7 inches vs. 108.7 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the I-Pace is 2.4 inches wider in the front and 3.9 inches wider in the rear than on the Q4 e-tron Sportback.

The front grille of the I-Pace 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 Sportback doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The I-Pace has 1.4 inches more front headroom, .9 inches more front shoulder room and 1.1 inches more rear headroom than the Q4 e-tron Sportback.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the I-Pace to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Q4 e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

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

Standard air-conditioned seats in the I-Pace keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Q4 e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

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

The Jaguar I-Pace outsold the Audi Q4 e-tron by over 22 to one during 2021.