Compare the2024 Acura ZDXVS 2025 Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback

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 ZDX are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Q4 e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Acura ZDX has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Q4 e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Both the ZDX and the Q4 e-tron Sportback have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front 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 Acura ZDX weighs 571 to 1378 pounds more than the Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Acura vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Acura above average in initial quality. With 49 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Acura vehicles are more reliable than Audi With 59 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Acura higher than Audi.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Acura vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Acura fourth in overall reliability. Audi is ranked 19th.

The ZDX A-Spec’s standard electric motor produces 23 more horsepower (358 vs. 335) than the Q4 e-tron Sportback’s electric motors. The ZDX A-Spec AWD’s standard electric motors produces 155 more horsepower (490 vs. 335) than the Q4 e-tron Sportback’s electric motors. The ZDX Type S’ standard electric motors produces 165 more horsepower (500 vs. 335) and 43 lbs.-ft. more torque (544 vs. 501) than the Q4 e-tron Sportback’s electric motors.

As tested in Car and Driver the ZDX Type S electric motors is faster than the Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback:

	ZDX	Q4 e-tron Sportback
Zero to 60 MPH	4.3 sec	5 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	4.4 sec	4.9 sec
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	2.4 sec	2.8 sec
Quarter Mile	12.7 sec	13.7 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	112 MPH	97 MPH
Top Speed	131 MPH	100 MPH

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

			Miles
ZDX
	RWD	A-Spec Electric Motor	313 miles
	AWD	A-Spec Electric Motors	304 miles
		Type S Electric Motors	278 miles
Q4 e-tron Sportback
	AWD	Q4 55 e-tron Sportback Electric Motors	258 miles

For better stopping power the ZDX Type S’ brake rotors are larger than those on the Q4 e-tron Sportback:

	ZDX Type S	Q4 e-tron Sportback	Q4 e-tron Sportback
Front Rotors	15.3 inches	14.1 inches	15 inches

The Acura ZDX 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.

The ZDX stops much shorter than the Q4 e-tron Sportback:

	ZDX	Q4 e-tron Sportback
70 to 0 MPH	168 feet	177 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	113 feet	129 feet	Motor Trend

For better traction, the ZDX has larger standard tires than the Q4 e-tron Sportback (265/50R20 vs. 235/50R20). The ZDX Type S’ tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Q4 e-tron Sportback (275/40R22 vs. 235/50R20).

The ZDX Type S’ 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 45 series front tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the ZDX Type S has standard 22-inch wheels. The Q4 e-tron Sportback’s largest wheels are only 21-inches.

The Acura ZDX’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The ZDX has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Q4 e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Having a flat tire is dangerous, inconvenient and expensive. The self-sealing tires standard on the ZDX can automatically seal most punctures up to 3/16 of an inch, effectively preventing most flat tires. The Q4 e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer self-sealing tires.

The ZDX offers an available 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.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the ZDX’s wheelbase is 13.1 inches longer than on the Q4 e-tron Sportback (121.8 inches vs. 108.7 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the ZDX is 3.9 inches wider in the front and 4.8 inches wider in the rear than on the Q4 e-tron Sportback.

The ZDX Type S handles at .85 G’s, while the Q4 e-tron Sportback pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The ZDX Type S executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.2 seconds quicker than the Q4 e-tron Sportback (25.1 seconds @ .75 average G’s vs. 26.3 seconds @ .68 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the ZDX has a 1.2 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Q4 e-tron Sportback (7 vs. 5.8 inches), allowing the ZDX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The ZDX has .2 inches more front legroom, 2.3 inches more front shoulder room, 2.2 inches more rear legroom and 2.9 inches more rear shoulder room than the Q4 e-tron Sportback.

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

The ZDX has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Q4 e-tron Sportback with its rear seat up (29.7 vs. 26.1 cubic feet). The ZDX has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Q4 e-tron Sportback with its rear seat folded (63 vs. 54.4 cubic feet).

The ZDX’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Q4 e-tron Sportback’s (3500 vs. 2650 pounds).

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the ZDX uses the Vehicle Stability Assist sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Q4 e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Acura service is better than Audi. J.D. Power ranks Acura 9th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 16% lower rating, Audi is ranked 18th.

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors optional at extra cost in the Q4 e-tron Sportback, the ZDX Type S has a passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The ZDX’s standard Keyless Access System allows you to unlock the doors from any outside 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 Sportback only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle.

The ZDX’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 Sportback’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the ZDX to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Q4 e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The Acura ZDX 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 Sportback.

Both the ZDX and the Q4 e-tron Sportback have standard heated front seats. The ZDX Type S 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 ZDX 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.

The Acura ZDX has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the infotainment. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Audi charges extra for Homelink® on the Q4 e-tron Sportback.

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

The ZDX Type S has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Q4 e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The ZDX Type S’ Automatic Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Q4 e-tron Sportback Premium Plus/Prestige’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

The ZDX is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Q4 e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.