Verdict
At RM474,990, the Audi costs RM6,102 more than the RM468,888 Lexus, but brings EV running with a 114 kWh battery, claimed 600 km range and 170 kW DC charging. Its two motors produce 402 hp and 664 Nm, cutting 0-100 km/h to 5.6 seconds against the RX’s 7.6 seconds. The Lexus counters with a 612-litre boot, 84 litres more than the Audi, plus a five-year warranty versus two years. For Malaysian buyers with dependable charging, the Audi’s performance and lower RM545 annual road tax make the stronger case.
Pick the Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback if you can charge regularly and want 402 hp, 664 Nm, a 600 km claimed range and 5.6-second 0-100 km/h pace.
Pick the Lexus RX if you need the larger 612-litre boot, petrol refuelling and a five-year manufacturer warranty.
Key differences
- Price: Audi RM474,990; Lexus RM468,888.
- Power and torque: Audi 402 hp and 664 Nm; Lexus 275 hp and 430 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: Audi 5.6 seconds; Lexus 7.6 seconds.
- Boot space: Audi 528 litres; Lexus 612 litres.
- Annual road tax: Audi RM545; Lexus RM754.
- Warranty: Audi two years plus an eight-year/160,000 km battery warranty; Lexus five years.
Q8 e-tron Sportback
- 402 hp and 664 Nm from two electric motors.
- Claimed 600 km EV range with 22 kW AC and 170 kW DC charging.
- Lower RM545 annual road tax and a space-saver spare tyre.
- 528-litre boot is 84 litres smaller than the Lexus.
- Two-year manufacturer warranty is three years shorter than the Lexus.
RX
- 612-litre boot space.
- Five-year unlimited-mileage manufacturer warranty.
- Heated and ventilated front and rear seats, plus a head-up display.
- 7.6-second 0-100 km/h time trails the Audi by two seconds.
- RM754 annual road tax is RM209 higher than the Audi's.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM474,990 | RM468,888✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM545✓ | RM754 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 16-valve DOHC Direct and Port injection with Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | — | 2,393 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 275 hp |
| Torque | — | 430 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 87.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 11 |
| Number of Motors | 2 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 402 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 664 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 114 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 600 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 22 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 170 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 2-speed automatic transmission | 8-Speed Direct Shift |
| Gears | 2 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Audi AG | Aisin |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.6 seconds✓ | 7.6 seconds |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,915 mm | 4,890 mm |
| Width | 1,937 mm | 1,920 mm |
| Height | 1,619 mm | 1,695 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,928 mm | 2,850 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,914 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 68 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 528 litres | 612 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R21 | 235/50R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R21 | 235/50R21 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Alenza 001 | Bridgestone Alenza 001 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 21" Aero Alloy Wheels | 21" Multi-spoke Alloy with Hyper Chrome Metallic Machined Finish |
| Rear Wheels | 21" Aero Alloy Wheels | 21" Multi-spoke Alloy with Hyper Chrome Metallic Machined Finish |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Electric for rear doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on front passenger seat and two outer rear passenger seats | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Audi pre sense front | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | For All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors with Auto High Beam | Adaptive LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED with Dynamic Light Design and Sequential Indicators | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | 10-way Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function, Heated and Ventilated |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split Fold | Power Folding and Recline, 40:20:40 Split-folding, Heated and Ventilated |
| Front Air-con | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with Lexus Climate Concierge |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1x 12V Front, 1x front wireless charger, 2x USB-C rear, 1x 12V socket rear | 1 Front 12-volt, 4 Front USB, 2 Rear USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Manual Rear Door Window Shades | — |
| Audio | 10.1" MMI Navigation plus with MMI touch, Audi connect, Audi smartphone interface and Audi sound system | 14" EMV Touchscreen with Bluetooth, Navigation, Voice Recognition, Wired Android Auto, Wireless Apple CarPlay and 12-speaker Lexus Premium Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button Start | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activated | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, with 360-degree Camera and 3D Function |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | Qi Wireless Charger |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty | — |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used Q8 e-tron Sportback & RX for sale
Q8 e-tron Sportback vs RX FAQ
Is the Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback or Lexus RX better?
The Audi is the better choice for drivers able to charge at home or work: it has 402 hp, 664 Nm, a claimed 600 km range and 5.6-second acceleration. Choose the Lexus for its larger 612-litre boot and five-year warranty.
What is the price difference?
The Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback costs RM474,990 and the Lexus RX costs RM468,888, so the Audi is RM6,102 more expensive.
Which one is quicker and cheaper to tax each year?
The Audi is quicker, reaching 100 km/h in 5.6 seconds versus 7.6 seconds for the Lexus. Its annual road tax is also lower at RM545, compared with RM754 for the Lexus RX.