Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback vs Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV
Verdict
At RM379,990, the Audi is RM18,898 cheaper than the RM398,888 Mercedes, and it gives you two motors, all-wheel drive, 335 hp and 664 Nm. The Mercedes hits back where Malaysian EV owners will feel it daily: 596 km range versus 505 km, 22 kW AC charging versus 11 kW, and 170 kW DC charging versus 150 kW. It is also quicker, doing 0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds against 6.0 seconds. The Audi is the stronger hardware buy; the Mercedes is the easier long-distance EV.
Pick the Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback if you want the cheaper car with two motors, all-wheel drive, more power and a slightly bigger boot.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV if range, charging speed, acceleration, warranty cover and cabin tech matter more than the RM18,898 saving.
Key differences
- Price: Audi RM379,990; Mercedes-Benz RM398,888
- Motors and drive: Audi 2 motors with all-wheel drive; Mercedes-Benz 1 motor with rear-wheel drive
- Output: Audi 335 hp/664 Nm; Mercedes-Benz 288 hp/565 Nm
- EV range: Audi 505 km; Mercedes-Benz 596 km
- Charging: Audi 11 kW AC/150 kW DC; Mercedes-Benz 22 kW AC/170 kW DC
- Warranty: Audi 2-year unlimited-mileage with 8-year/160,000 km battery cover; Mercedes-Benz 4-year unlimited-mileage with 10-year/250,000 km battery cover
Q8 e-tron Sportback
- RM18,898 cheaper to buy
- Two-motor all-wheel-drive layout
- More power and torque at 335 hp and 664 Nm
- Shorter EV range: 505 km versus 596 km
- Slower AC and DC charging: 11 kW/150 kW versus 22 kW/170 kW
- Shorter warranty cover: 2 years and 8-year/160,000 km battery warranty versus 4 years and 10-year/250,000 km
EQE SUV
- Longer 596 km EV range
- Faster 22 kW AC and 170 kW DC charging
- Quicker 0-100 km/h time at 4.9 seconds
- Costs RM18,898 more
- Single-motor rear-wheel drive versus the Audi’s two-motor all-wheel drive
- Slightly smaller boot: 520 litres versus 528 litres
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 379,990✓ | RM 398,888 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 2 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 335 hp✓ | 288 hp |
| Motor Torque | 664 Nm✓ | 565 Nm |
| Battery Type | Lithium-ion | Lithium-ion |
| Battery Capacity | 95 kWh✓ | 90.6 kWh |
| EV Range | 505 km | 596 km✓ |
| Charger Type (AC) | Type 2 | Type 2 |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | 22 kW✓ |
| Charger Type (DC) | CCS | CCS |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 150 kW | 170 kW✓ |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 2-speed automatic transmission | — |
| Gears | 2 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Audi AG | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6 seconds | 4.9 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | — | 210 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,915 mm | 4,863 mm |
| Width | 1,937 mm | 1,940 mm |
| Height | 1,619 mm | 1,685 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,928 mm | 3,030 mm |
| Weight | — | 2,560 kg |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 528 litres✓ | 520 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/50R20 | 255/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/50R20 | 255/45R20 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Alenza 001 | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | United States (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Multi-link |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 20" 5-arm Alloy Wheels | 20" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 20" 5-arm Alloy Wheels | 20" Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Discs | Ventilated Discs |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Comfort Suspension |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Front Passenger, Front and Rear 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 for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Audi pre sense front | Yes, PRE-SAFE Brake |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors with Auto High Beam | LED Projector with Adaptive High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED with Dynamic Light Design and Sequential Indicators | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory Settings, Heating & Ventilation |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split Fold | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1x 12V Front, 1x front wireless charger, 2x USB-C rear, 1x 12V socket rear | 1 Front, 2 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Active 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 | 12.8" OLED Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Augmented Reality Navigation; 15-speaker, 710-watt Burmester 3D Surround Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & 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 |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activated | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 4 years✓ |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty | 10-year/250,000 km Battery Warranty |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 395 | RM 305✓ |
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.
Q8 e-tron Sportback vs EQE SUV FAQ
Is the Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback or Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV better?
The Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV is better for most EV use because it has longer range, faster charging, quicker acceleration and longer warranty cover. Choose the Audi if you want all-wheel drive, more torque and the lower price.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV costs RM398,888, while the Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback costs RM379,990. That makes the Mercedes-Benz RM18,898 more expensive.
Which one has the longer range and faster charging?
The Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV leads here with 596 km of EV range, 22 kW AC charging and 170 kW DC charging. The Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback does 505 km, 11 kW AC and 150 kW DC.