Verdict
The Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback costs RM474,990 to the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA’s RM363,888, a RM111,102 step up. It returns a 114-kWh battery, 600-km EV range, 170-kW DC charging and a 528-litre boot, although its 5.6-second 0-100 km/h time trails the Mercedes’ 5.2 seconds. For Malaysian buyers with regular charging access, the Audi’s electric drivetrain, 22-kW AC charging and 2,928-mm wheelbase justify consideration. The CKD Mercedes is quicker, 505 mm shorter and backed by a four-year warranty rather than two years.
Pick the Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback if you have regular charging access and want 600 km of EV range, air suspension and the larger 528-litre boot.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA if you want the lower entry price, a quicker 5.2-second century sprint and four years of warranty cover.
Key differences
- Acceleration: Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback 0-100 km/h in 5.6 seconds; Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA in 5.2 seconds.
- Length: Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback 4,915 mm; Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA 4,410 mm.
- Wheelbase: Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback 2,928 mm; Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA 2,729 mm.
- Boot space: Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback 528 litres; Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA 435 litres.
- Road tax: Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback RM545 per year; Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA RM436 per year.
- Manufacturer warranty: Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback two years unlimited mileage; Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA four years unlimited mileage.
Q8 e-tron Sportback
- 600-km EV range and 170-kW DC charging
- 528-litre boot with a 2,928-mm wheelbase
- Multi-link air suspension front and rear
- RM111,102 higher purchase price
- Slower 5.6-second 0-100 km/h time
- Two-year warranty versus four years
AMG GLA
- Quicker 5.2-second 0-100 km/h time
- Four-year unlimited-mileage warranty
- Auto parking and 12-speaker 710W Burmester audio
- 435-litre boot is 93 litres smaller
- Manual rear child safety locks instead of electric locks
- No front passenger ISOFIX mounting point
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM474,990 | RM363,888✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM545 | RM436✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, twin-scroll turbocharger with Mild Hybrid Assistance and variable valve timing |
| Capacity | — | 1,991 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 302 hp |
| Torque | — | 400 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | — | 83 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10 |
| Number of Motors | 2 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 402 hp✓ | 13 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 | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | 2-speed automatic transmission | 8-speed AMG Speedshift DCT |
| Gears | 2 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Audi AG | Mercedes-Benz (Daimler AG) |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.6 seconds | 5.2 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | — | 250 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,915 mm | 4,410 mm |
| Width | 1,937 mm | 1,834 mm |
| Height | 1,619 mm | 1,611 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,928 mm | 2,729 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,680 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 43 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 528 litres✓ | 435 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R21 | 255/40R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R21 | 255/40R20 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Alenza 001 | Continental SportContact 6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 21" Aero Alloy Wheels | 20" AMG 5-twin-spoke Light-alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 21" Aero Alloy Wheels | 20" AMG Multi-spoke Light-alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Chassis Notes | — | AMG Ride Control - Adaptive Dampers, AMG Dynamic Select |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| 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 Outer Two Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Audi pre sense front | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors with Auto High Beam | Multibeam LED Projectors |
| 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 |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split Fold | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Rear AC vents |
| 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 | 10.25" Touchscreen MBUX Multimedia System with Mercedes me connect, Voice Control, Burmester Sound System, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 12-Speaker 710W 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 Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activated | 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 Camera |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | Qi Wireless Charger, MBUX Interior Assistant |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 4 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 & AMG GLA for sale
Q8 e-tron Sportback vs AMG GLA FAQ
Is the Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback or Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA better?
The Audi is the better fit if you can charge regularly and want 600 km of EV range, air suspension and more luggage space. Choose the Mercedes if lower cost, faster acceleration and a longer manufacturer warranty matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback costs RM111,102 more than the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA.
What charging capability does the Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback have?
The Audi has a 114-kWh battery, a quoted 600-km EV range, 22-kW AC charging and 170-kW DC charging. The Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA is a petrol hybrid/REV model and has no listed EV battery or charging rate.