Verdict
At RM379,990 against RM342,036, the Audi asks RM37,954 more but buys a very different brief: dual motors, 335 hp, 664 Nm, all-wheel drive, a 95 kWh battery, 505 km range and 150 kW DC charging. The Mercedes answers with space, not EV pace, seating 10 against five and stretching to 5,370 mm with a 3,430 mm wheelbase. For a Malaysian buyer, this is private electric SUV versus people-moving MPV; the Audi even has lower annual road tax at RM395 versus RM436.
Q8 e-tron Sportback
Pick the Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback if you want a five-seat electric SUV with 505 km range, all-wheel drive and stronger on-paper output.
Vito Tourer
Pick the Mercedes-Benz Vito Tourer if you need 10 seats, a much longer cabin footprint and petrol refuelling instead of charging.
Key differences
- Price: Audi RM379,990; Mercedes-Benz RM342,036
- Powertrain: Audi electric dual-motor; Mercedes-Benz 1,991 cc turbo petrol
- Output: Audi 335 hp and 664 Nm; Mercedes-Benz 208 hp and 350 Nm
- Seating: Audi 5 seats; Mercedes-Benz 10 seats
- Size: Audi 4,915 mm long with 2,928 mm wheelbase; Mercedes-Benz 5,370 mm long with 3,430 mm wheelbase
- Charging/fuel: Audi 95 kWh battery with 505 km range and 150 kW DC charging; Mercedes-Benz 70-litre fuel tank
Q8 e-tron Sportback
- Much stronger output on paper: 335 hp and 664 Nm versus 208 hp and 350 Nm
- 505 km EV range, 11 kW AC charging and 150 kW DC charging
- All-wheel drive, air suspension and 20-inch wheels
- Costs RM37,954 more
- Only five seats versus the Vito Tourer’s 10
- Smaller cabin footprint: 4,915 mm length and 2,928 mm wheelbase versus 5,370 mm and 3,430 mm
Vito Tourer
- Seats 10, with three-point belts for all seats
- Longer body and wheelbase than the Audi: 5,370 mm and 3,430 mm
- Lower purchase price by RM37,954
- Lower output: 208 hp and 350 Nm versus 335 hp and 664 Nm
- Rear-wheel drive only, while the Audi has all-wheel drive
- Less convenience kit: manual key, manual tailgate, two power windows and a reverse camera instead of the Audi’s keyless operation, remote tailgate, four power…
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 379,990 | RM 342,036✓ |
| Body type | SUV | MPV |
| Segment | C-Segment | Commercial |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | — | 16-valve DOHC with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | — | 1,991 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 208 hp |
| Torque | — | 350 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Inline |
| Timing Type | — | Chain |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 83 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 9.8 |
| Number of Motors | 2 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 335 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 664 Nm | — |
| Battery Type | Lithium-ion | — |
| Battery Capacity | 95 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 505 km | — |
| Charger Type (AC) | Type 2 | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | — |
| Charger Type (DC) | CCS | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 150 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 2-speed automatic transmission | 9G-TRONIC |
| Gears | 2 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Audi AG | Mercedes-Benz (Daimler AG) |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6 seconds | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,915 mm | 5,370 mm |
| Width | 1,937 mm | 1,928 mm |
| Height | 1,619 mm | 1,958 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,928 mm | 3,430 mm |
| Weight | — | 3,100 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 70 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 10 |
| Boot Space | 528 litres | — |
| Front Tyre | 255/50R20 | 225/55R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/50R20 | 225/55R17 |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Alenza 001 | Dunlop Econodrive |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Spain (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 20" 5-arm Alloy Wheels | 17" 5-twin-spoke Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 20" 5-arm Alloy Wheels | 17" 5-twin-spoke Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Discs | Solid Disc |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| 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 |
| 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 | 10 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on front passenger seat and two outer rear passenger seats | Available for Rear Passenger Seats in 2nd and 3rd Row |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Audi pre sense front | Yes, Active Brake Assist |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Attention Assist |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors with Auto High Beam | LED Projectors with Auto High Beam |
| 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 | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function, Heated |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split Fold | 60:40 Split-folding and Sliding 2nd Row, Captain Seats 3rd Row, Folding and Sliding 4th Row Bench |
| Front Air-con | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| 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, 2 Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 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 | 7" Touchscreen Audio 30 with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button Start | Manual Key |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activated | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Foot-operated |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | — | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | — | 2 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 395✓ | RM 436 |
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 Vito Tourer FAQ
Is the Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback or Mercedes-Benz Vito Tourer better?
The Audi is better as a private EV SUV, with 335 hp, 664 Nm, 505 km range and AWD. The Mercedes-Benz is better for carrying people, with 10 seats and a far longer wheelbase.
What is the price difference?
The Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback costs RM379,990, while the Mercedes-Benz Vito Tourer costs RM342,036. That makes the Audi RM37,954 more expensive.
Which one is more practical for passengers?
The Mercedes-Benz Vito Tourer is the clear passenger carrier, with 10 seats and a 3,430 mm wheelbase. The Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback seats five and has a 528-litre boot.