Verdict
The BMW iX is the sharper Malaysian buy at RM425,800, undercutting the Audi Q8 e-tron by RM40,190 while delivering 602 km of range, 5.1-second 0-100 km/h pace and 700 Nm. Its 175 kW DC charging is only 5 kW ahead, but every little helps on a long-distance stop. The Audi counters with a larger 114 kWh battery, a more useful 569-litre boot and a space-saver spare. Both are dual-motor, all-wheel-drive executive SUVs with 402 hp, 22 kW AC charging and RM545 annual road tax. The iX gets more driver-assistance and cabin equipment for less money.
Pick the Audi Q8 e-tron if you need the larger 569-litre boot, a space-saver spare and ISOFIX on the front passenger seat as well as the two outer rear seats.
Pick the BMW iX if you want 20 km more claimed range, quicker acceleration and adaptive cruise control for RM40,190 less.
Key differences
- Price: Audi Q8 e-tron RM465,990; BMW iX RM425,800.
- EV range: Audi Q8 e-tron 582 km; BMW iX 602 km.
- 0-100 km/h: Audi Q8 e-tron 5.6 seconds; BMW iX 5.1 seconds.
- Motor torque: Audi Q8 e-tron 664 Nm; BMW iX 700 Nm.
- Boot space: Audi Q8 e-tron 569 litres; BMW iX 500 litres.
- DC charging: Audi Q8 e-tron 170 kW; BMW iX 175 kW.
Q8 e-tron
- 569-litre boot, 69 litres more than the iX.
- 114 kWh battery and a space-saver spare tyre.
- Front passenger ISOFIX plus two outer rear ISOFIX positions.
- Costs RM40,190 more than the iX.
- 582 km range trails the iX's 602 km.
- 5.6-second 0-100 km/h time is 0.5 seconds slower than the iX.
iX
- RM425,800 price is RM40,190 lower.
- 602 km claimed range and 5.1-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping steering correction and auto parking.
- 500-litre boot is 69 litres smaller than the Q8 e-tron's.
- 100.6 kWh battery capacity is lower than the Q8 e-tron's 114 kWh.
- Tyre repair kit replaces the Q8 e-tron's space-saver spare.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM465,990 | RM425,800✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM545 | RM545 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture |
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 2 | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | 402 hp | 402 hp |
| Motor Torque | 664 Nm | 700 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | 114 kWh✓ | 100.6 kWh |
| EV Range | 582 km | 602 km✓ |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 22 kW | 22 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 170 kW | 175 kW✓ |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 2-stage ratio planetary gearbox with a single gear | — |
| Gears | 2 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Audi AG | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.6 seconds | 5.1 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h | 200 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,915 mm | 4,965 mm |
| Width | 1,937 mm | 1,970 mm |
| Height | 1,633 mm | 1,695 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,928 mm | 3,000 mm |
| Weight | — | 2,525 kg |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 569 litres✓ | 500 litres |
| Front Tyre | 265/45R21 | 255/50R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 265/45R21 | 255/50R21 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Alenza 001 | Pirelli P Zero E |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 21" 5-Arm Black Turbine Style Alloy Wheels | 21" Aerodynamic Style 1012 Bi-colour Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 21" 5-Arm Black Turbine Style Alloy Wheels | 21" Aerodynamic Style 1012 Bi-colour Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive Air Suspension | — |
| 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 | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on front passenger seat and two outer rear passenger seats | Available for Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Audi pre sense front | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Warning Only | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Digital Matrix LED headlights | LED Projector with High Beam Assist |
| Taillamps | LED Combination with Dynamic Turn Signals | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | Powered Front Seats with Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1x 12V Front, 1x front wireless charger, 2x USB-C rear, 1x 12V socket rear | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 4 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights & Ambient Lights |
| 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 | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 18-Speaker Harman Kardon 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 | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered boot | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Surround View Camera | 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 |
| Convenience Notes | — | Intelligent Personal Assistant; Flexible Fast Charger (Mode 2) included |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | — | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | — | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty | 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 & iX for sale
Q8 e-tron vs iX FAQ
Is the Audi Q8 e-tron or BMW iX better?
The BMW iX is the better buy on these figures: it costs RM40,190 less, goes 602 km versus 582 km and reaches 100 km/h in 5.1 seconds versus 5.6 seconds. Choose the Audi if its 569-litre boot and space-saver spare matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Audi Q8 e-tron costs RM465,990 and the BMW iX costs RM425,800, so the Audi is RM40,190 more expensive.
Which has the better charging capability?
They are close on charging. Both support 22 kW AC charging, while the BMW iX has a slight DC advantage at 175 kW versus the Audi Q8 e-tron's 170 kW.