Verdict
The Audi Q8 e-tron costs RM465,990, RM4,810 below the RM470,800 BMW X5, while annual road tax is far lower at RM545 against RM1,637. Its twin motors make 402 hp and 664 Nm, backed by a 114 kWh battery rated for 582 km and 22 kW AC/170 kW DC charging. The X5 is marginally quicker to 100 km/h at 5.4 seconds versus 5.6, carries 81 litres more luggage and brings adaptive cruise control with steering lane correction. Choose based on charging access, not the small purchase-price gap.
Q8 e-tron
Pick the Audi Q8 e-tron if you can charge regularly and want 582 km EV range, 402 hp and RM545 annual road tax.
X5
Pick the BMW X5 if you need its 650-litre boot, 250 km/h top speed and more complete driver-assistance kit.
Key differences
- Price and road tax: Audi Q8 e-tron RM465,990 and RM545/year; BMW X5 RM470,800 and RM1,637/year.
- Powertrain: Audi Q8 e-tron has two motors producing 402 hp and 664 Nm; BMW X5 has a 2,998 cc turbocharged 24-valve DOHC petrol-hybrid engine rated at 308 hp…
- Performance: Audi Q8 e-tron does 0-100 km/h in 5.6 seconds and tops out at 200 km/h; BMW X5 records 5.4 seconds and 250 km/h.
- Energy and charging: Audi Q8 e-tron has a 114 kWh battery, 582 km range, 22 kW AC and 170 kW DC charging; BMW X5 has an 83-litre fuel tank.
- Luggage space: Audi Q8 e-tron has a 569-litre boot; BMW X5 has a 650-litre boot.
- Lane keeping: Audi Q8 e-tron provides warning only; BMW X5 provides steering correction.
Q8 e-tron
- 114 kWh battery with 582 km EV range
- 402 hp and 664 Nm from two motors
- RM1,092 lower annual road tax
- 569-litre boot trails the BMW X5's 650 litres
- Lane-keeping assist only warns; the BMW X5 adds steering correction
- No sunroof, where the BMW X5 has a panoramic sliding sunroof
X5
- 650-litre boot
- 5.4-second 0-100 km/h time and 250 km/h top speed
- Adaptive cruise control, steering lane correction and auto parking
- RM1,092 higher annual road tax
- No front-passenger ISOFIX; the Audi Q8 e-tron has it
- Tyre repair kit instead of the Audi Q8 e-tron's space-saver spare
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM465,990✓ | RM470,800 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM545✓ | RM1,637 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 24-valve DOHC, Turbochaged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | — | 2,998 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 308 hp |
| Torque | — | 540 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | — | 82 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 11 |
| Number of Motors | 2 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 402 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 664 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 114 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 582 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 22 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 170 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 2-stage ratio planetary gearbox with a single gear | Eight-speed Steptronic |
| Gears | 2 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Audi AG | ZF |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.6 seconds | 5.4 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,915 mm | 4,935 mm |
| Width | 1,937 mm | 2,004 mm |
| Height | 1,633 mm | 1,765 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,928 mm | 2,975 mm |
| Weight | — | 2,240 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 83 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 569 litres | 650 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 265/45R21 | 275/40R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 265/45R21 | 315/35R21 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Alenza 001 | Continental PremiumContact 6 SSR Run-flats |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| 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" Style 915M Light Alloy Wheels |
| Rear Wheels | 21" 5-Arm Black Turbine Style Alloy Wheels | 21" Style 915M Light Alloy Wheels |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive Air Suspension | Air Suspension with Adaptive Dampers |
| 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 for 2 Outer Rear 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 | Adaptive LED headlights with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination with Dynamic Turn Signals | LED Combination |
| 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 |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 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 Sliding Sunroof |
| Power Sockets | 1x 12V Front, 1x front wireless charger, 2x USB-C rear, 1x 12V socket rear | 1 Front, 1 USB-A, 1 USB-C Front, 4 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Manual rear door window shades | Powered Sunroof Shade, Manual Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 10.1" MMI Navigation plus with MMI touch, Audi connect, Audi smartphone interface and Audi sound system | 14.9" Touchscreen BMW Live Cockpit Professional with Voice Control, Wireless Apple CarPlay, Wireless Android Auto and 17-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System (525W) |
| 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 | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| 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 |
| 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 | — |
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 & X5 for sale
Q8 e-tron vs X5 FAQ
Is the Audi Q8 e-tron or BMW X5 better?
The Audi Q8 e-tron is the better choice for regular EV charging, 582 km rated range and lower road tax. The BMW X5 suits buyers needing a 650-litre boot, 250 km/h top speed and steering lane correction.
What is the price difference?
The Audi Q8 e-tron costs RM465,990 and the BMW X5 costs RM470,800, so the BMW is RM4,810 more expensive.
Which is cheaper to tax each year?
The Audi Q8 e-tron is cheaper at RM545 per year, versus RM1,637 for the BMW X5. That is an annual difference of RM1,092.