Verdict
At RM465,990, the Q8 e-tron undercuts the RM470,800 X5 by RM4,810 and its RM545 annual road tax is RM1,092 lower. Its twin motors deliver 402 hp and 664 Nm, backed by a 114-kWh battery with 582 km of stated range and 170 kW DC charging. The BMW counters with a marginally quicker 5.4-second 0-100 km/h time, a 650-litre boot and more active lane steering. For Malaysian buyers with dependable charging, the Audi makes the stronger running-cost case; the X5 suits those needing its larger luggage bay and 83-litre fuel tank.
Q8 e-tron
Pick the Audi Q8 e-tron if you can charge regularly and want 582 km of EV range, 664 Nm and far lower annual road tax.
X5
Pick the BMW X5 if you need a 650-litre boot, an 83-litre fuel tank and steering-correction lane keeping.
Key differences
- Price: Audi Q8 e-tron RM465,990; BMW X5 RM470,800.
- Road tax per year: Audi Q8 e-tron RM545; BMW X5 RM1,637.
- Powertrain: Audi Q8 e-tron has two motors producing 402 hp and 664 Nm; BMW X5 has a 2,998 cc petrol hybrid/REV producing 308 hp and 540 Nm.
- Range/energy storage: Audi Q8 e-tron has a 114-kWh battery and 582 km EV range; BMW X5 has an 83-litre fuel tank.
- Performance: Audi Q8 e-tron reaches 100 km/h in 5.6 seconds and tops out at 200 km/h; BMW X5 does 5.4 seconds and 250 km/h.
- Boot space: Audi Q8 e-tron 569 litres; BMW X5 650 litres.
Q8 e-tron
- 582 km stated EV range from a 114-kWh battery.
- 402 hp and 664 Nm from two motors.
- RM545 annual road tax.
- 569-litre boot is 81 litres smaller than the BMW's.
- Lane keeping gives warnings only, while the BMW provides steering correction.
- Its 5.6-second 0-100 km/h time and 200 km/h top speed trail the BMW.
X5
- 650-litre boot and 83-litre fuel tank.
- 5.4-second 0-100 km/h time and 250 km/h top speed.
- Adaptive cruise control, auto parking and lane-keeping steering correction.
- RM4,810 dearer to buy.
- RM1,637 annual road tax is RM1,092 higher.
- No stated EV range, battery capacity or AC/DC charging rate.
| 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 | — | 3 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 pick for buyers able to charge, with 582 km stated range and RM545 road tax. Choose the BMW X5 for its 650-litre boot, 83-litre tank and steering-correction lane keeping.
What is the price difference?
The BMW X5 costs RM4,810 more than the Audi Q8 e-tron. The annual road-tax difference is larger: RM1,637 for the BMW versus RM545 for the Audi.
Which is quicker, the Audi Q8 e-tron or BMW X5?
The BMW X5 is quicker on the stated figures, reaching 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds against 5.6 seconds for the Audi Q8 e-tron. Its 250 km/h top speed also exceeds the Audi's 200 km/h.