Verdict
At RM465,990, the Audi Q8 e-tron costs RM9,240 less than the RM475,230 BMW Z4, yet it is the practical choice for Malaysian family use: five seats, 569 litres of boot space and a 582-km EV range. Its two motors deliver 402 hp and 664 Nm through all-wheel drive, although the Z4 is 0.2 seconds quicker to 100 km/h at 5.4 seconds and reaches 250 km/h. The BMW’s two-seat convertible layout and 280-litre boot make it a focused leisure car, not an Audi substitute for carrying people and luggage.
Pick the Audi Q8 e-tron if you need five seats, 569 litres of luggage room, all-wheel drive and 582 km of electric range.
Pick the BMW Z4 if you want a two-seat petrol convertible with a 5.4-second 0-100 km/h time and 250 km/h top speed.
Key differences
- Price: Audi Q8 e-tron RM465,990; BMW Z4 RM475,230.
- Powertrain: Audi has two electric motors producing 402 hp and 664 Nm; BMW has a 1,998 cc turbo inline-four producing 255 hp and 400 Nm.
- Range/economy: Audi has a 114-kWh battery and 582-km EV range; BMW is rated at 6.5 L/100 km with a 52-litre petrol tank.
- Performance: Audi reaches 100 km/h in 5.6 seconds and tops out at 200 km/h; BMW does 5.4 seconds and 250 km/h.
- Practicality: Audi has five seats and a 569-litre boot; BMW has two seats and a 280-litre boot.
- Safety: Audi has eight airbags and a five-star Euro NCAP rating; BMW has four airbags and no Euro NCAP rating listed.
Q8 e-tron
- Five seats and a 569-litre boot
- 582-km EV range from a 114-kWh battery
- Eight airbags, blind-spot monitoring and surround-view camera
- 0-100 km/h is 5.6 seconds versus the Z4’s 5.4 seconds
- 200 km/h top speed versus the Z4’s 250 km/h
- RM545 annual road tax versus RM379
Z4
- Quicker 5.4-second 0-100 km/h time
- 250 km/h top speed
- Lower RM379 annual road tax
- Only two seats versus the Audi’s five
- 280-litre boot versus the Audi’s 569 litres
- Four airbags versus the Audi’s eight
What the Q8 e-tron has over the Z4
What the Z4 has over the Q8 e-tron
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
The Q8 e-tron's wheelbase is 458 mm longer, which usually translates to more rear legroom. The Q8 e-tron is 73 mm wider — more shoulder room, but a tighter fit in parking bays. Boot space favours the Q8 e-tron: 569 litres against 280.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM465,990✓ | RM475,230 |
| Body type | SUV | Convertible |
| Segment | Executive | Sports Car |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM545 | RM379✓ |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM4,755/mo✓ | RM4,850/mo |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM12,364✓ | RM12,669 |
| Fuel or electricity / year (est.) | RM1,741✓ | RM2,587 |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | RM8.70✓ | RM12.94 |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | RM73,245✓ | RM78,175 |
| Charging (estimated) | ||
| AC charge 0–100% (est.) | 5.2 hours | — |
| DC charge 10–80% (est.) | 45 min | — |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, twin-scroll turbo with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | — | 1,998 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 255 hp at 5,000 rpm |
| Torque | — | 400 Nm at 1,550 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 82 mm × 94.6 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 11.1 |
| Number of Motors | 2 | — |
| 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 | 8-Speed Steptronic Sport Transmission |
| Gears | 2 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Audi AG | ZF |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.6 seconds | 5.4 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | — | 6.5 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | — | 149 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,915 mm | 4,324 mm |
| Width | 1,937 mm | 1,864 mm |
| Height | 1,633 mm | 1,304 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,928 mm | 2,470 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,491 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 52 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 2 |
| Seats | 5 | 2 |
| Boot Space | 569 litres✓ | 280 litres |
| Front Tyre | 265/45R21 | 225/45R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 265/45R21 | 255/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | — |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Alenza 001 | Michelin Pilot Super Sport |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Austria (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 21" 5-Arm Black Turbine Style Alloy Wheels | 18" Double Spoke Style 798M Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 21" 5-Arm Black Turbine Style Alloy Wheels | 18" Double Spoke Style 798M Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive Air Suspension | M Sport Suspension |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 8 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 4 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | — | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Electric for rear doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 2 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available on front passenger seat and two outer rear passenger seats | — |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Audi pre sense front | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Warning Only | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | For All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Flat Tyre Indicator |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Digital Matrix LED headlights | LED Projectors |
| 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 | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | — |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | — |
| Power Sockets | 1x 12V Front, 1x front wireless charger, 2x USB-C rear, 1x 12V socket rear | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front |
| 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" BMW Navigation system Professional, iDrive Touch controller, 12-speaker Harman Kardon Surround Sound System |
| 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 | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered boot | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Surround View Camera | Yes |
| 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 | — | BMW ConnectedDrive, Concierge Service |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 2 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. Running-cost estimates assume 20,000 km/year. Fuel at RM1.99/litre (RON95, subsidised). Electricity at RM0.44/kWh (TNB domestic, home charging); public DC charging costs around RM1.30/kWh. Charging times estimated from battery capacity and peak charging rates. Insurance: comprehensive motor tariff, no NCD. Instalment: 10% down, 2.5% flat rate, 9 years. Prices checked November 2026.
Used Q8 e-tron & Z4 for sale
Our reviews & guides
Audi Q8 e-tron
Q8 e-tron vs Z4 FAQ
Is the Audi Q8 e-tron or BMW Z4 better?
The Audi Q8 e-tron is better for daily family duties, with five seats, a 569-litre boot and 582 km of EV range. The BMW Z4 is the better choice only for a two-seat convertible driving experience, with faster acceleration and a higher top speed.
What is the price difference?
The BMW Z4 costs RM475,230, which is RM9,240 more than the Audi Q8 e-tron at RM465,990.
Which is cheaper to tax each year?
The BMW Z4 has lower annual road tax at RM379, compared with RM545 for the Audi Q8 e-tron. The difference is RM166 per year.
How long does charging take?
The Q8 e-tron's 114.0 kWh battery takes about 5.2 hours for a full AC charge, and an estimated 45 minutes from 10% to 80% on a DC fast charger at its 170 kW peak.