Verdict
At RM465,990, the Audi Q8 e-tron undercuts the RM499,000 Lotus Eletre by RM33,010 and its RM545 annual road tax is far easier on a Malaysian budget than RM1,440. The Audi is not the slow choice, reaching 100 km/h in 5.6 seconds, but the Lotus makes its extra outlay felt with 603 hp, a 4.5-second sprint and 350 kW DC charging. Its 600 km range and 688-litre boot also edge the Audi’s 582 km and 569 litres. Choose the Q8 e-tron for comfort hardware and lower ownership costs; choose the Eletre for pace and charging headroom.
Pick the Audi Q8 e-tron if lower RM545 road tax, a RM33,010 lower purchase price and adaptive air suspension matter more than outright performance.
Pick the Lotus Eletre if you want 603 hp, 350 kW DC charging, a 600 km range and stronger driver-assistance hardware.
Key differences
- Price: Audi Q8 e-tron RM465,990; Lotus Eletre RM499,000.
- Road tax per year: Audi Q8 e-tron RM545; Lotus Eletre RM1,440.
- Motor output: Audi Q8 e-tron 402 hp and 664 Nm; Lotus Eletre 603 hp and 710 Nm.
- Performance: Audi Q8 e-tron 0-100 km/h in 5.6 seconds and 200 km/h; Lotus Eletre 4.5 seconds and 258 km/h.
- DC charging and range: Audi Q8 e-tron 170 kW and 582 km; Lotus Eletre 350 kW and 600 km.
- Boot space: Audi Q8 e-tron 569 litres; Lotus Eletre 688 litres.
Q8 e-tron
- RM33,010 cheaper to buy with much lower RM545 annual road tax.
- Adaptive air suspension and 21-inch wheels.
- Unlimited-mileage two-year vehicle warranty.
- 170 kW DC charging trails the Eletre’s 350 kW capability.
- 402 hp, 5.6-second 0-100 km/h time and 200 km/h top speed are behind the Lotus.
- 569-litre boot and 582 km range are smaller than the Lotus figures.
Eletre
- 603 hp and 710 Nm deliver a 4.5-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 350 kW DC charging on an 800V architecture.
- 600 km range, 688-litre boot and five-year/150,000 km vehicle warranty.
- Costs RM33,010 more and annual road tax is RM895 higher.
- At 5,103 mm long and 2,135 mm wide, it is larger than the 4,915 mm by 1,937 mm Audi.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM465,990✓ | RM499,000 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM545✓ | RM1,440 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 800V architecture |
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 2 | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | 402 hp | 603 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 664 Nm | 710 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | 114 kWh✓ | 112 kWh |
| EV Range | 582 km | 600 km✓ |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 22 kW | 22 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 170 kW | 350 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 | 4.5 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h | 258 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,915 mm | 5,103 mm |
| Width | 1,937 mm | 2,135 mm |
| Height | 1,633 mm | 1,630 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,928 mm | 3,019 mm |
| Weight | — | 2,490 kg |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 569 litres | 688 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 265/45R21 | 255/50R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 265/45R21 | 285/40R20 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | — |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Alenza 001 | Michelin Pilot Sport EV |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Multi-link |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 21" 5-Arm Black Turbine Style Alloy Wheels | 20" 5-spoke Aero Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 21" 5-Arm Black Turbine Style Alloy Wheels | 20" 5-spoke Aero Alloy |
| 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, Curtain Airbags, Front Center Airbags and Front Knee Airbags |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | — | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Electric for rear doors | Electronic 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 on two 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 | Projector LED with Dynamic Indicators |
| Taillamps | LED Combination with Dynamic Turn Signals | Full LED with Dynamic Indicators |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Power Sockets | 1x 12V Front, 1x front wireless charger, 2x USB-C rear, 1x 12V socket rear | 2 USB-C front, 2 USB-C rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights and 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 | 15.1" Touchscreen with Lotus Hyper OS, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 15-speaker KEF Reference Audio |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Automatic with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Operation (Depress Brake Pedal) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| 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 | Remote Control Activation with Contactless Boot Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Surround View Camera | Yes, with Surround View |
| 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✓ | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty | 8-year/200,000 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 & Eletre for sale
Q8 e-tron vs Eletre FAQ
Is the Audi Q8 e-tron or Lotus Eletre better?
The Lotus Eletre is better for performance, DC charging, range and boot capacity: it has 603 hp, charges at up to 350 kW, reaches 600 km and carries 688 litres. The Audi Q8 e-tron is the lower-cost choice with adaptive air suspension.
What is the price difference?
The Lotus Eletre costs RM33,010 more than the Audi Q8 e-tron. Its annual road tax is also RM1,440 versus RM545, a further RM895 per year.
Which SUV charges faster?
The Lotus Eletre has the higher DC charging rate at 350 kW, compared with 170 kW for the Audi Q8 e-tron. Both support 22 kW AC charging.