Audi Q8 e-tron vs Mazda MX-5
Verdict
The Audi Q8 e-tron is the richer daily tool at RM360,790, with five seats, a 569-litre boot, 491 km of EV range and 335 hp from its dual motors. The Mazda MX-5 costs RM294,154 and is the purer toy: two seats, manual gearbox, rear-wheel drive and a higher 220 km/h top speed. The gap is RM66,636. For a Malaysian buyer, this is really space and electric running versus light, simple petrol driving.
Pick the Audi Q8 e-tron if you need five seats, a big 569-litre boot, all-wheel drive and 491 km of electric range.
Pick the Mazda MX-5 if you want a cheaper two-seat convertible with a manual gearbox, rear-wheel drive and a 220 km/h top speed.
Key differences
- Price: Audi Q8 e-tron RM360,790; Mazda MX-5 RM294,154
- Body and seats: Audi Q8 e-tron SUV with 5 seats; Mazda MX-5 convertible with 2 seats
- Powertrain: Audi Q8 e-tron dual-motor electric; Mazda MX-5 1,998 cc petrol
- Power: Audi Q8 e-tron 335 hp; Mazda MX-5 181 hp
- Boot space: Audi Q8 e-tron 569 L; Mazda MX-5 130 L
- Top speed: Audi Q8 e-tron 200 km/h; Mazda MX-5 220 km/h
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 360,790 | RM 294,154✓ |
| Body type | SUV | Convertible |
| Segment | Executive | Sports Car |
| Seats | 5 | 2 |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Engine | Dual motor | 1,998 cc |
| Power | 335 hp✓ | 181 hp |
| Torque | — | 205 Nm |
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Manual |
| Driven wheels | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| 0–100 km/h | 6.0 s | — |
| Top speed | 200 km/h | 220 km/h✓ |
| Efficiency | ||
| Battery | 95.0 kWh | — |
| EV range | 491 km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,915 mm | 3,915 mm |
| Width | 1,937 mm | 1,735 mm |
| Height | 1,633 mm | 1,235 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,928 mm | 2,310 mm |
| Boot space | 569 L✓ | 130 L |
| Fuel tank | — | 45 L |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 8✓ | 4 |
| Auto emergency braking | Yes | Yes |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 2 | 5✓ |
| Road tax / year | RM 395 | RM 379✓ |
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.
Q8 e-tron
- 491 km EV range from a 95.0 kWh battery
- Five seats and 569 L of boot space
- 335 hp, all-wheel drive and 0-100 km/h in 6.0 seconds
- RM66,636 dearer than the Mazda MX-5
- Two-year warranty trails the Mazda’s five years
- Lower 200 km/h top speed
MX-5
- Manual gearbox and rear-wheel drive
- Cheaper by RM66,636
- Higher 220 km/h top speed
- Only two seats and a 130 L boot
- 181 hp is well down on the Audi’s 335 hp
- Four airbags versus the Audi’s eight
Q8 e-tron vs MX-5 FAQ
Is the Audi Q8 e-tron or Mazda MX-5 better?
The Audi Q8 e-tron is better as a daily car, with five seats, 569 L of boot space and 491 km EV range. The Mazda MX-5 is better if driving feel, a manual gearbox and a two-seat convertible body matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Audi Q8 e-tron costs RM360,790, while the Mazda MX-5 costs RM294,154. That makes the Audi RM66,636 more expensive.
Which is faster?
The Audi Q8 e-tron does 0-100 km/h in 6.0 seconds, but its top speed is 200 km/h. The Mazda MX-5 has no listed 0-100 km/h time here, but has the higher top speed at 220 km/h.