Audi Q8 e-tron vs Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Verdict
At RM360,790 versus RM355,888, the Audi Q8 e-tron asks RM4,902 more than the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. For that, the Audi gives you a full EV package: 95 kWh battery, 491 km EV range, 150 kW DC charging, AWD and a stronger 335 hp/664 Nm motor output. It is also quicker to 100 km/h. The Mercedes counters with a longer 4-year warranty, higher 240 km/h top speed, a longer wheelbase and more driver assistance kit, including adaptive cruise control and automatic parking.
Q8 e-tron
Pick the Audi Q8 e-tron if you want a full electric SUV with 491 km range, AWD and the stronger 335 hp/664 Nm motor output.
E-Class
Pick the Mercedes-Benz E-Class if you want a petrol hybrid executive sedan with a 4-year warranty, adaptive cruise control and a higher 240 km/h top speed.
Key differences
- Price: Audi Q8 e-tron RM360,790; Mercedes-Benz E-Class RM355,888
- Powertrain: Audi electric with 95 kWh battery; Mercedes petrol hybrid with 1,999 cc engine and 1 kWh battery
- Motor output: Audi 335 hp/664 Nm; Mercedes 23 hp/205 Nm motor, plus 201 hp/320 Nm engine
- 0-100 km/h: Audi 6.0 seconds; Mercedes 7.5 seconds
- Boot space: Audi 569 litres; Mercedes 540 litres
- Warranty: Audi 2 years with 8-year/160,000 km battery warranty; Mercedes 4 years
Q8 e-tron
- Full EV with 491 km quoted range and 150 kW DC charging
- Quicker 0-100 km/h time and much higher motor torque
- Larger 569-litre boot and adaptive air suspension
- Shorter 2-year manufacturer warranty versus 4 years
- Lower 200 km/h top speed versus 240 km/h
- Passive cruise control and lane warning only, while the Mercedes gets adaptive cruise control and steering correction
E-Class
- Longer 4-year manufacturer warranty
- Higher 240 km/h top speed
- Gets adaptive cruise control, steering correction lane assistance and automatic parking
- Slower 7.5-second 0-100 km/h time versus 6.0 seconds
- Smaller 540-litre boot versus 569 litres
- No quoted EV range, while the Audi is rated at 491 km
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 360,790 | RM 355,888✓ |
| Body type | SUV | Sedan |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | — | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | — | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 201 hp |
| Torque | — | 320 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Inline |
| Timing Type | — | Chain |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | — | 83 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10 |
| Number of Motors | 2 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 335 hp✓ | 23 hp |
| Motor Torque | 664 Nm✓ | 205 Nm |
| Battery Type | Lithium-ion | Lithium-ion |
| Battery Capacity | 95 kWh✓ | 1 kWh |
| EV Range | 491 km | — |
| Charger Type (AC) | Type 2 | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | — |
| Charger Type (DC) | CCS | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 150 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 2-stage ratio planetary gearbox with a single gear | 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | 2 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Audi AG | Daimler AG |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6.0 seconds✓ | 7.5 seconds |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h | 240 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,915 mm | 4,949 mm |
| Width | 1,937 mm | 1,880 mm |
| Height | 1,633 mm | 1,468 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,928 mm | 2,961 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,825 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 66 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 569 litres✓ | 540 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/50R20 | 245/45R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/50R20 | 275/40R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Alenza 001 | Pirelli P Zero |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Multi-link |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 20" 5-Arm Aero Style Alloy Wheels | 19" Multi-spoke Two-tone Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" 5-Arm Aero Style Alloy Wheels | 19" Multi-spoke Two-tone Alloys |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Discs |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack & 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, Driver's Knee, Front Side, Rear 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 | LED Headlamps with High-Beam Assist | Reflector LED with Adaptive High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| 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 with Driver Side Memory Settings |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 60:40 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 | Rear AC Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1x 12V Front, 1x front wireless charger, 2x USB-C rear, 1x 12V socket rear | — |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Active Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Manual rear door window shades | Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 10.1" MMI Navigation plus with MMI touch, Audi connect, Audi smartphone interface and Audi sound system | 14.4" MBUX Multimedia with Online Music Streaming, AI functionality built-in, Seven Speaker Sound System |
| 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 Entry (Push Button Start) |
| 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 | 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, 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 4 years✓ |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 395 | RM 380✓ |
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 vs E-Class FAQ
Is the Audi Q8 e-tron or Mercedes-Benz E-Class better?
The Audi Q8 e-tron is better if you want an EV, AWD, more boot space and quicker acceleration. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is better if you want a sedan with a longer warranty, higher top speed and more driver assistance kit.
What is the price difference?
The Audi Q8 e-tron costs RM360,790, while the Mercedes-Benz E-Class costs RM355,888. That makes the Audi RM4,902 more expensive.
Which one is quicker from 0-100 km/h?
The Audi Q8 e-tron is quicker, taking 6.0 seconds from 0-100 km/h. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class takes 7.5 seconds.