Audi Q8 e-tron vs Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA
Verdict
At RM360,790, the Audi Q8 e-tron is RM3,098 cheaper than the RM363,888 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA, yet it is the larger, executive-class EV: 4,915 mm long with a 2,928 mm wheelbase, 569-litre boot, 95 kWh battery and 491 km range. The Mercedes counters as the sharper performance pick, with its 1,991 cc turbo petrol-hybrid doing 0-100 km/h in 5.2 seconds against 6.0 seconds, plus a 250 km/h top speed versus 200 km/h. Space and electric running favour the Audi; pace and driver aids favour the Mercedes.
Q8 e-tron
Pick the Audi Q8 e-tron if you want the bigger SUV, full-electric running, 491 km range and the larger 569-litre boot.
AMG GLA
Pick the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA if you want the quicker car, a 250 km/h top speed, adaptive cruise control and a longer manufacturer warranty.
Key differences
- Price: Audi Q8 e-tron RM360,790; Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA RM363,888
- Powertrain: Audi Q8 e-tron dual-motor EV, 95 kWh; Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA 1,991 cc turbo petrol-hybrid, 1 kWh
- 0-100 km/h: Audi Q8 e-tron 6.0 seconds; Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA 5.2 seconds
- Top speed: Audi Q8 e-tron 200 km/h; Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA 250 km/h
- Size: Audi Q8 e-tron 4,915 mm long, 2,928 mm wheelbase; Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA 4,410 mm long, 2,729 mm wheelbase
- Boot space: Audi Q8 e-tron 569 litres; Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA 435 litres
Q8 e-tron
- Full-electric drivetrain with 95 kWh battery, 491 km range, 11 kW AC and 150 kW DC charging
- Bigger cabin footprint and boot than the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA
- Dual-motor all-wheel drive with 335 hp and 664 Nm, plus adaptive air suspension
- Slower to 100 km/h than the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA: 6.0 seconds versus 5.2 seconds
- Lower top speed: 200 km/h versus 250 km/h
- Shorter manufacturer warranty: 2 years versus 4 years
AMG GLA
- Quicker acceleration and higher top speed than the Audi Q8 e-tron
- Adaptive cruise control, steering-correction lane keeping and auto parking are fitted
- Longer 4-year manufacturer warranty
- Much smaller boot: 435 litres versus 569 litres
- Shorter body and wheelbase: 4,410 mm and 2,729 mm versus 4,915 mm and 2,928 mm
- No EV range figure; the Audi Q8 e-tron has 491 km of electric range
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 360,790✓ | RM 363,888 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Executive | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | — | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, twin-scroll turbocharger with Mild Hybrid Assistance and variable valve timing |
| Capacity | — | 1,991 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 302 hp |
| Torque | — | 400 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✓ | 13 hp |
| Motor Torque | 664 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 | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | 2-stage ratio planetary gearbox with a single gear | 8-speed AMG Speedshift DCT |
| Gears | 2 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Audi AG | Mercedes-Benz (Daimler AG) |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6.0 seconds | 5.2 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,915 mm | 4,410 mm |
| Width | 1,937 mm | 1,834 mm |
| Height | 1,633 mm | 1,611 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,928 mm | 2,729 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,680 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 43 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 569 litres✓ | 435 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/50R20 | 255/40R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/50R20 | 255/40R20 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Alenza 001 | Continental SportContact 6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 20" 5-Arm Aero Style Alloy Wheels | 20" AMG 5-twin-spoke Light-alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 20" 5-Arm Aero Style Alloy Wheels | 20" AMG Multi-spoke Light-alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated, Cross-drilled Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated, Cross-drilled Disc |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive Air Suspension | AMG Ride Control - Adaptive Dampers, AMG Dynamic Select |
| 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 On Outer Two Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Audi pre sense front | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Warning Only | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Headlamps with High-Beam Assist | Multibeam LED Projectors |
| 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 Memory Settings |
| 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 System |
| 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 | 1 Front, 2 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C |
| 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 | — |
| Audio | 10.1" MMI Navigation plus with MMI touch, Audi connect, Audi smartphone interface and Audi sound system | 10.25" Touchscreen MBUX Multimedia System with Mercedes me connect, Voice Control, Burmester Sound System, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 12-Speaker 710W 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 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered boot | 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 Camera |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | Qi Wireless Charger, MBUX Interior Assistant |
| 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 436 |
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 AMG GLA FAQ
Is the Audi Q8 e-tron or Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA better?
The Audi Q8 e-tron is better for space and EV use, with 491 km range and a 569-litre boot. The Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA is better for pace and kit, with 5.2-second 0-100 km/h, adaptive cruise control and a 4-year warranty.
What is the price difference?
The Audi Q8 e-tron costs RM360,790, while the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA costs RM363,888. That makes the Audi RM3,098 cheaper before looking at running costs, charging or fuel use.
Which is quicker, the Audi Q8 e-tron or Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA is quicker. It does 0-100 km/h in 5.2 seconds and reaches 250 km/h, while the Audi Q8 e-tron takes 6.0 seconds and tops out at 200 km/h.