Verdict
At RM465,990, the Audi Q8 e-tron undercuts the Mercedes-Benz GLE by RM32,898 while bringing a 114 kWh battery, 582 km EV range and 170 kW DC charging. That is a far more usable electric proposition for Malaysian intercity driving than the GLE’s 31 kWh battery and 114 km EV range. The Audi is also quicker to 100 km/h at 5.6 seconds and has a 569-litre boot. But the CKD GLE counters with a 1,999 cc petrol plug-in hybrid system, a longer four-year warranty and a better-equipped front cabin.
Pick the Audi Q8 e-tron if you want 582 km of EV range, 170 kW DC charging and a RM32,898 lower entry price.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLE if you need petrol plug-in hybrid flexibility, a four-year warranty and front-seat massage, ventilation and a panoramic sliding roof.
Key differences
- Price: Audi Q8 e-tron RM465,990; Mercedes-Benz GLE RM498,888.
- Battery and EV range: Audi Q8 e-tron 114 kWh and 582 km; Mercedes-Benz GLE 31 kWh and 114 km.
- Charging: Audi Q8 e-tron 22 kW AC and 170 kW DC; Mercedes-Benz GLE 11 kW AC and no DC charging rate stated.
- Acceleration and top speed: Audi Q8 e-tron 0-100 km/h in 5.6 seconds and 200 km/h; Mercedes-Benz GLE 6.1 seconds and 210 km/h.
- Practicality: Audi Q8 e-tron boot 569 litres and wheelbase 2,928 mm; Mercedes-Benz GLE boot 490 litres and wheelbase 2,995 mm.
- Warranty: Audi Q8 e-tron two years; Mercedes-Benz GLE four years, while both have unlimited mileage coverage.
Q8 e-tron
- 582 km EV range from a 114 kWh battery
- 170 kW DC and 22 kW AC charging
- Quicker 5.6-second 0-100 km/h time and 569-litre boot
- Two-year vehicle warranty versus the GLE’s four years
- No panoramic sliding roof, front-seat massage or ventilation
- Lane keeping gives warning only rather than steering correction
GLE
- 1,999 cc petrol plug-in hybrid system with an 85-litre fuel tank
- Four-year unlimited-mileage vehicle warranty
- Front-seat massage and ventilation, panoramic sliding roof and auto parking
- 114 km EV range from a 31 kWh battery versus the Audi’s 582 km
- No DC charging rate stated and 11 kW AC charging versus 22 kW
- Smaller 490-litre boot and slower 6.1-second 0-100 km/h time
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM465,990✓ | RM498,888 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM545 | RM440✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 16-valve DOHC with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with PHEV Assistance |
| Capacity | — | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 248 hp |
| Torque | — | 400 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid |
| Number of Motors | 2 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 402 hp✓ | 154 hp |
| Motor Torque | 664 Nm✓ | 440 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | 114 kWh✓ | 31 kWh |
| EV Range | 582 km✓ | 114 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 22 kW✓ | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 170 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 2-stage ratio planetary gearbox with a single gear | 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | 2 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Audi AG | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.6 seconds✓ | 6.1 seconds |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h | 210 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,915 mm | 4,924 mm |
| Width | 1,937 mm | 1,947 mm |
| Height | 1,633 mm | 1,772 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,928 mm | 2,995 mm |
| Weight | — | 2,685 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 85 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 569 litres✓ | 490 litres |
| Front Tyre | 265/45R21 | 275/45R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 265/45R21 | 315/40R21 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Alenza 001 | Pirelli P Zero |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 21" 5-Arm Black Turbine Style Alloy Wheels | 21" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 21" 5-Arm Black Turbine Style Alloy Wheels | 21" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive Air Suspension | Airmatic with Adaptive Damping System (ADS PLUS) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee |
| 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 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 | LED Reflectors |
| Taillamps | LED Combination with Dynamic Turn Signals | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | Powered Front Seats with Massage and Ventilation Functions |
| 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 |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Sliding Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1x 12V Front, 1x front wireless charger, 2x USB-C rear, 1x 12V socket rear | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 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 | Sunroof Shade & Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 10.1" MMI Navigation plus with MMI touch, Audi connect, Audi smartphone interface and Audi sound system | 12.3" MBUX Multimedia with Burmester Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four 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 |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| 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, with Surround View Camera |
| 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 |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 4 years✓ |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty | 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.
Used Q8 e-tron & GLE for sale
Q8 e-tron vs GLE FAQ
Is the Audi Q8 e-tron or Mercedes-Benz GLE better?
The Q8 e-tron is the better choice for regular electric driving, with 582 km range, 170 kW DC charging and a 5.6-second 0-100 km/h time. Choose the GLE for its petrol plug-in hybrid system, four-year warranty and richer comfort equipment.
What is the price difference?
The Audi Q8 e-tron costs RM32,898 less than the Mercedes-Benz GLE. The Audi also has the larger 114 kWh battery, 582 km EV range and 170 kW DC charging.
Which has the better cabin equipment?
The Mercedes-Benz GLE has the stronger comfort kit: powered front seats with massage and ventilation, a panoramic sliding roof, electric steering adjustment and auto parking. The Audi counters with a head-up display, Digital Matrix LED headlamps and manual rear door sunshades.