Verdict
The RM44,000 step from the RM421,990 Q5 Sportback to the RM465,990 Q8 e-tron buys a 402-hp, 664-Nm dual-motor electric drivetrain, a 114-kWh battery rated for 582 km, air suspension and substantially more cabin footprint. Its 2,928-mm wheelbase is 400 mm longer and its boot adds 54 litres, useful advantages for family duty. But the Q5 Sportback is hardly outgunned on driver assistance: it gets adaptive cruise control and steering lane correction, where the Q8 e-tron has passive cruise control and lane warnings. For buyers with charging sorted, the Q8 e-tron is the more capable long-distance family SUV; the Q5 Sportback is the sharper-value choice.
Pick the Audi Q5 Sportback if you want to save RM44,000 while retaining all-wheel drive, adaptive cruise control, steering lane correction and ventilated front seats.
Pick the Audi Q8 e-tron if you have reliable charging and want 402 hp, 664 Nm, a 582-km rated range, air suspension and the roomier cabin.
Key differences
- Price: Audi Q5 Sportback RM421,990; Audi Q8 e-tron RM465,990.
- Power and torque: Q5 Sportback 268 hp and 400 Nm; Q8 e-tron 402 hp and 664 Nm.
- Drivetrain energy: Q5 Sportback has a 1,984-cc petrol engine and 68-litre tank; Q8 e-tron has two motors and a 114-kWh battery with 582 km range.
- Charging: Q5 Sportback has no charging capability; Q8 e-tron accepts 22 kW AC and 170 kW DC charging.
- Wheelbase and boot: Q5 Sportback 2,528 mm and 515 litres; Q8 e-tron 2,928 mm and 569 litres.
- Driver assistance: Q5 Sportback has adaptive cruise control and steering lane correction; Q8 e-tron has passive cruise control and lane-departure warning only.
Q5 Sportback
- RM44,000 cheaper.
- Adaptive cruise control and steering lane correction.
- Ventilated front seats and a 14.5-inch touchscreen with 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio.
- 268 hp and 400 Nm trail the Q8 e-tron's 402 hp and 664 Nm.
- 515-litre boot is 54 litres smaller, with a 400-mm shorter wheelbase.
- No electric driving range or AC/DC charging capability.
Q8 e-tron
- 402 hp, 664 Nm and a 582-km rated EV range.
- 114-kWh battery with 22 kW AC and 170 kW DC charging.
- Adaptive air suspension, 569-litre boot and 2,928-mm wheelbase.
- Costs RM44,000 more and has RM545 annual road tax versus RM434.
- Passive cruise control and warning-only lane keeping trail the Q5 Sportback's adaptive cruise control and steering correction.
- Its 4,915-mm length and 1,937-mm width exceed the Q5 Sportback's 4,717 mm and 1,900 mm dimensions.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM421,990✓ | RM465,990 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM434✓ | RM545 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, supercharged with variable valve timing | 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,984 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 268 hp at 5,000 rpm | — |
| Torque | 400 Nm at 1,600 rpm | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Number of Motors | — | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 402 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 664 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 114 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 582 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 22 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 170 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 7-speed S-tronic | 2-stage ratio planetary gearbox with a single gear |
| Gears | 7 | 2 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Audi AG |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 5.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 200 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,717 mm | 4,915 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,937 mm |
| Height | 1,641 mm | 1,633 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,528 mm | 2,928 mm |
| Fuel Tank | 68 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 515 litres | 569 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R20 | 265/45R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R20 | 265/45R21 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV | Bridgestone Alenza 001 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Mexico (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 20" Audi Sport 5 Twin-spoke Alloys | 21" 5-Arm Black Turbine Style Alloy Wheels |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Audi Sport 5 Twin-spoke Alloys | 21" 5-Arm Black Turbine Style Alloy Wheels |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | S Sport Suspension | Adaptive Air Suspension |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Centre Airbag) | 8 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | — |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | — |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Electric for rear doors | Electric for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Seats | Available on front passenger seat and two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, Audi pre sense front |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Warning Only |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Matrix LED Projectors | Digital Matrix LED headlights |
| Taillamps | Full OLED Tail lights | LED Combination with Dynamic Turn Signals |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function, Ventilated | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function |
| 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 | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 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 Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Manual rear door window shades |
| Audio | 14.5" Touchscreen with Android Automotive OS, 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen Sound System | 10.1" MMI Navigation plus with MMI touch, Audi connect, Audi smartphone interface and Audi 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 with Digital Key | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered with Contactless Operation | 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 |
| 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 | 2 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 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 Q5 Sportback & Q8 e-tron for sale
Q5 Sportback vs Q8 e-tron FAQ
Is the Audi Q5 Sportback or Audi Q8 e-tron better?
The Q8 e-tron is better for buyers with dependable charging, delivering 402 hp, 664 Nm, 582 km of rated range, air suspension and more space. Choose the Q5 Sportback for lower entry cost plus adaptive cruise control and steering lane correction.
What is the price difference?
The Audi Q8 e-tron costs RM44,000 more than the Audi Q5 Sportback. Its annual road tax is also RM111 higher: RM545 versus RM434.
Which Audi has more luggage space and rear-seat potential?
The Q8 e-tron has the stronger practical case: its 569-litre boot is 54 litres larger and its 2,928-mm wheelbase is 400 mm longer than the Q5 Sportback's. Both have five seats and 40:20:40 split-folding rear seatbacks.
