Verdict
The Denza Z9 GT costs RM15,790 more, yet brings a 122.49-kWh battery, three motors producing 1,140 hp and 1,210 Nm, plus a claimed 600 km EV range. Its 2.7-second 0-100 km/h time and all-wheel drive leave the 196-hp, 340-Nm front-wheel-drive Audi Q5 far behind on outright performance. The trade-off matters in Malaysia: annual road tax is RM9,140 against the Q5’s RM434. The Audi is also 463 mm shorter and has a 520-litre boot, 25 litres ahead of the Denza’s.
Q5
Pick the Audi Q5 if RM434 annual road tax, a more compact 4,717-mm SUV body and a 520-litre boot matter more than EV performance and rear-seat luxury.
Z9 GT
Pick the Denza Z9 GT if you can absorb RM9,140 annual road tax for 1,140 hp, 600 km of EV range, all-wheel drive and a much richer rear cabin.
Key differences
- Price: Audi Q5 RM352,900; Denza Z9 GT RM368,690.
- Powertrain: Audi Q5 196 hp and 340 Nm; Denza Z9 GT three motors with 1,140 hp and 1,210 Nm.
- Drive and performance: Audi Q5 front-wheel drive; Denza Z9 GT all-wheel drive and 0-100 km/h in 2.7 seconds.
- Size: Audi Q5 is 4,717 mm long with a 2,817-mm wheelbase; Denza Z9 GT is 5,180 mm long with a 3,125-mm wheelbase.
- Boot space: Audi Q5 520 litres; Denza Z9 GT 495 litres.
- Road tax: Audi Q5 RM434 per year; Denza Z9 GT RM9,140 per year.
Q5
- RM15,790 cheaper to buy.
- RM434 annual road tax.
- 520-litre boot and a 4,717-mm body.
- 196 hp and 340 Nm versus 1,140 hp and 1,210 Nm.
- Front-wheel drive versus all-wheel drive.
- Two-year unlimited-mileage warranty versus six years/150,000 km.
Z9 GT
- 122.49-kWh battery with 600 km EV range.
- 1,140 hp, 1,210 Nm and 2.7-second 0-100 km/h.
- Powered, ventilated and massaging front seats; powered rear seats with leg rests.
- RM9,140 annual road tax versus RM434.
- 463 mm longer and 90 mm wider than the Audi Q5.
- 495-litre boot is 25 litres smaller.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM352,900✓ | RM368,690 |
| Body type | SUV | Wagon |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM434✓ | RM9,140 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, turbocharged with variable valve timing | 1,000V architecture (e3 Platform) |
| Capacity | 1,984 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 196 hp at 4,300 rpm | — |
| Torque | 340 Nm at 2,000 rpm | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Number of Motors | — | 3 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 1,140 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 1,210 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 122.49 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 600 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 1,500 kW |
| V2L | — | 4 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 7-speed S-tronic | — |
| Gears | 7 | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 2.7 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 240 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,717 mm | 5,180 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,990 mm |
| Height | 1,669 mm | 1,490 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,817 mm | 3,125 mm |
| Weight | — | 2,895 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 68 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 520 litres✓ | 495 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/55R19 | 225/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/55R19 | 225/45R20 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin e-Primacy | Continental EcoContact 7 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Mexico (CBU) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 19" 10 Spoke Aero Design Alloys | 20" Y-spoke Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" 10 Spoke Aero Design Alloys | 20" Y-spoke Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Comfort suspension | DiSus-A Intelligent Dual Chamber Air Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Centre Airbag) | 9 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front and Rear Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag) |
| 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 Outer Two Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Digital Matrix LED Headlights | LED Projectors |
| Taillamps | Full OLED Tail lights | 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 Ventilation, Memory and Massaging |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | Powered Rear Seats with Extendable Leg Rests |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Sunroof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 2 Wireless Charger Front, 1 Wireless Chargers Rear, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights, Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 14.5" Touchscreen with Android Automotive OS, 10-speaker Audi Sound System | 17.3" Touchscreen with Google Automotive Services Built-in, Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 20-speaker Devialet Sound System, 13.2" Front Passenger Touchscreen |
| 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 | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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, 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes, e3 Parking |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Power Door | — | All Doors |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | Front and Rear Fridges |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 6 years✓ |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-years/160,000 km Drivetrain and High Voltage 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 & Z9 GT for sale
Q5 vs Z9 GT FAQ
Is the Audi Q5 or Denza Z9 GT better?
The Denza Z9 GT is the stronger choice on performance, range, drivetrain, warranty and cabin equipment. The Audi Q5 makes more sense if low annual road tax, a shorter SUV body and the larger 520-litre boot are priorities.
What is the price difference?
The Denza Z9 GT costs RM15,790 more than the Audi Q5: RM368,690 against RM352,900.
Which has lower running tax in Malaysia?
The Audi Q5 does. Its annual road tax is RM434, while the Denza Z9 GT is listed at RM9,140 per year, a RM8,706 difference.
