Verdict
The Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback costs RM474,990, a hefty RM178,102 above the Mercedes-Benz EQA’s RM296,888, but the money brings a 114-kWh battery, 600-km range, 402 hp and 664 Nm. The EQA is the more rational Malaysian entry point, with lower RM160 annual road tax against RM545, plus a four-year vehicle warranty. Yet its 66.5-kWh battery, 429-km range and 8.9-second 0-100 km/h time leave it well behind the Audi’s 5.6 seconds. The Audi also has 528 litres of boot space versus 340 litres.
Pick the Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback if you want the longer 600-km range, 402-hp dual-motor all-wheel drive and a 528-litre boot.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz EQA if you want to spend RM178,102 less, pay RM385 less annual road tax and get a four-year vehicle warranty.
Key differences
- Price: Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback RM474,990; Mercedes-Benz EQA RM296,888.
- Battery and range: Audi 114 kWh and 600 km; Mercedes-Benz 66.5 kWh and 429 km.
- Motor output: Audi 402 hp and 664 Nm; Mercedes-Benz 188 hp and 375 Nm.
- Performance and drive: Audi AWD, 0-100 km/h in 5.6 seconds; Mercedes-Benz FWD, 8.9 seconds.
- Charging: Audi 22 kW AC and 170 kW DC; Mercedes-Benz 11 kW AC and 100 kW DC.
- Boot space: Audi 528 litres; Mercedes-Benz 340 litres.
Q8 e-tron Sportback
- 600-km EV range from a 114-kWh battery.
- 402 hp, 664 Nm and all-wheel drive.
- 528-litre boot and 2,928-mm wheelbase.
- Costs RM178,102 more.
- RM545 annual road tax versus RM160.
- Two-year vehicle warranty versus four years.
EQA
- RM296,888 price and RM160 annual road tax.
- Four-year unlimited-mileage vehicle warranty.
- Head-up display and parallel/perpendicular auto parking.
- 429-km range trails the Audi’s 600 km.
- 188 hp and 375 Nm, with 0-100 km/h in 8.9 seconds.
- 340-litre boot is 188 litres smaller.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM474,990 | RM296,888✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM545 | RM160✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 400V architecture |
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 2 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 402 hp✓ | 188 hp |
| Motor Torque | 664 Nm✓ | 375 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | 114 kWh✓ | 66.5 kWh |
| EV Range | 600 km✓ | 429 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 22 kW✓ | 11.0 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 170 kW✓ | 100.0 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 2-speed automatic transmission | — |
| Gears | 2 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Audi AG | Mercedes-Benz |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.6 seconds✓ | 8.9 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 160 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,915 mm | 4,463 mm |
| Width | 1,937 mm | 1,834 mm |
| Height | 1,619 mm | 1,620 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,928 mm | 2,729 mm |
| Weight | — | 2,040 kg |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 528 litres✓ | 340 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R21 | 235/50R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R21 | 235/50R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | — |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Alenza 001 | Continental EcoContact 6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 21" Aero Alloy Wheels | 19" AMG Five-twin-spoke Light-alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 21" Aero Alloy Wheels | 19" AMG Five-twin-spoke Light-alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Comfort Suspension |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 8 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 7 (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 for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Audi pre sense front | Yes, Active Brake Assist |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Pre-Safe, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors with Auto High Beam | Adaptive LED Projectors |
| Taillamps | Full LED with Dynamic Light Design and Sequential Indicators | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function, Heated |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split Fold | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Rear 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 Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front |
| 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 | Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with 10.25" Touchscreen, Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 Speakers |
| 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 Start | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activated | Powered Boot, Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes, Parallel and Perpendicular |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | MBUX Interior Assistant, Qi Wireless Charger |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 4 years✓ |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty | 8 Years/160,000 km Warranty for Traction Battery |
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 Sportback & EQA for sale
Q8 e-tron Sportback vs EQA FAQ
Is the Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback or Mercedes-Benz EQA better?
The Audi is better for range, performance, charging speed and luggage space: 600 km, 402 hp, 170 kW DC charging and 528 litres. The EQA is better for lower purchase cost, road tax and its four-year vehicle warranty.
What is the price difference?
The Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback costs RM474,990 and the Mercedes-Benz EQA costs RM296,888, so the Audi is RM178,102 more expensive.
Which has the longer EV range and faster charging?
The Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback leads with 600 km of range, 22 kW AC charging and 170 kW DC charging. The Mercedes-Benz EQA manages 429 km, 11 kW AC and 100 kW DC.
