Audi Q8 e-tron vs BMW iX1
Two electric SUVs go head to head. Which EV is the better buy for Australian drivers in 2026?
Audi Q8 e-tron scores higher, 71 vs 70
Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 4 Aug 2026, price 6 Sep 2026
BMW iX1
21 of 27 standard · 2 optional · 4 no dataFrom
$77,900
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Electric
- Engine
- Electric
- Power
- 230kW
- Energy use
- 20.2 kWh/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2022
- Boot (seats up)
- 490L
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
$140,600RRP
- with the BMW iX1's standard kit: $140,600 (nothing to add)
$77,900RRP
- with the Audi Q8 e-tron's standard kit: $77,900 (nothing to add; 1 with no data, not charged)
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
Price and cost per week
Audi Q8 e-tron 50 e-tron SUV
$140,600
RRP when new; no longer sold new in Australia
No published drive-away price on our record.
BMW iX1 xDrive30
$77,900
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 6 Sept 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $337 a week in repayments ($77,900 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
The BMW iX1 starts $62,700 lower on RRP.
The BMW iX1 currently qualifies for the electric-vehicle FBT exemption, which applies to novated leases. The Audi Q8 e-tron does not: above the $91,661 fuel-efficient lct threshold.
On-road costs (stamp duty, registration, CTP and dealer delivery) depend on your state and the dealer; ask for a written drive-away price before you sign.
CarSorted
Looking for your next car?
We help you research it, compare it and ask for a price.
Ways to buy
For the BMW iX1.
Finance
≈$337/wk(≈$1,461/mo)
Estimate on the BMW iX1 at $77,900 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Electric, with an RRP under the $91,661 fuel-efficient LCT threshold (2026-27): under the ATO's electric cars exemption a novated lease of an eligible electric car attracts no FBT if luxury car tax was never payable on it. The benefit is still reportable.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the BMW iX1Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP lists the Audi Q8 e-tron at 5 stars (2019) and the BMW iX1 at 5 stars (2022). ANCAP tested these in different years (2019 vs 2022). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like. Adult occupant protection scored 91% for the Audi Q8 e-tron and 86% for the BMW iX1, under different test years.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 10 of 10 key ADAS systems on the Audi Q8 e-tron, against 9 on the BMW iX1.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 8 in the Audi Q8 e-tron and 6 in the BMW iX1.
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Driver assistance, system by system. We can confirm 10 of 10 key systems on the Audi Q8 e-tron and 9 on the BMW iX1.
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
Recalls on our record
Audi Q8 e-tron
- REC-006599 · published 28 Apr 2026Due to a manufacturing defect, the mounting bolts connecting the brake pedal rod and the brake servo may not have been tightened to the sufficient torque and could become loose.Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2024
BMW iX1
- REC-006090 · published 2 Oct 2024Due to a manufacturing defect, a component of the brake booster system may have been incorrectly welded and could break.Year range on the notice: 2022 - 2024
- REC-005906 · published 5 Mar 2024Due to a manufacturing defect, signal interference may occur within the electronics of the brake system.Year range on the notice: 2022 - 2023
- REC-005746 · published 8 Aug 2023Due to a manufacturing defect, the front right drive shaft may become loose and detach from the eDrive.Year range on the notice: 2022 - 2023
- 1 more on the model page.
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Charging times
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to a DC fast charger, estimated from battery size and the car's own maximum charge rates.
How long to charge
95kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 170kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (22kW AC, 170kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
How long to charge
64.8kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 130kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 130kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The Audi Q8 e-tron features a 10.1-inch touchscreen, while the BMW iX1 gets a 10.7-inch display and 10.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Audi Q8 e-tron stands out with head-up display, Bang & Olufsen audio and ambient lighting — features our data doesn't list for the BMW iX1. The BMW iX1 counters with Harman Kardon audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Audi Q8 e-tron gets leather upholstery while the BMW iX1 offers sensatec synthetic leather. Climate control is 4-zone in the Audi Q8 e-tron and 2-zone in the BMW iX1.
Equipment few rivals have, on either carShowHide
Drivetrain
The Audi Q8 e-tron uses a Electric producing 250kW and 664Nm of torque, sent through a two-stage planetary gearbox with single gear to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 7 seconds.
The BMW iX1 responds with a Electric making 230kW and 494Nm, paired to a auto driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 6.1 seconds.
The Audi Q8 e-tron has the clear power advantage at 250kW vs 230kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the BMW iX1 is 0.9s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 95kWh (Audi Q8 e-tron) vs 64.7kWh (BMW iX1), giving WLTP ranges of 491km and 578km. DC fast charging peaks at 170kW (Audi Q8 e-tron) vs 130kW (BMW iX1).
Space & Comfort
The Audi Q8 e-tron measures 4,915mm long on a 2,928mm wheelbase, 415mm longer than the BMW iX1 at 4,500mm (2,692mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Audi Q8 e-tron generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 569L in the Audi Q8 e-tron and 490L in the BMW iX1, giving the Audi Q8 e-tron a 79L advantage.
For towing, the Audi Q8 e-tron leads with a 1,800kg braked capacity vs 1,200kg. That 600kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Neither U-turns in one sweep on a 7 m local street (both need a three-point turn); the BMW iX1's turning circle is 0.6 m tighter, 11.9 m against 12.5 m kerb to kerb. The street estimate is indicative, worked from the published turning circles.
Cost to own
We do not hold a like-for-like fuel or energy figure for both cars, so we do not cost them against each other.
Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (Audi Q8 e-tron) and 5 years / Unlimited (BMW iX1).
Where each one leads
The Audi Q8 e-tron: more power (250kW against 230kW), the bigger boot with the seats up (569L against 490L) and the higher braked towing limit (1,800kg against 1,200kg).
The BMW iX1: the lower starting price ($77,900 against $140,600).
The Verdict
Audi Q8 e-tron scores higher, 71 vs 70
The Audi Q8 e-tron scores 71 to the BMW iX1's 70 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 6 of the 8 spec rows that separate them. The biggest gaps: value (BMW iX1 ahead by 21 points), practicality (Audi Q8 e-tron ahead by 10 points). Boot space with the seats up: 569L in the Audi Q8 e-tron, 490L in the BMW iX1.
Ways to buy
For the BMW iX1.
Finance
≈$337/wk(≈$1,461/mo)
Estimate on the BMW iX1 at $77,900 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Electric, with an RRP under the $91,661 fuel-efficient LCT threshold (2026-27): under the ATO's electric cars exemption a novated lease of an eligible electric car attracts no FBT if luxury car tax was never payable on it. The benefit is still reportable.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the BMW iX1Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Audi Q8 e-tron and BMW iX1?
The BMW iX1 is the cheapest at $77,900 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Audi Q8 e-tron by $62,700.
Which has the longest driving range?
The Audi Q8 e-tron has the most range at 491km (WLTP).
Which charges fastest?
The Audi Q8 e-tron accepts the highest DC charging at up to 170kW.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Audi Q8 e-tron holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2019) and BMW iX1 holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2022). ANCAP tested these in different years (2019 vs 2022). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Audi Q8 e-tron has the largest boot at 569L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The Audi Q8 e-tron has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,800kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Audi Q8 e-tron makes the most power at 250kW. The BMW iX1 is quickest to 100km/h in 6.1s.
Track the Audi Q8 e-tron & BMW iX1
Get price-drop alerts on these models plus our free weekly new-car rundown. Unsubscribe anytime.
How to read this page. Prices, specifications, ANCAP ratings, warranty, the CarSorted Score and the verdict come from our records for the grades shown, sourced from the manufacturers' Australian documents, and change when those records change; the date each was last checked is printed under the headline. Prices are recommended retail prices before on-road costs unless marked drive-away. A plug-in hybrid's fuel figure is labelled with its basis: with a full battery (the certified combined figure) or as a hybrid (battery depleted). Charging and running costs are estimates on the stated assumptions. Always confirm price and specification with the manufacturer or dealer before you buy. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Comments (0)
Sign in to join the conversation
No comments yet. Be the first!
