Audi Q8 e-tron vs Mercedes-Benz EQA
Two electric SUVs go head to head. Which EV is the better buy for Australian drivers in 2026?
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. 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 24 Jun 2026
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
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; ? is no option data.
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.
$140,600RRP
- with the Mercedes-Benz EQA's standard kit: $140,600 (nothing to add)
$89,900RRP
- no option data for this car
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.
Track the Audi Q8 e-tron & Mercedes-Benz EQA
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Price Breakdown
The Audi Q8 e-tron starts from $140,600 before on-road costs, while the Mercedes-Benz EQA opens at $89,900. That makes the Mercedes-Benz EQA the more affordable entry point by $50,700.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $154,660 and $98,890 respectively.
The Mercedes-Benz EQA currently qualifies for the electric-vehicle FBT exemption, which can dramatically reduce the effective cost for novated lease buyers. The Audi Q8 e-tron does not: above the $91,661 fuel-efficient lct threshold.
Safety Rundown
We hold no ANCAP data for the Mercedes-Benz EQA. With no pair of ratings to compare, the active-safety features in the spec table above are the fairer comparison.
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
Mercedes-Benz EQA
- REC-006695 · published 12 Aug 2026Nine model lines: door lock defect (campaign RC5219)Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2026
- REC-006475 · published 10 Nov 2025The high voltage battery may short circuit if charged over 80 percent capacity.Year range on the notice: 2023 - 2024
- REC-005949 · published 15 Apr 2024The electrical power steering control unit back-up software may not operate as intended.Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2024
- 2 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 ultra-rapid DC, estimated from battery size and max 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
66.5kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 100kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 100kW 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 Mercedes-Benz EQA gets a 10.3-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, heated front seats, power tailgate and Bang & Olufsen audio — features our data doesn't list for the Mercedes-Benz EQA. 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 Mercedes-Benz EQA offers synthetic leather. Climate control is 4-zone in the Audi Q8 e-tron and 2-zone in the Mercedes-Benz EQA.
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 Mercedes-Benz EQA responds with a Electric making 140kW and 385Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8.6 seconds.
The Audi Q8 e-tron has the clear power advantage at 250kW vs 140kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Audi Q8 e-tron is 1.6s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 95kWh (Audi Q8 e-tron) vs 70.5kWh (Mercedes-Benz EQA), giving WLTP ranges of 491km and 480km. DC fast charging peaks at 170kW (Audi Q8 e-tron) vs 100kW (Mercedes-Benz EQA).
Space & Comfort
The Audi Q8 e-tron measures 4,915mm long on a 2,928mm wheelbase, 452mm longer than the Mercedes-Benz EQA at 4,463mm (2,729mm 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 340L in the Mercedes-Benz EQA, giving the Audi Q8 e-tron a 229L advantage.
For towing, the Mercedes-Benz EQA leads with a 1,800kg braked capacity vs 1,800kg. That 0kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.0m to 12.5m
Based on 12.5m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.0m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Audi Q8 e-tron) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Mercedes-Benz EQA). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Audi Q8 e-tron if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, or prefer Audi's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Mercedes-Benz EQA if: You want the lower entry price, or prefer Mercedes-Benz's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
Audi Q8 e-tron: Top CarSorted Score, 71 vs 67
The Audi Q8 e-tron comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (71 vs 67), taking 5 of 6 key spec rows below. The deciding gaps: safety (Audi Q8 e-tron ahead by 27), performance (Audi Q8 e-tron ahead by 26), value (Mercedes-Benz EQA ahead by 18). If boot space matters, the Audi Q8 e-tron has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Audi Q8 e-tron and Mercedes-Benz EQA?
The Mercedes-Benz EQA is the cheapest at $89,900 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Audi Q8 e-tron by $50,700.
Which has the longest driving range?
The Mercedes-Benz EQA has the most range at 496km (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. We hold no ANCAP data for Mercedes-Benz EQA, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
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 Audi Q8 e-tron is quickest to 100km/h in 7s.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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