Audi Q8 e-tron vs Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV
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 62
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
$140,600RRP
- cannot be matched: Matrix LED Headlights, Premium Audio, Ventilated Front Seats and 1 more not offered
$225,900RRP
- with the Audi Q8 e-tron's standard kit: $225,900 (nothing to add)
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.
Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV EQS 450 4MATIC SUV
$225,900
RRP when new; no longer sold new in Australia. Checked 24 June 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
The Audi Q8 e-tron starts $85,300 lower on RRP.
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.
Safety Rundown
We hold no ANCAP data for the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV. With no pair of ratings to compare, the active-safety features in the spec table above are the fairer comparison.
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 8 on the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV.
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.
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 EQS SUV
None open on our record
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
108.4kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 200kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 200kW 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 EQS SUV gets a 12.8-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Audi Q8 e-tron stands out with Bang & Olufsen audio — features our data doesn't list for the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV. The Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV counters with panoramic roof, ventilated seats and Burmester 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 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV offers nappa leather.
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 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV responds with a Electric making 265kW and 800Nm, paired to a 1 spd auto driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 6.1 seconds.
The Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV has the clear power advantage at 265kW vs 250kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV 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 107.8kWh (Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV), giving WLTP ranges of 491km and 609km. DC fast charging peaks at 170kW (Audi Q8 e-tron) vs 200kW (Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV).
Space & Comfort
The Audi Q8 e-tron measures 4,915mm long on a 2,928mm wheelbase, 210mm shorter than the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV at 5,125mm (3,210mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 569L in the Audi Q8 e-tron and 645L in the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, giving the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV a 76L advantage.
For towing, the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV leads with a 2,000kg braked capacity vs 1,800kg. That 200kg 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 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV's turning circle is 0.1 m tighter, 12.4 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 (Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV).
Where each one leads
The Audi Q8 e-tron: the lower starting price ($140,600 against $225,900).
The Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV: more power (265kW against 250kW), the bigger boot with the seats up (645L against 569L) and the higher braked towing limit (2,000kg against 1,800kg).
The Verdict
Audi Q8 e-tron scores higher, 71 vs 62
The Audi Q8 e-tron scores 71 to the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV's 62 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 1 of the 7 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: safety (Audi Q8 e-tron ahead by 23 points), technology (Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV ahead by 12 points). Boot space with the seats up: 569L in the Audi Q8 e-tron, 645L in the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Audi Q8 e-tron and Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV?
The Audi Q8 e-tron is the cheapest at $140,600 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV by $85,300.
Which has the longest driving range?
The Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV has the most range at 698km (WLTP).
Which charges fastest?
The Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV accepts the highest DC charging at up to 200kW.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Audi Q8 e-tron holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2019). We hold no ANCAP data for Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV has the largest boot at 645L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,000kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV makes the most power at 265kW. The Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV is quickest to 100km/h in 6.1s.
Track the Audi Q8 e-tron & Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV
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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.
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