Audi Q8 e-tron vs Mercedes-Benz G-Class
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Audi Q8 e-tron scores higher, 71 vs 65
Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 28 Aug 2026, price 24 Jun 2026
Mercedes-Benz G-Class
21 of 27 standard · no option data · 6 no dataFrom
$214,900
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Diesel
- Engine
- Diesel
- Power
- 270kW
- Economy
- 8.7 L/100km
- Safety
- Not rated by ANCAP
- Boot (seats up)
- 480L
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
$140,600RRP
- cannot be matched: Premium Audio not offered
$214,900RRP
- 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.
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 G-Class G450d
$214,900
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 24 June 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $971 a week in repayments ($214,900 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
The Audi Q8 e-tron starts $74,300 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.
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Ways to buy
For the Mercedes-Benz G-Class.
Finance
≈$971/wk(≈$4,206/mo)
Estimate on the Mercedes-Benz G-Class at $214,900 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
Paid from pre-tax salary with the running costs inside the lease. What it comes to depends on your salary and the term.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the Mercedes-Benz G-ClassDriva 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's published record does not give the Mercedes-Benz G-Class a rating. 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 7 on the Mercedes-Benz G-Class.
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 G-Class
- REC-006071 · published 3 Sep 2024The jack provided with the vehicle may not include a base plate.Year range on the notice: 2010 - 2023
- REC-005747 · published 8 Aug 2023Due to a manufacturing defect, the fuel delivery unit may fail causing the fuel pump to switch off.Year range on the notice: 2021 - 2022
- REC-005667 · published 4 May 2023Due to a manufacturing defect, the front axle wiring harness may come in contact with the oil cooler.Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2022
- 10 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.
Feature Showdown
The Audi Q8 e-tron features a 10.1-inch touchscreen, while the Mercedes-Benz G-Class gets a 12.3-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Audi Q8 e-tron stands out with heated front seats, power tailgate and Bang & Olufsen audio — features our data doesn't list for the Mercedes-Benz G-Class. The Mercedes-Benz G-Class counters with 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 G-Class offers nappa leather. Climate control is 4-zone in the Audi Q8 e-tron and 3-zone in the Mercedes-Benz G-Class.
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 G-Class responds with a Diesel making 270kW and 750Nm, paired to a automatic driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 5.8 seconds.
The Mercedes-Benz G-Class has the clear power advantage at 270kW vs 250kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Mercedes-Benz G-Class is 1.2s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Audi Q8 e-tron measures 4,915mm long on a 2,928mm wheelbase, 90mm longer than the Mercedes-Benz G-Class at 4,825mm (2,890mm 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 480L in the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, giving the Audi Q8 e-tron a 89L advantage.
For towing, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class leads with a 3,500kg braked capacity vs 1,800kg. That 1,700kg 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 Audi Q8 e-tron's turning circle is 0.5 m tighter, 12.5 m against 13.0 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 G-Class).
Where each one leads
The Audi Q8 e-tron: the lower starting price ($140,600 against $214,900) and the bigger boot with the seats up (569L against 480L).
The Mercedes-Benz G-Class: more power (270kW against 250kW) and the higher braked towing limit (3,500kg against 1,800kg).
The Verdict
Audi Q8 e-tron scores higher, 71 vs 65
The Audi Q8 e-tron scores 71 to the Mercedes-Benz G-Class's 65 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 2 of the 5 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: safety (Audi Q8 e-tron ahead by 23 points), technology (Mercedes-Benz G-Class ahead by 12 points). Boot space with the seats up: 569L in the Audi Q8 e-tron, 480L in the Mercedes-Benz G-Class.
Ways to buy
For the Mercedes-Benz G-Class.
Finance
≈$971/wk(≈$4,206/mo)
Estimate on the Mercedes-Benz G-Class at $214,900 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
Paid from pre-tax salary with the running costs inside the lease. What it comes to depends on your salary and the term.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the Mercedes-Benz G-ClassDriva 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 Mercedes-Benz G-Class?
The Audi Q8 e-tron is the cheapest at $140,600 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Mercedes-Benz G-Class by $74,300.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Audi Q8 e-tron holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2019). ANCAP's published record does not give a rating to Mercedes-Benz G-Class, 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 Mercedes-Benz G-Class has the highest braked towing capacity at 3,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Mercedes-Benz G-Class makes the most power at 270kW. The Mercedes-Benz G-Class is quickest to 100km/h in 5.8s.
Track the Audi Q8 e-tron & Mercedes-Benz G-Class
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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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