Verdict
For a Malaysian buyer, the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV is the stronger numbers-led buy at RM398,888 versus the Audi Q5 Sportback's RM421,990: annual road tax is RM305 rather than RM434, and its four-year manufacturer warranty doubles the Audi's two years. Its 90.6-kWh battery delivers a stated 596 km range, with 22-kW AC and 170-kW DC charging. The Audi answers with all-wheel drive and a 268-hp, 400-Nm petrol powertrain, but the EQE's 288-hp, 565-Nm motor and 3,030-mm wheelbase make the cheaper Mercedes hard to ignore.
Pick the Audi Q5 Sportback if all-wheel drive, an alarm and immobilizer matter more to you than EV range, charging and a lower purchase price.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV if you want 596 km of EV range, 170-kW DC charging, more motor torque and the longer warranty for less money.
Key differences
- Price: Audi Q5 Sportback RM421,990; Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV RM398,888.
- Annual road tax: Audi RM434; Mercedes-Benz RM305.
- Powertrain output: Audi 268 hp and 400 Nm; Mercedes-Benz 288 hp and 565 Nm.
- Wheelbase: Audi 2,528 mm; Mercedes-Benz 3,030 mm.
- Manufacturer warranty: Audi two years with unlimited mileage; Mercedes-Benz four years with unlimited mileage.
- Boot space: Audi 515 litres; Mercedes-Benz 520 litres.
Q5 Sportback
- All-wheel drive
- Alarm and immobilizer fitted
- 14.5-inch touchscreen and 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system
- RM23,102 more expensive
- Two-year warranty versus four years
- RM434 annual road tax versus RM305
EQE SUV
- 90.6-kWh battery with 596 km range
- 22-kW AC and 170-kW DC charging
- Four-year unlimited-mileage warranty plus 10-year/250,000-km battery warranty
- Rear-wheel drive versus the Audi's all-wheel drive
- No alarm or immobilizer listed, while the Audi has both
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM421,990 | RM398,888✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM434 | RM305✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, supercharged with variable valve timing | 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,984 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 268 hp at 5,000 rpm | — |
| Torque | 400 Nm at 1,600 rpm | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 288 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 565 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 90.6 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 596 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 22 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 170 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 7-speed S-tronic | — |
| Gears | 7 | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 4.9 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 210 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,717 mm | 4,863 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,940 mm |
| Height | 1,641 mm | 1,685 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,528 mm | 3,030 mm |
| Weight | — | 2,560 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 68 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 515 litres | 520 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R20 | 255/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R20 | 255/45R20 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Mexico (CBU) | United States (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 20" Audi Sport 5 Twin-spoke Alloys | 20" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Audi Sport 5 Twin-spoke Alloys | 20" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | S Sport Suspension | Comfort Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Centre Airbag) | 9 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front and Rear Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee) |
| 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 Two Outer Rear Seats | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, PRE-SAFE Brake |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Matrix LED Projectors | LED Projector with Adaptive High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full OLED Tail lights | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function, Ventilated | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory Settings, Heating & Ventilation |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 1 Front, 2 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Active Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 14.5" Touchscreen with Android Automotive OS, 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen Sound System | 12.8" OLED Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Augmented Reality Navigation; 15-speaker, 710-watt Burmester 3D Surround Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Digital Key | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered with Contactless Operation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Surround View Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 4 years✓ |
| Warranty Notes | — | 10-year/250,000 km Battery Warranty |
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 Q5 Sportback & EQE SUV for sale
Q5 Sportback vs EQE SUV FAQ
Is the Audi Q5 Sportback or Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV better?
The Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV is the better buy on price, warranty, road tax, range and charging. Choose the Audi Q5 Sportback if all-wheel drive and its alarm and immobilizer are priorities.
What is the price difference?
The Audi Q5 Sportback costs RM23,102 more than the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV.
Which is better for longer-distance EV driving?
The Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV is the only EV here. Its 90.6-kWh battery is rated for 596 km, and it supports 22-kW AC plus 170-kW DC charging.
