Verdict
Just RM2,898 separates these executive SUVs, but they suit very different Malaysian routines. The Audi Q8 e-tron’s 402 hp, 664 Nm dual-motor drivetrain delivers 0-100 km/h in 5.6 seconds, while its 114 kWh battery claims 582 km and accepts 22 kW AC or 170 kW DC charging. The Lexus RX counters with a larger 612-litre boot, a five-year unlimited-mileage warranty and a lower-effort petrol refuelling routine. Its RM754 annual road tax is RM209 more than the Audi’s RM545, however, and it is slower at 7.6 seconds.
Pick the Audi Q8 e-tron if you have dependable charging and want 582 km EV range, 5.6-second acceleration and adaptive air suspension.
Pick the Lexus RX if you want a 612-litre boot, five-year unlimited-mileage warranty and petrol convenience without planning charging stops.
Key differences
- Price: Audi Q8 e-tron RM465,990; Lexus RX RM468,888.
- Power and torque: Audi Q8 e-tron 402 hp and 664 Nm; Lexus RX 275 hp and 430 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: Audi Q8 e-tron 5.6 seconds; Lexus RX 7.6 seconds.
- Range/fuel capacity: Audi Q8 e-tron 582 km EV range from 114 kWh; Lexus RX 68-litre petrol tank.
- Boot space: Audi Q8 e-tron 569 litres; Lexus RX 612 litres.
- Manufacturer warranty: Audi Q8 e-tron two years unlimited mileage; Lexus RX five years unlimited mileage.
Q8 e-tron
- 402 hp and 664 Nm from two motors
- 582 km EV range; 22 kW AC and 170 kW DC charging
- Adaptive air suspension and 5-star Euro NCAP rating
- 569-litre boot is 43 litres smaller than the Lexus RX's
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus five years
- Passive cruise control and lane-keep warning only
RX
- 612-litre boot
- Five-year unlimited-mileage manufacturer warranty
- Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, lane steering correction and rear cross traffic alert
- 7.6-second 0-100 km/h time trails the Audi Q8 e-tron's 5.6 seconds
- RM754 annual road tax is RM209 higher
- Single-zone rear air-conditioning versus dual-zone rear climate control
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM465,990✓ | RM468,888 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM545✓ | RM754 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | — | 16-valve DOHC Direct and Port injection with Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | — | 2,393 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 275 hp |
| Torque | — | 430 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 87.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 11 |
| Number of Motors | 2 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 402 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 664 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 114 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 582 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 22 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 170 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 2-stage ratio planetary gearbox with a single gear | 8-Speed Direct Shift |
| Gears | 2 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Audi AG | Aisin |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.6 seconds✓ | 7.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,915 mm | 4,890 mm |
| Width | 1,937 mm | 1,920 mm |
| Height | 1,633 mm | 1,695 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,928 mm | 2,850 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,914 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 68 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 569 litres | 612 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 265/45R21 | 235/50R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 265/45R21 | 235/50R21 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Alenza 001 | Bridgestone Alenza 001 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 21" 5-Arm Black Turbine Style Alloy Wheels | 21" Multi-spoke Alloy with Hyper Chrome Metallic Machined Finish |
| Rear Wheels | 21" 5-Arm Black Turbine Style Alloy Wheels | 21" Multi-spoke Alloy with Hyper Chrome Metallic Machined Finish |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive Air Suspension | Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front 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 front passenger seat and two outer rear passenger seats | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Audi pre sense front | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Warning Only | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | For All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Digital Matrix LED headlights | Adaptive LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination with Dynamic Turn Signals | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | 10-way Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function, Heated and Ventilated |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | Power Folding and Recline, 40:20:40 Split-folding, Heated and Ventilated |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with Lexus Climate Concierge |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1x 12V Front, 1x front wireless charger, 2x USB-C rear, 1x 12V socket rear | 1 Front 12-volt, 4 Front USB, 2 Rear USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Manual rear door window shades | — |
| Audio | 10.1" MMI Navigation plus with MMI touch, Audi connect, Audi smartphone interface and Audi sound system | 14" EMV Touchscreen with Bluetooth, Navigation, Voice Recognition, Wired Android Auto, Wireless Apple CarPlay and 12-speaker Lexus Premium Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered boot | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Surround View Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera and 3D Function |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | — | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | Qi Wireless Charger |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/160,000 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 Q8 e-tron & RX for sale
Q8 e-tron vs RX FAQ
Is the Audi Q8 e-tron or Lexus RX better?
The Audi Q8 e-tron is better for buyers with regular charging access, delivering 582 km claimed range and 5.6-second acceleration. The Lexus RX is better for petrol convenience, a 612-litre boot and a five-year manufacturer warranty.
What is the price difference?
The Lexus RX costs RM468,888 and the Audi Q8 e-tron costs RM465,990, so the Lexus is RM2,898 more expensive.
Which is quicker, the Audi Q8 e-tron or Lexus RX?
The Audi Q8 e-tron is quicker, reaching 100 km/h in 5.6 seconds versus 7.6 seconds for the Lexus RX. It also has 402 hp and 664 Nm, against 275 hp and 430 Nm.
