Verdict
The Audi Q8 e-tron costs RM465,990, RM33,010 below the Lotus Eletre, and its RM545 annual road tax is far easier on Malaysian running costs than the Lotus’ RM1,440. But the Eletre is the more serious long-distance and performance machine: 600 km range, 350 kW DC charging and a 4.5-second 0-100 km/h time beat the Audi’s 582 km, 170 kW and 5.6 seconds. The Audi counters with adaptive air suspension and a space-saver spare, while the larger Lotus brings a 688-litre boot and five-year vehicle warranty.
Pick the Audi Q8 e-tron if RM33,010 lower purchase price, RM895 lower annual road tax, adaptive air suspension and a space-saver spare matter more than outright pace.
Pick the Lotus Eletre if you want 603 hp, 350 kW DC charging, 600 km range, a larger boot and a five-year vehicle warranty.
Key differences
- Price: Audi Q8 e-tron RM465,990; Lotus Eletre RM499,000.
- Annual road tax: Audi Q8 e-tron RM545; Lotus Eletre RM1,440.
- Motor output: Audi Q8 e-tron 402 hp and 664 Nm; Lotus Eletre 603 hp and 710 Nm.
- Range and DC charging: Audi Q8 e-tron 582 km and 170 kW; Lotus Eletre 600 km and 350 kW.
- 0-100 km/h and top speed: Audi Q8 e-tron 5.6 seconds and 200 km/h; Lotus Eletre 4.5 seconds and 258 km/h.
- Boot space and vehicle warranty: Audi Q8 e-tron 569 litres and two years; Lotus Eletre 688 litres and five years.
Q8 e-tron
- RM33,010 lower purchase price
- RM545 annual road tax
- Adaptive air suspension and space-saver spare tyre
- Slower 5.6-second 0-100 km/h time versus 4.5 seconds
- 170 kW DC charging is well behind 350 kW
- Two-year vehicle warranty versus five years
Eletre
- 603 hp and 710 Nm from two motors
- 350 kW DC charging and 600 km range
- 688-litre boot and five-year vehicle warranty
- Costs RM33,010 more to buy
- RM1,440 annual road tax versus RM545
- No air suspension or spare tyre listed
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM465,990✓ | RM499,000 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM545✓ | RM1,440 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 800V architecture |
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 2 | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | 402 hp | 603 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 664 Nm | 710 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | 114 kWh✓ | 112 kWh |
| EV Range | 582 km | 600 km✓ |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 22 kW | 22 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 170 kW | 350 kW✓ |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 2-stage ratio planetary gearbox with a single gear | — |
| Gears | 2 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Audi AG | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.6 seconds | 4.5 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h | 258 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,915 mm | 5,103 mm |
| Width | 1,937 mm | 2,135 mm |
| Height | 1,633 mm | 1,630 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,928 mm | 3,019 mm |
| Weight | — | 2,490 kg |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 569 litres | 688 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 265/45R21 | 255/50R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 265/45R21 | 285/40R20 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | — |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Alenza 001 | Michelin Pilot Sport EV |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Multi-link |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 21" 5-Arm Black Turbine Style Alloy Wheels | 20" 5-spoke Aero Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 21" 5-Arm Black Turbine Style Alloy Wheels | 20" 5-spoke Aero Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive Air Suspension | — |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 8 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 10 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtain Airbags, Front Center Airbags and Front Knee Airbags) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | — | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Electric for rear doors | Electronic 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 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 | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Digital Matrix LED headlights | Projector LED with Dynamic Indicators |
| Taillamps | LED Combination with Dynamic Turn Signals | Full LED with Dynamic Indicators |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | Power Adjustable Front Seats |
| 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 | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1x 12V Front, 1x front wireless charger, 2x USB-C rear, 1x 12V socket rear | 2 USB-C front, 2 USB-C rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| 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 | 15.1" Touchscreen with Lotus Hyper OS, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 15-speaker KEF Reference Audio |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Automatic with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Operation (Depress Brake Pedal) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered boot | Remote Control Activation with Contactless Boot Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Surround View Camera | Yes, with Surround View |
| 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✓ | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty | 8-year/200,000 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 & Eletre for sale
Q8 e-tron vs Eletre FAQ
Is the Audi Q8 e-tron or Lotus Eletre better?
The Lotus Eletre is better for performance, rapid DC charging, range, boot capacity and vehicle warranty. The Audi Q8 e-tron is the smarter choice if lower purchase price, lower annual road tax, air suspension and a space-saver spare are priorities.
What is the price difference?
The Lotus Eletre costs RM499,000 and the Audi Q8 e-tron costs RM465,990, so the Lotus is RM33,010 more expensive.
Which is better for rapid charging?
The Lotus Eletre is decisively better for DC rapid charging at 350 kW, compared with 170 kW for the Audi Q8 e-tron. Both support 22 kW AC charging.
