Head-to-head
Mercedes EQS SUV vs Audi Q8 e-tron
At $149,000 the Audi Q8 e-tron undercuts the Mercedes EQS SUV by $45,900 (24%) — but does the premium deliver enough of an edge to justify itself? Here's how the two compare on price, range, charging, safety and warranty.
Option A · SUV
Mercedes EQS SUV
Mercedes-Benz's electric flagship SUV — sister vehicle to the EQS sedan with 7-seat capability. 108 kWh battery delivers a class-leading 660 km WLTP range; built in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
- From
- $194,900
- Range
- 660 km
- Battery
- 108 kWh
Option B · SUV
Audi Q8 e-tron
Audi's flagship electric SUV is a refresh of the original e-tron, with a bigger 114 kWh battery and 600 km WLTP range. The 55 Sportback variant trades practicality for a coupe-SUV roofline.
- From
- $149,000
- Range
- 600 km
- Battery
- 114 kWh
Key differences at a glance
The biggest material gaps between the Mercedes EQS SUV and Audi Q8 e-tron, ranked by how much they're likely to matter day-to-day.
- 1
Range · advantage Mercedes EQS SUV
The Mercedes EQS SUV goes 60 km further on a charge (660 vs 600 km WLTP).
- 2
Price · advantage Audi Q8 e-tron
The Audi Q8 e-tron undercuts the Mercedes EQS SUV by $45,900 (24%) on starting price.
- 3
DC charging · advantage Mercedes EQS SUV
The Mercedes EQS SUV accepts 30 kW more DC peak charging (200 vs 170 kW), meaning shorter road-trip stops.
- 4
Battery · advantage Audi Q8 e-tron
The Audi Q8 e-tron carries a 6.0 kWh larger battery (114 vs 108 kWh).
- 5
Power · advantage Audi Q8 e-tron
The Audi Q8 e-tron puts down 35 kW more (300 vs 265 kW).
Spec for spec
Highlighted cells show the better number in each row.
Where the Mercedes EQS SUV wins
- ▸ 60 km longer WLTP range
- ▸ Faster DC charging peak (200 kW vs 170 kW)
Where the Audi Q8 e-tron wins
- ▸ Cheaper by $45,900
- ▸ Quicker 0–100 km/h (5.6s vs 6.7s)
Mercedes EQS SUV
What we like
- ✓ Class-leading 660 km WLTP range
- ✓ Optional 7-seat layout
- ✓ 10-year / 250,000 km battery warranty
What we don't
- ✕ Heavy kerb weight (2.7 t+) hurts efficiency
- ✕ Premium pricing
- ✕ DC charging peak (200 kW) trails 800V rivals
Audi Q8 e-tron
What we like
- ✓ Large 114 kWh battery delivers 600 km WLTP
- ✓ Quattro AWD as standard
- ✓ Premium Audi cabin and brand cachet
What we don't
- ✕ DC charging peak (170 kW) trails newer 800V rivals
- ✕ ANCAP rating inherited from 2019 e-tron testing
- ✕ Premium pricing in a segment with newer alternatives
Frequently asked: Mercedes EQS SUV vs Audi Q8 e-tron
Quick answers to the questions cross-shoppers most often ask about this pair.
- Which is cheaper, the Mercedes EQS SUV or the Audi Q8 e-tron?
- The Audi Q8 e-tron is the cheaper of the two — it starts at $149,000 versus $194,900 for the Mercedes EQS SUV, a $45,900 difference. Prices shown are manufacturer recommended retail excluding on-road costs.
- Which has the longer driving range?
- The Mercedes EQS SUV has the longer WLTP-claimed range at 660 km, 60 km further than the Audi Q8 e-tron's 600 km. Real-world range typically lands 10–20% below the WLTP figure depending on speed, terrain, climate and load.
- Which one charges faster on a DC fast charger?
- The Mercedes EQS SUV accepts a peak DC charging rate of 200 kW versus 170 kW for the Audi Q8 e-tron. Peak rate only holds for a short window during the charging curve, so real-world 10–80% times often diverge less than the peak numbers suggest. Compatibility with 350 kW chargers depends on the vehicle's onboard architecture, not just the published peak.
- Which is quicker off the line?
- The Audi Q8 e-tron does 0–100 km/h in 5.6 seconds — 1.1 s quicker than the Mercedes EQS SUV's 6.7 s. EV acceleration figures hold up at speed better than equivalent petrol cars because electric motors deliver peak torque instantly.
- Is the Audi Q8 e-tron better value than the Mercedes EQS SUV?
- On paper the Audi Q8 e-tron is $45,900 cheaper, but the Mercedes EQS SUV edges ahead on most other measurable specs. Whether the saving justifies the gap depends on which features matter most to you, and how much weight you give to brand and dealer factors.
Which one should you buy?
The short version, based on where each car pulls ahead.
Choose the
Mercedes EQS SUV
if…
- ✓ maximum range matters (60 km further per charge)
- ✓ you match the profile: flagship suv buyers
Choose the
Audi Q8 e-tron
if…
- ✓ you want to save $45,900 on the sticker
- ✓ you want quicker acceleration off the line
- ✓ you match the profile: premium suv buyers
Verdict reasoning is derived from published specs; brand preference, dealer experience and how a car drives are personal — always take a test drive before deciding.