Compare the2025 Mercedes EQE SUVVS 2025 Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the EQE SUV are reminded to check the back seat when a sensor determines the back seat is occupied. The Q8 e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The EQE SUV has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The Q8 e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The EQE SUV has a standard Maneuvering Brake Function that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Q8 e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

The EQE SUV’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Q8 e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the EQE SUV and the Q8 e-tron Sportback have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras and rear cross-path warning.

There are over 25 percent more Mercedes dealers than there are Audi dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the EQE SUV’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Mercedes vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. With 36 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Mercedes higher than Audi.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mercedes vehicles are more reliable than Audi With 57 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Mercedes higher than Audi.

The AMG EQE 53 4MATIC+’s electric motors produces 181 more horsepower (677 vs. 496) and 21 lbs.-ft. more torque (738 vs. 717) than the SQ8 e-tron Sportback’s optional electric motors.

As tested in Motor Trend the AMG EQE 53 4MATIC+ electric motors is faster than the Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback (base engine):

On the EPA test cycle the EQE SUV gets better mileage than the Q8 e-tron Sportback:

The EQE SUV can travel longer on a full charge than the Q8 e-tron Sportback on a full charge:

For better stopping power the AMG EQE 53 4MATIC+ CCB’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Q8 e-tron Sportback:

The EQE SUV AMG offers optional heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The Q8 e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

For better traction, the AMG EQE 53 4MATIC+’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Q8 e-tron Sportback (275/35R22 vs. 265/45R21).

The EQE SUV’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Q8 e-tron Sportback Premium ultra’s standard 55 series tires. The AMG EQE 53 4MATIC+’s optional tires have a lower 35 series profile than the Q8 e-tron Sportback’s optional 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the EQE SUV has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the Q8 e-tron Sportback Premium ultra.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the EQE SUV can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Q8 e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The EQE SUV’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Q8 e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the EQE SUV’s wheelbase is 4.2 inches longer than on the Q8 e-tron Sportback (119.3 inches vs. 115.1 inches).

The AMG EQE 53 4MATIC+ handles at .94 G’s, while the Q8 e-tron Sportback pulls only .92 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The AMG EQE 53 4MATIC+ executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.3 seconds quicker than the Q8 e-tron Sportback (24.1 seconds @ .82 average G’s vs. 25.4 seconds @ .75 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the EQE SUV with rear wheel steering’s turning circle is 5.5 feet tighter than the Q8 e-tron Sportback’s (34.5 feet vs. 40 feet).

The Mercedes EQE SUV may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 50 to 400 pounds less than the Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback.

The design of the Mercedes EQE SUV amounts to more than styling. The EQE SUV has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .26 Cd. That is lower than the Q8 e-tron Sportback (.27 to .29) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the EQE SUV get better fuel mileage.

The EQE SUV has 1.4 inches more front headroom, .2 inches more front shoulder room, 1.5 inches more rear headroom and 1.5 inches more rear legroom than the Q8 e-tron Sportback.

The EQE SUV has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Q8 e-tron Sportback with its rear seat folded (55 vs. 54.5 cubic feet).

Optional Trailer Stability Assist on the EQE SUV uses the Electronic Stability Program sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Q8 e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the EQE SUV to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Q8 e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the EQE SUV offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Q8 e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer cornering lights.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mercedes EQE SUV has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Q8 e-tron Sportback Premium Plus/Prestige offers wireless charging.

The EQE SUV is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Q8 e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

The Mercedes EQE SUV outsold the Audi e-tron by 24% during 2023.