Audi
Q8 e-tron
Mercedes-Benz
EQE
Audi Q8 e-tron vs Mercedes-Benz EQE: 2024 Comparison
The short answer
Based on available data, the Mercedes-Benz EQE comes out ahead of the Audi Q8 e-tron on power. Check the specs table and owner sentiment below for the full comparison before deciding between the two. Both are covered by real owner reports on CarWizz.
Specs side by side
What owners say
Q8 e-tron
Overall
Mixed sentiment with a clear divide between appreciation for the vehicle's core luxury attributes and significant frustration with reliability and technology. The vehicle is very frequently praised for its exceptional interior build quality, quiet and refined ride comfort, smooth handling, and overall feeling of traditional luxury. Many owners describe it as one of the quietest and most comfortable vehicles they have owned, with a high-quality interior that feels like a proper luxury car.
Best version to buy
Insufficient owner data available to declare a consensus "best" trim. Feedback indicates the higher-trim Prestige models are appreciated for their feature content, but no specific trim level is singled out as being significantly more reliable or recommended over others.
Known issues
- ⚠Software glitches and MMI failures: Virtual cockpit resets, screen freezes, non-responsive touchscreens, system lag, false error messages (tire pressure, child lock), persistent bugs requiring multiple dealer software updates.
- ⚠Major electrical system failures: Complete vehicle shutdowns rendering car undriveable, battery replacement required, indeterminate electrical faults causing extended shop visits (30+ days). Frequency: recurrent.
- ⚠12V battery drain issues: Caused by faulty components like stuck seat switches, leading to a dead vehicle. Warranty disputes common over fault attribution. Frequency: recurrent.
EQE
Overall
Mixed to negative sentiment overall, with a clear divide between appreciation for its core electric vehicle attributes and significant criticism of its value proposition, design, and driving dynamics. The vehicle is consistently praised for its excellent real-world range, which often meets or exceeds EPA estimates, a quiet and comfortable ride, and a high-quality, plush interior. However, it is heavily criticized for its exterior styling, described as bland, uninspired, and reminiscent of older mainstream sedans.
Best version to buy
EQE 500 SUV (or Sedan) with optional rear-wheel steering and air suspension. The higher-output 500 model is recommended to address widespread criticism of the base 350's lackluster acceleration and "slow for an 80k+ EV" feeling.
Known issues
- ⚠High price / poor value proposition: very frequent criticism of MSRP being $20,000-$30,000 higher than equivalent ICE Mercedes models and uncompetitive within the EV segment. Frequency: very frequent.
- ⚠Exterior styling: widely criticized as bland, uninspired, ugly, and compared unfavorably to 1990s mainstream sedans. Frequency: very frequent.
- ⚠Underwhelming performance in base models: base EQE 350 described as slow, heavy, and lumbering, with moderate body roll, especially without rear-wheel steering. Frequency: very frequent.
The verdict
The Mercedes-Benz EQE is the better choice for most buyers.
It has more power on its best-equipped version than the Audi Q8 e-tron, based on the data above. If efficiency matters more to you than outright power, the Audi Q8 e-tron is worth a closer look instead.
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Frequently asked questions
Which is more reliable, the Audi Q8 e-tron or the Mercedes-Benz EQE?
Owner reports show similar reliability sentiment for the Audi Q8 e-tron and the Mercedes-Benz EQE. Check the known issues listed above for specific differences between the two.
Which is better for families, the Audi Q8 e-tron or the Mercedes-Benz EQE?
Both seat a similar number of passengers based on our data. The Audi Q8 e-tron is classed as a SUV, the Mercedes-Benz EQE as a Sedan, which affects cargo space and ride height for family use.
Which has better fuel economy, the Audi Q8 e-tron or the Mercedes-Benz EQE?
Fuel consumption data is limited for one or both models. Check the specs table above for the figures available on each catalogued version.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Audi Q8 e-tron or the Mercedes-Benz EQE?
Exact maintenance costs aren't in our data, but reliability signals above are the closest proxy: fewer reported issues generally means lower repair costs over time.