Compare the2024 Audi Q8 e-tron SportbackVS 2024 Mercedes EQE SUV

The Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The EQE SUV doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The Q8 e-tron Sportback has a standard Secondary Collision Brake Assist, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The EQE SUV doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Q8 e-tron Sportback. But it costs extra on the EQE SUV.

Both the Q8 e-tron Sportback and the EQE SUV have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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, front and rear parking sensors, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2024 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The EQE SUV has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

The Q8 e-tron Sportback’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the EQE SUV’s (12 vs. 5 years).

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Audi vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Audi 10 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

The Q8 e-tron Sportback has more powerful engines than the EQE SUV:

As tested in Motor Trend the Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback (base engine) is faster than the EQE SUV 350+ electric motor:

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

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

The Q8 e-tron Sportback stops much shorter than the EQE SUV:

For better traction, the Q8 e-tron Sportback has larger standard tires than the EQE SUV (255/50R20 vs. 235/55R19).

The front and rear suspension of the Q8 e-tron Sportback uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the EQE SUV, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The Q8 e-tron Sportback handles at .92 G’s, while the EQE SUV 350+ pulls only .85 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Q8 e-tron Sportback executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1 seconds quicker than the EQE SUV 350+ (25.4 seconds @ .75 average G’s vs. 26.4 seconds @ .67 average G’s).

The front grille of the Q8 e-tron Sportback uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The EQE SUV doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

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

The Q8 e-tron Sportback has a much larger cargo volume than the EQE SUV with its rear seat up (27.2 vs. 14 cubic feet).

The Q8 e-tron Sportback offers up to a 4000 lbs. towing capacity. The EQE SUV has no towing capacity.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Audi service is better than Mercedes. J.D. Power ranks Audi 8th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 16% lower rating, Mercedes is ranked 18th.

Standard air conditioned seats in the front and rear seats keep the Q8 e-tron Sportback Premium Plus/Prestige’s passengers comfortable and take the sting out of hot leather in summer. The EQE SUV doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

The Q8 e-tron Sportback has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the EQE SUV.

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its October 2023 issue and the Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback won out over the Mercedes EQE SUV 350+.