At the point when the Tesla Model S and Model X showed up on the scene, extravagance vehicle clients at last had two or three appealing, all-electric-fueled options in contrast to the semi-pervasive Mercedes-Benz S-Classes and Audi Q7s of the world. Now that Tesla is the predominant player in the very good quality EV space as well as seemingly in the extravagance market in general, its once-outlandish models have become in numerous ways the standard.

All in all, what's an upscale purchaser to do while they're hoping to get into an electric SUV yet need to hold a deception of selectiveness? Audi and Mercedes are trusting that new items like the Q8 E-Tron and EQE SUV will end up being what those individuals need and need from an EV SUV, rather than that Tesla they see in perpetually neighbors' carports.

By The Numbers

The 2024 Audi Q8 E-Tron — addressed here in Sportback S Line fastback structure — should be the more recognizable of the two. Before this year, the Q8 E-Tron was simply "E-Tron," having sent off only two years after the Model X in 2018. The new Q8 E-Tron gets a gentle facelift and trim changes with the new name, alongside a few vital redesigns under the skin, the most huge of which is a new 106 kWh usable battery (up from 86.5 kWh usable). That battery pack, joined with the remainder front and back engines (great for a consolidated 402 hp and 490 lb-ft in S Line trim), assist with giving the Q8 E-Tron an EPA-assessed 296 miles of reach and a 170 kW top charge rate — a huge enhancement for the pre-revive model's 150 kW top rate and 218 miles of reach. Audi made further corrections as well, tweaking the standard air suspension arrangement and amending the electric SUV's guiding proportion.

With respect to the 2023 Mercedes EQE SUV, it's the fifth all-electric-fueled Mercedes EV to hit our shores, after the EQS and SUV, EQB, and EQE car. Underlying Tuscaloosa, Alabama, close by the internal combustion GLE and GLS, the 2023 EQE350+ SUV we had in for assessment is in the shape of the EQE and EQS items before it. More a cart form of the EQE than a real SUV (peep its 5.2-creeps of ground freedom contrasted with the Audi's 8.1),

it utilizes the brand's to some degree polarizing taxi forward styling, increased by a helpful hatchback game plan. Under, the EQE350+ sports almost indistinguishable battery and charging specs to its vehicle kin: a 90.6 kWh battery load with a publicized pinnacle charge pace of 170 kW. Our EQE SUV test vehicle was a back drive, single-engine model evaluated at 288 hp and 417 lb-ft with an EPA-assessed 279-mile range (AWD models have a similar torque yet 564 lb-ft).

It's likewise important that albeit both the Audi and the Mercedes gloat a 170-kW top charge rate, just the Audi had the option to hit that number in our testing, with the EQE overseeing only 153 kW.

Out and about

For those progressing from a gas powered motor (ICE), the Q8 E-Tron will feel quickly natural. Its engine tuning has a ton to do with that; dissimilar to numerous EVs, which include moment off-the-line force, the Audi's double engines are tuned to copy the manner in which an ICE vehicle fabricates power. The electric SUV walks off the line without a hitch and unhesitatingly, acquiring speed as the "virtual fires up" form. However the Audi is speedy contrasted with a significant number of its ICE brethren, at 5.2 seconds from 0-60 mph, it isn't Tesla or BMW iX fast.

The Q8 E-Tron likewise rides and handles like a contemporary internal combustion Audi, with a delicate, to some degree occupied on-street disposition and charmingly light (though marginally obscure) directing. In its Dynamic drive mode, the Audi is faster to have its more grounded back engine convey the power, loaning it a to some degree more unique cornering feel versus the standard drive mode — however in the event that you push it to an extreme, likewise with Audi's other non-RS items, you'll be welcomed by understeer as the nose cleans out.

Under slowing down, in any case, the Q8 E-Tron doesn't feel like a conventional Audi. Editors generally found the Audi's brake pedal to feel soft and nonlinear. Without the one-pedal drive mode presented on numerous different electrics, we depended on increasing the brake's regenerative power with what might be called paddle shifters on the off chance that the Q8 E-Tron had a transmission. That helped some, yet at the same time made it incredibly challenging to carry the Audi to a smooth stop.

On the off chance that the Audi is endeavoring to overcome any barrier between the gas powered motor and the electric engine, the Mercedes-EQ EQE350+ sits immovably on the EV side of the line. In spite of the yawning power hole among it and the Audi, the EQE feels spritely in and out of town, with moment on force major areas of strength for and from its single engine. It zooms from 0-60 mph in a decent 5.7 seconds, however its passing power prominently plunges contrasted with the Audi once at expressway speeds. Editors for the most part loved the EQE's controlling feel, as well. On account of its four-wheel directing framework (a $1,300 choice that permits the back tires to go up to 10 degrees), the Mercedes is incredibly flexibility in and out of town, however many viewed it as a piece darty on winding streets and at thruway speeds.

The ride and brakes of the Mercedes additionally raised a few banners. Without an extravagant air suspension framework like the Audi (accessible as a $1,900 extra), the low-thrown and firm-riding EQE bobs rough terrain defects, sending essential and optional effects resounding through the lodge as the electric SUV battles to settle itself. On the slowing down front, however the EQE's vibe is more normal than the Audi's, we hate the way that the brake pedal is moved free from your foot in its most forceful regenerative brake setting. When in doubt of thumb, the brake pedal ought to constantly be where you last left it.

Which One Is More Lavish?

The other piece of the extravagance puzzle is inside. Here, the Audi is again refreshingly conventional. Like you'd find in internal combustion forms of the Q8, the E-Tron sports a rich blend of materials and varieties, with three shades of dim, orange-sewed calfskin seats, and delicate softened cowhide entryway cards. The scramble includes Audi's currently recognizable Virtual Cockpit instrument bunch and twin-screen MMI infotainment suite. We love the previous for its instinctive nature and the capacity to have a full-screen Google Guide satellite view on the instrument bunch, however we're more blended on the last option; we value the sharp designs and responsive haptic nature yet despise how much menu-surfing expected to get done with fundamental jobs, for example, changing the brilliance of the three presentations.

As a matter of fact, you'll likewise do a ton of menu-surfing in the EQE. The Mercedes MBUX infotainment framework is fit for definitely more than Audi's MMI — in any event, showing remarkably helpful data like the EV's pinnacle charge rate at its present status of charge — yet the framework can be baffling and fringe hazardous to use on occasion while driving. The twin presentations (one on the drifting mid control area and the other a computerized instrument bunch) can be worked numerous ways: by means of touch on the principal show or a modest bunch of multifunction buttons underneath that, via a bank of touch-delicate thumb cushions on one or the other discussed the guiding wheel, or by voice. We wound up regularly making inadvertent information sources by means of the touchpads and investing immeasurably a lot of energy taking a gander at screens rather than the street. In principle the voice collaborator would help here, yet it appeared to battle with even the most essential orders.

The EQE's actual bundle likewise passes on parcels to be wanted. Fit, finish, and materials had a lower-quality sparkle and grain than the Audi, causing the Mercedes to feel like a far less expensive vehicle than it is. The conspicuous expense cutting, for example, the absence of air conditioning vents in the back, didn't be ignored. More terrible, because of its taxi forward plan and high scramble, the EQE feels like you're closed up in a pillbox. Front and center, the driving position is best portrayed as buslike, and back inhabitants noticed a high floor and a claustrophobic vibe. Regardless of the EQE outgunning the E-Tron in inside estimations on paper, the Audi basically utilizes the space better; feeling like the roomier and really inviting bundle. (It's actually significant that despite the fact that they're more in line size-wise with the Model X, the more modest Tesla Model Y outclasses both in traveler space and freight volume.)

Which Electric SUV Is Ideal?

Taking a gander at costs for direction is commonly a simple prop to go after while looking at two firmly paired extravagance vehicles, however for this situation one vehicle is plainly the better extravagance item.

We partake in the energetic taking care of and punchy power conveyance of the EQE350+, however the remainder of the bundle is more challenging to live with. The inside isn't especially luxurious, the ride is excessively firm, and the infotainment framework is diverting and challenging to use while driving. Without a doubt, the previous two issues can be concealed by striking the choices receptacle and choosing an air suspension and maybe some unique upholstery choices, however the bundle will in any case have similar trade offs innate in this model.

You make far less splits the difference with the Q8 E-Tron. However not exactly as connecting as some extravagance EV SUVs on offer from different automakers, the Audi is a better extravagance item than the Mercedes EQE. It's tranquil, generally made, and like the absolute best ICE extravagance vehicles, it's not difficult to drive — brake pedal feel in any case. Besides, its lodge is really where you should invest some energy. Is it a preferable purchase over a tantamount Tesla? Intense to say — yet it'll absolutely be more extraordinary.