Audi Q8 vs Mercedes-Benz E53
What's the difference?

Audi Q8

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2025 price

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Mercedes-Benz E53

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2025 price

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Summary

2025 Audi Q8

2025 Mercedes-Benz E53

By Emily Agar

By James Cleary

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Turbo V6, 3.0L

Turbo 6, 3.0L

Fuel Type

Premium Unleaded/Electric

Fuel Efficiency

2.6L/100km (combined)

1.7L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Athletic and sporty looks a winning combo
Drives beautifully
Improved EV driving range

Looks
Performance
Safety

Dislikes

High price tag is hard to justify
Lacks clever storage options
Small boot compared to siblings

No spare tyre
Steep service pricing
Modest boot

2025 Audi Q8 Summary

The Audi Q8 has had a mid-life upgrade and it brings a few minor tweaks to the design, technology and equipment.

Plug-in hybrids tend to rank a little lower on my excitement scale when it comes to available powertrains because I usually find the constant charging inconvenient.

However, the electric driving range of the 60 TSFIe quattro S Line grade has been bolstered by 27km, increasing it to 74km overall.

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2025 Mercedes-Benz E53 Summary

You like performance, love a bit of luxury and fancy a traditional sedan. The budget is healthy and there’s a surprising amount of choice. But Mercedes-AMG believes it’s created the car that perfectly answers your new-car brief.

The Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid 4Matic+ is a fresh expression of an established high-performance sedan formula mixing internal-combustion power with electric punch and all-wheel drive.

We were invited to its local launch, so stay with us to see if this newcomer is ready to fill that primo European performance car shaped space in your garage.

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Deep dive comparison

2025 Audi Q8 2025 Mercedes-Benz E53

Verdict

The updated Audi Q8 60 TFSIe quattro S line still looks good inside and out. It fits a family comfortably without feeling too big and there’s enough here to satisfy those who like the luxury features.

It's price tag will hurt it but the improved power outputs and driving range is a big plus and makes the plug-in hybrid powertrain make more sense.

Verdict

The Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid 4Matic+ is a superb blend of high-tech hybrid muscle and cossetting top-end luxury. Value is competitive, it looks (and feels) the business, despite the conventional sedan configuration it’s surprisingly practical (except for the modest boot), fuel-efficiency is a key benefit and safety is stellar. The ownership proposition is okay for the category but that’s not top of mind when an enticing series of corners ranges into view. It’s an impressive package.

Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with travel, accommodation and meals provided.

Audi Q8 vs Mercedes-Benz E53 What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Audi Q8 vs Mercedes-Benz E53
What's the difference?