Mercedes-Benz Eqs450 vs Audi SQ8
What's the difference?

Mercedes-Benz Eqs450

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2024 price

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Audi SQ8

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2025 price

View pricing & specs

Rolls-Royce Spectre (bev)

Summary

2024 Mercedes-Benz Eqs450

2025 Audi SQ8

By Andrew Chesterton

By Emily Agar

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Not Applicable, 0.0L

Twin Turbo V8, 4.0L

Fuel Type

Electric

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

0.0L/100km (combined)

11.9L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Sleek, stylish looks
Ample power for this application
Whisper-quiet cabin

Understated but elegant looks
Gusty engine that delivers serious power
Comfortably fits a large family

Dislikes

Not the most exciting drive
Price might be a sticking point
Tighter third row than expected

Never hits any thrilling notes
Technology is harder than it needs to be
Internal storage could be better

2024 Mercedes-Benz Eqs450 Summary

The EV revolution is bringing plenty of firsts, and this big electric behemoth is yet another one. Meet the EQS450, which Mercedes describes as its first "electric luxury full-size SUV with seven seats".

That is a bit of a mouthful though, right? So let’s shortcut that a bit, shall we?

What you really need to know is that this is one of the few proper seven-seat electric SUVs on sale in Australia, so it will — a little surprisingly — end up being compared with the increasingly premium Kia and its EV9 when it launches in November.

So what does this electric answer to a high-riding S-Class bring to the table? Well, lots of luxury, of course.

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2025 Audi SQ8 Summary

The Audi SQ8 has had a mid-life refresh but this upper large SUV still offers luxury with its powerful V8 engine that fans know and love, as well as the features you would expect in a top model.

It competes against the Mercedes-AMG GLE and Porsche Cayenne but we’re family testing the SQ8 to see how it handles domestic life.

Keep reading to see what we’ve discovered.

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Deep dive comparison

2024 Mercedes-Benz Eqs450 2025 Audi SQ8

Verdict

Does electrification enhance the seven-seat SUV experience? In the case of the EQS450, the answer is yes. Smoother, quieter and with plenty of easy-flowing power, the brand's family-focused luxury electric SUV behaves exactly as you might expect.

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

Verdict

The Audi SQ8 isn’t your typical performance SUV. It’s more refined and less flashy. The tech can be more complicated than it needs to be and if you’re wanting that V8 soundscape, you won’t find it here.

However, the handling and on road experience are superb plus you can comfortably haul the family around and look good doing it.

Mercedes-Benz Eqs450 vs Audi SQ8 What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Mercedes-Benz Eqs450 vs Audi SQ8
What's the difference?