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Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron vs Mazda MX-30 e-Skyactiv: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the Mazda MX-30 e-Skyactiv carries less risk than the Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron: 29/100 versus 43/100 (both moderate risk). The Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Battery cell modules with a risk of overheating and fire»; the Mazda MX-30 e-Skyactiv has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Motor Hill Assist and brake lights: software fault in the electric motor control».

Risk index

Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron

43

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

Mazda MX-30 e-Skyactiv

29

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

The index (0–100) weights the severity and frequency of the three most serious documented faults. How it is calculated

13 sourcesHow we work

Is the Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron reliable?

We have found no documented faults with the electric motor or the power electronics; what is on record are two precautionary high-voltage battery recalls: moisture at the connection (first 2019 units) and cell modules with a risk of overheating (built 2018-2022). Check the chassis number and the battery's state of health.[1][2][3]

See the 2 of the Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron faults

Is the Mazda MX-30 e-Skyactiv reliable?

The MX-30 e-Skyactiv's electric powertrain has no faults of its own documented: the two European campaigns for the drivetrain (Motor Hill Assist on 2020 cars and the on-board charger on 2022–2023 cars) are corrected with software. We have found no battery degradation or motor faults in the sources consulted.[4][5][6]

See the 2 of the Mazda MX-30 e-Skyactiv faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron and Mazda MX-30 e-Skyactiv
Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tronMazda MX-30 e-Skyactiv
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelElectricalElectrical
Displacement——
Timing——
Power249–503 hp145 hp
Production2019–2025[7]2020–2024[8][9][10]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)43Moderate risk29Moderate risk
Documented faults22
Of high or critical severity21
Worst severityCritical severityHigh severity
Main faults
  1. Critical severity: Battery cell modules with a risk of overheating and fire
  2. Critical severity: Moisture ingress at the battery connection on the early units (2019)
  1. High severity: Motor Hill Assist and brake lights: software fault in the electric motor control
  2. Medium severity: On-board charger (OBC) with faulty software: detects a cable that is not there and the car will not start
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • Q8 e-tron 50 / 55 and SQ8, 95 and 114 kWh gross batteries (2022-2025)[1][2][7]
None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • e-tron 50 quattro, 71 kWh gross battery (2020-2022)[1][2][11]
  • e-tron 55 quattro and S, 95 kWh gross battery (2019-2022)[1][2][3]
  • MX-30 e-Skyactiv EV 35.5 kWh, 145 hp (2020–2022)[5][12]
  • MX-30 e-Skyactiv EV 35.5 kWh, 145 hp, improved charging (2022–2024)[4][13]
AvoidVersions to avoidNoneNone

Severity of each fault: green, low; amber, medium; red, high; dark red, critical. How we rate them

Cars that each one is fitted to

Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron

Mazda MX-30 e-Skyactiv

Other comparisons

With the Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron

With the Mazda MX-30 e-Skyactiv

Compare other engines

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Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. Audi e-tron (2018 - 2022): recall por sobrecarga térmica de la batería (alerta Safety Gate 8/2024)car-recalls.eu · Other source · published 26 February 2024 · consulted 30 October 2026
  2. Audi-Rückruf: Defekte Akkuzellen - Brandgefahr beim E-Tronauto motor und sport · Motoring press · published February 2024 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
  3. Schlechter Start: Audi muss verkaufte E-Trons in die Werkstatt rufenWinFuture · General press · published 11 June 2019 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
  4. Mazda MX-30: faulty charge controller software (KBA 012881)car-recalls.eu · Other source · published 18 July 2023 · consulted 30 October 2026
  5. Mazda MX-30: brake lights and Motor Hill Assistcar-recalls.eu · Other source · published 18 February 2021 · consulted 30 October 2026
  6. Mazda MX-30: problemas comunes y llamadas a revisióncar-recalls.eu · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
  7. Audi e-tron (2018) - WikipediaWikipedia · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
  8. Mazda MX-30Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
  9. Mazda MX-30Wikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026 · in French
  10. Mazda MX-30 DR: ModellvariantenADAC Autokatalog · Technical documentation · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
  11. Gebrauchtwagen-Check Audi e-tron (GE): Günstiger als ein elektrischer Fiat Grande PandaAutoScout24 Magazin · Motoring press · published 14 March 2025 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
  12. Mazda MX-30 (2020): brake lights and Motor Hill Assist (alerta A12/00247/21)car-recalls.eu · Other source · published 26 February 2021 · consulted 30 October 2026
  13. Mazda MX-30 (DR): starting problems, KBA recallcar-recalls.eu · Other source · published 26 June 2023 · consulted 30 October 2026