It was a typical Friday morning—chaotic, as usual. I’m a working mother of two energetic sons, and mornings are a whirlwind of breakfast negotiations, missing socks, and last-minute homework checks and school uniforms checks. But today was different. Today, I was test-driving the Audi Q8 e-tron 50, my first-ever electric vehicle experience. Yes, a bit late to join the bandwagon.
As I slid into the driver’s seat, the first thing I noticed was the sleek, futuristic interior. The cabin felt like a sanctuary—quiet, refined, and surprisingly intuitive. The Apple CarPlay connected seamlessly with my iPhone, syncing my calendar, music, and even the kids’ favourite playlist without a hitch. No fumbling with cables or settings—just smooth integration. It works well with Android’s phone too as tested by my other half.
With the kids buckled in, I tapped into Comfort Drive Mode. The car glided out of the driveway with such grace that I barely felt the transition. The adaptive air suspension absorbed every bump on the school route, and the 360-degree camera made navigating tight school parking lots a breeze. I am old school; my trusted guide is the car side mirror. But this time, I put my trust into the 360 cameras, and I managed to squeeze into a spot! Trust me, school ferrying moms and dads would know the challenge to find that spot to drop off kids to safety with other ‘racing’ moms and dads, phew!
The rest of the day went on smooth with comfort drive mode, manoeuvring city main and inroads. The traffic condition and the weather were okay. It does feel different as I am used to press the oil pedal for speed and power on the Proton X50, but now I am looking at the digital cockpit to see how much ‘power’ I’ve accelerated. It was a breeze yet powerful.
On the weekend, I decided to test drive this beauty to Bagan Lalang, a distance not that far from home. Mind you, I was beginning to have the range anxiety and began contemplating the ‘what ifs’ I couldn’t get to the nearest charging station in time while driving. As you all know, the traffic, anywhere in Malaysia, bound to change without signal. I’d never driven an EV before, so this is kind of natural feeling.
We tried to charge at home since, hey? Why not we try charging by ourselves? For a good 3 hours, the AC charging showed an improvement of 4km on the digital cockpit. I know we overthink and hyper curious about this, but it is a good experience.
If you search for ‘EV charging station near me’ on Google Map, it will direct you to the nearest location. I’m glad it is within reach in case we need one.
This beauty has a maximum AC charging rate at 11kW. For maximum DC charging rate is at 150kW.
The WLTP is at 410km, simply said how far this car can travel based on a single charge. But then again, there are other factors at play such as driving style, road conditions and the weather.
I wondered. But a quick glance at the digital cockpit reassured me: 100% charge, 491 km range. Plenty for a beachside escape.
The drive to Bagan Lalang was nothing short of serene. The Audi Q8 e-tron 50’s dual motor quattro system handled the highway with confidence, and the lane assist, and adaptive cruise control made long stretches feel effortless. I could feel the car subtly correcting itself, keeping me centered and safe.
As I approached the coastal roads, the narrower roads where the jetty and the fisherman’s market were, there was a stretch of cars parked, perching on the road. No issue there, still a smooth driving with this beauty. I was struck by how quiet the drive was—no engine hum, just the sound of waves in the distance and laughter in the back seat.
Parking at the beach was a breeze thanks to park assist. I stepped out and admired the sleek, aerodynamic design—a perfect blend of elegance and strength. It didn’t just look good; it felt empowering.
We spent the afternoon relaxing under the shades eating ice cream. The kids spent some time in the water, trying to catch baby crabs and digging holes. And as we drove home, the sound system turned the cabin into a cozy cocoon. I realized I hadn’t thought about charging once since we left. The Audi Q8 e-tron 50 had quietly taken care of everything. As a woman juggling work, motherhood, and everything in between, this car felt like a partner, not just a vehicle.
Safety First: Confidence Behind the Wheel
As a mother, safety is non-negotiable. And the Audi Q8 e-tron 50 delivered in spades:
- Audi Pre Sense Front: While navigating city traffic, the system constantly scanned for potential collisions. It even gave me a gentle warning when a motorcyclist suddenly swerved in front of me.
- Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go: On the highway, this was a game-changer. It maintained a safe distance from the car ahead and even brought the vehicle to a complete stop in traffic jams—then resumed driving when traffic moved.
- Lane Departure Warning & Lane Keeping Assist: I felt the steering gently nudge me back when I drifted too close to the lane markings. Subtle, but incredibly reassuring.
- Blind Spot Monitoring (Audi Side Assist): With two kids often distracting me from the back seat, this feature was a lifesaver. The illuminated warning on the side mirror kept me from making unsafe lane changes.
- Rear Cross Traffic Alert: Backing out of tight parking spots, especially at the beach, was stress-free. The system alerted me to approaching vehicles or pedestrians I couldn’t see.
If you’re a woman looking for a car that’s stylish, safe, and smart, the Audi Q8 e-tron 50 checks every box:
- First-time EV driver? The transition is seamless. The range is generous, and the charging infrastructure is growing fast.
- Busy lifestyle? The tech works with you, not against you. Apple CarPlay, voice commands, and smart navigation make multitasking safer and easier.
- Family-focused? It’s spacious, quiet, and incredibly comfortable for long drives or short errands.
- Style-conscious? The sleek exterior and refined interior make a bold yet elegant statement.
In love already? Checkout Audi Q8 etron 50 here: https://www.audi.com.my/e-tron/q8-e-tron/fascination
