Audi Q4 40 e-tron 150 kW vs Audi Q3 SUV: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the Q4 40 e-tron 150 kW hits 100 km/h in 8.62 s versus 9.16 s for the Q3 SUV. The instant torque of 310 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the Q4 40 e-tron 150 kW leads by 0.54 s and sits roughly 1 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the Q4 40 e-tron 150 kW is doing 115 km/h against 111 km/h for the Q3 SUV. The gap is 0.12 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the Q4 40 e-tron 150 kW crosses the line in 16.48 s versus 16.93 s. The 0.45 s gap represents roughly 17 m of track - two to three car lengths.

Past 400 metres, the Q4 40 e-tron 150 kW continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 157 km/h versus 151 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Q4 40 e-tron 150 kW finishes in 30.31 s versus 30.84 s, with a 0.54 s lead. Despite a higher top speed (209 km/h), the Q3 SUV never recovers its launch deficit.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Q4 40 e-tron 150 kW is capped at 160 km/h, the Q3 SUV at 209 km/h. This isn’t a physical engine limit - it’s a manufacturer choice, usually for tyre safety or homologation reasons. Neither car reaches its true aerodynamic top speed.

Instant electric torque gives an advantage off the line. The higher top speed of the combustion engine gives an advantage over longer distances. The distance at which one catches the other depends on the top speed differential.

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 16.01 seconds. The 0.54 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.