Audi Q4 45 e-tron 210 kW vs Audi Q8 SUV: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the Q4 45 e-tron 210 kW hits 100 km/h in 6.77 s versus 6.93 s for the Q8 SUV. The instant torque of 545 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. Despite the faster sprint time, the Q8 SUV is 10 m further along the track at this moment: stronger low-speed acceleration offsets a slower run beyond 100 km/h.

At 200 metres, the Q8 SUV is doing 119 km/h against 125 km/h for the Q4 45 e-tron 210 kW. The gap is 0.21 s. The gap remains stable from the start.

At 400 metres standing start, the Q4 45 e-tron 210 kW crosses the line in 14.98 s versus 15.03 s. The 0.05 s gap represents roughly 2 m of track - barely a car length.

Past 400 metres, the Q4 45 e-tron 210 kW continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 172 km/h versus 165 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Q4 45 e-tron 210 kW finishes in 27.43 s versus 27.77 s, with a 0.34 s lead. Despite a higher top speed (226 km/h), the Q8 SUV never recovers its launch deficit.

The Q8 SUV features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the Q4 45 e-tron 210 kW’s RWD. At low speeds (0-30, 0-50, 0-80 km/h), AWD doubles the driven contact area: all four wheels transmit torque to the road, virtually eliminating wheelspin at launch. This traction advantage is decisive in the range where the motor delivers peak torque, before power and aerodynamics take over.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Q4 45 e-tron 210 kW is capped at 180 km/h, the Q8 SUV at 226 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 11.52 seconds. The 0.16 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.