Audi Q4 45 e-tron 210 kW vs BMW X1 sDrive20d F48: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the Q4 45 e-tron 210 kW hits 100 km/h in 6.77 s versus 7.80 s for the X1 sDrive20d. The instant torque of 545 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the Q4 45 e-tron 210 kW leads by 1.03 s and sits roughly 10 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the Q4 45 e-tron 210 kW is doing 125 km/h against 119 km/h for the X1 sDrive20d. The gap is 0.56 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the Q4 45 e-tron 210 kW crosses the line in 14.98 s versus 15.77 s. The 0.79 s gap represents roughly 32 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

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 166 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Q4 45 e-tron 210 kW finishes in 27.43 s versus 28.46 s, with a 1.03 s lead. Despite a higher top speed (222 km/h), the X1 sDrive20d never recovers its launch deficit.

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 X1 sDrive20d at 222 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 12.14 seconds. The 1.03 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.