Audi Q5 SUV vs Mercedes G 450 d W463: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the Q5 SUV hits 100 km/h in 5.00 s versus 5.83 s for the G 450 d. The instant torque of 500 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the Q5 SUV leads by 0.83 s and sits roughly 5 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the Q5 SUV is doing 136 km/h against 128 km/h for the G 450 d. The gap is 0.43 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the Q5 SUV crosses the line in 13.38 s versus 14.11 s. The 0.73 s gap represents roughly 31 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Past 400 metres, the Q5 SUV continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 188 km/h versus 174 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Q5 SUV finishes in 24.54 s versus 26.22 s, with a 1.68 s lead.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Q5 SUV is capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the G 450 d at 210 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 9.41 seconds. The 0.83 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.