Audi Q7 SUV vs Mercedes G 450 d W463: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the Q7 SUV hits 100 km/h in 5.82 s versus 5.83 s for the G 450 d. The instant torque of 600 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. The 0.01 s gap is negligible: both vehicles are neck and neck.

At 200 metres, the G 450 d is doing 128 km/h against 129 km/h for the Q7 SUV. The gap is 0.10 s. The gap widens compared to the 0-100.

At 400 metres standing start, the G 450 d crosses the line in 14.11 s versus 14.16 s. The 0.05 s gap represents roughly 2 m of track - barely a car length.

Past 400 metres, the situation changes. The G 450 d maxes out at 210 km/h while the Q7 SUV keeps accelerating towards 235 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 0.03 s.

Around 512 metres, both vehicles are level. This is the inversion point: the Q7 SUV overcomes its launch deficit thanks to a 25 km/h higher top speed.

At 1,000 metres, the Q7 SUV finishes in 26.06 s versus 26.22 s. The 0.16 s delta shows an extremely tight race.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Q7 SUV is capped at 240 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 0.01 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.