Audi Q7 SUV vs BMW i3s (120 Ah) I01: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the Bmw i3s (120 Ah) hits 100 km/h in 6.81 s versus 7.07 s for the Q7 SUV. The instant torque of 270 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. Despite the faster sprint time, the Q7 SUV is 11 m further along the track at this moment: stronger low-speed acceleration offsets a slower run beyond 100 km/h.

At 200 metres, the Q7 SUV is doing 117 km/h against 124 km/h for the Bmw i3s (120 Ah). The gap is 0.23 s. The gap remains stable from the start.

At 400 metres standing start, the Bmw i3s (120 Ah) crosses the line in 15.05 s versus 15.11 s. The 0.06 s gap represents roughly 3 m of track - barely a car length.

Past 400 metres, the situation changes. The Bmw i3s (120 Ah) maxes out at 160 km/h while the Q7 SUV keeps accelerating towards 226 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 0.20 s.

Around 789 metres, both vehicles are level. This is the inversion point: the Q7 SUV overcomes its launch deficit thanks to a 66 km/h higher top speed.

At 1,000 metres, the Q7 SUV finishes in 28.09 s versus 28.59 s. The 0.50 s delta in favour of the Q7 SUV shows that top speed makes a clear difference.

The Q7 SUV features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the Bmw i3s (120 Ah)’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 Q7 SUV is capped at 226 km/h, the Bmw i3s (120 Ah) at 160 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 11.95 seconds. The 0.26 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.