Audi Q8 SUV vs BMW X5 xDrive40i G05: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the Q8 SUV hits 100 km/h in 5.60 s versus 5.65 s for the Bmw X5 xDrive40i. The instant torque of 600 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. The 0.05 s gap is negligible: both vehicles are neck and neck.

At 200 metres, the Q8 SUV is doing 131 km/h against 131 km/h for the Bmw X5 xDrive40i. The gap is 0.01 s. The gap remains stable from the start.

At 400 metres standing start, the Bmw X5 xDrive40i crosses the line in 13.93 s versus 13.94 s. The 0.01 s gap represents roughly 0 m of track

Past 400 metres, nothing changes. Same ceiling, same acceleration, same trajectory — both rivals run in formation to the line. The 0.12 s gap at 1,000 metres confirms what the specs already suggested: on track, they’re interchangeable. The real contest happens elsewhere — range, comfort, charging network reliability.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Q8 SUV is capped at 240 km/h, the Bmw X5 xDrive40i at 243 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 8.93 seconds. The 0.05 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.