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ASQ5PetrolvsBModel 3BEV
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  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
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  • SpecsSQ5 · Model 3

Audi SQ5 SUV vs Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD: which is truly faster?

Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.

family SUV · 2026 vs 2018 · Methodology
AudiPetrolFaster

SQ5 SUV

367 hp · 550 Nm · 2,040 kg · 2026

VS
TeslaBEV

Model 3 Long Range RWD

258 hp · 446 Nm · 1,730 kg · 2018

Result · 0–100 km/h

AAudi SQ5 SUV

4.42 s

Gap1.30 sin favour of SQ5 SUV
BTesla Model 3 Long Range RWD

5.72 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
MeasureSQ5 SUVModel 3 Long Range RWDGap
0–100 km/h4.42 s5.72 s1.30 s · SQ5 SUV
400 m standing start12.76 s14.16 s1.40 s · SQ5 SUV
1,000 m standing start23.50 s26.28 s2.78 s · SQ5 SUV
Top speed (electronically limited)250 km/h224 km/h26 km/h · SQ5 SUV
Power-to-weight ratio5.56 kg/hp6.71 kg/hpbetter ratio · SQ5 SUV

Watch the race

Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.

AudiPetrolSQ5 SUV
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
TeslaBEVModel 3 Long Range RWD
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
100 m
200 m
300 m
400 m
500 m
600 m
700 m
800 m
900 m
1000 m
0m → 1000m
Gap0m

Stage-by-stage comparison

Simulated performance at each stage. Best value in bold.
StageSQ5 SUVModel 3 Long Range RWD
0–30 km/h1.06 s1.51 s
0–50 km/h1.78 s2.52 s
0–80 km/h3.15 s4.19 s
0–100 km/h4.42 s5.72 s
0–120 km/h6.02 s7.74 s
0–160 km/h10.50 s14.66 s
0–200 km/h17.55 s29.94 s
400 m standing start12.76 s14.16 s
1,000 m standing start23.50 s26.28 s
Top speed limited250 km/h224 km/h

Parameters and assumptions

Simulation

Start
Standing, straight line
Surface
Dry asphalt, 23°C
Wind
None
Driver
1 person, 75 kg

Calibration

Splits
0–100, 0–200 manufacturer
Power curve
Real measurement (Caralogy)
VMax
Manufacturer limited
Transmission
Losses integrated in model

Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.

Under the bonnet

Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.

Audi

SQ5 SUV

5,56kg/hpratio better by 1,15 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power367 hpPending
Torque550 Nm
Weight2 040 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainIntegrale (AWD)
Gearbox7-speed S tronic
Tesla

Model 3 Long Range RWD

6,71kg/hpcompensated by −310 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power258 hpPermanent Magnet Synchronous Motor
Torque446 Nm
Weight1 730 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainPropulsion
GearboxSingle-speed fixed gear

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the SQ5 SUV hits 100 km/h in 4.42 s versus 5.72 s for the Model 3 Long Range RWD. Despite lacking instant torque, 367 hp of power compensates. At this point, the SQ5 SUV leads by 1.30 s and sits roughly 16 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the SQ5 SUV is doing 142 km/h against 131 km/h for the Model 3 Long Range RWD. The gap is 0.97 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the SQ5 SUV crosses the line in 12.76 s versus 14.16 s. The 1.40 s gap represents roughly 60 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the SQ5 SUV continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 196 km/h versus 174 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the SQ5 SUV finishes in 23.50 s versus 26.28 s, with a 2.78 s lead.

What the numbers don’t tell you

The SQ5 SUV features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the Model 3 Long Range RWD’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 SQ5 SUV is capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the Model 3 Long Range RWD at 225 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 9.03 seconds. The 1.30 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

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Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, SQ5 SUV wins (4,42 s vs 5,72 s).

SQ5 SUV goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 4,42 seconds (calibrated simulation).

SQ5 SUV: 367 hp, ratio 5,56 kg/hp. Model 3 Long Range RWD: 258 hp, ratio 6,71 kg/hp.

SQ5 SUV: 250 km/h. Model 3 Long Range RWD: 224 km/h.