Audi SQ6 Sportback e-tron vs Tesla Model Y Long Range RWD: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the SQ6 Sportback e-tron hits 100 km/h in 4.37 s versus 5.37 s for the Model Y Long Range RWD. At this point, the SQ6 Sportback e-tron leads by 1.01 s and sits roughly 7 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the SQ6 Sportback e-tron is doing 145 km/h against 131 km/h for the Model Y Long Range RWD. The gap is 0.68 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the SQ6 Sportback e-tron crosses the line in 12.68 s versus 13.90 s. The 1.23 s gap represents roughly 52 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Past 400 metres, the SQ6 Sportback e-tron continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 200 km/h versus 172 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the SQ6 Sportback e-tron finishes in 23.17 s versus 26.20 s, with a 3.03 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (230 vs 216 km/h), preventing any comeback.

The SQ6 Sportback e-tron features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the Model Y 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 SQ6 Sportback e-tron is capped at 230 km/h, the Model Y Long Range RWD at 217 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.

With two electric powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (4.76 kg/hp vs 6.84 kg/hp) and transmission (Unknown vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 8.80 seconds. The 1.01 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.