Tesla Model Y Long Range RWD vs BMW X3 xDrive30i G01: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the Model Y Long Range RWD hits 100 km/h in 5.37 s versus 6.35 s for the Bmw X3 xDrive30i. The instant torque of 582 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the Model Y Long Range RWD leads by 0.98 s and sits roughly 10 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the Model Y Long Range RWD is doing 131 km/h against 126 km/h for the Bmw X3 xDrive30i. The gap is 0.58 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the Model Y Long Range RWD crosses the line in 13.90 s versus 14.56 s. The 0.66 s gap represents roughly 28 m of track — two to three car lengths.

Past 400 metres, the gap narrows. The Model Y Long Range RWD maxes out at 216 km/h while the Bmw X3 xDrive30i keeps accelerating towards 240 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 0.61 s.

At 1,000 metres, the Model Y Long Range RWD finishes in 26.20 s versus 26.56 s, with just 0.36 s to spare. The Bmw X3 xDrive30i fails to fully close the launch gap.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Model Y Long Range RWD is capped at 217 km/h, the Bmw X3 xDrive30i at 240 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 10.01 seconds. The 0.98 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.