BMW X6 xDrive40d G06 vs Audi Q6 SUV e-tron: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the X6 xDrive40d hits 100 km/h in 5.54 s versus 6.82 s for the Q6 SUV e-tron. Despite lacking instant torque, 340 hp of power compensates. At this point, the X6 xDrive40d leads by 1.28 s and sits roughly 22 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the X6 xDrive40d is doing 131 km/h against 128 km/h for the Q6 SUV e-tron. The gap is 0.98 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the X6 xDrive40d crosses the line in 13.88 s versus 15.00 s. The 1.12 s gap represents roughly 48 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Past 400 metres, the X6 xDrive40d continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 181 km/h versus 174 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the X6 xDrive40d finishes in 25.52 s versus 27.06 s, with a 1.54 s lead.

The X6 xDrive40d features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the Q6 SUV e-tron’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 X6 xDrive40d is capped at 245 km/h, the Q6 SUV e-tron at 210 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 10.26 seconds. The 1.28 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.