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  • SpecsExplorer · Q3

Ford Explorer EcoBoost 300 vs Audi Q3 SUV: 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.

large SUV · 2020 vs 2026 · Methodology
FordPetrolFaster

Explorer EcoBoost 300

305 hp · 420 Nm · 2,043 kg · 2020

VS
AudiPetrol

Q3 SUV

204 hp · 320 Nm · 1,660 kg · 2026

Result · 0–100 km/h

AFord Explorer EcoBoost 300

6.71 s

Gap0.28 sin favour of Explorer EcoBoost 300
BAudi Q3 SUV

6.99 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
MeasureExplorer EcoBoost 300Q3 SUVGap
0–100 km/h6.71 s6.99 s0.28 s · Explorer EcoBoost 300
400 m standing start14.93 s15.30 s0.37 s · Explorer EcoBoost 300
1,000 m standing start27.10 s28.39 s1.29 s · Explorer EcoBoost 300
Top speed (electronically limited)220 km/h229 km/h9 km/h · Q3 SUV
Power-to-weight ratio6.70 kg/hp8.14 kg/hpbetter ratio · Explorer EcoBoost 300

Watch the race

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

FordPetrolExplorer EcoBoost 300
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
AudiPetrolQ3 SUV
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.
StageExplorer EcoBoost 300Q3 SUV
0–30 km/h1.82 s1.51 s
0–50 km/h3.04 s2.54 s
0–80 km/h4.96 s4.85 s · tight gap
0–100 km/h6.71 s6.99 s
0–120 km/h8.99 s10.04 s
0–160 km/h15.83 s20.12 s
0–200 km/h30.71 s36.49 s
400 m standing start14.93 s15.30 s
1,000 m standing start27.10 s28.39 s
Top speed220 km/h229 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.

Ford

Explorer EcoBoost 300

6,70kg/hpratio better by 1,44 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power305 hpPending
Torque420 Nm
Weight2 043 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainIntegrale (AWD)
Gearbox10-speed torque-converter automatic
Audi

Q3 SUV

8,14kg/hpcompensated by −383 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power204 hpPending
Torque320 Nm
Weight1 660 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainIntegrale (AWD)
Gearbox7-speed S tronic

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the Explorer EcoBoost 300 hits 100 km/h in 6.71 s versus 6.99 s for the Q3 SUV. Despite the faster sprint time, the Q3 SUV is 6 m further along the track at this moment: stronger low-speed acceleration offsets a slower run beyond 100 km/h.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the Q3 SUV is doing 119 km/h against 127 km/h for the Explorer EcoBoost 300. The gap is 0.08 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the Explorer EcoBoost 300 crosses the line in 14.92 s versus 15.30 s. The 0.38 s gap represents roughly 15 m of track - two to three car lengths.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the Explorer EcoBoost 300 continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 173 km/h versus 160 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Explorer EcoBoost 300 finishes in 27.09 s versus 28.39 s, with a 1.30 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (220 vs 229 km/h), preventing any comeback.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Explorer EcoBoost 300 is capped at 220 km/h, the Q3 SUV at 229 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 combustion powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (6.70 kg/hp vs 8.14 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 12.38 seconds. The 0.28 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

Compare with other alternatives

Swap one of the two models to explore an equivalent duel in the same segment.

Instead of Explorer EcoBoost 300
BMW X2 M35i

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Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, Explorer EcoBoost 300 wins (6,71 s vs 6,99 s).

Explorer EcoBoost 300 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 6,71 seconds (calibrated simulation).

Explorer EcoBoost 300: 305 hp, ratio 6,70 kg/hp. Q3 SUV: 204 hp, ratio 8,14 kg/hp.

Explorer EcoBoost 300: 220 km/h. Q3 SUV: 229 km/h.