Mercedes G 450 d W463 vs Audi Q6 SUV e-tron: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the G 450 d hits 100 km/h in 5.83 s versus 6.82 s for the Q6 SUV e-tron. Despite lacking instant torque, 367 hp of power compensates. At this point, the G 450 d leads by 0.99 s and sits roughly 23 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the G 450 d is doing 128 km/h against 128 km/h for the Q6 SUV e-tron. The gap is 0.89 s. The gap remains stable from the start.

At 400 metres standing start, the G 450 d crosses the line in 14.11 s versus 15.00 s. The 0.89 s gap represents roughly 38 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Past 400 metres, the gap narrows.

At 1,000 metres, the G 450 d finishes in 26.22 s versus 27.06 s, with just 0.84 s to spare. The Q6 SUV e-tron fails to fully close the launch gap.

The G 450 d 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 share the same electronic speed cap: the G 450 d and the Q6 SUV e-tron are governed to 210 km/h. At that speed, standard-fit tyres approach their safety threshold - an industrial ceiling common to most electric vehicles in this segment. Neither car shows its true aerodynamic potential in this duel.

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 0.99 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.