Xpeng G9 vs Audi Q3 Sportback: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the Q3 Sportback hits 100 km/h in 7.51 s versus 8.51 s for the G9. Despite lacking instant torque, 193 hp of power compensates. At this point, the Q3 Sportback leads by 1.00 s and sits roughly 34 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the Q3 Sportback is doing 116 km/h against 120 km/h for the G9. The gap is 1.20 s. The gap widens compared to the 0-100.

At 400 metres standing start, the Q3 Sportback crosses the line in 15.30 s versus 16.32 s. The 1.02 s gap represents roughly 42 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Past 400 metres, the gap narrows. The G9 maxes out at 200 km/h while the Q3 Sportback keeps accelerating towards 221 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap is down to 0.84 s from 1.02 s at 400 metres.

At 1,000 metres, the Q3 Sportback finishes in 28.27 s versus 28.71 s, with just 0.44 s to spare. The G9 fails to fully close the launch gap.

The Q3 Sportback features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the G9’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 G9 is capped at 200 km/h, the Q3 Sportback at 221 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 12.63 seconds. The 1.00 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.