Mat Watson and the carwow team have put together one of the more structured premium electric SUV tests available this year, running the BMW iX3, Audi Q6 Sportback, and Tesla Model Y Long Range through seven categories: straight-line acceleration, braking, real-world range, design, interior, rear seat space, boot capacity, and price. The Audi enters with the power disadvantage, rated at 326 horsepower against the BMW's 469 and the Tesla's 507. That gap shows up immediately in the drag race, where both the BMW and Tesla completed the standing quarter mile in 12.8 seconds while the Audi needed 14.8. Pricing puts the BMW and Audi at around £59,000 after a £7,000 discount applied to the Audi, with the Tesla undercutting both at approximately £52,000. The rolling race result was similar, with the Audi trailing significantly.
The categories where the Audi does well are the ones buyers often think about less. On a constant 70 mph motorway run, both Watson and co-presenter Rory agreed the Audi is the quietest of the three, with less wind and road noise than either rival. It finished second in the brake test as well, stopping in the shortest distance from 100 mph. The BMW came second on motorway refinement; the Tesla ranked last on wind noise at speed. For handling on a country road, the order flipped: the Tesla earned best steering and best overall handling. The BMW felt heavy through corners and was the clear third. The Audi, despite its power deficit, provided the most entertaining handling due to a looser rear end, though both presenters agreed the Tesla is the more consistent choice for most drivers in most conditions.
Interior evaluations gave the top ranking to the Tesla, with the Audi second and the BMW third. The Tesla's screen earned praise for sharpness, responsiveness, and a cleaner layout without the large bezel found on the Audi's display. The BMW's panoramic interior screen is visually distinctive but not functionally better than the Tesla's, and its touch-sensitive steering wheel controls drew criticism. For rear passengers, the Tesla offered the most space across all three seats when carrying adults side by side. Boot capacity tells a different story than the official numbers suggest: despite having the smallest quoted volume, the Audi matched the Tesla at nine suitcases. The BMW fits eight. Frunk storage runs 114 liters for the Tesla, 64 for the Audi, and 58 for the BMW.
Bottom line: The Tesla wins five of seven categories and costs roughly £7,000 less than the BMW and Audi at current prices. The BMW is a respectable second on most counts. The Audi, despite its surprisingly entertaining handling and superior motorway refinement, trails in power, rear seat space, and interior quality for the money. This test makes a straightforward case for the Model Y in this segment.