In our Madrid to Bucharest EV duel, the BMW iX3 beats the Audi SQ8 e-tron by 153 minutes, completing the 3129km route in 38h 7min. The key advantage? 3 fewer charging stops. Route calculated on September 28, 2026 using real-time charging station data.
Despite costing 30,800 less, the BMW iX3 beats the Audi SQ8 e-tron by 153 minutes on this route.
The Audi SQ8 e-tron's 366km range doesn't beat the BMW iX3's 360km here - charging speed and efficiency matter more.
The BMW iX3 needs only 18 charging stops compared to 21 for the slowest vehicle, saving valuable time.
Winner
BMW iX3
- Total time: 38h 7min (153 min faster)
- Charging stops: 18
- Charging time: 5h 2min
- Energy: ~634 kWh
- Distance: 3129km
Quick Comparison
| Metric |
Audi SQ8 e-tron |
BMW iX3 |
| Travel time |
40h 40min |
38h 7min |
| Charging time: |
7h 11min |
5h 2min |
| Charging stops: |
21 |
18 |
| Energy used |
~563 kWh |
~564 kWh |
Charging Strategy Breakdown
Audi SQ8 e-tron Route
- Start: Madrid (100% charge)
-
Stop 1:
Área de Servicio Gasolprice (27 min, 25% → 74%)
-
Stop 2:
IONITY Vila Sana (11 min, 10% → 37%)
-
Stop 3:
IONITY Mas de la Sala (25 min, 10% → 63%)
-
Stop 4:
Aire de Pia (10 min, 10% → 34%)
-
Stop 5:
Aire de Lespignan Sud (10 min, 13% → 38%)
-
Stop 6:
Aire d'Ambrussum Sud (17 min, 10% → 47%)
-
Stop 7:
Supercharger Mercure Beaumanoir (10 min, 10% → 35%)
-
Stop 8:
IONITY Aire de Vidauban Sud (21 min, 10% → 55%)
-
Stop 9:
Conioli Sud (10 min, 10% → 27%)
-
Stop 10:
IONITY Ceriale Sud (10 min, 14% → 37%)
-
Stop 11:
Area di Servizio Stura Est (32 min, 11% → 73%)
-
Stop 12:
Monte Alto Sud (19 min, 10% → 52%)
-
Stop 13:
Vega (13 min, 10% → 38%)
-
Stop 14:
IONITY Risparmio Casa (22 min, 10% → 57%)
-
Stop 15:
Dul Jug (12 min, 10% → 40%)
-
Stop 16:
Supercharger Designer Outlet Croatia (25 min, 10% → 62%)
-
Stop 17:
Tesla Supercharger (14 min, 10% → 43%)
-
Stop 18:
OMV Martinci (13 min, 10% → 41%)
-
Stop 19:
JP Putevi Srbije (35 min, 10% → 77%)
-
Stop 20:
OMV Bulevardul Nicolae Iorga (82 min, 10% → 75%)
-
Stop 21:
Supercharger Pitesti Retail Park (13 min, 10% → 42%)
- Arrival: Bucharest
BMW iX3 Route
- Start: Madrid (100% charge)
-
Stop 1:
Calle Gaspar Torrente (13 min, 13% → 56%)
-
Stop 2:
IONITY Vila Sana (10 min, 10% → 44%)
-
Stop 3:
IONITY Mas de la Sala (13 min, 18% → 60%)
-
Stop 4:
Aire de Pia (10 min, 10% → 44%)
-
Stop 5:
Aire de Loupian (16 min, 12% → 63%)
-
Stop 6:
Aire de l'Arc (22 min, 10% → 71%)
-
Stop 7:
Conioli Sud (14 min, 10% → 47%)
-
Stop 8:
Area di Servizio Stura Est (21 min, 10% → 70%)
-
Stop 9:
Monte Alto Sud (10 min, 10% → 44%)
-
Stop 10:
Tesina Sud (14 min, 19% → 51%)
-
Stop 11:
IONITY Risparmio Casa (10 min, 10% → 44%)
-
Stop 12:
Barje Jug (11 min, 13% → 52%)
-
Stop 13:
Supercharger Designer Outlet Croatia (15 min, 10% → 59%)
-
Stop 14:
Tesla Supercharger (10 min, 10% → 44%)
-
Stop 15:
OMV Martinci (10 min, 13% → 47%)
-
Stop 16:
JP Putevi Srbije (21 min, 18% → 73%)
-
Stop 17:
Lidl Bulevardul Mihai Viteazul (33 min, 10% → 48%)
-
Stop 18:
Kaufland (49 min, 10% → 67%)
- Arrival: Bucharest
Why the BMW iX3 Won
The BMW iX3 achieved a 153-minute advantage over Audi SQ8 e-tron on this 3129km route. Key factors:
- Fewer charging stops: 18 stops vs 21 for the slowest vehicle means less time spent finding and connecting to chargers.
- Faster charging: Total charging time of 5h 2min vs 7h 11min thanks to higher peak charging speeds or better charging curve.
- Better efficiency: Lower energy consumption (~634 kWh vs ~906 kWh) means less time spent charging.
Related Comparisons