BMW 330d xDrive G20 vs Mercedes C 300 d W206: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the Bmw 330d xDrive hits 100 km/h in 5.45 s versus 5.65 s for the C 300 d. At this point, the Bmw 330d xDrive leads by 0.20 s and sits roughly 3 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the Bmw 330d xDrive is doing 131 km/h against 131 km/h for the C 300 d. The gap is 0.13 s. The gap remains stable from the start.

At 400 metres standing start, the Bmw 330d xDrive crosses the line in 13.76 s versus 13.88 s. The 0.12 s gap represents roughly 5 m of track — barely a car length.

Past 400 metres, the situation changes. Past 400 metres, both rivals hit the same electronic ceiling at 250 (i.e. 155 mph — industry threshold) km/h. Neither can claw back ground through top speed — the outcome hinges on the acceleration curve between 100 and 250 (i.e. 155 mph — industry threshold) km/h.

At 1,000 metres, the C 300 d finishes in 25.26 s versus 25.28 s. The 0.02 s delta shows an extremely tight race.

The Bmw 330d xDrive features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the C 300 d’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 Bmw 330d xDrive and the C 300 d are governed to 250 (i.e. 155 mph — industry threshold) 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.

With two combustion powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (6.58 kg/hp vs 6.28 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs auto).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 8.87 seconds. The 0.20 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.