BMW i5 xDrive40 G60 vs Mercedes E 400 e 4MATIC W214: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the Bmw i5 xDrive40 hits 100 km/h in 5.30 s versus 5.31 s for the E 400 e 4MATIC. The 0.00 s gap is negligible: both vehicles are neck and neck.

At 200 metres, the E 400 e 4MATIC is doing 135 km/h against 137 km/h for the Bmw i5 xDrive40. The gap is 0.07 s. The gap widens compared to the 0-100.

At 400 metres standing start, the E 400 e 4MATIC crosses the line in 13.57 s versus 13.59 s. The 0.02 s gap represents roughly 1 m of track

Past 400 metres, the Bmw i5 xDrive40 continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 191 km/h versus 190 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Bmw i5 xDrive40 finishes in 24.58 s versus 24.58 s, with a 0.00 s lead. Despite a higher top speed (250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h), the E 400 e 4MATIC never recovers its launch deficit.

The E 400 e 4MATIC features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the Bmw i5 xDrive40’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 Bmw i5 xDrive40 is capped at 215 km/h, the E 400 e 4MATIC at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) 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.

With two plug-in hybrid powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (5.79 kg/hp vs 5.89 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Unknown).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 8.31 seconds. The 0.00 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.