BMW iX xDrive40 vs BMW X5 xDrive30d G05: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the iX xDrive40 hits 100 km/h in 6.04 s versus 6.05 s for the X5 xDrive30d. The instant torque of 630 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. The 0.01 s gap is negligible: both vehicles are neck and neck.

At 200 metres, the X5 xDrive30d is doing 125 km/h against 127 km/h for the iX xDrive40. The gap is 0.12 s. The gap widens compared to the 0-100.

At 400 metres standing start, the X5 xDrive30d crosses the line in 14.33 s versus 14.36 s. The 0.03 s gap represents roughly 1 m of track

Past 400 metres, the situation changes. The iX xDrive40 maxes out at 200 km/h while the X5 xDrive30d keeps accelerating towards 235 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 0.04 s.

Around 500 metres, both vehicles are level. This is the inversion point: the iX xDrive40 overcomes its launch deficit thanks to a 35 km/h higher top speed.

At 1,000 metres, the iX xDrive40 finishes in 26.37 s versus 26.57 s. The 0.20 s delta shows an extremely tight race.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the iX xDrive40 is capped at 200 km/h, the X5 xDrive30d at 235 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 10.01 seconds. The 0.01 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.