BMW iX xDrive40 vs Ford Explorer EcoBoost 300: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the iX xDrive40 hits 100 km/h in 6.04 s versus 6.71 s for the Explorer EcoBoost 300. The instant torque of 630 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the iX xDrive40 leads by 0.67 s and sits roughly 14 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the iX xDrive40 is doing 127 km/h against 127 km/h for the Explorer EcoBoost 300. The gap is 0.55 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the iX xDrive40 crosses the line in 14.36 s versus 14.92 s. The 0.56 s gap represents roughly 24 m of track - two to three car lengths.

Past 400 metres, the iX xDrive40 continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 175 km/h versus 173 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the iX xDrive40 finishes in 26.37 s versus 27.09 s, with a 0.72 s lead. Despite a higher top speed (220 km/h), the Explorer EcoBoost 300 never recovers its launch deficit.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the iX xDrive40 is capped at 200 km/h, the Explorer EcoBoost 300 at 220 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 10.35 seconds. The 0.67 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.