BMW X1 xDrive25i F48 vs Honda e:Ny1: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the X1 xDrive25i hits 100 km/h in 6.66 s versus 7.76 s for the e:Ny1. Despite lacking instant torque, 231 hp of power compensates. At this point, the X1 xDrive25i leads by 1.10 s and sits roughly 22 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the X1 xDrive25i is doing 123 km/h against 122 km/h for the e:Ny1. The gap is 0.91 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the X1 xDrive25i crosses the line in 14.82 s versus 15.82 s. The 1.00 s gap represents roughly 41 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Past 400 metres, the X1 xDrive25i continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 171 km/h versus 160 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the X1 xDrive25i finishes in 27.13 s versus 29.40 s, with a 2.27 s lead.

The X1 xDrive25i features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the e:Ny1’s FWD. 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 X1 xDrive25i is capped at 235 km/h, the e:Ny1 at 160 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 11.83 seconds. The 1.10 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.