BMW X5 M Competition G05 vs BMW i3 I01: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the X5 M Competition hits 100 km/h in 3.83 s versus 7.24 s for the i3. Despite lacking instant torque, 625 hp of power compensates. At this point, the X5 M Competition leads by 3.41 s and sits roughly 24 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the X5 M Competition is doing 155 km/h against 122 km/h for the i3. The gap is 2.33 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the X5 M Competition crosses the line in 11.94 s versus 15.40 s. The 3.46 s gap represents roughly 136 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Past 400 metres, the X5 M Competition continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 215 km/h versus 150 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the X5 M Competition finishes in 21.80 s versus 29.80 s, with a 8.00 s lead.

The X5 M Competition features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the i3’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 X5 M Competition is capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the i3 at 150 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 11.47 seconds. The 3.41 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.