DS7 E-Tense 4x4 300 vs BMW 320d Steptronic G20: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the 7 E-Tense 4x4 300 hits 100 km/h in 5.98 s versus 6.97 s for the 320d Steptronic. The instant torque of 500 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the 7 E-Tense 4x4 300 leads by 0.99 s and sits roughly 10 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the 7 E-Tense 4x4 300 is doing 127 km/h against 120 km/h for the 320d Steptronic. The gap is 0.58 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the 7 E-Tense 4x4 300 crosses the line in 14.27 s versus 15.10 s. The 0.83 s gap represents roughly 34 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Past 400 metres, the 7 E-Tense 4x4 300 continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 174 km/h versus 167 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 7 E-Tense 4x4 300 finishes in 26.41 s versus 27.70 s, with a 1.29 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (230 vs 237 km/h), preventing any comeback.

Electronically capped at 240 km/h, the 320d Steptronic never reaches its natural aerodynamic ceiling in this duel. That’s not a physical limit of the motor - it’s a deliberate manufacturer decision, typically tied to standard-fit tyre ratings or model-range positioning.

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 11.35 seconds. The 0.99 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.