DS DS7 E-Tense 4x4 300 vs BMW X1 sDrive20d F48: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the DS7 E-Tense 4x4 300 hits 100 km/h in 5.98 s versus 7.80 s for the Bmw X1 sDrive20d. The instant torque of 500 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the DS7 E-Tense 4x4 300 leads by 1.82 s and sits roughly 25 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the DS7 E-Tense 4x4 300 is doing 127 km/h against 119 km/h for the Bmw X1 sDrive20d. The gap is 1.23 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the DS7 E-Tense 4x4 300 crosses the line in 14.27 s versus 15.77 s. The 1.50 s gap represents roughly 60 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Past 400 metres, the DS7 E-Tense 4x4 300 continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 174 km/h versus 166 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the DS7 E-Tense 4x4 300 finishes in 26.41 s versus 28.46 s, with a 2.06 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (230 vs 222 km/h), preventing any comeback.

Electronically capped at 222 km/h, the Bmw X1 sDrive20d 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 12.14 seconds. The 1.82 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.