DS DS7 E-Tense 4x4 300 vs Volvo XC40 B4: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the DS7 E-Tense 4x4 300 hits 100 km/h in 5.98 s versus 8.23 s for the XC40 B4. The instant torque of 500 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the DS7 E-Tense 4x4 300 leads by 2.25 s and sits roughly 24 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the DS7 E-Tense 4x4 300 is doing 127 km/h against 115 km/h for the XC40 B4. The gap is 1.34 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 16.10 s. The 1.84 s gap represents roughly 70 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 158 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the DS7 E-Tense 4x4 300 finishes in 26.41 s versus 29.39 s, with a 2.98 s lead.

Electronically capped at 180 km/h, the XC40 B4 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 13.40 seconds. The 2.25 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.