Ford Explorer EcoBoost 300 vs MG4 Long Range RWD: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the Explorer EcoBoost 300 hits 100 km/h in 6.71 s versus 6.73 s for the 4 Long Range RWD. Despite lacking instant torque, 305 hp of power compensates. The 0.02 s gap is negligible: both vehicles are neck and neck.

At 200 metres, the Explorer EcoBoost 300 is doing 127 km/h against 129 km/h for the 4 Long Range RWD. The gap is 0.07 s. The gap remains stable from the start.

At 400 metres standing start, the 4 Long Range RWD crosses the line in 14.92 s versus 14.92 s. The 0.01 s gap represents roughly 0 m of track

Past 400 metres, the situation changes. The 4 Long Range RWD maxes out at 180 km/h while the Explorer EcoBoost 300 keeps accelerating towards 220 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 0.06 s.

Around 881 metres, both vehicles are level. This is the inversion point: the Explorer EcoBoost 300 overcomes its launch deficit thanks to a 40 km/h higher top speed.

At 1,000 metres, the Explorer EcoBoost 300 finishes in 27.09 s versus 27.23 s. The 0.14 s delta shows an extremely tight race.

The Explorer EcoBoost 300 features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the 4 Long Range RWD’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 Explorer EcoBoost 300 is capped at 220 km/h, the 4 Long Range RWD at 180 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 10.35 seconds. The 0.02 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.