Mercedes V 300 d 4MATIC (long) vs Volvo XC40 B4: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the XC40 B4 hits 100 km/h in 8.23 s versus 8.32 s for the V 300 d 4MATIC (long). The 0.09 s gap is negligible: both vehicles are neck and neck.

At 200 metres, the V 300 d 4MATIC (long) is doing 114 km/h against 115 km/h for the XC40 B4. The gap is 0.21 s. The gap widens compared to the 0-100.

At 400 metres standing start, the V 300 d 4MATIC (long) crosses the line in 16.03 s versus 16.10 s. The 0.08 s gap represents roughly 3 m of track - barely a car length.

Past 400 metres, the situation changes. The XC40 B4 maxes out at 180 km/h while the V 300 d 4MATIC (long) keeps accelerating towards 210 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 0.03 s.

Around 522 metres, both vehicles are level. This is the inversion point: the XC40 B4 overcomes its launch deficit thanks to a 30 km/h higher top speed.

At 1,000 metres, the XC40 B4 finishes in 29.39 s versus 29.55 s. The 0.17 s delta shows an extremely tight race.

The V 300 d 4MATIC (long) features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the XC40 B4’s FWD. 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 V 300 d 4MATIC (long) is capped at 217 km/h, the XC40 B4 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.

With two combustion powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (9.44 kg/hp vs 8.17 kg/hp) and transmission (Unknown vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 14.08 seconds. The 0.09 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.