Xpeng G9 vs Volvo XC40 B4: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the XC40 B4 hits 100 km/h in 8.23 s versus 8.51 s for the G9. Despite lacking instant torque, 197 hp of power compensates. At this point, the XC40 B4 leads by 0.28 s and sits roughly 15 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the XC40 B4 is doing 115 km/h against 120 km/h for the G9. The gap is 0.47 s. The gap widens compared to the 0-100.

At 400 metres standing start, the XC40 B4 crosses the line in 16.10 s versus 16.32 s. The 0.21 s gap represents roughly 9 m of track — barely a car length.

Past 400 metres, the situation changes. The XC40 B4 maxes out at 180 km/h while the G9 keeps accelerating towards 200 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 0.07 s.

Around 556 metres, both vehicles are level. This is the inversion point: the G9 overcomes its launch deficit thanks to a 20 km/h higher top speed.

At 1,000 metres, the G9 finishes in 28.71 s versus 29.39 s. The 0.68 s delta in favour of the G9 shows that top speed makes a clear difference.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the G9 is capped at 200 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.

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 0.28 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.