Xpeng P7 vs Mercedes CLA 220 4MATIC Limousine: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the P7 hits 100 km/h in 6.58 s versus 7.01 s for the CLA 220 4MATIC Limousine. The instant torque of 390 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. Despite the faster sprint time, the CLA 220 4MATIC Limousine is 6 m further along the track at this moment: stronger low-speed acceleration offsets a slower run beyond 100 km/h.

At 200 metres, the CLA 220 4MATIC Limousine is doing 120 km/h against 127 km/h for the P7. The gap is 0.02 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the P7 crosses the line in 14.81 s versus 15.05 s. The 0.24 s gap represents roughly 10 m of track - two to three car lengths.

Past 400 metres, the situation changes. The P7 maxes out at 170 km/h while the CLA 220 4MATIC Limousine keeps accelerating towards 237 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 0.39 s.

Around 936 metres, both vehicles are level. This is the inversion point: the CLA 220 4MATIC Limousine overcomes its launch deficit thanks to a 67 km/h higher top speed.

At 1,000 metres, the CLA 220 4MATIC Limousine finishes in 27.48 s versus 27.64 s. The 0.16 s delta shows an extremely tight race.

The CLA 220 4MATIC Limousine features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the P7’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 P7 is capped at 170 km/h, the CLA 220 4MATIC Limousine at 237 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 11.40 seconds. The 0.43 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.