Are they shooting it out of an LCP or some other gun with a 4" or 5" barrel to do those tests? An extra inch of barrel compared to the 2.75" LCP changes the ballistics considerably from what I've researched. 32 ACP out of a 4" barrel easily meets the penetration standards as well.
That's why I like the AmmoQuest videos on Youtube that cover 380 - he uses a little short barrel pocket 380, although I don't recall which one. His conclusion after a ton of testing was that the XTP was the hands down winner for hollow point loads, but I think he had a follow-up video on the Lehigh Penetrator that performed even better. I just carry the XTPs in mine.
A pocket 380 is an indispensable part of my carry rotation because I carry it whenever I can't or don't want to carry something larger. Whether that's driven by a need to be discrete or just plain old comfort, if I didn't have a pocket 380 in the rotation I would carry a lot less. It isn't the easiest gun to shoot but I don't find it all that unpleasant, and it's pretty accurate for me out to 15 yards. I haven't shot a ton at longer distances but I think I'm going to try to work in more longer distance practice with all of my carry pistols going forward.