Is the BMW iX Really More ‘Well-Rounded’ Than the Tesla Model Y?

The BMW iX and Tesla Model Y are both great luxurious EVs. However, the iX tops the Model Y in a few important areas.

by J.L. Seto

Published on March 19, 2023 8:37 pm

3 min read

This is where the 2023 Tesla Model Y did better

U.S. News recently compared the two electric SUVs, and one of the most important categories that the Model Y won in was pricing.

This shouldn’t be a surprise since the Model Y is competing in the compact electric SUV segment, while the iX is in the midsize electric luxury SUV segment. The Tesla starts at about $55,000, while the BMW starts at $84,000. That’s a difference of almost $30,000.

On top of that, the Model Y also beat the German SUV in terms of performance. BMW introduced a high-performance trim that gets 610 hp and 749 lb-ft of torque. That trim allows the Beemer to go from 0 to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds. The Model Y Performance gets 456 hp and 471 lb-ft of torque, and which allows it to go from 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds.

The Model Y also beat the iX in terms of safety and range. The Tesla SUV scored better in its crash tests, and it has a max range of 330 miles. The BMW’s max range is 324 miles.

The 2023 BMW iX beat the Tesla in these categories

While the Model Y is faster at sprinting, the iX is the better car in terms of its handling. The Beemer really shines in terms of its interior cabin though, as it has a comfortable ride and a luxurious interior.

Both the BMW and the Tesla have a simple and futuristic design, but the iX has a better build quality. Similarly, BMW gave its SUV better interior features than Tesla did.

The iX gets a 14.9-inch touchscreen, which is about the same as the Model Y’s 15-inch touchscreen, and they both start with a sunroof. However, the iX’s infotainment system is easier to use, and unlike the Tesla, the German SUV has Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility as standard. The iX also edges out the Model Y in terms of seat comfort.

Both SUVs have spacious and comfortable seats, but BMW offers a few more luxury features than Tesla does. Finally, since the iX is the larger vehicle, it also has more cargo capacity than the Model Y does.

Without folding any seats down, the iX has 35.5 cu. ft. of space compared to the Model Y’s 30.2 cu. ft. At best, the BMW maxes out at 77.9 cu. ft., while the Tesla tops out at 76 cu. ft.

The 2023 BMW iX is more well-rounded if money isn’t a concern

Ultimately, U.S. News gave the iX the win as it was more “well-rounded” than the Model Y. Its interior was simply better, and although the Model Y won in a few categories, the iX did well in those areas too. That said, the one area where the Beemer was just not close to the Tesla at all was affordability.

In fact, this is the main flaw with the car critic’s comparison between the two SUVs. The Model Y is almost $30,000 cheaper than the iX, so it’s not surprising that the BMW did better in terms of luxury features. If pricing played a bigger role in this comparison, than the Model Y may come out on top.