Tesla Model X vs. BMW iX

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  2024 Tesla Model X
  

  The Model X from Tesla soldiers on into 2024 with some changes including a new red paint called, “ultra red”, lighter and brighter glass roof, and upgraded brake pads for the plaid model. The Model X has been around since 2016 and has received many updates since then, allowing it to continue to be competitive in the segment it originally disrupted those years ago. Its explosive acceleration and similar range to other EVs in the performance SUV space are high points for Model X. Tesla’s self-driving capabilities are still impressive, and only continue to get better with over-the-air updates. 

  Pros

  • Class-leading performance
  • Full self-driving is available
  • 326-335 miles of range on a single charge
  • Up to 5,000-pound towing capacity

  Cons

  • Minimalist interior isn’t for everyone
  • Headroom can be a little tight

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  2024 BMW iX
  

  The BMW iX is the Bavarian brand’s flagship electric SUV competing in the mid-size segment. It is built on a unique electric car architecture, which is formed with carbon fiber polymer and aluminum. BMW offers the model with a choice of two drivetrains in the USA. The xDrive50 is the base dual-motor all-wheel-drive option, while the M60 acts as a performance derivative that benefits from innovations and technology developed by the company’s sports division.

  Pros

  • M60 trim is fast and powerful
  • Tech-filled, luxurious interior
  • Customiazble exterior and interior options
  • Up to 309 miles of maximum range

  Cons

  • Less rear cargo space than other models
  • Towing is not recommended

Tesla has been the biggest name in the EV space since the all-electric movement began, and the company has been producing the popular Model X luxury SUV since 2016. With eight years of innovation to work with, the 2024 Tesla Model X is arguably the best SUV that Tesla has ever made.

Plus, the brand has been cutting prices across the board, making a new Tesla Model X cheaper than it has been in recent years. A brand-new Tesla for less than you might expect sounds like a no-brainer, right? Not necessarily. While the Model X has been the poster child for luxury electric SUVs for years, it’s not the only option on the market anymore.

BMW is one of the biggest names in the luxury vehicle space, and the German automaker has been producing high-end cars for more than a century. As a top automotive brand, BMW has been at the forefront of innovation throughout its history, and it was an early adopter of the EV movement. Surprising to many, the all-electric BMW i3 debuted back in 2013, before even the Tesla Model X. Since then, the brand has expanded its EV lineup, introducing the BMW iX in 2022. Now in its third model year, can the BMW iX take the crown from the Model X and become the go-to luxury all-electric SUV?

In order to bring you the most up-to-date and accurate comparison possible, we’ve relied on information sourced from Tesla, BMW, Fueleconomy.gov, NHTSA, IIHS, and hands-on experience. For information regarding our ranking and grading procedures, please refer to our methodology policy.

Performance And Capability

Compared to most cars on the street, a typical BMW will be faster and more powerful. But that’s simply not the case when it’s face-to-face with a Tesla. The higher-end Tesla models, including the Model X, are extremely powerful, and they’re faster than the vast majority of cars and SUVs in their class, and that’s no different here. Especially when the Plaid trim comes into play, the performance of the Tesla EV is out of this world.

Base Powertrain Comparison

• 	2024 Tesla Model X	2024 BMW iX
  Model	Tesla Model X	BMW iX
  Engine	2-Motor/3-Motor	Dual-permanent-magnet-motors
  Transmission	1-Speed	Single-speed automatic
  Horsepower	670-1,020 HP	516-610 HP
  Torque	713-1,151 LB-FT	564-749 LB-FT
  Driveline	AWD	AWD
  Range	326-335 Miles	285-309 miles
  Fuel Economy	98-100 MPGe	83-86 MPGe
  Charge Time	Up to 200 miles in 15 minutes	Under 11 hours @ 240V
  Towing Capacity	5,000 LBS	Not Recommended
  0-60 MPH	2.5-3.8 Seconds	4.4-3.6 seconds

The base model Tesla Model X uses a dual-electric motor setup to produce 670 horsepower and 713 pound-feet of torque. Together with an all-wheel drive (AWD) drivetrain, the Model X can accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour (MPH) in just 3.8 seconds on its way to a top speed of 155 MPH. The base trim BMW iX xDrive50 also uses a dual-motor setup to produce 516 horsepower and 564 pound-feet of torque, enough to hit 60 MPH in a respectable 4.4 seconds.

Upgrading to the M-Sport BMW iX M60 ups the performance of the dual-motor setup to 610 horsepower and 749 pound-feet of torque. This sporty version of the SUV accelerates from 0 to 60 MPH in 3.6 seconds with a top speed of 130 MPH. Quicker than most other SUVs on the road, including the base model Tesla. But that’s where the Model X Plaid comes in.

Using a triple-motor setup, the Model X Plaid makes an insane 1,020 horsepower and 1,151 pound-feet of torque. This is enough to rocket the all-electric SUV from 0 to 60 MPH in just 2.5 seconds, and it has a top speed of 163 MPH. Very few production cars or SUVs on the planet can compete with this acceleration, with the Rivian R1S being its biggest competition in the electric SUV space.

Full Performance Specifications

One thing to keep in mind is that the Model X is available with Tesla’s Full Self-Driving package that includes automatic lane change, automatic steering, the ability to summon the SUV, and full Autopilot. The BMW iX is available with the brand’s Driving Assistance Professional System which can handle most highway driving, but this feature will automatically turn off after eight years, while Tesla’s self-driving stays on for the life of the SUV.

Fuel Economy

Not only is the Tesla Model X more impressive performance-wise than the BMW, it also offers way better fuel economy and range. The base trim Model X gets up to 100 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe), while the Model X Plaid gets 90-98 MPGe depending on if it’s outfitted with 20- or 22-inch wheels. The BMW iX xDrive50 only gets up to 83 MPGe, while the iX M60 tops out at 80 MPGe.

The Tesla Model X also outdoes what the BMW iX offers in terms of maximum range. On the lower end, the base Model X can go up to 335 miles on a single charge, and even the Model X Plaid gets up to 326 miles. Both of these ranges are higher than the BMW iX, with the xDrive50 trim getting between 303-309 miles and the M-Sport M60 tops out at just 285 miles.

Tesla Model X vs. BMW iX Towing Capability

In terms of towing, there isn’t really much competition between the two yet again. The Tesla Model X comes standard with the company’s towing package and is designed to handle up to 5,000 pounds. On the other hand, BMW recommends not towing anything with the iX rather than giving any sort of maximum capacity. While neither SUV is really thought of as being one of the best towing options in the segment, the Tesla Model X is the far better option if you’re planning on doing any sort of hauling.

Towing Capacities

Interior Design And Technology

Tesla models have become known for minimalist interiors, for better or worse, and the Model X is no exception. While the seats are comfortable and there’s plenty of room, there’s not a whole lot going on in the cabin of the Model X except for the infotainment system and the three different digital displays. The horizontal monolithic dashboard extends along the doors to create seamless transitions throughout, but it can seem like its lacking compared to other luxury SUVs in the segment.

One such option is the BMW iX, which incorporates all of the luxury niceties BMW drivers have come to expect over the years. With a few more angles inside the cabin than the Model X, the BMW iX is a bit more visually appealing to most, and arguably even more comfortable. The massive panoramic sunroof uses electrochromic shading to prevent excessive sunlight, and the heated front seats have built-in speakers to go along with an optional 30-speaker Bowers & Wilkins stereo system.

Tesla Model X vs. BMW iX Technology Comparison

While the interior overall is a bit minimalist, the focus of the Model X’s cabin is on technology, and it’s dominated by a massive 17.0-inch infotainment center touchscreen mounted on the center of the dash. Above the steering wheel is an all-digital instrument cluster and information display, and backseat riders are treated to a smaller 8.0-inch touchscreen of their own. One of the biggest drawbacks of Teslas is that none of them include Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, making smartphone integration impossible outside of standard Bluetooth connectivity. Topping the list of the Tesla’s tech is Full Self-Driving, which provides a completely hands-free driving experience.

In the BMW iX, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster combines with the 14.9-inch infotainment center touchscreen to create an all-digital dash that puts everything drivers need within arm’s reach. Backseat passengers aren’t treated to their own touchscreen in the iX, but smartphone integration is a breeze with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, not to mention the WiFi hotspot. BMW’s answer to the Model X’s Full Self-Driving is Driving Assistance Professional, which does well on the highway, but falls short of Tesla Autopoilot around town.

Interior Room And Cargo Capacity

Coming as a surprise to many, especially all the Tesla haters, the Model X offers some of the best cargo space in the segment, maxing out at up to 92.0 cubic feet with the back seats laid down. Behind the second row, there’s still 37.0 cubic feet of space, which barely beats out the BMW iX’s 35.5 cubic feet. In the BMW, there’s a maximum of just 77.9 cubic feet of cargo capacity with the rear seats laid down, but that’s over 15-percent less space than the Tesla.

Safety And Reliability

Due to the prices of both the Tesla Model X and BMW iX, the SUVs have not been crash-tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in years. That said, every year the NHTSA did put the Tesla Model X through its complete testing process (2017-2021), the SUV scored five stars across the board, becoming the first SUV to ever do so back in 2017. In short, the Model X is considered one of the safest SUVs on the road today.

Unlike the Model X, the BMW iX has never been crash-tested or rated by either the NHTSA or IIHS, so it doesn’t have quite as much historical data to fall back on, which is also because it’s only been on the streets since 2022. That said, BMW is one of the most recognizable names in the automotive industry, and the company overall has a long history of producing safe and reliable vehicles.

Reliability Comparison

Tesla and BMW offer nearly identical coverage on new vehicle purchases, including a 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, corrosion protection for 12 years with no mileage limit, and roadside assistance for the life of the warranty. Both manufacturers also offer 8-year coverage on the high-voltage battery, but the mileage limit on the BMW iX is 100,000 miles, while the Model X is covered for 150,000 miles.

Warranty

Pricing And Availability

As luxury all-electric SUVs, neither the Tesla Model X nor BMW iX are among the most affordable options on the market, but the Tesla is a bit cheaper. The standard Model X starts at $77,990, while upgrading to the high-powered Model X Plaid will set you back $92,990. Changing to the flat-bottom yoke steering wheel is an extra $1,000, a wall charger for your house costs $450, and full self-driving is $8,000 on top of the purchase price. Full Self-Driving is available for free for 30 days following the purchase of a new Model X.

For the BMW iX, the starting price of the base model xDrive50 is $87,250, which goes up to an astounding $111,500 for the iX M60. On the iX xDrive50, upgrading to the Sport exterior package is $2,500, opting for 21- or 22-inch wheels costs an extra $950, and the Convenience and Premium interior packages are $2,200 and $3,700, respectively. The iX M60 comes standard with the exterior Sport package and bigger wheels cost the same as the base model. Adding the Luxury package inside the SUV costs $900, and adding the Driving Assistance Professional Package is an additional $2,700.

Trim Pricing Comparison