Electric vehicles have become more mainstream but are still new to most people. If you want power and to race, you probably would want to choose the one with the highest horsepower and top speed. If you want energy efficiency, choose the one that will take you the furthest when you drive it.
1. Audi e-Tron Premium
For all e-Trons, drivers have the choice between two battery types, the 50 and 55. That’s one similarity to BMWs. However, the distance between the two wheels (wheelbase) is shorter than for the BMW iX models (115.1 inches for the Audi instead of the BMW’s 118.1 inches).
The Audi e-Tron reaches 0-60 miles per hour in only 5.5 seconds. However, reaching this speed this fast does require “boost” engagement. Its engine has a 402-horsepower output at about 490 lb-ft of torque with the boost setting activated. Its top speed reaches 124 mph.
The e-Tron hybrid engine has a total mileage range of 226 miles, and it takes about 10 hours to charge its battery from 0-100% using AC power. Its Petro gas feature will take you 78 miles in the city and 79 miles on the highway per gallon used.
Costs of an Audi e-tron start at about $65,900- $67,095.00. Optional features will affect your final sale. It seats about five people, two in the front and three in the back.
2. Audi e-Tron Chronos Quattro (a.k.a. Q4, Q450, Quattro)
Audi produces more trims for the Chronos Quattro style more than BMW does for the iX. You have the choice between the basic Quattro and the Premium, Premium Plus, S-Line Premium and S-Line Premium Plus. An S-line Prestige is also available. They all have an automatic transmission and come equipped with All Wheel Drive (AWD).
Audi has announced that its all-electric SUV model has a total EV mileage range of about 241 miles. The Quattro gives you the chance to charge your battery from 5% to 80% at a public DC station in only about 38 minutes. A full charge would probably only take you about an hour, which I think is fast – faster than some BMW models.
It’s a little slower on the uptake, however. It takes at least 5.8 seconds to reach 60 mph from zero, unlike some BMW iX comparable models.
Its maximum output reaches about 295 hp at about 224 lb-ft torque, depending on RPM reading as you rev up the engine. It seats about five people, and its cost ranges from about $43,900-$67,095. Its towing capacity is about 2,000 lbs.
3. Toyota Land Cruiser
The length of a BMW totals about as much as the Toyota Land Cruiser. However, you’d be amazed by how much the Land Cruiser can pull – 8100 pounds worth of cargo total. That’s the kind of vehicle you’d need if you plan to do some extensive travel and aren’t ready to invest in an RV. Otherwise, if you have a recreational vehicle trailer already, you can hitch it to the back.
The Land Cruiser has a V-8, 5.7-liter engine. It operates at a 381-horsepower speed at a torque of approximately 401 lb-ft of torque. I’m not too impressed with its fuel economy, however, at only about 13 mpg in the city and 17 mpg on the highway. I didn’t even know vehicles were allowed to perform at less than 20 mph anymore.
On a more positive note, it does have an option for a third row of seats. This increases its normal seating capacity from five to eight. They actually discontinued the Land Cruiser in 2021, but you can still buy pre-owned ones or new ones from about $39,000-$98,000. The Toyota Sequoia made in the USA will be available in the future instead.
4. Mercedes EQC
The Mercedes EQC 107.8 kWh battery capacity can take you an electric range of approximately 350 miles. That’s pretty decent. It doesn’t have the fastest 0-60 acceleration rate, however, at 5.9 seconds. It’s best to gradually depress your gas pedal anyway, unless you are a professional racer.
It only seats five people, whereas other cars can fit at least seven. It has an acceptable 329-hp engine performance though at about 417 lb-ft of torque.
What’s most impressive is that its DC charging time only takes about 31 minutes to increase your battery power from 10%-80% using a 480-volt charger. Keep in mind that a lower voltage charge could take longer for your to replenish your battery to full capacity.
Price range of the 2023 Mercedes EQC is $119,110-$125,310.
5. Jaguar I-Pace HSE
The Jaguar I-Pace has varied charging times, depending on the voltage of your charging device. The 220V charger, for instance, would take you about 10.2 hours to replenish your battery. At 440V, you can cut you charging time down to 1.5 hours.
The I-Pace can reach 60 mph from zero in about 4.5 seconds, depending on the trim. The maximum HP achieved by this EV is 394 at a torque of 512 lb-ft. The seating capacity of the I-Pace HSE is five people.
Cost of the I-Pace ranges from $69,900-$82,000. Some of the newest models may cost over $104,000.
6. BMW X5
Size is the primary familiarity between the BMW X5 and BMW iX. In fact, they’re called “siblings” by Auto Express, a UK company. It reaches a top speed that most of its kind can’t – it reaches 143 miles per hour.
It’s 0-60 mph speed isn’t the fastest, but it’s still acceptable. The X5 can reach up to – well, actually up to 62 mph (not 60 mph) in about 5.7-6.1 seconds, depending on if you choose the xDrive30d or the xDrive 40i. Other models have different capabilities, and one of the most powerful engines comes from the X5 40i topping out at 335 HP.
Price ranges vary drastically, since there’s so many available X5 versions. Costs range from $82,800-$105,900.
7. BMW iX xDrive50
The iX xDrive 50
Its 516-horsepower engine performs at 564 lb-ft of torque, and it can accelerate to 60 mph from zero in only 4.4 seconds. It seats at least five people, two in the front and three in the back. Total mile range on its 111.5 kWh / 303.0 Ah lithium-ion battery is 305-324 mi.
Costs range from about $84,000-$104,000, depending on if you choose optional or standard features. Towing capacity is about 2,500 kg or 5000 lbs for some SUV models and mid-size cars.
8. BMW iX M60
The two primary BMW iX models, the M60 and the xDrive 50, have the same wheelbase length, which measures 118.1 inches.
The M60 does even better for engine performance and speed than the xDrive50. It has a 610 maximum horsepower engine that outputs up to 749 lb-ft of torque. You can speed up its engine to 60 mph from zero in a mere 3.6 seconds. Its top speed is 130 mph.
Like the xDrive50, the M60 has five seats. The good news is, the price will probably drop on any remaining 2021 models. However, you won’t find any made.
Instead, the 2023 Toyota Sequoia will take its place, and it apparently is expected to be better than the Land Cruiser. If you have your heart set on the Cruiser though, you can still find pre-owned ones for from about $27,988-$51,980 for models 2011-2016. For some of the certified pre-owned and new ones, you might pay about $60,895- $93,998.
Total mile range is about 274-288 miles, and it uses a 111.5 kWh / 303.0 Ah battery. Several variables affect how much you pay, such as what extra, optional features you order. New vehicles range from about $84,000-$104,000. Some of the smaller BMW vehicles only pull about 1,600 kg (3527 lbs.) of weight behind them, but the iX SUV versions can tow about 2,500 kg (5,000 lbs.).
9. Tesla Model X
It reaches 0-60 mph in about 3.8 seconds and has a mileage range of about 348 miles. Its peak hp is about 670 hp, and its top speed is 155 mph. Wow, that is fast! It’s quite a bit faster than other vehicles, including the BMW iX models.
It can tow about 5,000 pounds too. That makes it an excellent choice if you have a camping rig or heavy machinery to haul. The price range for the Tesla Model X averages about $119,990-$135,990 though.
That may be too expensive for a vehicle for some people, unless you plan on living in it. Maybe it’s a small price to pay, knowing it can seat about seven people.
10. Tesla Model X Plaid
It’s not too late to enjoy the features that the Tesla Model X provides. It offers an astounding 1020 peak hp, and it has one of the fastest 0-60 mph acceleration speeds of all comparable vehicles. This one should receive an award for making it to this speed in only 2.5 seconds. Not many cars can achieve that, but apparently, the Tesla Model X Plaid can.
It’s estimated mileage range totals about 333, which is not the highest of comparable cars, but is still acceptable. It can travel a quarter mile in about 9.9 seconds, if that means anything to you. Don’t worry about not having enough room – at least not enough for seven people. That’s how many adults will fit in it.
Tesla Plaids range in price from $120,990-$138,990.
11. Tesla Model Y
The Tesla Model Y is kind of small, to be honest. It’s only 13 inches between the center of its wheels in contrast to the BMW iX’s 118.1 inches. On the other hand, I’d choose this one if I were to need an efficient electric vehicle for commuting or delivery driving.
The Y doesn’t have as large of a battery capacity as the iX (only 75 kWh in contrast to the iX’s 106.3 kWh). The Model Y still pulls off an estimated max mile range of 326 instead of the BMW iX’s estimated 300. It’s lightweight body is part of what makes it so efficient for an EV.
The Model Y engine pulls off 384 horsepower at about 376 lb-ft. of torque. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 miles an hour in about 4.8 seconds, and its maximum speed reaches 135 mph, which is 11 miles more per hour than the iX xDrive50.
For the size of it, it does seem to provide more room than you would expect. It seats seven passengers plus cargo. Despite its smaller interior dimensions than similar vehicles, including the BMW iX, it makes more use of its interior than other vehicles. Costs of the Model Y for pre-owned or new cars range from $39,990-$65,990.
12. Cadillac Lyriq
It has one of the longest wheelbases of all models, comparable to the BMW iX. The distance between the two axels is 121.8. It’s the largest of four similar car types besides the BMW iX: The Audi E-Tron, Ford Mustang Mach-E and Tesla Model Y.
Its mileage efficiency totals an estimated maximum of 300. Besides the Ford Mustang Mach-E (ER), which has a 98 kWh battery, its 100 kWh battery is one of the highest next to the BMW iX. It doesn’t have a spectacular amount of room — just five seats total like the BMW iX.
Cadillac Lyriq costs range from $59,990-$62,990.
13. Ford Mustang Mach-E ER
The Ford Mach-E ER doesn’t even come close to the amount of torque that the BMW ix can produce. Its output is 355 standard hp or 402 hp with overboost, at 414 or 490 lb-ft of torque. That’s quite different from the iX’s 516 hp/564 lb-ft of torque.
It can reach up to 300 estimated maximum charging miles on its 98.8 kWh battery, which is about 8 kWh smaller than the BMW iX. This performance is impressive considering what power source the vehicle has to work with. It has a five-seat capacity.
You’d think for the Mach-E power capabilities it has that it could tow a little more than 2,205 pounds. Apparently, it is supposed to be higher than it was before, which isn’t saying much.
Cost ranges from approximately $43,895-$48,775. You get what standard and optional features you pay for.
14. Volvo XC40
When I found out how much the Volvo XC40, I thought, “Wow.” This is one vehicle I wouldn’t mind having for hauling a homemade mobile recreational camper I am making. It’s far less than 5,000 lbs, so this car could handle it.
It doesn’t have the fastest acceleration speed, but it can still reach from zero mph to 60 mph in 5 seconds. It can achieve up to a range of 400-455 hp output at about 472 lb-ft of torque between 2,000-6,000 rpm.
The XC40 is one of those cars that you’d want to have if you have a large household. It fits at least seven people in it. I find it amazing, the 488.8-526.4 miles that this plugin hybrid can reach in the city or highway. It does well for petro fuel economy as well at 58 city miles or 53 highway miles, which equals how far one gallon of gas would take you.
It’s one of the other vehicles that doesn’t require much charging time, by the way. It only takes about three hours to reach 100% from a zero charge, depending on the charger capacity used.
FAQ
Does vehicle charging have to take so long?
It depends on the voltage capacity of your charger. If you use a 440-volt charger, for instance, it could take you less than two hours. Charging the same EV battery could take you more than 10 hours at 220 volts.
Are electric vehicles really better than gas ones?
One reason people choose EVs instead of gas ones is because they don’t emit carbon exhaust into the atmosphere. They do let off some pollution but not as much.
What does the “iX” in BMW mean?
It refers to BMW’s next generation, which is now the fifth, in the making of electric vehicles.
