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  4. I drove luxury Tesla rivals from BMW and Mercedes — here's why I'd buy the BMW iX over the competition

I drove luxury Tesla rivals from BMW and Mercedes here's why I'd buy the BMW iX over the competition

I drove luxury Tesla rivals from BMW and Mercedes — here's why I'd buy the BMW iX over the competition
The Mercedes-Benz EQS and BMW iX electric SUVs.Tim Levin/Insider
  • I drove stunning new electric SUVs from BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
  • Both the BMW iX and Mercedes EQS SUV offer up good range and swanky interiors, but I think the iX is the better buy.

Not too long ago, if you wanted a big, electric status symbol, a Tesla Model X was your only option.

Not too long ago, if you wanted a big, electric status symbol, a Tesla Model X was your only option.
A Tesla Model X.      REUTERS/Francois Lenoir/File Photo

Now, as more automakers are getting serious about ditching gasoline, Elon Musk's firm is far from the only option.

Now, as more automakers are getting serious about ditching gasoline, Elon Musk
Tesla Model X.      Tesla

Luxury juggernauts BMW and Mercedes both recently launched big, battery-powered family-haulers. I got behind the wheel of BMW's iX and Benz's EQS SUV to see how they stack up.

Luxury juggernauts BMW and Mercedes both recently launched big, battery-powered family-haulers. I got behind the wheel of BMW
The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.      Tim Levin/Insider

I found that both offered swanky interiors, lots of space, and a smooth driving experience, but the iX has the slight edge.

I found that both offered swanky interiors, lots of space, and a smooth driving experience, but the iX has the slight edge.
The 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV.      Tim Levin/Insider

First, some background on the cars I drove. The iX xDrive50 BMW lent me came out to $96,000, including a sporty appearance package and an upgraded interior. The generously optioned EQS 450 4MATIC SUV I sampled came out to a whopping $135,000.

First, some background on the cars I drove. The iX xDrive50 BMW lent me came out to $96,000, including a sporty appearance package and an upgraded interior. The generously optioned EQS 450 4MATIC SUV I sampled came out to a whopping $135,000.
The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.      Tim Levin/Insider

Let's start with styling. Both have taken flack for their unconventional designs, but they couldn't look more different.

Let
The 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV.      Tim Levin/Insider

Despite the prominent buck teeth, I'd take the chiseled iX over the tubby EQS SUV. But I'll grant that both look pretty stylish and better in person than they do in photos.

Despite the prominent buck teeth, I
The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.      Tim Levin/Insider

Both make up for their polarizing exteriors with stunningly luxurious and high-quality interiors.

Both make up for their polarizing exteriors with stunningly luxurious and high-quality interiors.
The 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV.      Tim Levin/Insider

Highlights of the iX I drove included copious gold-colored accents …

Highlights of the iX I drove included copious gold-colored accents …
The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.      Tim Levin/Insider

… massaging seats …

… massaging seats …
The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.      Tim Levin/Insider

… lots of supple leather …

… lots of supple leather …
The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.      Tim Levin/Insider

… and a glass roof that frosts at the push of a button.

… and a glass roof that frosts at the push of a button.
The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.      Tim Levin/Insider

It has two modest screens elegantly suspended above the dashboard behind a strange, angular steering wheel.

It has two modest screens elegantly suspended above the dashboard behind a strange, angular steering wheel.
The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.      Tim Levin/Insider

Plus, like the EQS SUV I drove, it had a head-up display that projects important driving info onto the windshield.

Plus, like the EQS SUV I drove, it had a head-up display that projects important driving info onto the windshield.
The 2022 BMW iX.      BMW

The EQS SUV I drove was just as palatial, featuring ambient lighting strips …

The EQS SUV I drove was just as palatial, featuring ambient lighting strips …
The 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV.      Tim Levin

… swanky metallic touches…

… swanky metallic touches…
The 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV.      Tim Levin

… and a $2,000 Executive Rear Seating package that added neck pillows and a touchscreen.

… and a $2,000 Executive Rear Seating package that added neck pillows and a touchscreen.
The 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV.      Tim Levin/Insider

My tester came with the positively massive "Hyperscreen," a $7,300 extra that adds three screens under a single sheet of glass.

My tester came with the positively massive "Hyperscreen," a $7,300 extra that adds three screens under a single sheet of glass.
The 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV.      Tim Levin/Insider

The touchscreens in both vehicles are bright and snappy, but tech takes more of a back seat in the BMW, which some buyers will surely appreciate.

The touchscreens in both vehicles are bright and snappy, but tech takes more of a back seat in the BMW, which some buyers will surely appreciate.
The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.      Tim Levin/Insider

So, how do they drive? Both smoothly, quietly cruise down the road, making for a relaxing, effortless driving experience.

So, how do they drive? Both smoothly, quietly cruise down the road, making for a relaxing, effortless driving experience.
The 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV.      Tim Levin/Insider

Although both have two motors, all-wheel drive, and hefty amounts of horsepower, the iX smacks you in the face with frightening quickness if you nudge the accelerator just a bit too hard. The EQS SUV is more subdued and geared toward comfort.

Although both have two motors, all-wheel drive, and hefty amounts of horsepower, the iX smacks you in the face with frightening quickness if you nudge the accelerator just a bit too hard. The EQS SUV is more subdued and geared toward comfort.
The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.      Tim Levin/Insider

BMW claims the iX xDrive50 can hit 60 mph in just over four seconds — sports car territory.

BMW claims the iX xDrive50 can hit 60 mph in just over four seconds — sports car territory.
The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.      Tim Levin/Insider

Both SUVs feel way more nimble around town and in parking lots than their hulking frames would have you believe.

Both SUVs feel way more nimble around town and in parking lots than their hulking frames would have you believe.
The 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV.      Tim Levin/Insider

That's thanks to rear-wheel steering that's standard on the EQS SUV and optional on the iX.

That
The 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV.      Tim Levin/Insider

When it comes to range — a crucial factor when buying an EV — the iX has the EQS beat.

When it comes to range — a crucial factor when buying an EV — the iX has the EQS beat.
The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.      Tim Levin/Insider

According to the EPA, the iX I tested could travel a very healthy 324 miles on a full charge. The EQS 450 4MATIC SUV earns a rating of 285 miles.

According to the EPA, the iX I tested could travel a very healthy 324 miles on a full charge. The EQS 450 4MATIC SUV earns a rating of 285 miles.
The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.      Tim Levin/Insider

The EQS SUV offers up to 305 miles of range, but only in rear-wheel-drive models that use less energy than their dual-motor counterparts.

The EQS SUV offers up to 305 miles of range, but only in rear-wheel-drive models that use less energy than their dual-motor counterparts.
The 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV.      Tim Levin/Insider

The deciding factor for anyone on the fence between these two luxe models may wind up being price.

The deciding factor for anyone on the fence between these two luxe models may wind up being price.
The 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV.      Tim Levin/Insider

The latest iX starts at around $87,000, while the EQS SUV stickers for $104,400 and up.

The latest iX starts at around $87,000, while the EQS SUV stickers for $104,400 and up.
The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.      Tim Levin/Insider

Given its sharper looks, longer range, punchier performance, and lower starting price, the iX would be my pick. But you can't go wrong either way.

Given its sharper looks, longer range, punchier performance, and lower starting price, the iX would be my pick. But you can
The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50.      Tim Levin/Insider

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