2023 BMW iX vs. 2023 Rivian R1S

Buying an electric vehicle used to mean choosing from battery type, performance, utility or luxury. You may have found a car that possesses two of those attributes but rarely has all of the above. But bmw ix And Rivian R1S are two no-compromise electric SUVs that combine stellar performance and long-distance capability with a wealth of technology and convenience features. Which one is best for your money? The vehicle experts at Edmunds compare the two to find out.

PERFORMANCE Both SUVs deliver incredible amounts of power. BMW iX pack two electric motorcycle, single-axle drive, making 516 hp in standard form or 610 hp in M60 form. The Rivian R1S’s power numbers are even more extreme, with the four engines making 835 hp and 938 lb-ft of torque. A two-engine all-wheel drive version will arrive later this year with 600 hp to the touch.

In Edmunds testing, the iX accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds, faster than other electric SUVs like the Audi e-tron and Jaguar I-Pace. Rivian is even faster, taking just 3.4 seconds to reach the same speed. That makes the R1S one of the fastest SUVs Edmunds has ever tested, electric or otherwise.

In the bends, iX feels sportier and more attractive. But on off-road, the Rivian performed better. With the adjustable air suspension set to the highest level, the R1S offers an impressive 15 inches of ground clearance. In addition, the four motors of the R1S allow Precise control on its wheels, maximizing traction on loose terrain.

Winner: R1S

RANGE AND CHARGING Both EVs have large batteries that give them impressive EPA range estimates. The Rivian R1S offers an EPA-estimated range of up to 321 miles, depending on wheel size and configuration, while the BMW iX can go up to 500 km, also depending on its configuration. In theory, their range is virtually identical, but on Edmunds’ real-world electric-vehicle test route, the iX far outstrips its rating, going 377 miles on a single charge. The Rivian also beats its EPA numbers but only goes 330 miles. Your mileage will vary depending on your driving conditions and style.

When it comes time to replenish that large battery pack, it will take both vehicles about the same amount of time to do so. Plan to spend about 30-40 minutes at a high capacity DC fast charging station to charge the battery from 10% to 80% capacity. On a Level 2 home charger, a full charge will take 11-12 hours.

Winner: iX

INTERIOR AND TECHNOLOGY Regardless of what you think of the outside, most will agree that the interior of the BMW iX is impressive. It has a combination of unorthodox but high-quality materials and a futuristic design that looks like “Minority Report”. The two widescreen displays seamlessly combine to form the dashboard and center display, operated via the touchscreen or iDrive control knob. One thing BMW’s operating system does very well is integrate Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Both systems have a fairly easy pairing process, which will then display the phone’s interface on the digital device screen.

The interior of the Rivian, while beautifully furnished, is not on the same level as the BMW. Like the R1T pickup it’s based on, the R1S’s interior is very functional with plenty of pockets and compartments for storage. The dual gauges and infotainment screen look fancy, but overall the technology in Rivian’s car is lacking. One big disappointment is the absence of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. That leaves you with only Rivian’s built-in navigation, which fortunately works pretty well. However, not being able to access apps from your phone is a big shortcoming in this day and age.

Winner: iX

PRICE AND VALUE With a starting price of $85,095, the BMW iX is hard to come by for the average shopper. But once you start looking at the performance, battery range, and interior comforts you get compared to the competition, its price makes more sense. Besides the four-year warranty, BMW also includes three years or 36,000 miles of free basic maintenance and two years of free fast charging, provided you charge it for 30 minutes.

On paper, the Rivian R1S starts at about $78,000 less, but that entry-level model won’t be available for a while and comes with significantly reduced performance, range, and features. The more popular trim we tested starts at $92,000. That said, the Rivian offers better warranty coverage than the BMW, with a basic 5-year or 60,000-mile warranty. Winner: iX

EDMUNDS SAY: If you can get past its polarized grille, the BMW iX has a luxurious interior packed with useful technology in an efficient SUV that’s still incredibly fun to drive. Unless you regularly do off-road excursions, the iX is the right choice.

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