Compare the2022 BMW X5 xDrive45eVS 2021 Tesla Model Y

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The X5 xDrive45e’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Model Y doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The X5 xDrive45e has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Model Y doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the X5 xDrive45e. But it costs extra on the Model Y.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the X5 xDrive45e’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The Model Y doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

The X5 xDrive45e offers an optional Surround View to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Model Y only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the X5 xDrive45e’s standard rear cross-path warning system uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The Model Y doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

The X5 xDrive45e’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Model Y doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

The X5 xDrive45e has standard BMW Assist, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in, help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Model Y doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the X5 xDrive45e and the Model Y have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems and rearview cameras.

The BMW X5 xDrive45e weighs 1253 to 1305 pounds more than the Tesla Model Y. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

Warranty

The X5 xDrive45e’s corrosion warranty is 8 years and unlimited miles longer than the Model Y’s (12/unlimited vs. 4/50,000).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X5 xDrive45e for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Tesla doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Model Y.

There are almost 3 times as many BMW dealers as there are Tesla dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the X5 xDrive45e’s warranty.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Tesla vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW 20th in initial quality. With 65 more problems per 100 vehicles, Tesla is ranked 31st.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Tesla vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW 10th in reliability, above the industry average. With 68 more problems per 100 vehicles, Tesla is ranked 30th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Tesla vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 13 places higher in reliability than Tesla.

Engine

The X5 xDrive45e’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 118 more horsepower (389 vs. 271) and 133 lbs.-ft. more torque (443 vs. 310) than the Model Y’s standard electric motor. The X5 xDrive45e’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 5 more horsepower (389 vs. 384) and 68 lbs.-ft. more torque (443 vs. 375) than the Model Y Long Range’s standard electric motors.

Fuel Economy and Range

The X5 xDrive45e’s maximum EPA estimated driving range on a full tank of fuel and a full charge is 400.4 miles, after which it can be refueled at any gas station in minutes. The Model Y’s range is only 326 miles, after which the minimum recharge time is 30 minutes for only a 50% charge at a specially configured quick charge station not available in most areas. A full recharge at a conventional charging station can take up to 8 hours and 30 minutes.

Transmission

The X5 xDrive45e’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Model Y doesn’t offer launch control.

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the X5 xDrive45e has larger standard tires than the Model Y (265/50R19 vs. 235/45R18). The X5 xDrive45e’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Model Y (F:275/40R21 & R:315/35R21 vs. F:255/35R21 & R:275/35R21).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X5 xDrive45e has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Model Y.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the X5 xDrive45e can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Model Y doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The X5 xDrive45e offers an optional space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Model Y; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

Suspension and Handling

The front and rear suspension of the X5 xDrive45e uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the Model Y, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The X5 xDrive45e has a standard driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Model Y’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The X5 xDrive45e has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The X5 xDrive45e’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The Model Y doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the X5 xDrive45e’s wheelbase is 3.3 inches longer than on the Model Y (117.1 inches vs. 113.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the X5 xDrive45e is 1.5 inches wider in the front and 2.6 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Model Y.

For greater off-road capability the X5 xDrive45e has a 1.7 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Model Y (8.3 vs. 6.6 inches), allowing the X5 xDrive45e to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Passenger Space

The X5 xDrive45e has 3.6 inches more front shoulder room and 4.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the Model Y.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the X5 xDrive45e’s available third row seats recline. The Model Y’s optional third row seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The X5 xDrive45e has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Model Y with its rear seat up (33.1 vs. 25.1 cubic feet). The X5 xDrive45e has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Model Y with its rear seat folded (71.2 vs. 68 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the X5 xDrive45e’s second and third row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Model Y doesn’t offer automatic folding second row seats.

The X5 xDrive45e’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the tailgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The Model Y’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the X5 xDrive45e’s tailgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Model Y doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Towing

The X5 xDrive45e’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Model Y’s (7200 vs. 0 pounds).

Servicing Ease

A Condition-Based Service Display is standard on the X5 xDrive45e to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for oil changes and vehicle inspection based on actual driving conditions. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Tesla doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the Model Y.

Ergonomics

The X5 xDrive45e offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Model Y doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the X5 xDrive45e has a standard rear wiper. The Model Y doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the X5 xDrive45e has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Model Y doesn’t offer cornering lights. The X5 xDrive45e also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The X5 xDrive45e’s standard side window demisters help clear frost or condensation from the side windows in the winter. The Model Y doesn’t even offer side window demisters, so the driver may have to wipe the windows from the outside to gain side vision.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the X5 xDrive45e has standard extendable sun visors. The Model Y doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the X5 xDrive45e to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Model Y doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The X5 xDrive45e’s power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The Model Y’s power mirror controls are embedded in the infotainment system, seriously distracting drivers who have to adjust them while driving.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the X5 xDrive45e keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Model Y doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the X5 xDrive45e’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Model Y doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The X5 xDrive45e offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Model Y.

Economic Advantages

The X5 xDrive45e will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the X5 xDrive45e will retain 49.31% of its original price after five years, while the Model Y only retains 43.54% to 45.06%.

Recommendations

The BMW X5 outsold the Tesla Model Y by 62% during 2020.