Compare the2022 Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In HybridVS 2021 BMW X3 xDrive30e

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW X3 xDrive30e doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Both the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid and the X3 xDrive30e have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The X3 xDrive30e’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 10,000 miles sooner.

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid 6 years and 50,000 miles longer than BMW covers the X3 xDrive30e. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the X3 xDrive30e ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 2 times as many Hyundai dealers as there are BMW dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are better in initial quality than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai 8th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 17 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is ranked 20th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai 7th in reliability, above the industry average. With 7 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is ranked 10th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Hyundai 6 places higher in reliability than BMW.

On the EPA test cycle the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid running on electricity gets better mileage than the X3 xDrive30e running on electricity (123 city/115 hwy vs. 59 city/61 hwy MPGe).

On the EPA test cycle the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid running its gasoline engine gets better fuel mileage than the X3 xDrive30e running its gasoline engine (52 city/51 hwy vs. 21 city/27 hwy).

The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s maximum driving range in pure electric mode is 29 miles, 32% further than the X3 xDrive30e’s 22 mile range.

The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The X3 xDrive30e doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the X3 xDrive30e’s standard 60 series tires.

For better maneuverability, the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s turning circle is 4.6 feet tighter than the X3 xDrive30e’s (34.8 feet vs. 39.4 feet).

The Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1250 pounds less than the BMW X3 xDrive30e.

The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid is 9.9 inches shorter than the X3 xDrive30e, making the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid is 9.1 inches shorter in height than the X3 xDrive30e, making the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

The design of the Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid amounts to more than styling. The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .24 Cd. That is significantly lower than the X3 xDrive30e (.31) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid get better fuel mileage.

The front step up height for the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid is 4 inches lower than the X3 xDrive30e (14.5” vs. 18.5”). The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s rear step up height is 4 inches lower than the X3 xDrive30e’s (14.5” vs. 18.5”).

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid will be $15729 to $21886 less than for the BMW X3 xDrive30e.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid, based on reliability, safety and performance.