Compare the2023 BMW iXVS 2023 Chevrolet Bolt

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics

Safety

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

Both the iX and Bolt have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The iX has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The Bolt’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

The iX 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 Bolt 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.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The iX has standard Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Bolt doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The iX offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Bolt doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The iX has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. A system to reveal vehicles in the Bolt’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the iX has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Rear cross-path warning costs extra on the Bolt.

The iX’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 Bolt doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the iX and the Bolt have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras and available around view monitors.

The BMW iX weighs 2035 to 2180 pounds more than the Chevrolet Bolt. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

Warranty

The iX comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Bolt’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The iX’s corrosion warranty is 6 years and unlimited miles longer than the Bolt’s (12/unlimited vs. 6/100,000).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the iX for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Chevrolet only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the Bolt.

Reliability

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Chevrolet vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 5 places higher in reliability than Chevrolet.

Engine

The iX xDrive50’s standard electric motors produces 316 more horsepower (516 vs. 200) and 298 lbs.-ft. more torque (564 vs. 266) than the Bolt’s electric motor. The iX M60’s standard electric motors produces 410 more horsepower (610 vs. 200) and 483 lbs.-ft. more torque (749 vs. 266) than the Bolt’s electric motor.

As tested in Car and Driver the iX xDrive50 is faster than the Chevrolet Bolt:

	iX	Bolt
Zero to 60 MPH	4 sec	6.7 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	4.3 sec	6.7 sec
Quarter Mile	12.3 sec	15.2 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	115 MPH	92 MPH
Top Speed	123 MPH	93 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

The iX can travel longer on a full charge than the Bolt on a full charge:

			Miles
iX
	AWD	xDrive50 20" Wheels Electric Motors	324 miles
		xDrive50 22" Wheels Electric Motors	315 miles
		xDrive50 21" Wheels Electric Motors	305 miles
		M60 21" Wheels Electric Motors	288 miles
		M60 22" Wheels Electric Motors	274 miles
Bolt
	FWD	Electric Motor	259 miles

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the iX’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Bolt:

	iX	Bolt
Front Rotors	13.7 inches	10.9 inches
Rear Rotors	13.6 inches	10.4 inches

The iX’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Bolt are solid, not vented.

The iX stops much shorter than the Bolt:

	iX	Bolt
70 to 0 MPH	158 feet	191 feet	Car and Driver

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the iX has larger standard tires than the Bolt (235/60R20 vs. 215/50R17). The iX’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Bolt (275/40R22 vs. 215/50R17).

The iX’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Bolt’s 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the iX has standard 20-inch wheels. Only 17-inch wheels are available on the Bolt. The iX offers optional 22-inch wheels.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the BMW iX has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Chevrolet Bolt has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The iX has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the iX flat and controlled during cornering. The Bolt’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The iX offers an available 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 Bolt’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The iX has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The iX’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 Bolt doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the iX’s wheelbase is 15.7 inches longer than on the Bolt (118.1 inches vs. 102.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the iX is 6.9 inches wider in the front and 8.1 inches wider in the rear than on the Bolt.

The iX’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (48.2% to 51.8%) than the Bolt’s (56.3% to 43.7%). This gives the iX more stable handling and braking.

The iX xDrive50 handles at .88 G’s, while the Bolt LT pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the iX has a 3.4 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Bolt (8.8 vs. 5.4 inches), allowing the iX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The design of the BMW iX amounts to more than styling. The iX has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .25 Cd. That is significantly lower than the Bolt (.31) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the iX get better fuel mileage.

The front grille of the iX uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Bolt doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The iX has 1.4 inches more front headroom, 6.8 inches more front shoulder room, 1.6 inches more rear headroom, 2.9 inches more rear legroom and 5.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the Bolt.

Cargo Capacity

The iX has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Bolt with its rear seat up (35.5 vs. 16.6 cubic feet). The iX has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Bolt with its rear seat folded (77.9 vs. 57 cubic feet).

Pressing a switch automatically lowers the iX’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Bolt doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the iX’s power liftgate can be opened or closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Bolt doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening liftgate.

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Chevrolet. J.D. Power ranks BMW 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 14% lower rating, Chevrolet is ranked 16th.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the iX, the memory system makes it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle and radio stations. The Bolt doesn’t offer a memory system.

The iX’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Bolt doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The iX offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, 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 Bolt doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The iX’s front and rear power windows all open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Bolt’s passenger windows don’t close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the iX the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Bolt can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The iX’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Bolt’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Laser headlights, optional on the iX, produce their light by firing blue lasers through phosphorus, a process that uses one-half the power of the Bolt’s LED headlights. Laser headlights can have double the range of LEDs with a much smaller surface area.

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

When the iX is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Bolt’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The iX’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Bolt offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The iX has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the Bolt. The iX also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Bolt.

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

The iX has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the Bolt.

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

The iX’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Bolt doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Both the iX and the Bolt offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the iX has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Bolt doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the BMW iX has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the Bolt.

The iX’s optional Automatic Parking Assistant can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Bolt doesn’t offer an automated parking system.