Compare the2023 BMW X3VS 2023 Tesla Model Y

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The X3’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 X3 has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Model Y doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The X3 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.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the X3’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The Model Y doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

The X3 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 X3’s standard Cross Traffic Warning uses sensors in the rear to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The Model Y doesn’t offer a rear cross-path warning system.

The X3’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 X3 has standard BMW Assist eCall, 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 X3 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, 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras and available all wheel drive.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the BMW X3 is safer than the Tesla Model Y:

	X3	Model Y
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	21%	25%
Neck Stress	202 lbs.	210 lbs.
Neck Compression	64 lbs.	68 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	116/280 lbs.	298/427 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	176	211
Neck Stress	139 lbs.	165 lbs.
Neck Compression	72 lbs.	189 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the BMW X3 is safer than the Tesla Model Y:

	X3	Model Y
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.5 inches	.6 inches
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	133	358
Spine Acceleration	45 G’s	45 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	281	283
Hip Force	624 lbs.	682 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Warranty

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X3 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 over 2 times as many BMW dealers as there are Tesla dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the X3’s warranty.

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the X3’s reliability 22 points higher than the Model Y.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the X3 first among compact premium suvs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The Model Y isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 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 above average in initial quality. With 61 more problems per 100 vehicles, Tesla is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Tesla vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW third in overall reliability. Tesla is ranked 19th.

Engine

The X3 M40i’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 57 more horsepower (382 vs. 325) than the Model Y Long Range’s standard electric motors.

As tested in Car and Driver the X3 M40i 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Model Y Long Range:

	X3	Model Y
Zero to 30 MPH	1.4 sec	2 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	4.1 sec	4.4 sec
Top Speed	155 MPH	136 MPH

Transmission

The X3 M40i’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.

Brakes and Stopping

The X3 stops shorter than the Model Y:

	X3	Model Y
70 to 0 MPH	158 feet	161 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	112 feet	118 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the X3 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 X3 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 X3 has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the X3 flat and controlled during cornering. The Model Y’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The X3 offers an optional 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.

For greater off-road capability the X3 has a 1.4 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Model Y (8 vs. 6.6 inches), allowing the X3 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The BMW X3 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 300 pounds less than the Tesla Model Y.

Passenger Space

The X3 has .1 inches more front headroom, 1.2 inches more front shoulder room and 2 inches more rear shoulder room than the Model Y.

Cargo Capacity

The X3 has a much larger cargo volume than the Model Y with its rear seat up (28.7 vs. 16.9 cubic feet).

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the X3’s available liftgate 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 X3’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Model Y’s (4400 vs. 3500 pounds).

Servicing Ease

A Condition-Based Service Display is standard on the X3 to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for oil changes, transmission fluid replacement, and vehicle inspections, 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 X3 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 Model Y doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the X3 has a standard rear wiper. The Model Y doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the X3 offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Model Y doesn’t offer cornering lights. The X3 also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The X3’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 X3 has standard extendable sun visors. The Model Y doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the X3 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Model Y doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the X3 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.

Model Availability

The X3 is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Model Y doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the X3 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the X3 will cost $325 to $3235 less than the Model Y over a five-year period.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW X3, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Tesla Model Y isn't recommended.

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