Compare the2023 BMW X4 MVS 2023 Tesla Model Y

The X4 M’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 X4 M 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 X4 M 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 X4 M’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The Model Y doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

The X4 M 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 X4 M’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 X4 M’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 X4 M 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 X4 M 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, all wheel drive, 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.

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X4 M 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 X4 M’s warranty.

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.

The X4 M’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 148 more horsepower (473 vs. 325) than the Model Y Long Range’s standard electric motors. The X4 M’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 18 more horsepower (473 vs. 455) than the Model Y Performance’s standard electric motors. The X4 M Competition’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 48 more horsepower (503 vs. 455) than the Model Y Performance’s standard electric motors.

As tested in Car and Driver the X4 M Competition is faster than the Model Y Performance:

The X4 M’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.

For better stopping power the X4 M’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Model Y:

The X4 M stops much shorter than the Model Y:

For better traction and acceleration, the X4 M has larger rear tires than the Model Y (265/45R20 vs. 255/45R19).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X4 M has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the Model Y.

The X4 M has a standard 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.

The X4 M has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the X4 M flat and controlled during cornering. The Model Y’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The X4 M 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 X4 M Competition handles at .97 G’s, while the Model Y Long Range pulls only .88 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the X4 M has a 1.5 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Model Y (8.1 vs. 6.6 inches), allowing the X4 M to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The X4 M has 1.1 inches more front shoulder room and 2 inches more rear shoulder room than the Model Y.

The X4 M has a much larger cargo volume than the Model Y with its rear seat up (18.5 vs. 16.9 cubic feet).

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the X4 M’s 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.

A Condition-Based Service Display is standard on the X4 M to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for oil changes, spark plug replacement, brake 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.

The X4 M offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer 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 help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the X4 M has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Model Y doesn’t offer cornering lights. The X4 M also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The X4 M’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 X4 M has standard extendable sun visors. The Model Y doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the X4 M 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.