Compare the2024 BMW iXVS 2023 Audi e-tron Sportback

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The iX has a standard Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

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 e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the iX and the e-tron Sportback 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, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the iX for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for tire rotations, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Audi only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the e-tron Sportback.

There are over 15 percent more BMW dealers than there are Audi dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the iX’s warranty.

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 iX’s reliability 20 points higher than the e-tron Sportback.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. With 29 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks BMW higher than Audi.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in long-term dependability. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Audi is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW third in overall reliability. Audi is ranked 6th.

The iX xDrive50’s standard electric motors produces 114 more horsepower (516 vs. 402) and 74 lbs.-ft. more torque (564 vs. 490) than the e-tron Sportback’s standard electric motors. The iX xDrive50’s electric motors produces 20 more horsepower (516 vs. 496) than the e-tron Sportback S’ standard electric motors. The iX M60’s standard electric motors produces 114 more horsepower (610 vs. 496) and 32 lbs.-ft. more torque (749 vs. 717) than the e-tron Sportback S’ standard electric motors.

On the EPA test cycle the iX gets better mileage than the e-tron Sportback:

The iX can travel longer on a full charge than the e-tron Sportback on a full charge:

For better traction, the iX’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the e-tron Sportback (275/40R22 vs. 265/45R21).

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the iX’s wheelbase is 3.1 inches longer than on the e-tron Sportback (118.1 inches vs. 115 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the iX is 1.3 inches wider in the front and 2 inches wider in the rear than on the e-tron Sportback.

The design of the BMW iX amounts to more than styling. The iX offers aerodynamic coefficients of drag from .25 to .26 Cd (depending on bodystyle and options). That is lower than the e-tron Sportback (.28 to .31) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the iX get better fuel mileage.

The iX has 3.4 inches more front headroom, 2.9 inches more front shoulder room, 1.6 inches more rear headroom and 1.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the e-tron Sportback.

The iX has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the e-tron Sportback with its rear seat up (35.5 vs. 27.2 cubic feet). The iX has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the e-tron Sportback with its rear seat folded (77.9 vs. 54.5 cubic feet).

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Audi. J.D. Power ranks BMW 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 1% lower rating, Audi is ranked 8th.

The iX’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The e-tron Sportback’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

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 e-tron Sportback’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 e-tron Sportback 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.

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. Only the e-tron Sportback Premium Plus/Prestige offers wireless charging.

The iX’s optional Automatic Parking Assistant can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Parking Assistant Professional will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW iX, based on reliability, safety and performance.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the iX first among upper midsize premium suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The e-tron Sportback isn’t in the top three.