Fully electric cars are becoming so popular that almost all car manufacturers have joined the race to create the best electric cars. BMW and Audi have not been left behind as they have a handful of fully electric cars on the market. Some of the competing models are the Audi e-Tron and BMW ix3. But which car is better?
If you love speed, performance, and comfort, Audi e-Tron is the car that’s best suited for you. But if you want an economical SUV with an excellent range, BMW ix3 is the way to go. Overall, both of these cars are fitted with top-notch features to keep the driver comfortable, safe, and entertained.
Which car is better – Audi e-Tron or BMW ix3?
Exterior and interior appearance
Audi e-Tron and BMW ix3 are both good-looking and spectacular. Therefore, choosing one over the other because of looks can be a daunting task. Nonetheless, Audi e-Tron comes with a more handsome design than the BMW ix3. Yes, the BMW ix3’s kidney grille looks spectacular, but the overall design of the Aud is otherworldly.
Besides, both cars feature sharp headlights and beautifully sculpted headlights. On the contrary, AUDI E-Tron has a lovely-looking side profile, a low slung roofline, and a muscular appearance that gives it a sporty look.
When it comes to the interior, both of these German SUVs look classy and luxurious. BMW ix3 looks more driver-oriented and ergonomic, while Audi e-Tron is more advanced with more space. Aside from having leather seats, the Audi e-Tron comes with a virtual cockpit digital gauge cluster, which is more advanced than BMW’s.
Overall, Aud e-Tron has a handsome-looking exterior and an advanced and luxurious interior compared to that of the BMW ix3.
Performance
Audi e-Tron still performs better than the BMW ix3. This is because the Audi e-Tron delivers a maximum of 402 horsepower and 414 lb-ft of torque, while the BMW ix3 only delivers up to 282 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. However, the base Audi e-Tron, which is the e-Tron 50 model only delivers up to 308 horsepower.
In terms of speed, the Audi e-Tron still beats the BMW ix3 as it hits 5.5 seconds from 0 to 60 mph. On the other hand, the BMW ix3 only manages to hit 6.8 seconds from 0 to 60. What’s more, Audi E-Tron’s 55 model top speed is 124 mph, while BMW ix3’s top speed is 112 mph.
However, the Audi E-Tron’s 50 model has a top speed of 118.1 mph, which is still better than BMW ix3’s top speed. But in terms of acceleration from 0 to 60, the Audi e-Tron 50 model takes 6.8 seconds, which is the same as the BMW ix3.
So, if you want speed, the Audi e-Tron is the better car. It accelerates faster and it’s quicker than the BMW ix3.
Range
BMW comes with a better range. It doesn’t matter if you compare its range to the Audi e-Tron 50 or 55 models, it still got the better range. The base BMW ix3 covers up to 285 miles, while the base Audi e-Tron 50 model covers up to 248 miles. On the other hand, the high-end Audi e-Tron 55 covers up to 255 miles, which is slightly good but not better than the ix3.
Battery capacity
Audi e-Tron also comes with a more powerful battery than BMW ix3. It is equipped with a 95-kWh battery pack, while the latter is packed with an 80-kWh battery pack. BMW ix3’s battery pack delivers a maximum of 282hp, while Audi E-Tron’s battery pack delivers up to 402hp.
What’s more, the 95-kWh battery in the Audi e-Tron takes a maximum of 30 minutes to charge from 0% to 80% when using a 150 kWh fast-charger. On the other, it takes 34 minutes for the 80-kWh battery in the BMW ix3 to charge from 0% to 80%.
Price
BMW ix3 and Audi e-Tron are sold at almost the same price. Some BMW ix3 models are cheaper than the Audi e-Tron and vice-versa. For instance, the base BMW ix3 is much cheaper than the base Audi e-Tron, while the high-end BMW ix3 variant is costlier than the high-end Audi e-Tron variant.
On average, the BMW ix3 costs about $68,900, while the Audi e-Tron costs about $69,100.
FAQ
Is Audi e-Tron a reliable car?
Luxury cars are usually less reliable than mainstream cars. However, Audi ranks slightly higher than most luxury cars. However, Audi e-Tron hasn’t performed so well when it comes to reliability. For instance, J.D. Power ranks Audi e-Tron slightly above average, which is fair but not good enough.
Which car is faster – Audi e-Tron or BMW ix3?
Audi e-Tron is faster than the BMW ix3. The Audi e-Tron 55 models can accelerate from 0 to 60 in 4.5 seconds and has a top speed of 124 mph. On the contrary, the BMW ix3 can accelerate from 0 to 60 in 6.8 seconds, and it has a top speed of 112 mph.
Why is Audi e-Tron so inefficient?
The main reason why Audi e-Tron is so inefficient compared to the BMW ix3 is that it’s much heavier. Due to its heaviness, the e-Tron uses more energy to run than the BMW ix3. This can also be attributed to its structure and battery. Audi e-Tron is fitted with less power-dense batteries, meaning a larger battery pack to store more power.
Which car is cheaper to maintain – Audi e-Tron or BMW ix3?
One of the most challenging things about owning a luxury car is maintaining them. Maintaining the Audi e-Tron and BMW ix3 is not an easy thing. Both of these cars are expensive to maintain but still cheaper than their gasoline-powered counterpart. However, the Audi e-Tron is much cheaper to maintain than the BMW ix3.
Which car is safer – Audi e-Tron or BMW ix3?
Both of these cars are equipped with top-notch safety features that will keep the pedestrians and occupants of the car safe. However, Audi boasts more safety features than BMW. Some of the safety features that you will find on these cars include auto emergency braking, electronic stability control, and lane-keep assist.
Summary
If you’re looking for a high-performance fully-electric crossover, BMW ix and Audi e-Tron are both good candidates. These two high-end luxury SUVs come with advanced technology, excellent range, lots of safety features, and perform at a high level.
Nonetheless, BMW ix3 is best suited for people who want efficiency and outstanding range. On the other hand, Audi e-Tron is best suited for individuals who desire comfort and speed. All in all, they are both fantastic fully electric SUVs.
