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When it comes to new vehicles, German car manufacturers usually play the copycat. If BMW launches something new and fascinating, Mercedez-Benz will quickly follow with a similar rival and vice versa. Nevertheless, both BMW and Mercedez-Benz seem to have very different flagship electric vehicles at the moment. And these are the Mercedez-Benz EQS and the BMW iX. Both vehicles compete in different segments and use very different systems. What happens when you pit two fully different electric cars against each other?
That’s exactly what we see in this new test from Autocar, which pits the iX against the EQS 450+. According to Autocar, the BMW iX xDrive50 has a 105 kWh battery, which in reality gives it a top range of around 290 miles. Autocar discovered an additional 100 miles of range in the Mercedes during testing.
On the other hand, the range is largely conditional on performance. Compared to the BMW iX, which has two electric motors having 516 hp, the Mercedez-Benz EQS 450+ has a single electric motor in the rear making 329 hp. Thus, the iX is faster. But neither of these cars is designed for performance. Rather, both cars are designed for seamless, accessible luxury, which they both offer, albeit in slightly different ways.
Mercedes-Benz defines luxury in the EQS with high-tech gadgets and refined displays. On the other hand, the iX simplifies luxury; understated, clean, bright, airy and features expensive materials. The cabin of the BMW iX is significantly less fussy than that of the EQS, but also less showy.
The BMW iX is the better car in terms of ride quality. Despite its heavier weight, its higher ride height allows for more suspension travel, making it incredibly comfortable. Sure, the EQS is nice, but it has high-frequency road bumps due to its big wheels.
Not surprisingly, the EQS is faster than the iX. It’s leaner and sleeker and has more aggressive rear-wheel steering, which makes for a surprisingly short turning radius and nimble handling.
Check out Autocar’s test and find out which car better showcase the best the brand has to offer.
