In our in-depth Tesla Model Y vs NEW BMW iX3 comparison, we head out on a 600-mile road trip to find out if BMW has finally beaten Tesla! For years, the Model Y has been the king of long-distance electric SUV travel, but the new iX3 xDrive50 promises a massive 500-mile range and 400kW charging. To find out the TRUTH about long EV journeys in 2026, we’re driving from London to Yorkshire (and back) to put these two heavyweight electric cars to the ultimate test. 🔔 Don't forget to subscribe! If you enjoyed this 600-mile road trip test, hit subscribe to keep up to date with our latest in-depth reviews, group tests and top 10s: @whatcar 🚗 Looking for a specific model? Read our in-depth reviews on the Tesla Model Y and BMW iX3 here: http://www.whatcar.com In this review, we explain the difference in charging costs and reveal why the BMW arrived earlier but at a higher price. We also compare the Tesla Supercharger network against other public charging providers, and find out which of these electric SUVs is more rewarding to drive on the North York Moors. Presented by: Will Nightingale & John Howell Videography by: Jonty Renk & Tom Goodban What Car? is the UK's biggest car-buying brand and has been helping buyers for more than 50 years. Our tests are widely regarded as the most independent and in-depth. Our YouTube channel brings you trusted reviews on all types of car, plus car news, reveals and features. In-depth written reviews are available on our website whatcar.com, where you'll also find advice features and the latest new and used car deals. Follow What Car? here: LIKE What Car? on Facebook: https://goo.gl/yv5jF8 FOLLOW What Car? on Twitter: https://goo.gl/SJzmT8 Check out our full video catalog: https://bit.ly/2W81iu9 #TeslaModelY #BMWiX3 #ElectricCar #RangeTest #WhatCar #EVRoadTrip #NeueKlasse #TeslaSupercharger #longrangeev Video chapters: 0:00 – Intro: London to Yorkshire road trip 1:08 – The cars: 500-mile BMW vs 391-mile Tesla 3:38 – Infotainment: Tesla integration vs BMW nav 5:55 – Update & the 30% battery rule 8:20 – Charging: Tesla Superchargers 8:50 – Arrival at Whitby Abbey! Efficiency & battery charge 10:55 – Interiors: iX3 vs Model Y 14:59 – Rear space & boot 16:12 – Driving: Ride comfort, handling & refinement 20:05 – Range anxiety: when the sat nav says -1%! 22:58 – Charging: BMW vs Tesla in the real world 27:58 – Costs & efficiency 34:45 – Verdict: time vs stress – which is the better long-range EV?
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Interestingly, in France it seems that I could charge my Polestar at every Tesla charger station - so why only 40% in UK?
No mention of driver assist / FSD, arguably most important factor on long journeys
ottima comparativa , veramente ben fatta !
Going to Whitby without fish n chips would've been criminal 😅
Have you thought of doing a test with 4 people and luggage to see how that affects efficiency? I know I do most of my long trips with my family onboard!
Why did you stop to charge on the way there in the model Y? Obviously i would have arrived with more than enough battery.
If you are doing a long journey with family, you;d be stopping frequently andlonger anyway (especially with younger kids) - it's been quite a change in my outlook and I like it. Just bought a 2nd hand Y but Tesla supershargers sparse where I live (Moray coast) BUT when heading south, become much. more common
You need to do this kind of test with Volvo EX60 when it comes for definitely the choice in this new class of midsize electric SUVs. Great video keep it up 🤟
14:22 Second hand steering wheel out of an Allegro lol 😂😂😂
I do like the range on the IX3 it basically solves any range anxiety. Tesla I still feel wins for me being cheaper and nicer to just use the supercharger network. Though would go for a model 3 over the Y.
I like the BMW but if you are being a realistic family person with a budget there is no justification for the extra price the BMW demands, there are also soo many options to tick to match the Tesla and it would then cost an absolute fortune.
There’s Tesla Y long wheelbase of the new model with 3 rows of 2 seats available in East Asia and Australia. Very impressive.
As a current model 3 driver I was extremely disapointed with my extended drive in an Ix3. It felt heavier and clunkier than I expected and jittery on side roads. I then took out a Model Y Performance which was probably same price as a properly specced IX3. The difference to me was incredible I highly recommend anyone buying in this bracket to do the same. The MYP was outrageously good in every respect.
It is unbelievable that anyone may compare the software basis of tesla with bmw... Not a tesla "fun boy", and on software development industry, we are talking about top notch nn on Tesla vs something gimmicky plus help me android / apple systems to survive on bmw. The day fsd opens up in europe , would be sadly the end of european premium car industry.
18:01 always find this a silly comsideration for a family SUV. I have my motorbikes for when I want to have fun.
15:35 You can get a 7-seater version of the new Model Y in the UK, I literally sat in the 7-seater model in the Tesla Showroom in Winchester, it is not the same as the previous 7-seater, there is proper room, obviously we're not talking Kia EV9 territory, but it is an improvement on the older 7-seater that BMW driving reviewer's face told us everything he thought of it. I couldn't see a third row option on the BMW configurator for any of the 3 versions of the new iX3. Also that lumbar support is an additional £775 on the iX3. I'll accept that I'm only partially through this video but this is a comparison of a 100kWh battery with a ~75-78kWh battery. As, thankfully has already been mentioned, it's not always about the size but about the efficiency!
BMW ix3 has completed Bjorn Nyland’s 1000km test in 8h55m in winter conditions, very similar to what you would realistically expect from a diesel car trip. 2 stops to charge of about 20 min each
In my Jaecoo 7 PHEV, I'll use that same £94 for about 1500miles with petrol and a full charge, that's about 3times the numbers from this EV. That's insane 😮
It's one thing to choose one for this 600 mile road trip, and quite another to own and live with one of these. A couple real-world aspects that are deal makers/breakers: The software is not just another thing to consider, it's central to the EV ownership experience. Overall, rather well documented reliability is another major consideration. A car is worthless when sitting at the shop. And, at least here in the US, there's a cost issue that can't be ignored. For the starting price of an iX3, one can buy a Y Performance. Ownership considerations at the top: Telsa just makes sense. I'd also mention, having had experience with this as this tester have had, the Tesla's range estimate are always pessimistic, and even when it is supposed to be about to run completely dry there are several miles left. BMW is not the only company with shamefully optimistic range estimates. Standing on the side of the road a couple miles from a charger would certainly be a last straw.
I really love your conclusion from 34:00 on the Tesla. I drive a Tesla and these options were added in the last years 1 by 1 and makes the system even better. You can drive to a charger with only 2% left in the battery without worrying because the system tells you how fast you can drive. I always try to hit one charger later to make maximum benefit of higher charging load at the beginning of the session.