BMW i8 vs. Tesla Model X
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the BMW i8 and Tesla Model X contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the BMW i8 and the Tesla Model X.
When we compare the BMW i8's and the Tesla Model X's specifications and ratings, the BMW i8 has the advantage in the area of resale value. The Tesla Model X has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, reliability, overall quality score and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the BMW i8's and the Tesla Model X's specifications and ratings, the Tesla Model X is a better car than the BMW i8.
Pricing: A used 2020 BMW i8 ranges from $64,955 to $94,528 while a used 2020 Tesla Model X is priced between $42,996 to $66,860.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the BMW i8 loses 45.6 percent of its value and the Tesla Model X loses 55.2 percent of its value. This means the BMW i8 retains 9.6 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Tesla Model X.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the BMW i8 is 7.1 out of 10 while the Tesla Model X's quality rating is 8.4 out of 10. This results in the BMW i8 being ranked 5 out of 8 Best Hybrid Luxury Sports Cars and the Tesla Model X being ranked 1 out of 44 Best Electric SUVs.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the BMW i8 is 6.6 out of 10. For the Tesla Model X the reliability rating is 8.1 out of 10. This gives the Tesla Model X an advantage in reliability compared to the BMW i8.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the BMW i8’s base engine makes 369 horsepower, and the Tesla Model X base engine makes 518 horsepower. The i8 is rated to deliver an average of 27 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 337 miles. The Model X is rated to deliver an average of 108 miles per gallon of gasoline-equivalent (MPGe), with a highway range of 351 miles. This gives the Tesla Model X the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the BMW i8. The i8 uses electricity, premium unleaded, and the Model X uses electricity.
Safety Ratings: The Tesla Model X has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$147,500
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Hybrid Sports Cars)
$143,683
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Hybrid Sports Cars)
$103,800 - $163,300
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$79,990
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Electric Midsize SUVs)
$78,695
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Electric Midsize SUVs)
$77,400 - $79,990
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$83,233
Price Range:
$64,955 - $94,528
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Hybrid Sports Cars)
$76,713
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Hybrid Sports Cars)
$68,156 - $83,233
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
3
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
17,881
# Good or Great Deals:
0
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$54,005
Price Range:
$42,996 - $66,860
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Electric Midsize SUVs)
$45,404
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Electric Midsize SUVs)
$36,802 - $54,005
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
182
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
52,578
# Good or Great Deals:
146
BMW i8 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.1 / 10
Reliability:
6.6 / 10
Retained Value:
7.7 / 10
Safety:
Not available
Tesla Model X Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.4 / 10
Reliability:
8.1 / 10
Retained Value:
7.1 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for BMW i8
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
11
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Tesla Model X
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
4.6
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Hybrid Sports Cars)
3.9
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Hybrid Sports Cars)
0.3 - 26.1
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
238.3
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Electric Midsize SUVs)
121
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Electric Midsize SUVs)
3.7 - 238.3
BMW i8 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 8Ranking
1 out of / 8Ranking
1 out of / 8Ranking
2 out of / 20Ranking
3 out of / 28Ranking
3 out of / 20Ranking
5 out of / 8Ranking
5 out of / 8Ranking
6 out of / 20Ranking
7 out of / 28Ranking
7 out of / 28Ranking
7 out of / 20Ranking
7 out of / 8Ranking
9 out of / 20Ranking
13 out of / 28Ranking
14 out of / 20Ranking
16 out of / 28Ranking
16 out of / 20Ranking
19 out of / 28Ranking
20 out of / 28Tesla Model X Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 44Ranking
1 out of / 44Ranking
1 out of / 44Ranking
1 out of / 44Ranking
1 out of / 27Ranking
1 out of / 27Ranking
1 out of / 27Ranking
1 out of / 27Ranking
1 out of / 8Ranking
1 out of / 8Ranking
2 out of / 44Ranking
2 out of / 44Ranking
2 out of / 44Ranking
2 out of / 44Ranking
2 out of / 44Ranking
2 out of / 27Ranking
2 out of / 27Ranking
2 out of / 27Ranking
2 out of / 27Ranking
2 out of / 27Ranking
3 out of / 27Ranking
4 out of / 27Ranking
5 out of / 44Ranking
6 out of / 44Ranking
13 out of / 44Ranking
18 out of / 27Ranking
21 out of / 27Ranking
25 out of / 44Ranking
37 out of / 44Available Body Styles
Convertible, Coupe
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Plug-In Hybrid
Available Drivetrain Options
Electric
BMW i8 Trim Levels
Not yet available
Tesla Model X Trim Levels
Long Range, Long Range Plus, Performance
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
8 years
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years / 50000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
369 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque:
420 foot-lbs @ 3700 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.105 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
518 hp
Torque:
487 foot-lbs
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.096 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
4960 lbs
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
1.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
3
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
26 / 29 / 27
MPGe:
68 / 70 / 69
Range (city/hwy):
304 / 337 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Electricity, Premium Unleaded
Battery Size/Capacity :
Not applicable
Maximum Charging Rate:
Not applicable
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
Not Applicable
Engine Configuration:
Not Applicable
Number of Cylinders:
Not Applicable
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
Not applicable
MPGe:
108 / 101 / 105
Range (city/hwy):
351 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Electricity
Battery Size/Capacity:
100 kWh
Maximum Charging Rate:
12 hours (240V)
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Quad Seats:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Bench Seats:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Quad Seats:
Available
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Air Suspension:
Standard
Android Auto:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
Available
Bench Seats:
Standard
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Trailer Hitch:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Backup camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.7 inches
Front Leg Room:
43.1 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
32.4 inches
Rear Leg Room:
28.2 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
49.6 inches
Cargo Space:
4.7 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
Not yet available
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
41.7 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.2 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
60.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
40.9 inches
Rear Leg Room:
38.4 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56.8 inches
Cargo Space:
19.2 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
81.2 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
113.2 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3501 lbs
Width:
87.3 inches
Height:
50.9 inches
Length:
184.9 inches
Wheelbase:
110.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
4.6 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
5421 lbs
Width:
89.4 inches
Height:
66.3 inches
Length:
198.3 inches
Wheelbase:
116.7 inches
Ground Clearance:
7 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
20.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
215/45R20
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
20.0 x 9.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
265/45R20
Exterior Colors
Brown
E-Copper Metallic w/ Frozen Grey Accent
Gray
Donington Grey / Sophisto Grey Metallic w/ BMW i Frozen Blue Accent / Sophisto Grey Metallic w/ E-Copper Accent / Sophisto Grey Metallic w/ Frozen Grey Accent
White
Crystal White Pearl Metallic w/ BMW i Frozen Blue Accent / Crystal White Pearl Metallic w/ Frozen Grey Accent
Black
Not available
Blue
Not available
Red
Not available
Silver
Not available
Exterior Colors
Brown
Not available
Gray
Not available
White
Pearl White Multi-Coat
Black
Solid Black
Blue
Deep Blue Metallic
Red
Red Multi-Coat
Silver
Midnight Silver Metallic
Interior Colors
Brown
E-Copper Exclusive / Terra Exclusive Dalbergia Brown
Gray
Giga Amido
White
Giga Ivory White
Beige
Not available
Black
Not available
Interior Colors
Brown
Not available
Gray
Not available
White
Black and White
Beige
Cream
Black
Black
