Head-to-head
Lotus Eletre vs BMW iX
At $142,900 the BMW iX undercuts the Lotus Eletre by $47,090 (25%) — but does the premium deliver enough of an edge to justify itself? Here's how the two compare on price, range, charging, safety and warranty.

Option A · SUV
Lotus Eletre
Lotus's first SUV — a 450 kW performance electric crossover with 350 kW DC charging and 600 km WLTP range. Built in Lotus's Wuhan factory, jointly owned with Geely.
- From
- $189,990
- Range
- 600 km
- Battery
- 112 kWh

Option B · SUV
BMW iX
BMW's electric flagship SUV — a polarising design with a cavernous, well-resolved cabin. Large 94.8 kWh battery, 602 km WLTP range, and one of the more pleasant premium EVs to drive.
- From
- $142,900
- Range
- 602 km
- Battery
- 94.8 kWh
Key differences at a glance
The biggest material gaps between the Lotus Eletre and BMW iX, ranked by how much they're likely to matter day-to-day.
- 1
DC charging · advantage Lotus Eletre
The Lotus Eletre accepts 150 kW more DC peak charging (350 vs 200 kW), meaning shorter road-trip stops.
- 2
Power · advantage Lotus Eletre
The Lotus Eletre puts down 150 kW more (450 vs 300 kW).
- 3
Battery · advantage Lotus Eletre
The Lotus Eletre carries a 17.2 kWh larger battery (112 vs 94.8 kWh).
- 4
Price · advantage BMW iX
The BMW iX undercuts the Lotus Eletre by $47,090 (25%) on starting price.
- 5
Warranty · advantage BMW iX
The BMW iX covers the vehicle for 2 more years (5 vs 3 yrs).
Spec for spec
Highlighted cells show the better number in each row.
Where the Lotus Eletre wins
- ▸ Quicker 0–100 km/h (4.5s vs 5.1s)
- ▸ Faster DC charging peak (350 kW vs 200 kW)
Where the BMW iX wins
- ▸ Cheaper by $47,090
- ▸ 2 km longer WLTP range
- ▸ Longer warranty (5 years)
Lotus Eletre
What we like
- ✓ 350 kW DC charging is class-leading
- ✓ Genuine Lotus dynamics in an SUV body
- ✓ 22 kW three-phase AC charging
What we don't
- ✕ Just 3-year vehicle warranty
- ✕ Not yet ANCAP tested
- ✕ Pricing escalates fast for higher trims
BMW iX
What we like
- ✓ Strong real-world range and refinement
- ✓ Spacious, lounge-like cabin
- ✓ 5-star ANCAP rating
What we don't
- ✕ Divisive exterior styling (the grille)
- ✕ Heavy kerb weight hurts efficiency
- ✕ Premium pricing for top trims
Frequently asked: Lotus Eletre vs BMW iX
Quick answers to the questions cross-shoppers most often ask about this pair.
- Which is cheaper, the Lotus Eletre or the BMW iX?
- The BMW iX is the cheaper of the two — it starts at $142,900 versus $189,990 for the Lotus Eletre, a $47,090 difference. Prices shown are manufacturer recommended retail excluding on-road costs.
- Which has the longer driving range?
- The BMW iX has the longer WLTP-claimed range at 602 km, 2 km further than the Lotus Eletre's 600 km. Real-world range typically lands 10–20% below the WLTP figure depending on speed, terrain, climate and load.
- Which one charges faster on a DC fast charger?
- The Lotus Eletre accepts a peak DC charging rate of 350 kW versus 200 kW for the BMW iX. Peak rate only holds for a short window during the charging curve, so real-world 10–80% times often diverge less than the peak numbers suggest. Compatibility with 350 kW chargers depends on the vehicle's onboard architecture, not just the published peak.
- Which is quicker off the line?
- The Lotus Eletre does 0–100 km/h in 4.5 seconds — 0.6 s quicker than the BMW iX's 5.1 s. EV acceleration figures hold up at speed better than equivalent petrol cars because electric motors deliver peak torque instantly.
- Is the BMW iX better value than the Lotus Eletre?
- On paper the BMW iX is $47,090 cheaper, but the Lotus Eletre edges ahead on most other measurable specs. Whether the saving justifies the gap depends on which features matter most to you, and how much weight you give to brand and dealer factors.
Which one should you buy?
The short version, based on where each car pulls ahead.
Choose the
Lotus Eletre
if…
- ✓ you regularly do long road trips (faster DC peak)
- ✓ you match the profile: driving enthusiasts
Choose the
BMW iX
if…
- ✓ you want to save $47,090 on the sticker
- ✓ peace-of-mind warranty matters (2 more years of cover)
- ✓ you match the profile: premium suv buyers
Verdict reasoning is derived from published specs; brand preference, dealer experience and how a car drives are personal — always take a test drive before deciding.