First quick feedback of Macan Turbo vs BMW iX

[Fun TC Driving]

HUD size comparison: Yesterday we spent the day on pretty long drive in our iX. Again it is a range wizard. Looking at its very large HUD which I like, wondering please for those of you with both an iX and the Macan EV’s augmented HUD, especially with three posts saying the augmented HUD was larger than they wanted, how would you compared their size. TU.

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[Yves]

HUD size comparison: Yesterday we spent the day on pretty long drive in our iX. Again it is a range wizard. Looking at its very large HUD which I like, wondering please for those of you with both an iX and the Macan EV’s augmented HUD, especially with three posts saying the augmented HUD was larger than they wanted, how would you compared their size. TU.

well difficult to say the Porsche HUD can be big if you activate Innodrive, it will draw a big overlay but will disappear ones active, in normal use they do not differ that much, and quite frankly I really should compare them within minutes as my mind can play tricks on me ...

 

[alxman]

I think both are very good EVs. It’s all about personal taste and needs. I don’t worry about range since I mostly charge at home and don’t have long daily drives. I usually charge the car once a week. The iX is more spacious but the Macan satisfies my needs as my kids are in college and I mostly drive by myself or with my wife. I like BMWs. I had a sporty and fast convertible (which I miss a lot) and a V8 X6. I loved the power and driving dynamics. I’m very happy with the Macan. It is a beautiful car. I like the curvy style of the vehicle and the luxurious interior. And it is quiet and a joy to drive. I was planning to get a BMW to replace my X6. However, BMW has to change a few things to make me come back. I realize their infotainment system is top notch and they are ahead of Porsche in the software department. However, I cannot stomach the giant, attached on the dashboard type of iPad screen. I may be old school, but I think the screen should be integrated to the dashboard. I also miss the orange ring instrument dials. That to me was “a BMW distinct feature”. And could be easily reproduced digitally. Some buttons would be nice rather than having to control everything on the screen. And I don’t care for the too angular style of the chassis. Some more curves are always nice . And they need to modify the kidney grill which now looks more like emphysematous lungs (sorry, I’m a physician). I’m looking forward to the neue klasse bimmers. One of those may look nice in my garage along with the Porsche!

 

[Awaz]

I cannot stomach the giant, attached on the dashboard type of iPad screen....
... Some buttons would be nice rather than having to control everything on the screen.

I totally agree here.
Porsche's screen integrated in the dash is classy and far more appealing. I don't know why all others have got into the Tesla's iPad vibe, and no buttons/stalks.

Playing with an iPad while driving is far more dangerous, just like having a phone in your hands while driving.

 

[Wivenhoe]

I believe they use iPad type screens and no buttons as it is far cheaper compared to an integrated screen and stalks / switches. Tesla seemed to lead the way and others have followed. I’ve read defence of no buttons and stalks as being that having to delve into menus whilst driving (particularly on a poor surface) shouldn’t be a problem as cars now have autonomous driving. Clearly these people must be driving different cars to the real world as autonomous driving isn’t here yet (in the UK) and they clearly haven’t driven the cars with aggressive lane control / avoidance.

 

[Fun TC Driving]

A friend of mine is an Apple product developer, focusing on the initial steps basic ideas to products rather than the manufacturing of them later. That is exactly what he said, that the move to screen icons is costwise cents on the dollar compared to actual switches and buttons.

YUK for nothing but screens, and especially if one is trying to change a setting while on a bumpy road, e.g., so easy to hit the icon above, below, or on ethe side of the one you want.

 

[Yves]

A friend of mine is an Apple product developer, focusing on the initial steps basic ideas to products rather than the manufacturing of them later. That is exactly what he said, that the move to screen icons is costwise cents on the dollar compared to actual switches and buttons.

YUK for nothing but screens, and especially if one is trying to change a setting while on a bumpy road, e.g., so easy to hit the icon above, below, or on ethe side of the one you want.

While I was initially moaning for the lack of buttons, in reality I hardly use the screen, climate is always at 21C … navigation is done by voice control, so yeah I do like the Macan has a bit more physical buttons but they are mostly for climate control, which typically is something hardly gets used … anyway voice control is even more important and works for this kind of function best … the one button I really use a lot is the steering wheel heating button, granted that is lacking in the iX.

On the iPad screen like appearance, it has grown on me, and the Macan screens are “small” and the icons are really really small, so maybe it looks better but from a usable standpoint it’s worse and if you get out of the iX and into the Macan they feel small like getting in a car of the 2000’s. Granted I like the seats of the Macan a bit more and the updated iX has finally more side support.

You cannot really compare both and it really depends on your personal preference, the iX feels like the future and is open and airy, the Macan feels like a drivers car cocooned, sporty like it always has been in sportier cars … I can appreciate both, but the lack of efficiency is really hampering this car to do roadtrips, this is personal and you can indeed debate if it’s that important …

 

[Awaz]

Most of the times, voice command never understands my accent.

 

[alxman]

Looks like @Yves should trade in his Turbo for that black iX.

 

[Awaz]

BMW's New EVs Will Beat Everyone on Range
The company promises up to 560 miles on a single charge.
Wow!

https://www.motor1.com/news/751450/bmw-neue-klasse-ev-range-charging/

 

[jsclarke]

I had a 2022 Ix xDrive 50 for 2 1/2 years and I loved it. But when husband got a Macan 4s- I liked it more. It was just exciting to drive. The iX was comfortable but not so exciting.

So I just got our 2nd 4s.

I didn't like getting stuck with iDrive 8.0 forever. Hardware limitations prevented an upgrade to 8.5, which was a lot better. Probably because this was an early US car- I took it in 3 times because it would lose the car's data connection.

The accelerator was close to the driver and at a steep angle (to me), which wasn't comfortable for long.

The HVAC controls were so complicated and on the center screen and we just didn't bother changing anything.

Charging curves were never great on a trip. At low state of charge I'd start at maybe 170 kW (20% soc), but that would drop by half pretty quickly. Our 4s's start at 240kW and stay there- we're done really fast. The charge port was on the passenger side of the car- complicating things when lining up for charging on a road trip.

Finally, the large electrochromatic roof never shaded very well, and was always a worry if it was damaged. Owners reported 5-figure replacement costs.

 

[Sahajesh]

Waiting for the new iX3 to come out and then decide.

 

[Etmaniac]

Just an update, Over a distance of 150K, afternoon, 21.4 Kwh/100Km. This is the Turbo with 22" rims with the worst efficiency. this actually is not bad to be honest. Not that much different than my Tesla X.

 

[sor]

I have an iX now, I like it but there have always been things I’ve overlooked.

For one, it is just too big for my taste. Kids love the ample room but seriously, it would be roomy for basketball players. And you feel that weight when driving, especially in the snow. I think the Macan Turbo is 300 pounds or so lighter.

The interior styling is something I have never really liked with the luxury and jewel tones, and the driving position with open floor space really kind of feels like you’re driving a van. That long screen has been bolted on to every model they have. The seats are comfortable aside from the weird headrest, but don’t really hug you. First world problems to be sure.

I like the new iX front end better.

Range - I came from a first gen e-tron where the best I ever did was 210 miles on a charge. I thought the iX would be better, on screen it sometimes says 340 miles, and I guess it is in absolute best case, but I occasionally take 500 mile journeys and the iX hasn’t really made a difference in terms of where I stop or how long. In practice it is maybe even a bit worse than the e-tron since that had a monster charging curve and I could easily charge it to 90%, where the iX I’m lucky to get it to 75% before the charging rate drops and I want to move on. The iX always wants more than an hour to fully charge and get that promised amazing range, but I can get to 60% or 70% in 20-30 minutes. So in practical use I’m just charging to 70% instead of 90% but going the same distance as I did in the e-tron.

I expect the Macan to be a road trip monster, I have fast charging stops every ~60 miles on most freeways north/south/east/west and with the 800v architecture it will make the stops short. Not that I make these trips more than two or three times a year but from the charge curves I have seen I expect the Macan could be ready to move on before I am, on most stops.

Macan has marginally less battery but weighs a good deal less and has better aero. They have about the same EPA rating so I’m hoping it isn’t a step back in capable range and a step up in charging speed.

My short time with the Macan excited me. It is much more nimble and feels more fun to drive. It is a good size for me. It is shorter as well which will make it easier to reach my ski rack.

My iX spent a month in the shop four months after I got it, and another week the year after that, so I’m no stranger to issues with new platforms.

 

[sor]

Waiting for the new iX3 to come out and then decide.

I might have done that but heard the performance models are at least a year out. They will announce the base models this fall though, and supposedly they will start production on those end of the year.

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