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Gravity vs BMW iX5

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TahoeMichael

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For all that there's a lot of gloom and doom by some here that Lucid's technology is seeming less impressive these days, I'm impressed by how much better the Gravity seems on paper compared to the coming BMW iX5. I didn't know much about the iX5, and decided to read up on it today. It seems the vehicle's exterior dimensions are very close to the Gravity, but it offers a mere 65.3 cubic feet of cargo capacity with the 2nd row down. That doesn't even compare well to my Highlander, much less the huge cargo volume offered by a Gravity. On the power front, it competes with a Gravity Touring, but not with a Grand Touring. And even with the sacrifice in power compared to the GGT, it seems that the projected EPA range tops out at 435 miles for the iX5, and that requires a bigger battery of 141 kWh (net).

It seems that Lucid's efficiency, power, and packaging continues to be world class.
 
I've been following the same research path and I'm very intrigued by the iX5, can't wait to test drive it. The Gravity wins in HP and cargo capacity (BMW used the same platform for all variants), but the iX5 seems to have more range (TBD, I'll have to wait and see after the Gravity fiasco) and, in my opinion, a better screen layout. Plus, they likely won't make you wait months for service or parts
Time will tell!
 
TahoeMichael said:
I'm impressed by how much better the Gravity seems on paper compared to the coming BMW iX5...

It seems that Lucid's efficiency, power, and packaging continues to be world class.
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Yep, I don't think anyone compares to Lucid's efficiency, power, and packaging.

The Gravity Touring would compare more to the iX5 60 xDrive variant from a power and acceleration point of view, though the Touring still smokes it. The yet-to-be-announced M70 variant would compare more to the Grand Touring, and the GGT would still probably be a little quicker. And if they do an iX5 M, that would align with the GT-S.

The iX5 has the packaging disadvantage that it is a ground-up design to accommodate gas, hybrid, hydrogen, and electric drivetrains. So, it forfeits some space and weight efficiency. (Though, BMW is generally terrible at packaging anyway.)

Where the iX5 excels is personalization and styling and a more advanced tech package. It has more trim packages, many more exterior colors, more interior style options, and higher-end audio. It features BMW's new iDrive 10 tech platform which is a wholly new user experience. And then it will likely be a much more stable software experience where everything just works. And the dealer support experience will likely be vastly superior. Summary, the iX5 will probably be better at being a luxury car in general, while the Gravity will be a better spacious high performance electric car.
 
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prgarg said:
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Decent video.
The last two minutes, where he points out the difference between the extensive BMW service network versus Lucid's and goes into some detail about his experience with a Gravity, are painfully true.

Based on space efficiency, looks, performance, and more if I were still looking for my first ev, I'd still pick the Gravity over the iX5.
However, the iX5 would probably be a second choice over the Cayenne. Seems to be a better value than the Cayenne.
Glad BMW got ride of the ugly grill from the iX.
 
msaunders9430 said:
Decent video.
The last two minutes, where he points out the difference between the extensive BMW service network versus Lucid's and goes into some detail about his experience with a Gravity, are painfully true.

Based on space efficiency, looks, performance, and more if I were still looking for my first ev, I'd still pick the Gravity over the iX5.
However, the iX5 would probably be a second choice over the Cayenne. Seems to be a better value than the Cayenne.
Glad BMW got ride of the ugly grill from the iX.
Click to expand...
Ownership experience remains Lucid's Achilles heel, and there's where BMW and Porsche have a significant advantage.
 
I too have been looking hard for my next EV. It is getting harder to get in/out of the Lucid Air so started looking at the Gravity but the software issues and service has forced me to look around. Cayenne is interesting but is made to drive like an ICE as far as braking etc. The BMWs coming out are very interesting. I want to stay Lucid but they need something smaller than the Gravity that is easier entry and exit and is dependable with available parts and service. My GT has been great but access is an increasing issue. I have been lucky but if they put it into a parking lot waiting for some part they have in Casa Grande I will scout ahead.
 
Why the hell are the screens parallelograms?

In other news - Just this week I took delivery of a second Gravity for our household after having my GGT for a year and LOVING it. For my money, the Gravity is still hands down the best thing out there in essentially every regard.
 
zoomzoom said:
Why the hell are the screens parallelograms?

In other news - Just this week I took delivery of a second Gravity for our household after having my GGT for a year and LOVING it. For my money, the Gravity is still hands down the best thing out there in essentially every regard.
Click to expand...

I look forward to driving now coming from someone who hated it.
 
prgarg said:
I've been following the same research path and I'm very intrigued by the iX5, can't wait to test drive it. The Gravity wins in HP and cargo capacity (BMW used the same platform for all variants), but the iX5 seems to have more range (TBD, I'll have to wait and see after the Gravity fiasco) and, in my opinion, a better screen layout. Plus, they likely won't make you wait months for service or parts
Time will tell!
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Fiasco?
 
plastex said:
The real range is about 20% lower than advertised.
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This is in no way unusual. We have owned six EVs from five different manufacturers. Freeway range for each one has been about 80% of EPA range.
 
DeaneG said:
This is in no way unusual. We have owned six EVs from five different manufacturers. Freeway range for each one has been about 80% of EPA range.
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In the Gravity I'm lucky if I get about 80% combined, less than with other EVs I've owned.
 
I planned my Gravity lease based on the iX5 anticipation - choosing a 2 year lease with the hopes of getting an iX5 year end model 2027 or a 2028 around the summer of 2028. So far my Gravity has been good. In my short ownership it has had to visit the very close service center 3 times - all relatively minor issues, that nonetheless took hours from my time. One required an overnight and an Enterprise loaner. I do have software issues, GPS freezes, homelink often fails, CarPlay disconnects.

I have leased BMWs for years and years (7s mostly, an exhilarating M850 and the iX) and other than scheduled services (often while I waited) I do not recall having to have these repaired. Last was an iX 2025 that was sadly totaled 17 months into the lease - zero issues. I think the Gravity has a brilliant design and cannot be beaten for space and 7 seats. However peace of mind is worth a lot to me. Given the service issues, the lack of parts and weeks long service waits and stays, I often read about herein, plus impossibility to have them answer the service phone (all three times I was able to schedule because I showed up in person), at the moment would make me choose the iX5 EV if available.
 
prgarg said:
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I'll be very interested to see real world iX5 tests. The car is heavier than the Gravity, which will hurt efficiency, but it's also lower powered, which tends to help efficiency. Considering the battery pack is quite a lot larger than a GGT's, it could potentially offer up more highway range even if it doesn't have better efficiency numbers.
 
I fully expect it to do great on highway range tests and charging, and beat the Gravity GT. It will also likely be more expensive and send you ads in the parallelogram screen.
 
DeaneG said:
This is in no way unusual. We have owned six EVs from five different manufacturers. Freeway range for each one has been about 80% of EPA range.
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Usually I'd agree. State of Charge just range tested the Mercedes CLA. Its EPA Highway range rating is 315 miles. Tom drove the car at a steady 70 mph and traveled 385 mile going from 100% to 0% indicated.

evchargingstations.com

2027 Mercedes CLA 350 4MATIC Electric DC Fast-Charging Analysis 0-100%

The 2027 Mercedes CLA 350 4MATIC Electric offers not only a long driving range but also a very good range replenishment rate during DC fast charging.
evchargingstations.com evchargingstations.com
 
prgarg said:
I've been following the same research path and I'm very intrigued by the iX5, can't wait to test drive it. The Gravity wins in HP and cargo capacity (BMW used the same platform for all variants), but the iX5 seems to have more range (TBD, I'll have to wait and see after the Gravity fiasco) and, in my opinion, a better screen layout. Plus, they likely won't make you wait months for service or parts
Time will tell!
Click to expand...
Gravity beats it almost every category. Except service availability. Germans are still very behind.
 
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