BMW i4 vs. The Competition: A Close Look at How It Measures Up

Performance Comparison

The BMW i4, due to arrive this spring, is being billed as a direct challenge to Tesla’s dominance of the electric sedan market. Its architecture is meant to balance performance and efficiency. It comes in two versions, the eDrive40 and the sportier M50 . The eDrive40 has a single motor setup that delivers 335 HP . The M50 is a dual-motor setup that delivers a hefty 537 HP , enabling it to reach 0-100 km/h in about 3.9 seconds .

Battery Efficiency and Range

The BMW i4 eDrive40 has a range of up to 475 kilometres per full charge, which is close to what most EVs on the market offer. The Tesla Model 3 Long Range has an even greater range, with up to 568 kilometres per charge, meaning it’s a slightly better option for those who want to travel for longer periods.

On the German side, the Audi e-tron GT shows a keen sense of its target market, with a range of about 383 kilometres , a touch lower than the Tesla, but with what seems a sharper emphasis on luxury and performance. This will appeal to a different set of Tesla buyers, perhaps those who care a little less about ultimate range and a little more about luxury and brand prestige.

Technology and Interiors

Much of the effort in the i4 has gone into its interiors and in-car technology, where BMW has created a sleek, futuristic dash around the company’s new iDrive 8 (driver interface) system, which combines a 12.3-9-inch infotainment screen in a single curved display. This not only makes the dash look great, it also makes it easier for the driver to interact with the car’s myriad functions.

And here, its clean interior with its central 15-inch touchscreen still polarises. Lovers of minimalism and modernity will delight, but some might find it too sparse, especially those used to the haptic pleasure of real buttons and knobs in luxury cars.

Price Point

Price, of course, matters to many buyers. At around AUD $99,900 for the eDrive40 , the i4 is priced competitively, particularly when the luxury brand’s own technology suite is added to the mix. Tesla’s Model 3 starts a little lower but can quickly add up with the options. And the Audi e-tron GT , the priciest of the trio, starts around AUD $151,000 , placing it at the upper end of the premium market.

The Internal Rivalry: BMW i4 vs. BMW M4

But you have to look only as far as BMW’s own model range to see the i4 in direct competition with the BMW M4 , a petrol-powered sports coupe. The M4 is a muscular, sleek machine, with its big engine roaring away under the bonnet and a steering wheel straining with the effort of channelling its power. It’s the kind of car that the old-school performance enthusiast falls in love with, for all the right reasons; but for those considering performance with an eye on environmental responsibility, or future-proof technology, the argument for the i4 becomes compelling.

Conclusion

On so many levels, the i4 is a sturdy competitor in what is quickly becoming one of the most booming and hotly contested segments of the automotive market. It is infused with the new-age performance, technology and luxury that will appeal to many, and will help to convert people away from petrol power onto electric. Almost everything about it will make it a credible alternative to the Tesla Model 3 , or the Audi e-tron or its more imminent rivals. Whether it wins over Tesla or Audi loyalists will ultimately depend on what matters to each individual: be it range, tech or the environment. Either way, BMW has thrown down the gauntlet for those wanting to tow no compromise in their electrification.