BMW i4 review – can this electric car REALLY beat Tesla? | What Car?

#WhatCar #BMWi4 #BMWEV

In this BMW i4 review, we look at whether this new electric car can really beat the Tesla Model 3.




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Video chapters:
0:00 The best new electric car?
1:02 The i4 design
2:00 Interior design and quality
3:27 i4 tech
5:02 Rear seats
5:53 Boot space
6:58 Performance and range
7:57 Driving impressions
8:40 i4 M50
9:30 Pricing and charging
11:59 Verdict

[helipeek]

I never thought I’d say this but, well done BMW, an EV that looks like a car and not an over-designed household electrical appliance.

[gipfelstuermer]

Had the chance to drive both recently. And I found out that the two cars are worlds apart. The Tesla is cheaper but can't hold a candle to the BMW in terms of quality, handling or styling. BMW the best choice on EV market.

[VickiStokes]

So happy that I live in California where there are over 6, 100 DC fast chargers that include 282 Tesla superchargers. In the US there's a federal tax rebate of $7500 (not available for Tesla) and another $5250 in local and county incentives which makes the purchase of the BMW cheaper. So no big edge for Tesla in either regard. Needless to say, I will receive the delivery of my i4 edrive40 in two weeks. Love hearing perspectives from across the pond.

[steveemmerson]

Currently have a 2 year old BMW i3 so have been looking to upgrade (+ range and + space) so to speak to either the Tesla M3 or the BMW i4 40 M Sport.
Drove both cars last week and signed up for the i4 today, I understand the supercharger network is a real bonus when driving electric but the quality of the BMW was leagues ahead.
With the frequent price reductions Tesla are making I was concerned about residual values in the future which also played into my long term thinking.

[BHBeckenbauer]

Great car but naff headline on this video. It doesn’t need to be a ‘Tesla killer’ - it can just be a great car in its own right

[seancockell]

I drove the i4 and wow! I pre-ordered one from my local dealer and cannot wait!

[jamesmccormack]

Recently was lucky enough to test drive one of these and wow! The interior quality is top 👌 and the design looks so much better in the metal. It really did feel like a drivers car, it very much felt as though BMW was looking to regain its crown as the drivers choice in this new EV market.

[rob]

We bought the model 3 in November 2021. Sold it in Jan 2022 as the paint quality is unacceptable and Tesla refused to fix it. Wish we had gone for the I4. The Tesla service set up is seriously flawed. The service centres have no say on what they can do. They send photos and info to head office and they say yes or no. Not a good service at all.

[kriseightyfive]

Great video! 2 things tho:
1. Tesla IS opening up their charging stations for non-tesla cars
2. The delivery times on Tesla's are insane atm! You take delivery in Germany and the Netherlands summer 2023 if you order now.

So with the Tesla charging network comming in to play for non-tesla's, im going for the i4

[AchilestheKing]

After my first testdrive with it, I knew that I have to sell my Tesla and order one 🙈

[thenextelectriccar]

The quality of the interior is superb. The grille on the i4 is covered in plastic, and there are a few aerodynamic alloys. It also has a few blue accents strewn over the vehicle. However, availability to a stable fast-charging network, or the lack thereof, is currently disappointing.

[peteruk]

Don't like the driver's instrument binnacle, as it has big gaps each end and from above! This is where all the dust or dirt will get behind and be horrible to clean, especially if you like to keep your car clean yourself and take pride of your expensive purchase. Plus better having heating / air-conditioning switches than searching through screen menu's especially whilst driving!

[viperhd]

4:38 "There is no delay when you swipe"... shows a swipe to the left and absolutely nothing happens on-screen. LOL

[DaemonViews]

Comparison against the other electric cars is interesting as well.
Some people find the minimalism of the Tesla annoying and the car itself very ugly.

I would have an i4 over a Tesla.
Hatchback style boot is a giant win, easily compensating for the lack of a 'froot'.
Here the Tesla network is actually already open for other brands.

But bmw really needs to put the climate controls back in buttons...

I hope they make a separate line so that we can ride if the ICE annoyances in their electric line up.

[tebitan]

Well, I am not very tall, and I bumped my knees every time I tried to get into the back, knee room was comparable to Toyota Yaris and also my knees were too high, quite uncomfortable sitting position. I canceled my order placed in december, this being one of the reasons.

[DavidThomas-bvnz]

Interesting review, not sure I agree with your comment at the end which says the model 3 is better because of the charging network, the charging network doesn’t make the car itself any better

[apollodeancampbell]

It's all about build quality and aftercare service, which is why many would choose a BMW

[garycassidy]

I along with probably 90% of the people watching reviews for electric cars are amazed at the price of these cars as they are way out of my spending league. Would absolutely love to get one as I do feel that they are the way to go to help save the environment and to drastically reduce the carbon emissions in the towns and cities.

[alexshepherd]

Here in New Zealand the BMW is sold through a usual importer/dealership arrangement and is a lot more expensive than a Model 3 (which is sold direct). i4 eDrive 40 is $109, 900. Base Model 3 is $72, 400 and qualifies for an $8625 rebate bringing it down to $63, 775 (the BMW does not qualify because it is over $80, 000).

Therefore, the big price gap means you are effectively paying for exclusivity and a load of knobs and buttons.

I enjoy the handling of my Model 3 Performance but I also enjoy the minimalist interior, the ergonomics of it, the space, and the way it doesn’t try to look like an expensive or high-performance car. It’s simple and works really well. The traditional brands don’t seem to hold much advantage any more. Time will tell

[RobertBlow]

Slight error, when you lifted the bonnet you said the plastic cover was over the electric motor. This may be the case with the M50 version but the i4 40 is RWD only so does not have a motor up front I believe.