Tesla Model 3 vs BMW i4

Munich vs Musk: BMW i4 vs Tesla Model 3

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For a long time now, Tesla has had things all its own way in the premium EV market, especially since the Model 3 came along a couple of years ago. It was the UK's best-selling electric car last year, so although numerous new contenders have been nibbling away at its lead in recent times, the American firm still holds the advantage.

BMW might have something to say about that, though. The new i4 is an all-electric version of the 4 Series Gran Coupe, and in terms of stats at least, it has Silicon Valley's finest matched every step of the way. Prices for the i4 eDrive40 model in this test start from around £52,000, which gets you 335bhp and an official WLTP range of up to 365 miles. That stacks up rather nicely against its opponent, the four-wheel drive Tesla Model 3 Long Range, which costs from £50,000 and has an official WLTP range of up to 374 miles.

In this CarGurus UK twin test, Vicky Parrott sees how our contenders compare for practicality, ownership costs and driving appeal.

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Read our full written review of the BMW i4:

Read our full written review of the Tesla Model 3:

▬ Contents of this video ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
00:00 – Introduction
01:14 – Lets talk charging
01:44 – Practicality
03:14 – Up in the front
06:00 – What are they like to drive
12:00 – Final thoughts

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#cargurusUK #TelslaModel3 #BMWi4

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Please watch: "Genesis Electrified GV70 Review"
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[TheZubeck]

The i4 is going to be my first ev. Can't wait to get one.

[astroplutonium]

Logic of average Tesla owner:
I don't care about build quality because i save money so Tesla is better than BMW....
Ok children, go to bed now and let the grown-ups watch the video.

[AlejandroGarcia-tfuc]

Thanks for the video. I like these type of cars (not SUVs) and that"s the reason (apart from superchargers) than my favorite EV car was the Model 3. One of my favourite brand is BMW and I love BMW 3 and 4 Series and I was expecting i4. I live in Spain and the price difference between both cars (Model 3 an i4) is 8.000 euros; if you match equipment, the difference increases to 5.000 euros more and, also, with the Model 3 LR you get state subsidy up to 7.000 euros than you don´t get with the i4 because of it`s price. These are the reasons that make my choice is Tesla Model 3. If BMW i4 would be a bit more expensive, it would be different.

[MultiCfoster]

I would go for the BMW better looking and quality and looks more conventional.

[astroplutonium]

I own a Tesla model 3 for 3 years now, previously i owned a Tesla model S P85+ and 5 BMWs (1s and 3s). I am currently selling the model 3 and going to BMW. I want to tell my car what to do on the road, i don't want my car to tell me what i should do. Also build and material quality for me is extremely important on a property of 60k Euro. Tesla will never get to the BMW build and material quality because they do not care about that, they have a different philosophy about auto-making, their value is in software, functionality and efficiency rather than quality, design and customization of options and settings. For example, phantom breaking for me is a terrifying thing i experience 10s of times every time i drive to the mountains (4-5 times a year), to the point where i cannot use cruise control anymore because of the fear it creates to me, my wife and kids when it happens. Last news was that the radar on model 3s was completely deactivated. Phantom breaking is now much worse. Musk does not care, people complain about this since before model 3 came to market. BMW never had this problem. Simpler system you say? No. Just the right system a driver needs i say. Same goes about, regen and a whole bunch of other options that Musk decided to suddenly remove from our paid and owned cars. BMW does not do that, you get what you test drive and that is what you experience. I like that, i do not like surprises every other morning i drive to work. I currently also own a Peugeot e208. Cruise control works like a charm. It even has highway self driving which also works perfectly. Never experienced phantom breaking in that either.

[Freebird-]

Great review! So happy BMW finally launched their EVs. Strongly considering the i4 now. I’ve never really liked the look of Tesla, but it seemed like the only option if you wanted a more premium car. Now, I just have to excite myself about going from an suv to a car. 😅

[joebloggs]

I want tech I’ll buy an iPad but if I want a car then it’s got to be the BMW or a Porsche, they know how to build proper driver’s cars!

[bavariancarenthusiast]

IT´s great to have a choice finally - if you like driving and luxury you take the BMW - If a car is more an appliance for you - the more rational choice is the M3, if you can over driving in a very noisy cabin. It also depends where you live and how you can charge - that was always a problem in the UK, over here there are plenty of chargers from several companies. For me it's a no brainer, the BMW every day of the week, but hey I love driving and feel the car.

[lordfluxington]

Love the i4 eDrive 40, unfortunately AU$35k more expensive then the M3 LR.

[jaykres]

You say the Model 3 has adaptive regen? Is there a hidden setting for this? Neither my '19 Model 3 nor my wife's '21 Model Y have regen breaking that acts in a truly adaptive manner. It behaves more like the i4 in B-mode.

[adrianbroome]

Great review and totally agree and have test driven both cars I take delivery of my high spec BMW i4 eDrve 40 in March 2022

[keith]

I've driven the standard i4 m sport without adaptive suspension and the ride is very good. It's also very refined. On the other hand my drive in a model 3 was far from smooth, the suspension never seems to settle down. There was also more tyre, suspension and wind noise and it rattled like a tin of nails. Yes it is a second quicker and the charging network is very good but this should soon be opened up to all electric cars soon. So I have to agree with the result that the BMW wins.

[robertmorris]

Great review. Thank you. Just ordered the 35 model of the BMW last week. Don’t need the crazy 0-60 or slightly longer battery life of the 40. The Tesla is just not my cup of tea, style wise. The rear borders on being ugly.

[jackblair]

Good review, I’m a minimalist but good I think the 3 is just too basic inside…haven’t driven either but I’m thinking we are in agreement.

[cakesken]

Back seats are a disaster, if your 6 Ft. your knees will be so high your thighs will not touch the seat properly after 20mins you will have cramp no joke. No it is, nt like the Tesla total different seating ergonomics, so the BMW will only seat 2 adults and 2 children on a long journey where as the Tesla will seat 5 adults.

[HenkvanHoek]

Not a fair comparison I think. You drove the i4 with more options than the standard i4. Why not the standard i4?

[rboz]

Before you buy one on these EVs you need to look at an actual engineering analysis a la Sandy Munro. This is just superficial opinion.

[robertfrancis]

I asked the BMW sales rep if I could test drive an I4. He didn't laugh, but said they are all pre-sold. BMW is not making many of these. Why compare to Tesla? You are implying that the legacy auto companies are starting to compete. They have to make at least 250, 000 per year to make any money. They're not making money at less than 50, 000 per year.

[nu_foz]

Great comparo format review, Vicky and Car Gurus UK team! Thanks :)

[drbloomer]

Have just ordered the i4 with the performance pack also in the Brooklyn grey. Did think about adding the sunroof but the extra weight concerned me. Hopefully, July for delivery. Also, fantastic review. Could watch her all day actually!