Premium Electric Sedan Face-Off | Tesla Model 3 vs BMW i4

Not all electric sedans are created equal and when it comes to two vehicles in the same category it's hard to find a larger gap between models than these two here. While the BMW comes from a very traditional (though tech heavy) mold the Tesla has created a mold of it's own and one you'll find a lot of new EV's copying. Is there a better choice? That's pretty hard to pin down but we'll explore some of the major differences and let you come up with your own conclusion.

#bmw #tesla #bmwi4 #i4 #teslamodel3 #model3 #ev #sedan #rwd #electric

00:00 Introduction
00:36 Model 3 '23 v '24
01:10 Model Overviews
02:15 Rear End Comparison
04:40 Model 3 Interior
06:30 BMW i4 Interior
07:42 Back Seat Comparison
07:47 BMW On-Road
10:00 Tesla On-Road

[justinssebanenya]

BMW wins my points for a well sized sunroof. That is the maximum glass I can tolerate in the canopy. It seems it also has a sunshade. I will take another look when they increase the headroom. Thank you for the review!

[Jorge_Magallon]

Between these 2 I’m pretty sure I would pick the BMW. Cool video, BTW. Nice job.

[coder]

7:09 Teslas do not use Google Maps for navigation. They use Google Maps to render the map itself and to find POIs, but Google does not allow anyone else to build a car navigation app on top of Google's mapping data, let alone using Google's navigation algorithms. Tesla has to use a third party (like MapBox or OpenStreetMap) to get a different set of maps, which are then used for navigation, and it is hilariously bad in many situations. As someone who has owned a Tesla Model 3 for nearly 6 years, I *really* want CarPlay in my next car. Tesla's refusal to support CarPlay is so annoying.

[Noah_E]

It comes down to what you're looking for. The Tesla is an economic car that pretends to be luxurious. The BMW is a premium product, and it shows. It has a nicer, more traditional interior with basic stuff like buttons, dials, and stalks that 'normal' people want, but Tesla omits to save money. The massive screen with zero attempt to integrate it into the dash instead of smaller horizontal ones is an immediate deal-breaker for me.

[daflipbizkit]

BMW i4 considering it’s quality and inclusion of stalks and much more physical buttons more of a safety issue to me. New gen car’s reliance (trend set by Tesla) on the stupid screen to change settting old-fashioned buttons used to have is much easier and faster to access than fumbling with numerous clicks on a damn screen. I excluded it from a personal purchase because it’s a tight car inside and the rear is cramped for 2 car seats.

[jwdbond]

I am trading in my 2021 Tesla model Y Long Range for a bmw i4. In some ways the Y is a better comparison than a 3 since the exterior dimensions are so close. This video was a good comparison nonetheless and the issues mentioned were some of the ones that led to my decision. I am giving up some range, but I am getting features that I have been missing in my Y—handles above the door, heads up display, nicer ride, buttons at appropriate places, displays where I need to be looking, Apple Car Play, nicer interior, and a car my wife doesn’t hate or refuse to drive.

[johnmohanmusic]

7:42: In my opinion, one of the funniest moments in YouTube history. 😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣

[BogeyTheBear]

The comparative lack of tumblehome in the Tesla 3's greenhouse gives it a cartoonish look where there is more glass on top than there is sheet metal below the beltline.

4:17 ...and if you _don't_ have the HK subwoofer, what can you store there beside the tire kit? You can stow away the recharging cables and add in a folded floor mat, a basic toolset, and still have enough space to store the center headrest you'll want take off the back seat to improve your rearward visibility. I know that for sure because that's what's under my trunk tray.

[ralanham]

The model 3 should have been a hatchback 😢

[Rioichi]

BMW FTW. I love buttons, switches, and stalks.

[oceanNmotoWoman]

i4. I'm getting old, I can't take the harshness like I used to

[nerinamia]

BMW is prestige while Tesla is for common people

[joetacchino]

Travis, you’ve really come a long way in your presentation since starting. Keep it up!

As a former Model 3 owner and a current M3 owner, I think you really nailed the pluses and minuses. I really wish Tesla had stepped up, the interior quality in the new 3, added a small driver display, and not deleted the stalks! Would have beaten the i4 hands down. Tesla gets so much so right, and the things they get wrong are so, so badly missed.

[BHenryDMoron]

My main issue with the i4 interior is that it feels claustrophobic. I’ve taken it on a test drive and even sat in one again yesterday and I barely fit at 5’11 and 180 pounds. My shoulder is touching the B pillar when sitting in the seat with it being adjusted correctly. I sat in a 3 series right after and it definitely has more width than the i4.

[PauloSantos-rmmt]

It is unfair to compare old model 3 with new BMW i4. 2024 model 3 is by far much better than previous version...

[johnmohanmusic]

Great video! It's clear that I am going to have to do full test drives of both the Tesla Model 3 (Performance) and the BMW i4 (M50) to see which one is subjectively best for me if I ever choose to buy one of them. Having a 535i XDrive now that I love, I'd probably go for the i4. Or I might just keep on enjoying my 535i.

[crackersmacc]

I have the i4 e40. It’s built with all the years of experience of BMW design and driver enagagement with the added tech upgrade you expect with electric. The best thing is that it is a tenth of the cost to run and maintain over the ICE version - and jeez, the acceleration is blistering 🚙⚡️

[jenesuispasbavard]

I may be biased but I'd also add the Polestar 2 into this mix (and pick that one over these two...). I test drove all three back in 2023 and went with the Polestar 2 as the best driving experience.

[nihilnobody]

How can a Tesla, let alone a 3, be considered Premium, and compared to a BMW, is beyond me.

[lawren]

I have the BMW I4 x drive. Best car I have ever owned . Vegas Red Black interior just beautiful and a rocket to boot!