Is the BMW i4 as good as the Tesla Model 3? Read on to find out.
Car and engine specs and price
So to start with you can get the e drive 40 model which has a rear mounted electric motor that creates 335 BHP and can do 0-62 in 5.7 seconds and goes on to 118 mph. The range of this version of the i4 is 367 miles. Next up is the M50 variant. This has 2 motors which create 537 BHP and also 4 wheel drive. This puts the 0-62 down to 3.9 seconds and has a top speed of 140 mph. The range goes down slightly to 316 miles but that is still great. Both versions have 200 kW charging which is great. The price for the BMW i4 eDrive40 starts at £51,905 and for the M50 model it starts at £53,405 which is the one I recommend as it has a lot more power for a little higher price.
Exterior – Front
So, the design at the front of the BMW i4 looks a lot like the normal 4 Series. We have the same bugs bunny tooth grill and the same laser lights. The actual bumper design though is different. This is to make the car aerodynamic. The design is inspired by the pre facelift BMW iX3. the grill is also slightly different as it is blanked off on the top half again for aerodynamic purposes but the bottom half is used to cool the batteries. We also have some blue highlights to show its electric. On the M50 model we have the same bumper design from the M Sport models. This design though has slightly different side vents to aid aerodynamics and it also has a slightly different grill that has an M on it. Personally this is the model I would recommend for the looks.
Exterior – Side
Along the side the BMW i4 looks a lot like the 4 Series Gran Coupe. We have the same electric door handles and the same looks. We also have a blue hockey stick style highlight but on the M50 model we have a normal black vent just like the combustion engine counterpart. Also these wheels on the M50 look very cool.
Exterior – Rear
At the back we have the same look as the normal 4 Series apart from having a different bumper so it is more aerodynamic. The lower bumper has some blue highlights where the exhausts used to be which to me makes the non sporty model sporty. The M50 model has the M Sport bumpers but again it is different where the exhausts used to be. Finally on the 2 models we have a side vent for aerodynamics. Overall design is very striking and to me is a head turner.
Interior – Design
The interior design of the BMW i4 is just like the BMW 4 Series Facelift that has not even come out yet. I say this because the upcoming BMW X5, 8 Series and 3 Series that have been spied have this exact dashboard layout. This is because the BMW i4 has the new I Drive 8 operating system that is usually found in the BMW IX. So the main differences of the i4 versus the 4 series is the 2 displays which is obvious. Also there are different air vents and the favorite buttons have also changed. You also get blue highlights on the start stop button, gear shifter and on the steering wheel. Other materials are very premium and it is a nice place to be in.
Practicality
So sitting in the back, there is just enough legroom for 6 footers but headroom is not that great. This is because of the sloping Coupe like roof. You do get some creature comforts though like an arm rest, climate control and rear air vents.
Boot Size
The boot size of the BMW i4 with the seats up is 470 litres which in comparison the main rival Tesla model 3 has a 425 litres but where the Tesla Model 3 pushes ahead of the i4 is that it has a front trunk as where as the BMW i4 has not.
Summary
So in summary then the Tesla Model 3 rival is a very good car and will throw the Tesla out of the waters. It has better build quality and a premium interior with a good looking exterior. If I was you get the BMW i4 M50 and save £6,000.
Exterior 5/5
Interior 4.5/5
Practicality 4.5/5
Total 14/15
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