The 2024 BMW i4 vs. Tesla Model 3

Exactly a century ago, the Roaring ‘20s were fully underway in America—The Great War was over, culture was booming everywhere you looked, and the automotive industry saw an unprecedented boom in new technology.

They say history repeats itself, so it’s no surprise that in the 2020s, the car business is starting to completely reinvent itself. There are now over 40 high-end electric vehicles on the market. With so many options, how could anyone possibly settle on one?

Let’s take two of the best luxury EVs and pit them head-to-head to see if we can’t narrow it down.

i4 vs. Model 3: Affordability

They may be some of the most luxurious electric cars around, but no matter how deep your pockets are, everyone appreciates it when they can save a little money.

The 2024 BMW i4 currently comes in four available trim levels:

• BMW i4 eDrive35: Starting MSRP of $52,200
• BMW i4 eDrive40: Starting MSRP of $57,300
• BMW i4 xDrive40: Starting MSRP of $61,600
• BMW i4 M50: Starting MSRP of $69,700

Meanwhile, the Tesla Model 3 has three trims:

• Tesla Model 3 Standard RWD: Starting MSRP of $38,990
• Tesla Model 3 Long Range: Starting MSRP of $45,990
• Tesla Model 3 Performance: Starting MSRP of $50,990

At first glance, it looks like the Model 3 has a definite advantage in terms of the price tag, but the two are actually closer than you might think. One of Tesla’s biggest selling points is that they’re supposed to be on the cutting edge of self-driving technology (although most people agree that it still has a long way to go). Despite this, if you want that sort of technology in your Model 3, you’ll have to pay an extra six thousand dollars for the most basic version. If you want the full self-driving package, that upcharge jumps to $12,000.

The i4, meanwhile, doesn’t require egregious MSRP hikes to experience all it has to offer, so in actuality, the two are nearly even.

i4 vs. Model 3: Performance

The best luxury electric cars don’t just get you where you’re going; they get you there fast. EVs benefit from much greater acceleration than their gas-swilling counterparts, so it’s no surprise that both of these cars have some impressive track times.

Here are the power specs for the i4:

• eDrive35: 282 horsepower, 295 pound-feet of torque
• eDrive40: 335 horsepower, 317 pound-feet of torque
• xDrive40: 396 horsepower, 443 pound-feet of torque
• M50: 536 horsepower, 586 pound-feet of torque

And here are the specs for the Tesla Model 3… is what we would say, except Tesla doesn’t publish official electric motor specifications. They do claim that the Model 3 Performance is capable of going from zero to sixty in just 3.1 seconds, but some critics and reviewers have had a hard time replicating that.

i4 vs. Model 3: Range

Arguably the most important aspect of any EV is the amount of miles it can drive on a single charge. The industry standard is quickly increasing, with many models achieving well over 300 miles without having to stop by the ole DCFC.

For 2024, the BMW i4’s range is:

• eDrive35: 276 miles
• eDrive40: 301 miles
• xDrive40: 307 miles
• M50: 269 miles

On the other hand, we have the Model 3:

• Standard RWD: 272 miles
• Long Range: 333 miles
• Performance: 315 miles

Once again, it’s a close call. The Model 3 Long Range has the upper hand by about 25 miles, but ask anyone who owns an EV and they’ll tell you that these mileage estimates are, at best, an educated guess. In their long-range test, the folks over at Car & Driver noted that eking out the advertised number of miles was difficult.

Recently, Tesla also lost its main advantage—with the adoption of the North American Charging Standard, BMW and other vehicles will gain access to Tesla’s Superchargers, putting them on equal footing.

i4 vs. Model 3: Amenities and Style

Stepping into the BMW i4, it becomes instantly apparent that you’ve entered a world of electrified luxury. The driver information and infotainment screens stretch nearly two thirds across the dash, giving the impression of a single seamless interface—the two screens measure 12.3 inches and 14.9 inches. All the expected luxury connectivity features are there, including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. All models also come standard with the BMW iDrive 8.5 system, which enables 5G connectivity and an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot. Simply put, the i4 is one of the best electric luxury sedans in terms of comfort, convenience, and panache.

The Model 3 aims for something more science fiction-oriented. Its interior takes minimalist design cues, and nearly everything is controlled via the 15-inch center touch screen interface, meaning there are virtually no physical buttons or knobs. Curiously, Tesla has decided not to include industry standard features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

It may be a close call in terms of price, performance, and EV range, but when we look at the interior, it’s no contest. In our BMW vs. Tesla comparison, the i4 handily takes the win.

BMW: Makers of the Best High-End Electric Cars

The Tesla Model 3 is an impressive machine, but it just doesn’t deliver a luxury experience to match its luxury sticker price.

The i4 currently doesn’t qualify for federal EV tax rebates, but did you know that it’s possible to benefit from them when you lease? Contact Braman BMW at (786) 577-5220 to learn how you can save a boatload on a BMW i4 for lease in Miami today.