A comparison of the 2023 BMW i4 versus the 2023 Tesla Model 3 pits a relative newcomer to the electric vehicle (EV) field with an old standby. It pits a platform designed for conventional power with one designed for electric propulsion from the get-go. It pits a car designed and built by a prestigious legacy automaker with a proud history against a vehicle designed and built by an upstart manufacturer that is disrupting the industry. And it pits a car with a base price (including destination charge and fees) of around $41,000 with a car whose base price (including destination) is around $53,000. If all that doesn't make for an intriguing comparison, what does?
Tesla Motors led the way into the battery-electric age and became the leading luxury brand in America by doing so. As an unexpected bonus, it gained a reputation for building surprisingly fast cars. Teslas might not be the "ultimate driving machine" that BMW claims its vehicles to be, but they are undeniably quick.
Meanwhile, BMW has established a reputation as the most performance-oriented of the mainstream luxury brands, except for Porsche. After toying with reach-out EVs like the ill-fated carbon-fiber i3, BMW has seen the handwriting on the whiteboard and assembled a growing portfolio of more conventional battery electrics. The i4 is a prime example of that.
Tesla introduced the Model 3 as a 2017 model-year vehicle. It has remained much the same since. Through the years, Tesla has spiffed it up, altered the powertrain offerings, and significantly improved the driver-assistance software and systems.
BMW introduced the i4 as a 2022 model, based on the same platform—and, indeed, included on the same BMW specifications sheet—as the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe. Despite the Gran Coupe nomenclature, the i4 is a 4-door hatchback. The Model 3 is a 4-door sedan. Both accommodate five passengers. Both come in various trim levels with escalating levels of features and prices.
New EVs are entering the compact crossover SUV segment at a rapid pace. Still, battery-electric sedans are a rare breed. (To be fair, conventionally powered sedans are becoming rarer too.) Thus, the Model 3 and i4 face relatively few competitors. That (small) number includes the Chevrolet Bolt EV, Hyundai Ioniq 6, Nissan Leaf, and Polestar 2. The Polestar 2 is the only luxury-brand offering. However, up to now, Polestar is not a well-recognized brand by the general public.
If you seek a fully electric 4-door in this size and price range, the BMW i4 and Tesla Model 3 deserve your attention. Here is a detailed comparison of the 2023 BMW i4 and the 2023 Tesla Model 3.
2023 BMW i4 M50
With the addition of the entry-level i4 eDrive35, BMW offers the i4 in three trim levels for 2023: eDrive35, eDrive40, and M50. The eDrive35 has a battery pack that stores less power than the packs used in the two higher-level trims. The base manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) is $52,995, including the $995 destination charge. Starting suggested price for the mid-level eDrive40 is $58,095.
The M50, part of BMW's vaunted M lineup of performance-tuned vehicles, has a suggested base MSRP of $69,695. It features two electric motors and all-wheel drive (AWD) versus the single-motor, rear-wheel-drive (RWD) powertrains of the eDrive35 and eDrive40. None of the 2023 BMW i4 models qualify for the $7,500 federal tax credit.
Tesla offers consumers the choice of a trio of Model 3 sub-models for 2023: Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD), Long Range (LR), and Performance. The least expensive option is the RWD trim. Tesla says it offers 272 miles of range on a charge and includes the Tesla Autopilot partial-autonomous driving system. The base MSRP is $41,630, including the destination fee and order fee.
The big differentiator for the LR ($53,130 with fees) is—you guessed it—the longer range. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the 2023 Tesla Model 3 LR will deliver 358 miles of range. (This trim was unavailable for purchase on the Tesla Motors website at this writing.)
The Performance trim features dual-motor AWD, and its EPA range estimate is 315 miles on a full charge. With the added fees, its starting MSRP is $54,630. According to the most recent information from the U.S. Treasury Department, the RWD trim qualifies its buyers for a $3,750 tax credit, while the two other trims qualify their buyers for a $7,500 tax credit if they meet the income qualifications.
Advantage: Tesla Model 3
2023 Tesla Model 3
The BMW i4 does not rank among the top three models in the Compact Premium Car segment in the JD Power 2023 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS), which assesses owner-reported problems during the third year of ownership. The i4 also does not rank among the top three models in its segment in the JD Power 2022 U.S. Initial Quality Study (IQS), which tracks problems experienced by owners during the first 90 days.
The 2023 BMW i4 has the following warranty, roadside assistance, and scheduled maintenance coverage:
JD Power did not include the Tesla Model 3 in its official rankings in the 2023 VDS. It is ineligible for awards because Tesla Motors does not allow JD Power access to owner information in the 15 U.S. states where the law requires the automaker's permission. The Tesla Model 3 did take part in the 2022 IQS. However, it isn't eligible for a JD Power award due to the automaker not providing access to owner information in 15 states. The Tesla Model 3 ranks second in the Premium Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV) segment of the JD Power 2023 U.S. Electric Vehicle Experience (EVX) Ownership Study, which examines satisfaction among EV owners.
The 2023 Tesla Model 3 has the following warranty, roadside assistance, and scheduled maintenance coverage:
Advantage: Tesla Model 3
2023 BMW i4
The 2023 BMW eDrive35 and eDrive40 use a single electric motor to power the rear wheels. The eDrive 35 delivers 281 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. BMW says the eDrive35 will accelerate from a standing start to 60 miles per hour in 5.8 seconds. The eDrive40 beefs up the electric motor to 335 hp and 317 pound-feet of torque. That translates into a somewhat better zero-to-60-mph time of 5.5 seconds.
The high-performance M50 ups the ante still further. With a 255-hp motor driving the front axle and a 308-hp motor driving the rear axle, it delivers 536 combined hp. Total peak torque is a heady 596 pound-feet. BMW says it will rocket from zero-to-60 mph in 3.7 seconds.
With a larger battery capacity than the eDrive35, one can expect the eDrive40 to be the range leader among the 2023 BMW i4 lineup. The EPA rates its range at 301 miles. The EPA has yet to consider the eDrive35, but BMW expects it to deliver about 260 miles on a full charge. Range estimates for the M50 depend on wheel size. The EPA rates the M50 with 19-inch wheels at 271 miles of range. With the larger 20-inch wheels, the EPA estimate drops dramatically to 227 miles.
The eDrive35 trim gets an EPA mileage rating of 132 MPGe in combined city/highway driving. The eDrive40 is EPA-rated at 109 MPGe combined. With 19-inch wheels, the M50 gets a 96 MPGe combined rating, and with 20-inch wheels, the EPA rating dips to 80 MPGe.
Unlike virtually all other carmakers, Tesla Motors does not publish horsepower and torque ratings for its models. The 2023 Tesla Model 3's base RWD trim employs a single electric motor. According to industry estimates, it delivers about 271 hp and 310 pound-feet of torque. According to Tesla, it will accelerate from zero-to-60 mph in 5.8 seconds. The mid-level LR trim with AWD uses front and rear motors that bring 425 hp and 475 pound-feet of torque. Tesla says it will accelerate from zero-to-60 mph in 4.2 seconds, and the range on a full charge is 358 miles versus 272 miles for the RWD trim. The Performance model also uses front and rear electric motors with combined horsepower estimated to be 455 and an estimated 487 pound-feet of torque. Tesla says the car has a zero-to-60-mph time of 3.1 seconds, but the range drops to 315 miles.
The base RWD trim gets an EPA mileage rating of 132 MPGe combined. The LR trim is EPA-rated at 131 MPGe combined. In the Performance trim, MPGe drops to 113.
Advantage: Tesla Model 3
2023 Tesla Model 3
The 2023 BMW i4 offers an intriguing collection of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). BMW says its goal is to provide drivers the ability to pilot their i4s themselves without electronic assistance, or they can use the ADAS to make some driving situations safer and less stressful.
BMW calls its standard suite of ADAS on the i4 Active Driving Assistant. However, the most robust ADAS offering in the 2023 i4 is the optional Driving Assistance Professional package. It leverages the i4's adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, lane-change assistance, automatic emergency braking, and collision-avoidance assist in helping the i4 driver reach the destination with minimal hassle. Operating at speeds of up to 112 mph on multi-lane roads, the system works in concert with the i4's Active Navigation to follow the route calculated by the navigation system. Using map data and its sensors, the system will indicate to the driver that a lane change might be necessary before an exit. It will then slow the car in preparation for the exit ramp.
Similarly, it will reduce the car's speed when approaching a corner, roundabout, or junction. The system also adjusts the car's speed before reaching city limits and other built-up areas. Once the vehicle has passed through the area at an appropriate speed, the i4 will return to the pace set by the driver or the maximum permitted speed.
The associated optional traffic-jam assist provides partially automated steering input on certain roadways at speeds up to 40 mph. The optional Parking Assistant includes Active Park Distance Control, which uses visual and acoustic alerts and automatic brake inputs to help drivers avoid obstacles to the side and rear of the vehicle while executing parking maneuvers.
As of this writing, neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has rated the crashworthiness of the 2023 BMW i4.
One of Tesla's most touted (and perhaps most misunderstood) features is its Autopilot ADAS. Standard on the 2023 Tesla Model 3, Autopilot steers, accelerates, and brakes the sedan automatically within its current lane. Optional Tesla Enhanced Autopilot and Full Self-Driving Capability add features, including automatic lane-change and automatic navigation with semi-autonomous driving from on-ramp to off-ramp on highways. The Model 3 also offers optional automated parallel and perpendicular parking. You can even summon the car to you from your garage or its parking spot. Tesla equips the Model 3 with the most common ADAS features like automatic emergency braking and lane-departure warning.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has not rated the crashworthiness of the 2023 Tesla Model 3. However, it did test the very similar 2022 Model 3, which received the highest-possible 5-star overall rating. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the 2023 Model 3 its highest rating of Top Safety Pick+ for the 2022 calendar year.
Advantage: Tesla Model 3
2023 BMW i4 eDrive40
The 2023 BMW i4 offers its occupants a modern, fast-operating infotainment system. The gateway is a curved display incorporating a 12.3-inch driver information screen with a 14.9-inch screen behind a seamless glass surface angled towards the driver. The new BMW iDrive 8 powers the system. It facilitates the display of navigation, parking, and charging and integrates those functions into the cloud-based BMW Maps system.
Vehicle occupants have options for controlling the system. The 14.9-inch display is a touchscreen, and the driver can manipulate the system using a rotary controller on the console. Perhaps the most direct route is simply talking to it. The system responds to natural voice commands.
BMW has improved its maligned Intelligent Personal Assistant, giving it a new graphic to communicate with occupants. When an i4 occupant speaks to the Assistant, the dialogue appears in an animation on the displays. The system can distinguish who is talking and calls up the relevant screen area. A widget enables rapid access to settings and suggestions.
For example, suppose the driver regularly opens the window at a particular location. In that case, the Assistant recognizes the pattern and suggests setting the GPS coordinates for an automatic opening point for the window. A sophisticated head-up display supplements the display screens.
While the i4 offers conventional functionality like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Tesla takes an entirely different approach. It frustrates some but delights others. Tesla pioneered sizable digital information displays when it installed a 15-inch screen in the Model 3. In that era, many screens were 7 inches wide or less.
Now, the industry has caught up by installing multiple big screens, while the Model 3's screen must perform a vast array of functions. It contains everything from the speedometer to providing a way to open the glove box. In a revolutionary move, on-screen functions replace nearly every standard knob and control you'd find in a conventional vehicle. Again, some love the new approach; others find it inconvenient.
The 2023 Tesla Model 3's approach to the entertainment side of infotainment is equally radical. The Tesla Model 3 offers standard Bluetooth and USB connectivity, but if you want SiriusXM satellite radio or AM radio, you'll go begging. Smartphone adherents will be surprised to learn that the car born in Silicon Valley doesn't offer Apple CarPlay or Android Auto compatibility. Instead, the Model 3's infotainment array incorporates Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, and several arcade-like games. None of those are available while you're driving, however. Tesla includes them to entertain occupants during their stops at Tesla Superchargers or other charging stations.
Tesla includes standard connectivity for eight years at no cost. Premium connectivity, necessary for high data-usage functions like maps and navigation, is complimentary for 30 days, then available as a subscription.
Tesla offers standard navigation along with the Model 3's standard connectivity, free for eight years. Other functions, including live traffic visualization, satellite-view maps, video streaming, "Caraoke," music streaming, and the internet browser, require premium connectivity. It's complimentary for the first month and then available by subscription.
Advantage: BMW i4
2023 Tesla Model 3
The interior of the 2023 BMW i4 fuses the well-regarded BMW approach to a luxury sedan interior with a new sense of progressivism. The curved display panel that unites two wide and colorful digital screens expresses the latter most clearly. With that as the center point, the rest of the dash opens up to provide an open feeling in the cabin. Using familiar touch points like the console-mounted gear selector lever exemplifies the traditional BMW approach.
BMW fits the 2023 i4 with standard sport seats and a sport steering wheel with multi-function buttons. BMW designed the center console and the door panels to provide a comforting, cradle-like environment for front-seat occupants. The M50 accentuates that with soft, raised knee pads on the center console.
Premium materials and precision workmanship are evident throughout the i4's interior. Blue accents on the start/stop button, steering wheel, and gearshift lever are a nod to the emission-free drive system. More practically, BMW equips the i4 with a standard 3-zone automatic climate control system.
Equally practical is the i4's hatchback design. The car offers 16.6 cubic feet of luggage space behind the rear seats. With the rear seatbacks folded, that expands to a hearty 45.6 cubic feet.
If you are tired of conventional auto interiors, the 2023 Tesla Model 3 could be your cup of cold brew. Instead of the traditional instrument panel, a central infotainment display screen, and an array of buttons and knobs, the Model 3 offers an interesting alternative.
Tesla designers eliminated the instrument panel, the knobs and buttons, and the traditional console-mounted shift lever. Instead, the Model 3's gear selector is a stalk sticking out of the right side of the steering column. All other functions (with a few exceptions like mirror adjustment) go through the centrally mounted 15-inch digital display. Getting into the vehicle for the first time is disconcerting, but most get used to it quickly.
While still seeming radical more than five years after the car's introduction, the scheme has many benefits. Unburdened by the requirement to hold a lot of stuff, the dash makes a wide sweep across the front of the light, airy, and expansive cabin. The floor of the Model 3 is remarkably flat, and the front bucket seats are well-bolstered, covered in vegan upholstery, and comfortable even on long drives. The rear seats aren't as comfy as those up front, but they fold to allow access to the 19.8-cubic-foot trunk. The design gives the Model 3 station wagon-like cargo-carrying ability. Still, the space is less versatile than the i4's cargo hold.
Advantage: BMW i4
If you'd like to learn more about these luxury electric cars, be sure to read our expert review of the BMW i4 and research the 2023 Tesla Model 3. To find out how people like you rate models in this segment, check out our ratings from verified vehicle owners.
Also, please keep in mind that while the information in this article was accurate and valid on April 20, 2023, it may have changed since that date. Always confirm product details and availability with the automaker's website or your local dealership.
Jack R. Nerad has reviewed cars, trucks, vans, and sport utilities for over three decades. He also managed the editorial efforts of Motor Trend magazine, JD Power, and Kelley Blue Book. Jack is currently the host of the SportsMap Radio Network program America on the Road, available on Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Spotify, Stitcher, and other outlets.
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