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BMW i4 vs Tesla Model 3
Selected trimRWDChange trim332 mi · 60 kWh · £37,990
At a glance
Overview
The BMW i4 and Tesla Model 3 sit at different ends of the premium electric saloon market. The i4 is the pricier, more traditional choice with BMW’s cabin quality and rear-wheel-drive feel; the Model 3 is far cheaper, more efficient and backed by the Supercharger network. You are choosing between established premium craftsmanship and Tesla’s technology and value.
Best suited to:Company carPremiumPerformance
In this comparison, BMW i4 leads on charging speed, while the Tesla Model 3 leads on value for money, motorway range and family practicality.
Which should you choose?
Choose the BMW i4 if...
- you need the fastest charging of these options
Choose the Tesla Model 3 if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 1.8p per mile on off-peak electricity
- you need the best car for city driving and tight parking
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Tesla Model 3 wins almost every category - it's the clear choice unless price is the deciding factor.
ValueTesla
BMW
5.9
Tesla
6.4
Motorway RangeTesla
BMW
4.1
Tesla
5.5
FamilyTesla
BMW
6.4
Tesla
7.1
ChargingBMW
BMW
3.7
Tesla
2.3
Cost Per MileTesla
BMW
4.1
Tesla
8.8
City DrivingTesla
BMW
3.2
Tesla
4
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
BMW i4
eDrive40 M Sport
- 35 miles more WLTP range
- 25 kW faster rapid charging
- 42 kW more power
- 1600 kg more towing capacity
Tesla Model 3
RWD
- £15,415 cheaper
- 212 litres more boot space
- 30 Wh/km more efficient
- 0.9 m tighter turning circle
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | BMW i4eDrive40 M Sport | Tesla Model 3RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £53,405 | £37,990 (better) |
| Official range | 367 miles (better) | 332 miles |
| Boot space | 470 L | 682 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 31 min | Not available |
| 0-62 mph | 5.7 sec (better) | 6.2 sec |
Size Comparison
View:
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BMW i4
Tesla Model 3
Length
BMW i44,783mm
Tesla Model 34,721mm-62mm
Width
BMW i41,852mm-81mm
Tesla Model 31,933mm
Height
BMW i41,448mm
Tesla Model 31,440mm-8mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | BMW i4eDrive40 M Sport | Tesla Model 3RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,783 mm | 4,721 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,852 mm (better) | 1,933 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,073 mm (better) | 2,088 mm |
| Height | 1,448 mm | 1,440 mm |
| Turning circle | 12.5 m | 11.6 m (better) |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 548 mm spare (better) | 467 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | BMW i4eDrive40 M Sport | Tesla Model 3RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 470 L | 682 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1290 L | Not available |
| Frunk | 0 L | Not available |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 1,600 kg (better) | 0 kg |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
BMW i4
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
Tesla Model 3
- 2nd-largest boot among saloon EVs in our catalogue at 682 L.
- At 4,721 mm, shorter than 90% of saloon EVs in our UK catalogue.
Full specifications
| Specification |  BMW i4 eDrive40 M Sport |  Tesla Model 3 RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.78m | 4.72m-62mm |
| Width | 1.85m | 1.93m+81mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.07m | 2.09m+15mm |
| Height | 1.45m | 1.44m-8mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.86m | Not available |
| Ground Clearance | 125mm | 137mm+12mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 470L | 682L* (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 1290L | Not available |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 12.5m | 11.6m (better) |
| Kerb Weight | 2,125kg | 1,772kg (better) |
| Towing Capacity | 1,600kg (better) | Not available |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 83.9kWh (better) | 60kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 367 mi (better) | 332 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 200kW (better) | 175kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £53,405 | £37,990 (better) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Saloon | Saloon |
| Available | 2021–2026 | 2024+ |
* BMW i4: Launch figures. Cars built from July 2024 (facelift) have 81.3 kWh usable, 205 kW DC charging and up to 373 miles WLTP.
* Tesla Model 3: Tesla publishes 682 L as total cargo volume (boot + frunk, measured to roof) — not directly comparable to standard VDA figures used by other brands.
* Tesla Model 3: Not published by Tesla; verified from multiple independent sources.
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | BMW i4eDrive40 M Sport | Tesla Model 3RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 367 miles (better) | 332 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 261 miles (better) | 229 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 31 min | Not available |
| Max rapid charge rate | 200 kW (better) | 175 kW |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | Not available |
| Energy consumption | 160 Wh/km | 130 Wh/km (better) |
| Usable battery capacity | 80.7 kWh (better) | 57.5 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | LFP |
| Battery architecture | 400V | Not available |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | BMW i4eDrive40 M Sport | Tesla Model 3RWD |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 5.7 sec (better) | 6.2 sec |
| Power | 250 kW (better) | 208 kW |
| Torque | 430 Nm (better) | 340 Nm |
| Drivetrain | RWD | RWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
BMW i4
eDrive40 M Sport
8.8/10
average across 6 reviews
- Electrifying.com10/10
- DrivingElectric4.5/5
- Auto Express4.5/5
Tesla Model 3
RWD
8.5/10
average across 6 reviews
- Auto Express4.5/5
- DrivingElectric4.5/5
- Electrifying.com9/10
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
BMW i4
All 3 videos
Reviews and videos discuss each model overall; the specifications above apply to your selected trims.
Prices & deals
New and used prices
Current pricing and recent used-market behaviour.
| Measure | BMW i4eDrive40 M Sport | Tesla Model 3RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £24,558 | £26,699 |
| Average used price | £28,930 | £30,299 |
| Active used listings trackedIndependent UK dealer listings seen in the last 90 days. | 50 listings | 91 listings (better) |
| Recent used-price trend | Down 21.3% over ~6 months | Up 4.7% over ~6 months |
Used prices are indicative figures gathered from independent UK dealer listings and change frequently.
Calculate your real costs
For a useful running-cost comparison, factor in your mileage, charging access and current petrol or diesel car alongside the EV estimate.
Compare with petrol or diesel
Compare purchase price, energy, road tax and maintenance with a petrol or diesel alternative.
Calculate company-car tax
Work out monthly Benefit-in-Kind using current and future HMRC rates.
Cost per mile
Compare EV charging costs per mile with petrol and diesel using your charging options.
Check a lease quote
Assess the effective monthly cost alongside the list price and expected depreciation.
Safety & ownership confidence
Euro NCAP - BMW i4 eDrive40 M Sport
Tested 2022
Adult Occupant87%
Child Occupant87%
Vulnerable Road Users71%
Safety Assist64%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Euro NCAP - Tesla Model 3 RWD
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant90%
Child Occupant93%
Vulnerable Road Users89%
Safety Assist87%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | BMW i4eDrive40 M Sport | Tesla Model 3RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 km | 160,934 km |
What owners say
Aggregated from UK owner forums and communities - the things you only learn after living with the car.
Shared watch-outs for both cars
Owners of every car here flag infotainment & software. Worth checking on a test drive whichever you choose.
BMW i4
eDrive40 M Sport
Owners love
- Owners praise the composed ride, quiet cabin and BMW build quality, and many compare it favourably with the Tesla Model 3 for comfort.
- The eDrive40 is widely seen as the sweet spot: rear-wheel drive, lighter than the M50 and with the most range.
- Many owners report around 280 to 300 miles in mild weather from an eDrive40, and efficiency of around 4 miles per kWh on gentle runs.
Watch out for
- Winter range falls a long way, with several owners reporting around 180 to 220 miles in cold, wet weather.
- The rear seats are tight for tall adults, the doors are small and the floor is raised by the battery.
- It is heavy for its size, at about 2.1 to 2.3 tonnes, which owners feel in hard cornering and in efficiency.
Owner tips
- Sit in the back on the test drive if tall adults will use the rear seats regularly.
- Check the tyres and their brand closely; budget for a set if they are low, and prefer smaller wheels for range.
Tesla Model 3
RWD
Owners love
- Excellent driving dynamics with responsive steering, handling, and smooth one-pedal regenerative braking
- Superior touchscreen interface that is intuitive, responsive, and readable in sunlight
- Growing Supercharger network offers reliable charging infrastructure with competitive pricing
Watch out for
- Removal of physical stalks for wipers and turn signals creates safety concerns and requires constant touchscreen interaction while driving
- Automatic windshield wipers frequently malfunction in light rain and drizzle due to camera-based Tesla Vision system
- Unreliable indicator stalk (on older models with stalks) frequently malfunctions or doesn't respond consistently
Owner tips
- Test drive the specific model configuration before ordering to experience controls, door handles, and touchscreen usability in real driving conditions
- Use home charging with EV-specific energy tariffs to maximize cost savings; home charging is significantly cheaper than public chargers
Buying options
Get a quote
BMW i4
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Tesla Model 3
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
BMW i4
- £31,5072024Car360View
- £28,9502023Car360View
- £24,5582023Car360View
Tesla Model 3
- £30,2992025Car360View
- £29,6992025Car360View
- £26,6992024Car360View
Frequently asked questions
Is the BMW i4 worth the extra £15,415 over the Tesla Model 3?
The BMW i4 costs £15,415 more than the Tesla Model 3. For that premium it adds 35 miles more WLTP range, 25 kW faster peak rapid charging and 42 kW more power. The Tesla Model 3 is not just cheaper - it also offers 212 litres more boot space and lower energy use, 130 versus 160 Wh/km. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Tesla Model 3 comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the BMW i4 or the Tesla Model 3?
The Tesla Model 3 is £15,415 cheaper to buy. The Tesla Model 3 is cheaper to charge, roughly £144 a year versus £176 for the BMW i4, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Tesla Model 3 comes out roughly £15,575 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the BMW i4 and Tesla Model 3 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 261 miles for the BMW i4 and 229 miles for the Tesla Model 3 - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The BMW i4 goes roughly 32 miles further between charging stops.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the BMW i4 or the Tesla Model 3?
The BMW i4 is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 81 mm narrower than the Tesla Model 3. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 548 mm of total clearance for the BMW i4 and about 467 mm of total clearance for the Tesla Model 3. The Tesla Model 3 also turns in a 0.9 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the BMW i4 or the Tesla Model 3?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the BMW i4 and 92% for the Tesla Model 3. That gives the Tesla Model 3 a modest edge in retained real-world range. The Tesla Model 3's LFP-type pack tolerates daily 100% charging, while the BMW i4's NMC-type pack lasts longest kept to about 80% for everyday use. Both batteries carry a 8-year manufacturer warranty.
Go deeper on each car
Visit the full model pages for owner feedback, expert reviews, used prices and battery-health information.
Compare against other rivals
Compare similarly sized and priced electric cars before finalising your shortlist.
More BMW i4 comparisons
More Tesla Model 3 comparisons
See both cars in our rankings
EVcarsguide scores every verified EV on price, range, family use and running costs. Here is where this pair appears.
Where the BMW i4 and Tesla Model 3 rank among the best family EVsWhere the BMW i4 and Tesla Model 3 rank among long-range EVsWhere the BMW i4 and Tesla Model 3 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the BMW i4 and Tesla Model 3 rank among the best city EVsWhere the BMW i4 and Tesla Model 3 rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the BMW i4 and Tesla Model 3 rank among EVs with the biggest boots
If neither is quite right
Explore other verified electric cars that may better suit the priorities this pair does not meet.
Further reading
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
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Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .