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BMW i4 vs VW ID.7
At a glance
In this comparison, BMW i4 stays competitive across the board, while the VW ID.7 leads on value for money, motorway range and family practicality.
Which should you choose?
Choose the VW ID.7 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 1.9p per mile on off-peak electricity
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The VW ID.7 leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
ValueVW
BMW
5.9
VW
6.5
Motorway RangeVW
BMW
4.1
VW
5.8
FamilyVW
BMW
6.4
VW
8.4
Charging
BMW
3.7
VW
4.1
Too close to call
Cost Per MileVW
BMW
4.1
VW
7.1
City Driving
BMW
3.2
VW
3.2
Too close to call
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
Size Comparison
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BMW i4
VW ID.7
Length
BMW i44,783mm-178mm
VW ID.74,961mm
Width
BMW i41,852mm-10mm
VW ID.71,862mm
Height
BMW i41,448mm-88mm
VW ID.71,536mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | BMW i4eDrive40 M Sport | VW ID.7Pro Match Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,783 mm | 4,961 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,852 mm (better) | 1,862 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,073 mm | Not available |
| Height | 1,448 mm | 1,536 mm |
| Turning circle | 12.5 m | 12.5 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 548 mm spare (better) | 538 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
Full specifications
| Specification |  BMW i4 eDrive40 M Sport |  VW ID.7 Pro Match Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.78m | 4.96m+178mm |
| Width | 1.85m | 1.86m+10mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.07m | Not available |
| Height | 1.45m | 1.54m+88mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.86m | 2.97m+115mm |
| Ground Clearance | 125mm | Not available |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 470L | 532L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 1290L | Not available |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 12.5m | 12.5m |
| Kerb Weight | 2,125kg | Not available |
| Towing Capacity | 1,600kg | Not available |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 83.9kWh (better) | 77kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 367 mi | 380 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 200kW | 200kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £53,405 | £51,035 (better) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Saloon | Saloon |
| Available | 2021–2026 | 2026+ |
* 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.
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | BMW i4eDrive40 M Sport | VW ID.7Pro Match Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 367 miles | 380 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 261 miles | 281 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 31 min | Not available |
| Max rapid charge rate | 200 kW | 200 kW |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Energy consumption | 160 Wh/km | 142 Wh/km (better) |
| Usable battery capacity | 80.7 kWh (better) | 77 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 400V | Not available |
| Heat pump | Not available | Standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
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
- Auto Express4.5/5
- DrivingElectric4.5/5
VW ID.7
Pro Match Plus
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.
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.
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 - VW ID.7 Pro Match Plus
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant95%
Child Occupant88%
Vulnerable Road Users83%
Safety Assist80%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
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 real-world range. 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.
VW ID.7
Pro Match Plus
Owners love
- Owners praise the comfort and quiet: a smooth ride (especially with DCC adaptive suspension) and a spacious, well-finished cabin with lots of rear legroom.
- Efficiency is excellent for the size: around 3.6-4.6 miles per kWh and 330-400 miles in mixed driving.
- The infotainment is much improved over earlier ID. models, with few complaints.
Watch out for
- Range drops sharply above 70 mph and in winter (about 190 miles at 75 mph in one test).
- The VW app is weak: limited journey data and awkward with more than one driver.
- UK cars lack some features offered elsewhere, such as remote parking and kick-to-open boot.
Owner tips
- Plan on 330-350 miles in real use, less on fast motorway runs and in winter.
- Smaller wheels (19 or 20 inch rather than 21) noticeably help range.
Buying options
Get a quote
BMW i4
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
VW ID.7
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
BMW i4
- £28,9502023Car360View
- £25,6992024Car360View
- £24,5582023Car360View
VW ID.7
No active listings.
Frequently asked questions
Is the BMW i4 worth the extra £2,370 over the VW ID.7?
The BMW i4 costs £2,370 more than the VW ID.7. For that premium it adds 40 kW more power and a 0.9s quicker 0-62mph time. The VW ID.7 is not just cheaper - it also offers 62 litres more boot space and lower energy use, 142 versus 160 Wh/km. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the VW ID.7 comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the BMW i4 or the VW ID.7?
The VW ID.7 is £2,370 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £152 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the VW ID.7 comes out roughly £2,490 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 VW ID.7 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 261 miles for the BMW i4 and 281 miles for the VW ID.7 - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The VW ID.7 goes roughly 20 miles further between charging stops.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the BMW i4 or the VW ID.7?
The two are within 10 mm on width, so neither is meaningfully easier to thread into a tight space. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 548 mm of total clearance for the BMW i4 and about 538 mm of total clearance for the VW ID.7.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the BMW i4 or the VW ID.7?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the BMW i4 and 84% for the VW ID.7. That is close enough that capacity loss should not decide between them. Both use NMC-type cells, so for daily use keep the charge limit near 80% to slow degradation. 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 VW ID.7 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 VW ID.7 rank among the best family EVsWhere the BMW i4 and VW ID.7 rank among long-range EVsWhere the BMW i4 and VW ID.7 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the BMW i4 and VW ID.7 rank among the best city EVsWhere the BMW i4 and VW ID.7 rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the BMW i4 and VW ID.7 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.
GuideBuying a Used BMW i4 (2021 on): eDrive35, eDrive40 or M50, Battery Recalls, Range & What to Check
A used BMW i4 buyer’s guide: eDrive35, eDrive40, M50 and M60 compared, the battery recalls on early cars, warranty left, real-world and winter range, rear space, tyres, what to pay and a printable checklist.
GuideBuying a Used VW ID.7 (2024 on): Pro vs Pro S vs GTX, Fastback vs Tourer, Recalls & What to Pay
A used Volkswagen ID.7 buyer’s guide: the 77 kWh Pro, 86 kWh Pro S and GTX, fastback vs Tourer estate, the Match Plus update, recalls, warranty left, real-world range, what owners report, what to pay (nearly-new ones are a third off) and a printable checklist.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .