I Spent a Day with the BMW i4 and Model 3 - Who Comes out on Top?

BMW i4 eDrive35 vs. Tesla Model 3

BMW i4: Features and experience

The review car is a 2024 BMW i4 eDrive35 with 19-inch wheels, Dravit Gray Metallic paint, and the M Sport package with extended Shadowline trim. Its black trim, gloss-black wheels, red M Sport brake calipers, piano-black mirror caps, and sculpted rear diffuser give it a sporty, premium appearance. The presenter particularly likes the diffuser.

The exterior feels well finished. The door handles are nearly flush, though the presenter finds them adequate rather than especially satisfying. Unlike the Model 3, the i4 has no front storage compartment.

The rear seat is reasonably comfortable and supportive, with two USB-C ports and rear air vents, but no heated rear seats. A raised floor hump limits middle-seat comfort, and a rear-facing child seat can leave very little room for the front passenger.

Inside, the iDrive 8 display is attractive and easy to see. The cabin retains familiar BMW controls, including a drive selector and physical buttons, which the presenter appreciates for keeping key functions close at hand. Other features include a heated M Sport steering wheel, a fully opening sunroof, a head-up display, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The adaptive M Sport suspension adjusts damping according to drive mode and road conditions. The presenter finds the ride very smooth and the cabin solid and quiet, particularly at highway speeds. Sport mode changes the displays and allows steering and damping adjustments; the display can also be customized.

The i4 has a 67-kWh battery and a quoted EPA range of 252 miles. The presenter considers its range estimate reliable and says the car may exceed its rating. The displayed estimate adjusts for climate-control use, but not for drive mode.

Its rated 0–60 mph time is about six seconds—close to the entry-level Model 3’s 5.8 seconds, but slower than the Model 3 Long Range (4.2 seconds) and Performance (3.1 seconds). Maximum charging speed is quoted at 180 kW, compared with 170 kW for the entry-level Model 3 and up to 250 kW for higher Model 3 trims.

BMW’s charging navigation can find chargers and filter for high-power or free charging, but the filters take some setup. It may show slower chargers by default, and the driver must tell the car to precondition the battery for fast charging. The presenter finds this less intuitive than Tesla’s system. BMW’s battery warranty is eight years or 100,000 miles.

Tesla Model 3: Advantages and trade-offs

The Model 3 offers useful front storage, slightly more rear-seat room overall, a flat rear floor that leaves space for a middle passenger’s feet, and seatback pockets. The i4, however, has more foot space and what the presenter considers a more comfortable rear seat.

Tesla’s Supercharger network and route planning are major advantages. The car readily identifies fast chargers, shows charging speeds and prices, and automatically preconditions the battery when navigating to a suitable charger.

Based on experience at more than 350 Superchargers, the presenter reports that charging has generally been reliable, with only two waits of around 10 minutes and no inoperative chargers. Crowded 150-kW sites have been the main drawback, sometimes making charging take roughly 40–50 minutes.

The presenter considers other public charging networks less dependable, though he says EVgo is not bad. He expects the comparison to become more balanced as other manufacturers gain access to Tesla’s network and adopt the NACS plug.

From the driver’s seat, the Model 3 feels more exposed and go-kart-like, while the BMW feels more enclosed and solid. The presenter says the BMW has better materials, build quality, acoustics, and ride comfort.

The Model 3 includes features the BMW lacks, such as built-in Sentry Mode with remote camera access, Dog Mode, and heated rear seats. A forthcoming Model 3 update is expected to add a rear screen and front ventilated seats, which could improve its comfort and equipment.

The presenter says Tesla’s advertised range previously felt optimistic in highway driving, while noting that Tesla has adjusted its EPA estimates.

Noise test and value

On a 50-mph road, the presenter measured roughly 52–55 dB in the BMW and 55–60 dB in the Model 3. At 70 mph on the highway, the BMW measured about 5 dB quieter on average. The test Model 3 had double-pane glass, so it included Tesla’s improved sound insulation.

The BMW’s suspension and sound deadening were clear strengths during the drive. The presenter says it handled bumps more smoothly and had less wind noise.

The pricing figures in the subtitles appear garbled. The presenter compares an approximately $52,000 i4 with a $38,000 entry-level Model 3, describing the difference as about $12,000. He frames the Model 3 as the stronger value and the BMW as the more luxurious, better-built experience.

Verdict

The presenter considers the Model 3 the better-value daily driver and the benchmark for electric sedans, particularly because of its lower price and charging network. The i4 is his pick for comfort, refinement, quietness, and a luxury feel.

Choose the BMW if its more premium driving experience is worth the extra cost. Choose the Tesla for value, practicality, and easier road-trip charging.

Speaker perspective

The presenter praises the BMW’s ride, cabin refinement, materials, and quietness, while favoring Tesla’s price, charging ecosystem, and convenience features. He also cautions that the i4’s rear space may not suit families using rear-facing child seats.