2025 BMW i4 vs Tesla Model 3 Comparison Test

We’re entering a strange new era for electric vehicles (EVs).

The woefully inadequate public charging infrastructure in Canada is causing frustration, while there’s a broader pushback against government zero-emissions mandates, plus incentives are quickly drying up, too. And while some doomsayers are suggesting this is the beginning of the end for EVs, their sales continue to rise — except, that is, for Tesla, which has seen its first decline in a dozen years.

More people are buying EVs because they’re better than ever, and there are several truly excellent examples on the market today. Better still, some of them cost significantly less than six figures. One of our perennial favourites is BMW’s i4, which has earned multiple AutoTrader Awards over the years for its all-around excellence. But there’s a good reason the Tesla Model 3 remains such a popular choice, so it was only natural to line it up next to the i4 to see which is the better car.

Value

We had planned an apples-to-apples comparison by pitting the all-wheel-drive 2025 BMW i4 against the 2025 Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD seen here; however, only a rear-wheel-drive Bimmer was available. That version, dubbed the i4 eDrive40, starts at $63,990 before freight and tax, but our tester was fitted with a whole host of options, pushing the sticker price to $82,620. Meanwhile, moving to the dual-motor i4 xDrive40 adds nearly $6,000 more to the plump bottom line.

Tesla has repeatedly sliced the cost of the Model 3 in recent years to make it more competitive. As of this writing, the Model 3 Long Range AWD tested here starts at $68,990 and comes better equipped than the i4. Our tester was specced with Tesla’s suite of advanced driver aids, which would have brought the tally to the same $83,000 as the i4 in this comparison if it wasn’t for the eye-wateringly expensive shade of Ultra Red paint seen here ($2,600). That left the asking price at $85,190 before tax.

BMW i4: 7/10; Tesla Model 3: 8/10

Power

In their top trims, both the BMW i4 (M50) and Tesla Model 3 (Performance) can accelerate at such explosive rates that they can embarrass many modern supercars. Our mid-trim Model 3 has a dual-motor setup that still dispenses a respectable 394 hp — enough for it to dash from zero to 100 km/h in only 4.4 seconds. Torque delivery is liquid-smooth in both cars, and the shove in the back it provides — 377 lb-ft in the Model 3, 317 lb-ft in the BMW — is instant, making them feel even livelier than their numbers suggest.

Our rear-wheel-drive i4 eDrive40 tester delivers 335 hp, while it needs an extra second to reach 100 km/h from a standing start. (The dual-motor i4 xDrive40’s 396 hp would’ve been a better match performance-wise with the Tesla, but we work with what we’ve got.) It should be noted that the BMW’s traction control system is so adept at meting out torque that even during the winter conditions encountered during this test, the rear-wheel-drive setup effectively managed slippery roads with aplomb thanks in no small part to the winter tires the i4 was riding on.

BMW i4: 7/10; Tesla Model 3: 8.5/10

Driving Feel

When driven hard, particularly on twisty roads, the i4 feels very much like its 3- and 4 Series stablemates (which share its platform), offering excellent stability and balance. Its steering has a sporting weightiness to it, and its responses to inputs are very precise — although we still wish for more road feel.

The Model 3’s steering feels just as synthetic and distant as the BMW’s, but offers a quickness and precision on par with the Bimmer’s. More shocking is how well the updated Model 3 keeps its composure when cornering, which is not something recalled from earlier Tesla models.  

Both cars provide strong braking, with the i4 doing a better job in a panic-stop not only from its bigger brakes, but because it was wearing proper winter tires versus the Model 3’s mediocre all-season rubber. These mid-trim testers are each properly engaging, capable, and truly fun cars to drive, and knowing that there are higher performing variants of both shows just how far EVs have evolved from their early days as commuter appliances. 

BMW i4: 8.5/10; Tesla Model 3: 8/10

Fuel Economy

Both cars use 84-kWh lithium-ion battery packs. The rear-drive BMW is rated for 475 km of range when wearing the tester’s optional 19-inch wheels. The Model 3 is rated for 550 km on our tester’s standard 18-inch wheels. Significantly, the dual motor i4 xDrive40 is rated for 431 km of range — more than 100 km less than the Model 3. Beyond the range disparity, the Tesla is more efficient, consuming its electricity at a very impressive rate of 15.3 kWh/100 km in the city, 16.9 on the highway, and 16.1 combined versus the i4’s rates of 19.8, 20.4, and 20.1 in the same settings. 

With a functional high-speed charger, the BMW can charge at a peak speed of 205 kW, while the Tesla can juice up at a maximum of 250 kW. During this test, Tesla chargers were plentiful while the automaker’s integrated system makes the process easy at one of its Supercharger locations. That compares to the frustrating experience charging the BMW, which had us visiting three different locations — and using three separate smartphone apps — to get a sufficient charge. BMW has yet to switch to Tesla’s proprietary charge port like most other brands. 

BMW i4: 7/10; Tesla Model 3: 9/10

User-Friendliness

The simplicity of the Model 3’s charging experience doesn’t fully transfer to the rest of the user experience inside, where its interior takes minimalism to a whole new level. Tesla’s controls rely more on a screen interface than any other car out there, which requires relearning of some fundamental controls. Fortunately, the huge 15.4-inch touchscreen is fast and responsive, and finding functions within the system’s menus is surprisingly easy considering how many features there are. The other benefit is that bereft of switches, instruments, and buttons, the view out of the Tesla feels expansive and airy (although the A-pillars are very thick).

Where it all goes wonky is how Tesla has done away with the steering column stalks that normally help with tasks like wipers, lights, and signals. Instead, the steering wheel has a pair of click wheels embedded in it and a couple of thumb buttons with up and down arrows for the signals. Admittedly, the lights and wipers are automatic anyway, but the signals take a while to get used to, as does the lack of gauges or a head-up display in front of the driver.

By comparison, the i4’s interior feels comfortably familiar in its controls, utilizing BMW’s latest iDrive infotainment system. And while the instrument display is flashier than it needs to be, it at least presents pertinent information to the driver at a brief glance. Still, the i4 also requires too many screen taps for some rudimentary climate adjustments. Wireless Apple CarPlay worked seamlessly with the i4, whereas the Tesla doesn’t offer either Apple CarPlay or Android Auto connectivity at all.

BMW i4: 8/10; Tesla Model 3: 7/10

Features

Both stereos deliver decent sound, but while the i4 has conventional and satellite radio, as well as Bluetooth audio, the Model 3 has only FM radio and digital streaming connections for music. Conversely, it has Netflix, YouTube, and a bunch of video games integrated within the touchscreen on the dash for use when the car is parked, or on the eight-inch touchscreen in the back that can be used in motion. The Model 3’s climate system is programmed for a pet mode that keeps the cabin cool on hot days when the car is parked (and the centre display advises concerned passersby not to worry). There’s also a camping mode that keeps the cabin comfortable for folks who might want to sleep in their cars, too.

The Model 3’s roof is a massive fixed glass panel, whereas the i4 has a traditional opening sunroof. The Tesla has heated and ventilated seats, which are optional in the BMW. The Tesla has external (and internal) cameras all over the car that can give a 360-degree view, but also record anything the driver might want to document while underway or when the car is parked. And of course, the Model 3 can also be programmed to quack like a duck when the car is locked, or make farting noises when the turn signal is used. 

Meanwhile, our BMW tester didn’t even have adaptive cruise control — a feature that’s standard on the Model 3, not to mention plenty of cars costing half what the i4 does. Tesla’s optional Full Self-Driving (Supervised) option is astonishing. While we’re loath to call it autonomous, the system is so far ahead of any of the competitors it left us stunned. After programming a destination 15 km away, the car drove, unassisted, from where we were stopped at the side of a rural road, to a major highway, then into the city and eventually to the parking lot of the destination. It safely merged into traffic, stopped at every stop sign and light, chose proper lanes, passed slower traffic, and generally did everything a safe and competent driver should do. It parks itself and can be summoned by a connected smartphone to leave its parking space and drive by itself to where the driver is waiting. 

BMW i4: 6/10; Tesla Model 3: 9/10

Safety

As incredible as our experience with this Model 3’s driver-assistance system was, there are countless reports of it acting up and causing dangerous scenarios. Our own past experiences have shown earlier versions of the system to be frighteningly inconsistent, all of which could be a safety concern for some buyers. Still, the Model 3 comes standard with all the features expected in a premium car. For the i4, those advanced safety systems are optional, which is surprising when most of those features are now standard on cars costing a third as much. 

BMW i4: 7/10; Tesla Model 3: 9/10

Comfort

The i4’s seats offer more adjustability than the Model 3’s, although the Tesla’s are still supportive and comfortable. The ride quality in both cars is comparable, with suspensions that are firm but not harsh. We spent most of the time driving around in the i4’s comfort mode; however, the ride is still pleasingly compliant even in its sportiest setting. 

Engine noise is obviously non-existent in both cars, but BMW offers a curated soundtrack for the drive experience, composed by the legendary Hans Zimmer. It’s a digital audio effect that doesn’t sound anything like a gas-powered vehicle, yet it contributes positively to the drive experience. The Tesla, meanwhile, is tomb-like most of the time thanks to laminated acoustic glass all around helping to hush the outside world. Even still, its quietness only emphasized the little bit of wind noise coming off the door mirrors.

Dimensionally, the passenger space available to front and rear occupants in both cars is very close. The Model 3 has slightly more leg- and headroom both front and rear than the i4. 

BMW i4: 8/10; Tesla Model 3: 8/10

Practicality

While both cars provide seating for five, the Model 3’s floor is flat throughout, unlike the BMW’s with its central tunnel that’s a residual from its shared platform with its gas-powered cousins. On paper, the Model 3’s trunk is a notable 22 per cent larger than the i4’s, though the BMW’s rear liftgate makes accessing the space far more user-friendly. The Tesla offers an extra 88 L of space in a frunk the BMW doesn’t have. 

BMW i4: 7/10; Tesla Model 3: 8/10

Styling

While the revised Model 3’s styling is improved thanks to sharper, flatter headlights, the flat front of the Tesla still looks odd, like a face without a nose. Its commonality in urban and suburban areas diminish its visual appeal, too. The Model 3 presents as one unit of anonymous automotive transportation, and nothing more.

By comparison, the i4 looks like a proper BMW, with the 4 Series profile and proportions giving it a decidedly premium appearance. And even if the oversized, non-functional grille isn’t to everyone’s taste, it’s at least interesting. 

The same is true inside, where the BMW is finished in notably more luxurious materials and interesting designs compared to the sterile-looking Tesla. However, this new Model 3’s interior is notably improved over previous iterations. 

BMW i4: 9/10; Tesla Model 3: 7/10

The Verdict

Objectively, there’s little to argue about here. The 2025 Tesla Model 3 offers more space, performance, efficiency, and range than the 2025 BMW i4, as well as a better charging network — and all while delivering better value. As much as we love the i4, the new Model 3 is simply the better EV. Still, to choose the Model 3 over the i4 means accepting its (lack of) style, its simplified-to-a-fault controls, and Tesla’s conflicting and controversial CEO, any of which will be enough to steer some would-be buyers away from the brand.