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BMW i4 vs Tesla Model S
Selected trimDual Motor · 2023-26Change trimNot available · 100 kWh · £95,480
At a glance
In this comparison, BMW i4 leads on motorway range, running costs and city driving, while the Tesla Model S leads on charging speed.
Which should you choose?
Choose the BMW i4 if...
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 2.2p per mile on off-peak electricity
- you need the best car for city driving and tight parking
Choose the Tesla Model S if...
- you need the fastest charging of these options
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The BMW i4 leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
Value
BMW
5.9
Tesla
5.6
Too close to call
Motorway RangeBMW
BMW
4.1
Tesla
0
Family
BMW
6.4
Tesla
6.4
Too close to call
ChargingTesla
BMW
3.7
Tesla
4.6
Cost Per MileBMW
BMW
4.1
Tesla
0
City DrivingBMW
BMW
3.2
Tesla
1.4
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Tesla Model S
Dual Motor
- 275 litres more boot space
- 50 kW faster rapid charging
- 3.6s quicker 0-62 mph
- 0.7 m tighter turning circle
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | BMW i4eDrive40 M Sport | Tesla Model SDual Motor |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £53,405 (better) | £95,480 |
| Official range | 367 miles | Not available |
| Boot space | 470 L | 745 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 31 min | 31 min |
| 0-62 mph | 5.7 sec | 2.1 sec (better) |
Size Comparison
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BMW i4
Tesla Model S
Length
BMW i44,783mm-187mm
Tesla Model S4,970mm
Width
BMW i41,852mm-112mm
Tesla Model S1,964mm
Height
BMW i41,448mm
Tesla Model S1,445mm-3mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | BMW i4eDrive40 M Sport | Tesla Model SDual Motor |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,783 mm | 4,970 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,852 mm (better) | 1,964 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,073 mm (better) | 2,189 mm |
| Height | 1,448 mm | 1,445 mm |
| Turning circle | 12.5 m | 11.8 m (better) |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 548 mm spare (better) | 436 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | BMW i4eDrive40 M Sport | Tesla Model SDual Motor |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | Not available | 2 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 470 L | 745 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1290 L | 1645 L (better) |
| Frunk | 0 L | 150 L (better) |
| 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 S
- 1st-largest boot among saloon EVs in our catalogue at 745 L.
- A 150 L frunk, one of 3 of 232 UK EVs in our catalogue with a front boot of 150 L or more.
Full specifications
| Specification |  BMW i4 eDrive40 M Sport |  Tesla Model S Dual Motor |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.78m | 4.97m+187mm |
| Width | 1.85m | 1.96m+112mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.07m | 2.19m+116mm |
| Height | 1.45m | 1.45m-3mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.86m | 2.96m+104mm |
| Ground Clearance | 125mm | 137mm+12mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 470L | 745L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 1290L | 1645L (better) |
| Frunk | Not available | 150L (better) |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 12.5m | 11.8m (better) |
| Kerb Weight | 2,125kg (better) | 2,256kg |
| Towing Capacity | 1,600kg (better) | Not available |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 83.9kWh | 100kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 367 mi | Not available |
| Max DC Charge | 200kW | 250kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £53,405 (better) | £95,480 |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Saloon | Saloon |
| Available | 2021–2026 | 2023–2026 |
* 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 | Tesla Model SDual Motor |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 367 miles | Not available |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 261 miles | Not available |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 31 min | 31 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 200 kW | 250 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Energy consumption | 160 Wh/km | Not available |
| Usable battery capacity | 80.7 kWh | 95 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | NCA |
| Battery architecture | 400V | 400V |
| Heat pump | Not available | Standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | BMW i4eDrive40 M Sport | Tesla Model SDual Motor |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 5.7 sec | 2.1 sec (better) |
| Power | 250 kW | Not available |
| Torque | 430 Nm | 1020 Nm (better) |
| Drivetrain | RWD | AWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests. One car has more review coverage than the other - we show that rather than guessing.
BMW i4
eDrive40 M Sport
8.8/10
average across 6 reviews
- Electrifying.com10/10
- Auto Express4.5/5
- DrivingElectric4.5/5
Tesla Model S
Dual Motor
No critic reviews gathered yet for this car.
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Reviews and videos discuss each model overall; the specifications above apply to your selected trims.
Prices & deals
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 S Dual Motor
Tested 2022
Adult Occupant94%
Child Occupant91%
Vulnerable Road Users80%
Safety Assist98%
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | BMW i4eDrive40 M Sport | Tesla Model SDual Motor |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 km | 240,000 km (better) |
Buying options
Get a quote
BMW i4
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Tesla Model S
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
BMW i4
- £28,9502023Car360View
- £25,6992024Car360View
- £24,5582023Car360View
Tesla Model S
No active listings.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Tesla Model S worth the extra £42,075 over the BMW i4?
The Tesla Model S costs £42,075 more than the BMW i4. For that premium it adds 50 kW faster peak rapid charging, 275 litres more boot space and a 3.6s quicker 0-62mph time. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the BMW i4 comes out ahead overall.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the BMW i4 or the Tesla Model S?
The BMW i4 is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 112 mm narrower than the Tesla Model S. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 548 mm of total clearance for the BMW i4 and about 436 mm of total clearance for the Tesla Model S. The Tesla Model S also turns in a 0.7 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 S?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the BMW i4 and 84% for the Tesla Model S. 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 Tesla Model S 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 S rank among the best family EVsWhere the BMW i4 and Tesla Model S rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the BMW i4 and Tesla Model S rank among the best city EVsWhere the BMW i4 and Tesla Model S rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the BMW i4 and Tesla Model S rank among EVs with the biggest bootsWhere the BMW i4 and Tesla Model S rank among Best Used Electric Cars Under £10,000 (UK)
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 Tesla Model S (2014-2020): Versions, Warranty, Recalls & What to Pay
A used Tesla Model S buyer’s guide: 85 to 100D, Long Range and Performance explained, which cars have lost the battery warranty, the media unit recall, free Supercharging, owner-reported repairs, what to pay and a printable checklist.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .