BMW i4 vs Tesla Model 3
Verdict
The Tesla Model 3 is the hard-nosed Malaysian buy here: at RM147,600 it is RM147,200 cheaper than the BMW i4, yet it goes further at 534 km versus 500 km, has a larger 594-litre boot versus 470 litres and gets a longer four-year warranty. The BMW i4 answers with a larger 70.3 kWh battery, 282 hp and a slightly quicker 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time, plus adaptive LED headlamps with BMW Selective Beam and laser tail lamps. The numbers favour Tesla; the BMW is the costlier, more premium-feeling choice on paper.
Pick the BMW i4 if you want the quicker 6.0-second sprint, a larger 70.3 kWh battery and BMW-specific lighting kit, and you accept the much higher price.
Pick the Tesla Model 3 if you want more range, more boot space, a longer warranty and a far lower RM147,600 entry price.
Key differences
- Price: BMW i4 RM294,800; Tesla Model 3 RM147,600
- EV range: BMW i4 500 km; Tesla Model 3 534 km
- Battery capacity: BMW i4 70.3 kWh; Tesla Model 3 62.5 kWh
- 0-100 km/h: BMW i4 6.0 s; Tesla Model 3 6.2 s
- Boot space: BMW i4 470 L; Tesla Model 3 594 L
- Warranty: BMW i4 2 years; Tesla Model 3 4 years
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 294,800 | RM 147,600✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Motor | Single motor | Electric |
| Power | 282 hp | — |
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Driven wheels | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| 0–100 km/h | 6.0 s✓ | 6.2 s |
| Top speed | 190 km/h | 201 km/h✓ |
| Efficiency | ||
| Battery | 70.3 kWh✓ | 62.5 kWh |
| EV range | 500 km | 534 km✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,783 mm | 4,720 mm |
| Width | 1,852 mm | 2,089 mm |
| Height | 1,448 mm | 1,441 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,856 mm | — |
| Boot space | 470 L | 594 L✓ |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 | 7✓ |
| Auto emergency braking | Yes | Yes |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 2 | 4✓ |
| Road tax / year | RM 305 | RM 280✓ |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
i4
- Quicker 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time
- Larger 70.3 kWh battery
- Adaptive LED headlamps with BMW Selective Beam and laser tail lamps
- Costs RM147,200 more
- Shorter 500 km EV range
- Smaller 470-litre boot
Model 3
- Much cheaper at RM147,600
- Longer 534 km EV range
- Larger 594-litre boot
- Slightly slower 6.2-second 0-100 km/h time
- Smaller 62.5 kWh battery
- Power output not stated
i4 vs Model 3 FAQ
Is the BMW i4 or Tesla Model 3 better?
The Tesla Model 3 is better on the numbers: it is far cheaper, goes further, has more boot space and gets a longer warranty. The BMW i4 is quicker to 100 km/h and has a larger battery.
What is the price difference?
The BMW i4 costs RM294,800, while the Tesla Model 3 costs RM147,600. That is a RM147,200 gap, almost the price of another Model 3.
Which one has better range and practicality?
The Tesla Model 3 has the advantage, with 534 km of EV range and 594 litres of boot space. The BMW i4 does 500 km and has a 470-litre boot.