2024 BMW i4 vs. 2024 Tesla Model S Vehicle Comparison
Different strokes
If you're shopping for a premium electric car in Tacoma, Seattle, or Bellevue and want something sporty, an increasing number of exciting options are available. You may be considering the 2024 Tesla Model S, but let's put it head-to-head with the all-new 2024 BMW i4 and see which really is your best choice.
How they look
Both the 2024 BMW i4 and 2024 Tesla Model S wear somewhat traditional exterior styling, but in very different ways and for different reasons. The exterior of the Model S is traditionally Tesla and traditionally Model S, which isn't necessarily the compliment it once was. After over more than a decade, the Model S has changed very little over the years on the outside becoming familiar to the point of monotonous.
The traditional aspect of the i4's exterior styling is that it's instantly recognizable as a BMW. The BMW i4 looks very similar to its gas-powered equivalent in the current BMW lineup, which makes it a sensational-looking Gran Coupe that isn't trying to be different for the sake of what fuel it uses. If you want a sleek, sporty, and premium EV that doesn't shout to the world with its styling that you're driving something "different," the 2024 BMW i4 is the clear winner here.
Performance matters
If your only concern when buying a new electric car is the one that develops the most horsepower and torque, and the price isn't an issue, the 2024 Tesla Model S, especially the Plaid model, may come out on top. But you must ask a few pertinent questions. Do you need that much power, whether there's any chance you will ever get to use it, and whether you will be happy to pay so much for something you're unlikely ever to take full advantage of having at your disposal.
Rear-wheel drive is the preferred choice of driving enthusiasts, and the single-motor version of the BMW is a rear-drive model, while AWD is the only choice with the Tesla. Plus, the BMW is available in a dual-motor M50 variant with AWD. And maybe best of all, all versions of the i4 drive how shoppers expect BMWs to drive. The numbers associated with the Model S are sensational on paper, but cars drive on the road, not on paper.
Living with the i4 and Model S
Even before the exterior styling, the first thing that will grab your attention with the 2024 BMW i4 and 2024 Tesla Model S is the MSRP. The starting MSRP for the 2024 BMW i4 eDrive35 Gran Coupe is $52,000, while the eDrive40 Gran Coupe costs $57,100, and the i4 M50 Gran Coupe MSRP is $68,700. Compare that with $94,990 for the standard 2024 Tesla Model S and an eye-watering $114,990 for the Model S Plaid.
Buying and owning the i4 brings with it the benefits of doing the same with any other BMW; having the reassurance and backup of a world-renowned brand and its vast network of full-service dealerships like BMW Northwest.
Buying and owning a Tesla is a much more remote experience, extending to the cars themselves. The interior of the Tesla may have evolved over time, with buyers now having the option of a proper steering wheel, over the odd-looking yolk. However, it's can still be unnervingly minimalist and feel like something from a 1990s sci-fi movie. The interior of the i4 is fabulously contemporary with its stunning curved glass display, and it looks and feels like you expect a luxury sports car to look and feel, exuding those unrelenting BMW qualities of fit, finish, and materials.
Conclusion
There may be plenty to like and admire with the 2024 Tesla Model S, but the 2024 BMW i4 provides a smoother, easier, and more comfortable transition into the world of full-electric performance cars. Although the Tesla offers some staggering performance figures, the i4 will make much more practical sense for most shoppers. The i4 is a sensational, high-quality, luxury car with performance you can actually use and a price that makes sense.
The only way to truly appreciate this fantastic car is to come for a test drive in the 2024 BMW i4 with BMW Northwest at 4011 20th Street East Tacoma, WA, or call us (253)-922-8700 to schedule a test drive that fits your schedule.