Compare the2023 Volkswagen ID.4VS 2023 BMW i4

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Volkswagen ID.4 are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW i4 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Both the ID.4 and i4 have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The ID.4 has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The i4’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

Both the ID.4 and the i4 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, daytime pedestrian crash prevention, and nighttime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the ID.4 its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2023, a rating granted to only 29 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The i4 has not been tested, yet.

Volkswagen’s powertrain warranty covers the ID.4 4 years and 50,000 miles longer than BMW covers the i4. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 8 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the i4 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 81 percent more Volkswagen dealers than there are BMW dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the ID.4’s warranty.

On the EPA test cycle the ID.4 gets better mileage than the i4:

The ID.4 can travel longer on a full charge than the i4 on a full charge:

For better stopping power the ID.4’s standard front brake rotors are larger than those on the i4:

The ID.4 stops shorter than the i4:

For better traction, the ID.4 has larger tires than the i4 (F:235/55R19 & R:255/50R19 vs. 225/50R18).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the ID.4 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the i4.

For better maneuverability, the ID.4’s turning circle is 9.5 feet tighter than the i4’s (31.5 feet vs. 41 feet). The ID.4 AWD’s turning circle is 4.6 feet tighter than the i4’s (36.42 feet vs. 41 feet).

The Volkswagen ID.4 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 150 to 350 pounds less than the BMW i4.

The ID.4 is 8 inches shorter than the i4, making the ID.4 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The ID.4 has 9.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the i4 (99.9 vs. 90).

The ID.4 has 2.4 inches more front headroom, 2.3 inches more front shoulder room, 1.3 inches more rear headroom, 3.4 inches more rear legroom and 1.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the i4.

The ID.4 has a 2200 lbs. towing capacity. The i4 has no towing capacity.

Standard trailer stability control on the ID.4 uses the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The i4 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The ID.4 Pro S’ standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The i4 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the ID.4 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The i4 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the ID.4 has a standard rear wiper. The i4 doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

The ID.4 has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the i4. The ID.4 Pro S Plus also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the i4.

The ID.4 S/Pro S/Pro S Plus has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the i4.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Volkswagen ID.4 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the i4.