Compare the2022 BMW i4VS 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric

Safety
Warranty
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics

Safety

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The i4’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Kona Electric doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The BMW i4 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Kona Electric doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The i4 has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Kona Electric doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The i4 offers optional Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Kona Electric doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The i4 M50 has all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Kona Electric doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The i4 offers an optional Surround View to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Kona Electric only offers a rear monitor and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the front or sides.

Both the i4 and the Kona Electric 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, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The BMW i4 weighs 829 to 1303 pounds more than the Hyundai Kona Electric. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

Warranty

The i4’s corrosion warranty is 5 years longer than the Kona Electric’s (12 vs. 7 years).

Engine

The i4 eDrive40’s standard electric motor produces 134 more horsepower (335 vs. 201) and 26 lbs.-ft. more torque (317 vs. 291) than the Kona Electric’s electric motor. The i4 M50’s standard electric motors produce 335 more horsepower (536 vs. 201) and 295 lbs.-ft. more torque (586 vs. 291) than the Kona Electric’s electric motor.

Fuel Economy and Range

The i4 can travel further on a full charge than the Kona Electric:

			Miles
i4
	RWD	18" Wheels Electric Motor	301
		19" Wheels Electric Motor	282
	AWD	19" Wheels Electric Motors	270
Kona Electric
	FWD	Electric Motor	258

Transmission

The i4 M50’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Kona Electric doesn’t offer launch control.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the i4’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Kona Electric:

	i4 eDrive40	i4 M50	Kona Electric
Front Rotors	13.7 inches	14.7 inches	12 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	13.6 inches	11.8 inches

The i4’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Kona Electric are solid, not vented.

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the i4 has larger standard tires than the Kona Electric (225/50R18 vs. 215/55R17). The i4 M50’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Kona Electric (F:255/35R20 & R:285/30R20 vs. 215/55R17).

The i4 eDrive40’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Kona Electric’s standard 55 series tires. The i4 M50’s optional 255/35R20 front and 285/30R20 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the Kona Electric’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the i4 eDrive40 has standard 18-inch wheels. Only 17-inch wheels are available on the Kona Electric. The i4 M50 offers optional 20-inch wheels.

Suspension and Handling

The rear suspension of the i4 uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the Kona Electric, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The i4 offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The Kona Electric’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The i4 has a standard automatic rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Kona Electric doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the i4’s wheelbase is 10 inches longer than on the Kona Electric (112.4 inches vs. 102.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the i4 is 1 inch wider in the front and 1.2 inches wider in the rear than on the Kona Electric.

Cargo Capacity

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the i4. The Kona Electric doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the i4’s power liftgate can be opened or closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Kona Electric doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening liftgate.

Servicing Ease

The i4 uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Kona Electric uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Hyundai. J.D. Power ranks BMW 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 35% lower rating, Hyundai is ranked 29th.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the i4, the memory system makes it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, outside mirror angle and radio stations. The Kona Electric doesn’t offer a memory system.

The i4’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Kona Electric’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically. With the Kona Electric’s optional power windows, only the front windows open or close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the i4 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Kona Electric can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The i4’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Kona Electric’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the i4 has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Kona Electric doesn’t offer cornering lights. The i4 also offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

When the i4 is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Kona Electric’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The i4’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Kona Electric offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The i4’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Kona Electric doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Both the i4 and the Kona Electric offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the i4 has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Kona Electric doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

The i4’s optional Automatic Parking Assistant can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Kona Electric doesn’t offer an automated parking system.