Compare the2023 BMW i4VS 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

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 Bolt EUV doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

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 Bolt EUV 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 an optional Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Bolt EUV 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 Bolt EUV doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The i4 has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. A system to reveal vehicles in the Bolt EUV’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the i4 has standard Cross Traffic Warning, helping the driver avoid collisions. Chevrolet charges extra for Rear Cross Traffic Alert on the Bolt EUV.

The i4’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Bolt EUV doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the i4 and the Bolt EUV have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee 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, rearview cameras and available around view monitors.

The BMW i4 weighs 950 to 1338 pounds more than the Chevrolet Bolt EUV. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

Warranty

The i4 comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Bolt EUV’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The i4’s corrosion warranty is 6 years and unlimited miles longer than the Bolt EUV’s (12/unlimited vs. 6/100,000).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the i4 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for tire rotation, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Chevrolet only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the Bolt EUV.

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the i4’s reliability 45 points higher than the Bolt EUV.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Chevrolet vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW third in overall reliability. Chevrolet is ranked 20th.

Engine

The i4 eDrive35’s standard electric motor produces 81 more horsepower (281 vs. 200) and 29 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 266) than the Bolt EUV’s electric motor. The i4 eDrive40’s standard electric motor produces 135 more horsepower (335 vs. 200) and 51 lbs.-ft. more torque (317 vs. 266) than the Bolt EUV’s electric motor. The i4 M50’s standard electric motors produces 336 more horsepower (536 vs. 200) and 320 lbs.-ft. more torque (586 vs. 266) than the Bolt EUV’s electric motor.

As tested in Consumer Reports the i4 M50 electric motors is faster than the Chevrolet Bolt EUV:

	i4	Bolt EUV
Zero to 30 MPH	1.6 sec	3.2 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	3.5 sec	7.2 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	2.1 sec	3.5 sec
Quarter Mile	11.9 sec	15.7 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	119 MPH	92 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

The i4 can travel longer on a full charge than the Bolt EUV on a full charge:

			Miles
i4
	RWD	eDrive35 18" Wheels Electric Motor	256 miles
		eDrive40 18" Wheels Electric Motor	301 miles
		eDrive40 19" Wheels Electric Motor	282 miles
	AWD	M50 19" Wheels Electric Motors	271 miles
Bolt EUV
	FWD	Electric Motor	247 miles

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 Bolt EUV doesn’t offer launch control.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	i4 eDrive40	i4 M50	Bolt EUV
Front Rotors	13.7 inches	14.7 inches	10.9 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	13.6 inches	10.4 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 Bolt EUV are solid, not vented.

The i4 stops much shorter than the Bolt EUV:

	i4	Bolt EUV
70 to 0 MPH	149 feet	186 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	129 feet	137 feet	Consumer Reports
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	140 feet	141 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

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

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

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

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the BMW i4 has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Chevrolet Bolt EUV has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The i4 has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the i4 flat and controlled during cornering. The Bolt EUV’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The rear suspension of the i4 uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the Bolt EUV, 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 Bolt EUV’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 Bolt EUV doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the i4’s wheelbase is 7.1 inches longer than on the Bolt EUV (112.4 inches vs. 105.3 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the i4 is 3.1 inches wider in the front and 3.7 inches wider in the rear than on the Bolt EUV.

The i4 M50 handles at .96 G’s, while the Bolt EUV Premier pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

Chassis

The front grille of the i4 uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Bolt EUV doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The i4 has .6 inches more front shoulder room and 2.3 inches more rear shoulder room than the Bolt EUV.

Cargo Capacity

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the i4. The Bolt EUV 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 Bolt EUV 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 Bolt EUV 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 Chevrolet. J.D. Power ranks BMW 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 14% lower rating, Chevrolet is ranked 16th.

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 Bolt EUV doesn’t offer a memory system.

The i4 offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Bolt EUV doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The i4’s front and rear power windows all open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Bolt EUV’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully.

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 Bolt EUV’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Consumer Reports rated the i4’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the Bolt EUV’s headlights, which were rated “Poor.”

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the i4 has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Bolt EUV 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 Bolt EUV’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 Bolt EUV 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 Bolt EUV doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Both the i4 and the Bolt EUV 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 Bolt EUV 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 Bolt EUV doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW i4, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Chevrolet Bolt EUV isn't recommended.