Compare the2023 Audi e-tron GTVS 2023 BMW i4

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Audi e-tron GT 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 e-tron GT and i4 have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The e-tron GT 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.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the e-tron GT. But it costs extra on the i4.

Both the e-tron GT and the i4 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, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The e-tron GT has more powerful engines than the i4:

As tested in Car and Driver the RS e-tron GT is faster than the i4 M50 electric motors:

On the EPA test cycle the e-tron GT gets better mileage than the i4:

The e-tron GT can travel longer on a full charge than the i4 on a full charge:

For better stopping power the e-tron GT’s brake rotors are larger than those on the i4:

The e-tron GT RS offers optional heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The i4 doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

For better traction, the e-tron GT has larger standard tires than the i4 (F:245/45R20 & R:285/40R20 vs. 225/50R18). The e-tron GT Prestige/RS’ optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the i4 (F:265/35R21 & R:305/30R21 vs. F:255/35R20 & R:285/30R20).

The e-tron GT’s standard 245/45R20 front and 285/40R20 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series front and 40 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the i4’s standard 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the e-tron GT has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the i4. The e-tron GT Prestige/RS’ optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the i4 M50.

The front and rear suspension of the e-tron GT uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the i4, which uses coil springs in front. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the e-tron GT’s wheelbase is 1.8 inches longer than on the i4 (114.2 inches vs. 112.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the e-tron GT is 4.4 inches wider in the front and 2.4 inches wider in the rear than on the i4.

For better maneuverability, the e-tron GT’s turning circle is 2.9 feet tighter than the i4’s (38.1 feet vs. 41 feet).

The design of the Audi e-tron GT amounts to more than styling. The e-tron GT has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .24 Cd. That is lower than the i4 (.24 to .25) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the e-tron GT get better fuel mileage.

The e-tron GT has 1.1 inches more front headroom, .4 inches more front legroom, 1.2 inches more front shoulder room and .9 inches more rear headroom than the i4.

The e-tron GT’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The i4 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the e-tron GT has standard extendable sun visors. The i4 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The e-tron GT has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the i4. The e-tron GT Prestige/RS 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 e-tron GT offers optional 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 Audi e-tron GT has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the i4.

The e-tron GT Prestige/RS’ Park Assist Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Park Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The i4’s automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.

The e-tron GT will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the e-tron GT will retain 42.28% to 42.99% of its original price after five years, while the i4 only retains 42.03% to 42.04%.