Compare the2023 BMW i4VS 2023 Mazda MX-30

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 MX-30 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 MX-30 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.

The i4 M50 has all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The MX-30 doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

Both the i4 and the MX-30 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The BMW i4 weighs 1010 to 1363 pounds more than the Mazda MX-30. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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 MX-30’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The i4’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the MX-30’s (12 vs. 5 years).

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. Mazda doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the MX-30.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in initial quality. With 15 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is rated lower.

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

The i4 eDrive35’s standard electric motor produces 138 more horsepower (281 vs. 143) and 95 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 200) than the MX-30’s electric motor. The i4 eDrive40’s standard electric motor produces 192 more horsepower (335 vs. 143) and 117 lbs.-ft. more torque (317 vs. 200) than the MX-30’s electric motor. The i4 M50’s standard electric motors produces 393 more horsepower (536 vs. 143) and 386 lbs.-ft. more torque (586 vs. 200) than the MX-30’s electric motor.

As tested in Car and Driver the i4 M50 electric motors is faster than the Mazda MX-30:

On the EPA test cycle the i4 gets better mileage than the MX-30:

The i4 can travel longer on a full charge than the MX-30 on a full charge:

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 MX-30 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the i4’s brake rotors are larger than those on the MX-30:

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 MX-30 are solid, not vented.

The i4 stops much shorter than the MX-30:

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

The i4’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 MX-30’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 MX-30’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the i4 M50 offers optional 20-inch wheels. The MX-30’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

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 Mazda MX-30 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 MX-30’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 MX-30, 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 MX-30’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 MX-30 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The i4 has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The MX-30 doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the i4’s wheelbase is 8 inches longer than on the MX-30 (112.4 inches vs. 104.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the i4 is 1.1 inches wider in the front and 1.7 inches wider in the rear than on the MX-30.

The i4 has 4.1 inches more rear legroom and 1.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the MX-30.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the i4. The MX-30 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 MX-30 doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening liftgate.

The i4 uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The MX-30 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 Mazda. J.D. Power ranks BMW 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 10% lower rating, Mazda is ranked 11th.

The power windows standard on both the i4 and the MX-30 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the i4 is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The MX-30 prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

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 MX-30 can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the i4 keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The MX-30 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

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 MX-30 doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Both the i4 and the MX-30 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 MX-30 doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the BMW i4 offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The MX-30 doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

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 MX-30 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW i4, based on reliability, safety and performance.