Compare the2024 BMW i4VS 2023 Audi e-tron GT

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Recommendations

Safety

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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 e-tron GT doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the i4 and the e-tron GT 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.

Warranty

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the i4 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for tire rotations, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Audi only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the e-tron GT.

There are over 15 percent more BMW dealers than there are Audi dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the i4’s warranty.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. With 29 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks BMW higher than Audi.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in long-term dependability. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Audi is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW third in overall reliability. Audi is ranked 6th.

Engine

As tested in Car and Driver the i4 M50 electric motors is faster than the Audi e-tron GT (base engine):

	i4	e-tron GT
Zero to 60 MPH	3.3 sec	3.6 sec
Quarter Mile	11.7 sec	11.9 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	120 MPH	119 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPGe
i4
	RWD	i4 eDrive35 18" Wheels Electric Motor	122 city/119 hwy
		eDrive40 18" Wheels Electric Motor	109 city/108 hwy
		eDrive35 19" Wheels Electric Motor	110 city/107 hwy
		eDrive40 19" Wheels Electric Motor	100 city/99 hwy
	AWD	xDrive40 18" Wheels Electric Motors	107 city/111 hwy
		xDrive40 19" Wheels Electric Motors	98 city/100 hwy
		M50 19" Wheels Electric Motors	94 city/98 hwy
e-tron GT
	AWD	Electric Motors	81 city/83 hwy
		RS Electric Motors	79 city/82 hwy

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

			Miles
i4
	RWD	eDrive40 18" Wheels Electric Motor	301 miles
		eDrive40 19" Wheels Electric Motor	283 miles
		i4 eDrive35 18" Wheels Electric Motor	276 miles
		eDrive35 19" Wheels Electric Motor	235 miles
	AWD	xDrive40 18" Wheels Electric Motors	307 miles
		xDrive40 19" Wheels Electric Motors	279 miles
		M50 19" Wheels Electric Motors	269 miles
e-tron GT
	AWD	Electric Motors	238 miles
		RS Electric Motors	232 miles

Brakes and Stopping

The i4 stops much shorter than the e-tron GT:

	i4	e-tron GT
70 to 0 MPH	149 feet	159 feet	Car and Driver

Suspension and Handling

The i4 M50 handles at .96 G’s, while the e-tron GT Prestige pulls only .90 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

Chassis

The BMW i4 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 100 to 500 pounds less than the Audi e-tron GT.

The i4 is 7.9 inches shorter than the e-tron GT, making the i4 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

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 e-tron GT doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The i4 has 2 inches more rear legroom and .5 inches more rear shoulder room than the e-tron GT.

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Audi. J.D. Power ranks BMW 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 1% lower rating, Audi is ranked 8th.

Ergonomics

The i4’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The e-tron GT’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

Model Availability

The i4 is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The e-tron GT doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Recommendations

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

J.D. Power and Associates rated the i4 second among compact premium cars in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The e-tron GT isn’t in the top three.

The i4 was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2023. The e-tron GT has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

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