Compare the2024 BMW i4VS 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 6

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 Ioniq 6 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 Ioniq 6 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 Ioniq 6 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.

Both the i4 and the Ioniq 6 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, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The i4’s corrosion warranty is 5 years longer than the Ioniq 6’s (12 vs. 7 years).

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW third in overall reliability. Hyundai is ranked 13th.

The i4 has more powerful engines than the Ioniq 6:

As tested in Car and Driver the i4 M50 electric motors is faster than the Hyundai Ioniq 6 electric motors:

As tested in Car and Driver the i4 M50 electric motors is faster than the Ioniq 6 Long Range electric motor:

On the EPA test cycle the i4 gets better mileage than the Ioniq 6:

The i4 can travel longer on a full charge than the Ioniq 6 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 Ioniq 6 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the i4’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Ioniq 6:

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 Ioniq 6 are solid, not vented.

The i4 stops much shorter than the Ioniq 6:

For better traction, the i4 M50’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Ioniq 6 (F:255/35R20 & R:285/30R20 vs. 245/40R20).

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 Ioniq 6 SE’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 Ioniq 6 SEL/Limited’s 40 series tires.

The rear suspension of the i4 uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the Ioniq 6, 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 Ioniq 6’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 Ioniq 6 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The i4 M50 handles at .96 G’s, while the Ioniq 6 SE pulls only .86 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the i4. The Ioniq 6 doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

A maintenance reminder system is standard on the i4 to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for brake fluid replacement and vehicle inspections based on odometer mileage. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Hyundai doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the Ioniq 6.

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.

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 Ioniq 6 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

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 Ioniq 6’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically. With the Ioniq 6 SEL/Limited’s power windows, only the front windows open or close automatically.

The i4’s standard power window controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The Ioniq 6’s available power window controls are spread out on the center console where they can’t be seen without the driver completely removing his eyes from the road.

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 Ioniq 6 can only close 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 Ioniq 6’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 Ioniq 6 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.

The i4’s power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The Ioniq 6’s power mirror controls are on the dash where they are possibly hidden by the steering wheel and are awkward to manipulate.

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 Ioniq 6 offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Both the i4 and the Ioniq 6 offer available heated front seats. The i4 also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Ioniq 6.

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