Skip the Tesla – This used luxury EV is the smarter buy

If you’ve been considering a luxury electric vehicle, but feel discouraged by the hype and high price of the must-have brand, it’s time to look elsewhere. A used luxury electric vehicle is now emerging as a smarter purchase, offering premium comfort, solid performance and mature technology at a fraction of the cost.

This electric vehicle combines premium materials, refined ride quality, and advanced driver assistance features, all in a refined cabin that looks well above its price tag. Thanks to accelerated depreciation, you can now find late models at used car prices that make sense. With battery warranties still intact and charging infrastructure more accessible than ever, it’s compelling value.

For buyers wanting to avoid badge competition and focus on real luxury and efficiency, this lesser-known used electric vehicle offers the best of both worlds: sophisticated comfort and electric peace of mind, without paying the price of a new vehicle.

You can get a two-year-old BMW i4 for the price of a new Tesla Model 3

The Tesla Model 3 is one of the most popular electric cars on the market, and the 2026 model year comes with a new low starting price of $36,990. However, this gives you the most basic equipment and performance. For almost exactly the same amount of money, you can instead get a luxury sedan from BMW with plush materials and more impressive technology.

Average used price of the 2023 BMW i4

The i4 suffers a double whammy when it comes to damping. BMWs don’t hold their value exceptionally well, especially in their early years, and neither do electric vehicles. In 2023, the i4 had a starting price of $52,995, meaning it has depreciated significantly since then. It’s great news for buyers looking for a used car, though, with the average price of a 2023 i4 sitting at around $36,241. Even at its original MSRP, we think it offers good value for money.

There are three different versions to choose from, with different levels of performance and equipment. The eDrive35 was introduced for the 2023 model year as a more affordable entry point. Considering the cheap price of the eDrive40, we would definitely upgrade as it comes with more power and a larger battery.

There are also good arguments to be made in favor of the M50. The MSRP for the 2023 i4 M50 was very close to the $70,000 mark, meaning the used model is a real bargain. Including more power, it gets unique suspension tuning, upgraded brakes and 19-inch wheels as standard.

Warranties and maintenance

• Limited Warranty: Four years or 50,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty: Eight years or 100,000 miles
• Free maintenance: Three years or 36,000 miles

Compared to other electric car manufacturers, the warranty package offered by BMW is above average. The bumper-to-bumper coverage is just a little better than what competitors offer, and the powertrain coverage is up to par. The German automaker is moving forward with a good amount of free maintenance, where Tesla offers none.

Buying a used 2023 model means you’ll be left with a balance on the limited and powertrain warranties, depending on the mileage of the model you’re considering. You also have peace of mind knowing that your i4 has been serviced by the professionals at a BMW service center.

BMW offers similar levels of performance and better overall refinement

Credit: BMW

We won’t deny that the Tesla Model 3 offers truly impressive value for money, with performance that is simply a class above. However, refinement and overall comfort are far superior in the i4. BMW has always been able to find the best balance between performance and luxury, and we think the i4 perfectly embodies this balance.

2023 BMW i4 Performance Specs

The BMW i4 sends its power to a single motor mounted on the rear axle in the eDrive35. While it doesn’t pack the punch you’d expect from top-tier EVs, it’s still as quick as most gasoline-powered four-cylinder BMWs. The eDrive 40 gets another engine and all-wheel drive, with the top-of-the-line M50 having the most powerful configuration. None are as fast as the Model 3 Performance, but that’s not really the point of the i4.

Every 2023 i4 is exceptionally refined, with ride quality more than capable of smoothing out every road imperfection. The eDrive40 and M50 feel very quick from the start, delivering that instant torque that electric vehicles are known for. Although the i4 is much heavier than non-electric vehicles in BMW’s lineup, it does a great job of hiding it, providing tons of fun on twisty roads.

Battery, autonomy and efficiency

The most affordable version of the i4, the eDrive35, comes with a smaller 68.7 kWh battery. This is why, although it is more efficient, it offers the least autonomy among the three options offered. All other models come with a standard 83.4 kWh battery. Each model comes with larger wheel options that decrease overall efficiency and range, so be aware of this when choosing which used model you like.

Models with the largest battery have a charging capacity of 200 kW. This basically means you can add up to 108 miles of range in just ten minutes. The smaller battery only manages charging speeds of 180 kW. The BMW comes with a Level 2 charger that can recharge the sedan in about eight hours, meaning you can leave it on overnight at home.

The i4 doesn’t stray too far from BMW’s traditional design ideology

Credit: BMW

Teslas, for better or worse, are incredibly minimalist. Cars like the Model 3 feature a unique layout that some love and others hate. If you’re in the latter group and prefer your electric vehicles to feel like traditional cars, the 2023 i4 has you covered. Although it is an electric vehicle, it features an almost identical interior to the gasoline-powered 4 Series Gran Coupe.

Interior dimensions and comfort features

In terms of interior space, the i4 is what BMW calls a Gran Coupe. This means it has a dramatic sloping roofline that mimics a coupe despite having four doors. This means that the rear seats aren’t exactly very spacious, although you’ll fit two adults comfortably there. Cargo space is reasonable, but won’t blow you away. Although it is an electric vehicle, it does not come with a trunk.

The i4 is richly appointed and features high-quality materials throughout the cabin, no matter which trim level you opt for. Things like leatherette upholstery, eight-way power front seats, and multi-zone automatic climate control are standard. Higher trims come with such items as Vernasca leather upholstery, a two-way power glass sunroof with a sliding interior sunshade, and heated and ventilated seats.

Infotainment and technology

A major difference between the 2023 i4 compared to the rest of the BMW range is the fact that it was one of the first to adopt the dual-screen setup above the dashboard, with the gauge display and infotainment screen sharing a bezel. The infotainment system operates on a 14.9-inch screen while the gauges are displayed on a 12.3-inch unit. Over-the-air updates mean the i4 should come with iDrive 8.5.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are, of course, standard features on every model. There are also a number of USB-C ports and a wireless smartphone charger. Ambient interior lighting helps give the i4 that luxury vibe, as does the optional head-up display. The standard audio system is good, but we’d look for a model equipped with the optional Harman/Kardon stereo if you’re an audiophile.