![\"I3](\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/i3-v-i4-front.jpg\" "\\"I3")
<\/a><\/p>\nTo this day, BMW\u2019s second-generation 4 Series catches a lot of flack for its polarizing design. How ironic it is, then, to say that the new i3 sedan\u2019s design is, well, divisive. However, it\u2019s arguable that the electric 3 Series tones down the 4er\u2019s most egregious design departure: its front grille. The Neue Klasse grille seems to be just as love-it-or-hate-it. An overall minimalist approach keeps the i3 looking a bit more conservative overall than the i4. Around back, I\u2019m not quite sold that the i3\u2019s design is an improvement. There\u2019s a sculpted, monolithic design that I can appreciate. But I think the i4\u2019s is a little bit more athletic. Surprisingly, the cars don\u2019t look all that different from the side. The i3\u2019s \u201c2.5-box\u201d design keeps it looking a little shorter than the i4.<\/p>\n
Consulting the measurements, that seems to be exactly the case. The i3 sedan<\/a> is a full inch shorter than the i4, although it\u2019s slightly wider. It also sports a slightly longer wheelbase, 114.1 inches vs. the i4\u2019s 112.4 inches. Its rear track is also marginally wider. I\u2019ve always liked how the i4 looked, so I\u2019m not sure how much of an improvement the i3 represents. Until I see the car in person, I\u2019m calling this one a tie.<\/p>\n Like the car\u2019s exterior, the i4 attracts mixed opinions thanks to its screen-forward interior. We\u2019ll talk a little bit more about that aspect in the technology section. The steering wheel, like the rest of the cabin, goes under a polarizing redesign that includes fewer buttons but (supposedly) no less functionality. There are still physical controls in the cabin for the seats and windows. Interior options will be similar to the i4, and BMW adds M Performtex to the mix. Although the loss of some switchgear is sad, we\u2019ll kind of have to wait and see how the i3\u2019s interior feels from a quality standpoint before we call this one.<\/p>\n Less up for debate is performance. The i3 50 xDrive \u2014 the only version of the i3 BMW\u2019s talking about right now \u2014 relies on dual electric motors developing 463 horsepower and 476 pound-feet of torque. That\u2019s significantly more power than every version of the i4, save the M60 range-topper. It\u2019s a similar story with range. The new i3 sedan delivers an impressive range of 440 miles. That tops the i4 by over 100 miles; the longest range comes from the i4 eDrive40, 333 miles. It\u2019s no contest here: we expect the i3 to be a significantly better performer in almost every way than the i4.<\/p>\n While it would appear BMW downsized screen real estate in its newest EV, that\u2019s only half-true. The central display now measures just over 17 inches, which is actually an increase from the outgoing model if you don\u2019t include the gauge cluster. Speaking of gauge clusters, there\u2019s none to speak of in the i3. Yet another divisive \u201cimprovement,\u201d but BMW think its Panoramic Vision display will alleviate any concerns. As has been the case for quite some time, BMW\u2019s newest EV include over the air updates, navigation, Apple CarPlay\/Android Auto compatibility, and lots of configurability when it comes to settings and ambient lighting. The biggest shift here will be an improved Digital Key function and, of course, interacting with the car via BMW iDrive X<\/a>.<\/p>\nInterior Design<\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nPerformance<\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nTechnology<\/h3>\n
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