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

If you’re considering a luxury electric vehicle, but feel put off by the hype and premium price of the typical go-to brand, it’s time to look elsewhere. One used luxury EV now stands out as a smarter buy, offering high-end comfort, strong performance, and mature technology at a fraction of the cost.

This EV marries premium materials, refined ride quality, and advanced driver-assistance features, all within a refined cabin that feels far above its price point. Thanks to accelerated depreciation, you can now find years-recent models at used-car pricing that makes sense. With battery warranties still intact and charging infrastructure more accessible than ever, it is compelling value.

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

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including Edmunds, J.D. Power, CarEdge, RepairPal, Cars.com, and the EPA.

You can grab 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 gets you the most basic equipment and performance. For almost exactly the same amount of money, you can instead get yourself a luxury sedan from BMW that comes loaded with plush materials and more impressive technology.

2023 BMW i4 Average Used Price

The i4 gets hit with a double whammy in the depreciation department. BMWs don’t hold their value exceptionally well, especially in their first couple of years, and neither do electric vehicles. Back in 2023, the i4 featured a starting price of $52,995, which means it has depreciated quite a lot since then. This is 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 that it offers good value, though.

There are three different trims to choose from, coming with varying levels of performance and equipment. The eDrive35 was introduced for the 2023 model year as a more affordable point of entry. Considering how cheap the eDrive40 is, though, we’d definitely make the upgrade as it comes with more power and a larger battery pack.

There is also quite a good argument to be made for the M50, though. The MSRP of the 2023 i4 M50 sat very close to the $70,000 mark, meaning that the used model is a veritable steal. Including more power, it gets a unique suspension tune, 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
• Complimentary maintenance: Three years or 36,000 miles

Compared to other electric automakers, the warranty package on offer by BMW is above average. The bumper-to-bumper coverage is just a little better than what is offered by rivals and the powertrain coverage is on par. The German automaker pulls ahead with a good amount of complimentary maintenance, where Tesla offers none.

Buying a used 2023 model means that you should have a balance left on both the limited and powertrain warranties, depending on the mileage of the model you’re looking at. You also get peace of mind knowing that your i4 has been maintained by the professionals at a BMW service center.

BMW delivers similar levels of performance and better overall refinement

We won’t deny that the Tesla Model 3 offers some really impressive bang-for-your-buck, with performance that is simply a class above. However, refinement and general comfort are much higher in the i4. BMW has always been able to find some of the best balance between performance and luxury, and we think that the i4 embodies that balance excellently.

2023 BMW i4 performance specifications

The BMW i4 sends its power to a single motor mounted to the rear axle in the eDrive35. While this might not deliver the punch that you’d expect from top tier electric vehicles, it’s still about as quick as most four-cylinder gas-powered BMWs. The eDrive 40 gets another motor and all-wheel drive, with the top-of-the-line M50 coming with the most powerful setup. None are quite as quick as the Model 3 Performance, but that isn’t really the goal of the i4.

Every 2023 i4 feels exceptionally refined, with a ride quality that is more than capable of eating up any imperfections in the road. The eDrive40 and the M50 feel very quick off the line, delivering that instantaneous torque that EVs are known for. While the i4 is much heavier than the non-EVs in BMW’s lineup, it does a superb job of hiding it, delivering tons of fun through twisty backroads.

Battery, range, and efficiency

The most affordable version of the i4, the eDrive35, comes equipped with a smaller 68.7-kWh battery pack. This is why, despite it being more efficient, it offers the least amount of range out of the three options on offer. All other models come with a standard 83.4-kWh battery pack instead. Every model comes with larger wheel options that do decrease overall efficiency and range, though, so be aware of that when picking out the used model that appeals to you.

The models with the larger battery pack feature a 200-kW charging capacity. This essentially means that you can add up to 108 miles of range in just ten minutes. The smaller battery pack only manages 180-kW charging speeds. The BMW comes with a Level 2 charger which can charge 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

Teslas, for better or for worse, are incredibly minimalistic. Cars like the Model 3 feature a unique layout that some love and some hate. If you’re in the latter party and prefer your EVs to look like traditional cars, the 2023 i4 has you covered. Despite being an EV, it features an interior that is almost identical to the gas-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 that it has a dramatic sloping roofline that imitates a coupe despite coming with four doors. This does mean that the rear seats aren’t exactly super spacious, though you’d comfortably fit two adults back there. Cargo space is reasonable, but won’t blow you away. Despite being an EV, it doesn’t come equipped with a frunk.

The i4 is richly appointed and features high quality materials throughout the cabin, regardless of which trim level you opt for. Things like faux-leather upholstery, eight-way power-adjustable front seats, and multi-zone automatic climate control are standard. Top trims come equipped with things like Vernasca leather upholstery, a two-way power glass moonroof with a sliding interior sunshade, and heated and ventilated seats.

Infotainment and technology

One major difference in the 2023 i4 compared to the rest of BMW’s lineup is the fact that it was one of the first to adopt the dual-screen setup on top of the dash, with the gauge display and infotainment screen sharing a bezel. The infotainment system runs on a 14.9-inch screen while the gauges are displayed on a 12.3-inch unit. Over the air updates mean that the i4 should come equipped 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 charging pad on offer. Ambient interior lighting helps to give the i4 that luxury vibe, as does the optional heads-up display. The standard sound system is good, but we’d look for a model equipped with the optional Harman/Kardon stereo if you’re an audiophile.