BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé vs BMW i4

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance, fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.

BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé in South Africa

BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé

M440i xDrive Gran Coupé Petrol 8-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 1,497,500 ex-showroom
⚡ 285 kW 🔧 500 Nm ⛽ 12.5 km/l
VS
BMW i4 in South Africa

BMW i4

M60 xDrive Gran Coupé Electric Single-Speed Reduction Gear Current
ZAR 1,750,000 ex-showroom
⚡ 442 kW 🔧 795 Nm
+ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé vs BMW i4: the short answer

i4 has a modest catalogue-index lead, while 4 Series Gran Coupé remains close.

4 Series Gran Coupé starts ZAR 503,500 cheaper 4 Series Gran Coupé from ZAR 996,500 · i4 from ZAR 1,500,000

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification 4 Series Gran Coupé i4
Maximum Power 4 Series Gran Coupé285 kW @ 5800-6500 rpm i4442 kW
Maximum Torque 4 Series Gran Coupé500 Nm @ 1800-5000 rpm i4795 Nm
Engine Size 4 Series Gran Coupé2998 cc i4Not Applicable
Combined Fuel Economy 4 Series Gran Coupé12.5 km/l i4Not Applicable
Ground Clearance 4 Series Gran Coupé140 mm i4140 mm

Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

4 Series Gran Coupé

Strengths
  • Nothing stands out clearly here.
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: General Use
Specification evidence leader

i4

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • No obvious weak spots to flag.
Best suited to: Published Performance Published Efficiency Published Practicality

Which One's Right for You?

4 Series Gran Coupé

  • Buyers who prefer this derivative's confirmed specification mix

i4

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec 4 Series Gran Coupé i4
Model Introduced Year 2021 2021
Generation G26 four-door Gran Coupé with frameless-door styling and a rear liftback. Battery-electric G26 Gran Coupé with four doors, a rear liftback and a road-car seating position.
Facelift History Current updated G26-generation BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé offered in South Africa; exact equipment follows derivative and production build. Current updated G26-based i4 Gran Coupé range in South Africa; current derivative identity is eDrive35 and M60 xDrive.
Facelift Launched Since Original current-generation version Original current-generation version
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style Sedan Sedan
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status active active
Segment Premium Sedan Premium Sedan
Vehicle Type Car Car
Spec 4 Series Gran Coupé i4
Length 1 mm 4783 mm
Width 1 mm 1852 mm
Height 1 mm 1448 mm
Wheelbase 1 mm 2856 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 140 mm 140 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) 125 mm 125 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 50 l 0 l
Boot/Cargo Space 485 l 470 l
Kerb Weight 1543 kg 2285 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 2045 kg 2730 kg
Payload Capacity 460 kg 520 kg
Towing Capacity 1600 kg 1600 kg
Seating Capacity 1 seats 5 seats
Number of Rows 2 rows 2 rows
Doors 4 doors 4 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.6 m 5.6 m
Front Headroom 998 mm 994 mm
Rear Headroom 943 mm 944 mm
Front Legroom 1044 mm 1036 mm
Rear Legroom 886 mm 888 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This 4 Series Gran Coupé and i4 comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for South Africa. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.

Performance index: 4 Series Gran Coupé 97 vs i4 100.

Efficiency index: 4 Series Gran Coupé 49 vs i4 90.

Safety-equipment index: 4 Series Gran Coupé 92 vs i4 92.

Practicality index: 4 Series Gran Coupé 48 vs i4 61.

Ownership-cover index: 4 Series Gran Coupé not separately scored vs i4 not separately scored.

These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.

Specification Evidence Index

A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.

Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout

i4 leads by 13 points

i4 has a modest catalogue-index lead, while 4 Series Gran Coupé remains close.

Evidence leader 86 /100
Lead 13 points
Data 69% source coverage
86
#1 Evidence leader

i4

69% source coverage 3 strong categories
Best at Performance 100 Check Practicality 61
Performance 100
Efficiency 90
Safety 92
Practicality 61
Leads by 13 points
73
#2

4 Series Gran Coupé

83% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Performance 97 Check Practicality 48
Performance 97
Efficiency 49
Safety 92
Practicality 48
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance i4 +3 Efficiency i4 +41 Safety Level Practicality i4 +13

Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

i4

Performance 100/100
Efficiency 90/100
Safety 92/100
Practicality 61/100

4 Series Gran Coupé

Performance 97/100
Efficiency 49/100
Safety 92/100
Practicality 48/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index BMW i4 leads the specification evidence index with 86 pts vs 73 pts for 4 Series Gran Coupé

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, i4 leads. However, 4 Series Gran Coupé may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

4 Series Gran Coupé vs i4 questions

There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.

Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.

Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.

A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.

Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.

Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.