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.
Econ 2WD Pro 63 kWhElectricSingle-Speed Reduction GearCurrent
ZAR 747,500ex-showroom
⚡ 180 kW🔧 309 Nm
＋Add a 3rd car
Decision summary
BMW i4 vs RIDDARA RD6: the short answer
i4 holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over RD6.
RD6 starts ZAR 752,500 cheaperi4 from ZAR 1,500,000 · RD6 from ZAR 747,500
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
i4
RD6
Maximum Power
i4442 kW
RD6180 kW
Maximum Torque
i4795 Nm
RD6309 Nm
Engine Size
i4Not Applicable
RD6Not Applicable
Combined Fuel Economy
i4Not Applicable
RD6Not Applicable
Ground Clearance
i4140 mm
RD6225 mm
Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.
Independent editorial assessment
Hagalu editorial ratings
When a variant is selected, its rating out of five applies only to that exact derivative; a model-range review is not inherited. Editorial ratings are separate from the Specification Evidence Index out of 100 and are not customer ratings.
BMW i4
M60 xDrive Gran Coupé
Hagalu editorial rating
3.9/5★★★★★★★★★★
Desk research · Exact variant
Hagalu Editorial Team ·
Editorial assessment, not a customer rating. Not road-tested for this review.
Not yet rated means a complete review is not published; it does not mean the vehicle scored zero. Read the rating methodology.
What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)
Specification evidence leader
i4
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:Published Performance
RD6
Strengths
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to:Published Practicality
Which One's Right for You?
i4
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
RD6
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
i4
RD6
Model Introduced Year
2021
2026
Generation
Battery-electric G26 Gran Coupé with four doors, a rear liftback and a road-car seating position.
First South African RIDDARA RD6 generation
Facelift History
Current updated G26-based i4 Gran Coupé range in South Africa; current derivative identity is eDrive35 and M60 xDrive.
No separately marketed South African facelift announced as at August 2026
Facelift Launched Since
Original current-generation version
Original current-generation version
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
Sedan
Double-cab pickup
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
active
active
Segment
Premium Sedan
Electric double-cab pickup
Vehicle Type
Car
Battery-electric light commercial vehicle
Spec
i4
RD6
Length
4783 mm
5260 mm
Width
1852 mm
1900 mm
Height
1448 mm
1865 mm
Wheelbase
2856 mm
3120 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
140 mm
225 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
125 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Tank Capacity
0 l
0 l
Boot/Cargo Space
470 l
1200 l
Kerb Weight
2285 kg
2005 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
2730 kg
3120 kg
Payload Capacity
520 kg
1115 kg
Towing Capacity
1600 kg
2500 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
2 rows
Doors
4 doors
4 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
5.6 m
6.1 m
Front Headroom
994 mm
1033 mm
Rear Headroom
944 mm
1028 mm
Front Legroom
1036 mm
912 mm
Rear Legroom
888 mm
951 mm
Spec
i4
RD6
Engine
BMW eDrive electric drive
Battery-electric powertrain
Engine Code
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Fuel Type
Electric
Electric
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Cylinders
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Cylinder Layout
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Valves
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Valves per Cylinder
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Aspiration
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Fuel System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Compression Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Bore
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Stroke
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Maximum Power
442 kW
180 kW
Maximum Torque
795 Nm
309 Nm
Combined Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Type
Permanent-magnet synchronous motor
Permanent Magnet Synchronous
Number of Motors
2
1
Motor Location
Front and rear axles
Rear
Drive Type
AWD
RWD
Transmission
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
Top Speed
250 km/h
160 km/h
0-100 km/h
3.7 sec
8.0 sec
Quarter Mile
12.2 sec
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Eco, Comfort, Sport
Economy, Comfort, Sport
Launch Control
No
Not Officially Disclosed
Rev Limiter
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Power-to-Weight Ratio
100 kW/tonne
Not Officially Disclosed
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
220 Nm/tonne
Not Officially Disclosed
Battery Capacity
1 kWh
63 kWh
Usable Battery Capacity
64.8 kWh
Not Officially Disclosed
Battery Type
Lithium-ion
LFP
Battery Voltage
400 V
Not Officially Disclosed
Electric Range
485 km (BMW stated)
373 km (NEDC)
AC Charging Power
11 kW
6.6 kW
DC Charging Power
130 kW
90 kW
AC Charging Time
6 h 30 min
10 h 0 min (0-100%)
DC Charging Time
30 min
32 min (30-80%)
Regenerative Braking
Yes
Yes
Spec
i4
RD6
Gearbox
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
Drivetrain Layout
All-wheel drive
Rear motor, rear-wheel drive
LSD Available
Not Applicable
No
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Not Applicable
No
Paddle Shifters
Yes
Not Applicable
Final Drive Ratio
Yes
Single fixed reduction ratio
Number of Gears
1
1
Transmission Type
Automatic
Automatic
Clutch Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Gear Shift Indicator
Yes
Standard
Gear Shift Type
Automatic selector
Electronic selector
Drivetrain
AWD
RWD
4WD Engagement
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Hi Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Selector
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles
Yes
Not Applicable
Front Differential Lock
Not Applicable
No
Gearbox Type
Single-speed reduction gear
Single-speed reduction gear
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
Yes
4x2
Rear Differential Lock
Not Applicable
No
Transmission Speeds
1
1
Spec
i4
RD6
Claimed Mileage
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
City Mileage
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Highway Mileage
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Capacity
0 l
Not Applicable
Emission Standard
Euro 6
Not Applicable
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Real-world Mileage
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Charging Port Type
CCS Combo
Type 2 AC; CCS2 DC
Charging Type
AC and DC
AC and DC
Fuel Tank Litres
0
Not Applicable
Combined Driving Range
485-544 km (BMW stated)
373 km (NEDC)
Electric Consumption
16.3–18.3
16.2 kWh/100 km
Range Real World Highway
360 km
250 km
Range Real World Mixed
420 km
330 km
Spec
i4
RD6
Airbags
6
2
ABS
Standard
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
Standard
Traction Control
Standard
Standard
Hill Descent Control
Yes
Standard
Hill Start Assist
Standard
Standard
Child Safety Lock
Standard
Standard
ISOFIX Mounts
Standard
Standard
Brake Assist
Standard
Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Standard
Indirect
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Standard
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Standard
Standard
Front Parking Sensors
Standard
No
AEB
Yes
No
BA
Standard
Standard
Brake Override System
Yes
Standard
Curtain Airbags
Yes
No
Driver Airbag
Yes
Standard
EBD
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Standard
Hill Hold
Standard
Standard
Passenger Airbag
Yes
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
No
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Yes
Standard
Seatbelt Reminder
Standard
Standard
Side Airbags
Yes
No
Stability Control
Standard
Standard
TCS
Standard
Standard
Knee Airbag
Yes
No
ABS EBD
Standard
Standard
Spec
i4
RD6
Cruise Control
Standard
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
No
Lane Keep Assist
Yes
No
Lane Departure Warning
Yes
No
Blind Spot Monitoring
Yes
No
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
No
Parking Sensors
Front and rear
Rear
Rear View Camera
Standard
Standard
360 Degree Camera
Yes
No
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Yes
No
Driver Fatigue Alert
Yes
No
Traffic Sign Recognition
Yes
No
Auto Highbeam
Standard
No
Auto Wipers
Yes
No
Rear Parking Sensors
Standard
Standard
Reverse Camera
Standard
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
No
Park Assist
Yes
No
Around View Monitor
Yes
No
Blind Spot Warning
Yes
No
Forward Collision Warning
Yes
No
Spec
i4
RD6
Seat Material
Leather 'Vernasca' Black with contrast stitching Blue
Synthetic leather (PVC)
Heated Seats
Yes
No
Ventilated Seats
Yes
No
Ambient Lighting
Standard
No
Steering Wheel Material
Yes
Foam
60 40 Split Seat
Yes
Standard
Driver Seat Adjustment
Electric with driver memory
6-way electric
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Electric multi-way
6-way electric
Seat Trim
Yes
Synthetic leather (PVC)
Spec
i4
RD6
Climate Control
Standard
Automatic
Power Windows
Standard
One-touch down on all four windows; no anti-pinch
Keyless Entry
Comfort Access
No
Push Button Start
Yes
Standard
Wireless Charging
Standard
No
Sunroof
Glass sunroof, electric (no sliding-roof function)
No
Electric Tailgate
No
Electric tailgate release
Rain Sensing Wipers
Yes
No
AC Type
Standard
Automatic
Spec
i4
RD6
Infotainment System
Widescreen Display
8-inch central display
Apple CarPlay
Yes
Standard
Android Auto
Yes
No
Bluetooth Connectivity
Yes
Standard
Number of Speakers
6
4
Digital Instrument Cluster
12.3
Full digital instrument cluster
USB Ports
2
Standard
Infotainment Screen
14.9
8
Touchscreen
14.9
8
Spec
i4
RD6
LED Headlamps
Yes
No
Daytime Running Lamps
Standard
LED
Fog Lamps
Yes
No
Roof Rails
Yes
Standard
Exterior Colour Options
Multiple manufacturer colours
White, Black, Grey
Headlights
Yes
No
Panoramic Sunroof
Yes
No
Spec
i4
RD6
Approach Angle
Not Applicable
23 deg
Departure Angle
Not Applicable
26 deg
Wading Depth
Not Applicable
500 mm
Terrain Modes
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Locking Differential
Not Applicable
No
4WD System Type
All-wheel drive
Not Applicable
Breakover Angle
Not Applicable
16.0 deg
Spec
i4
RD6
Tyre Size
225/50 R18
225/65 R17
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
Disc
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Disc
Spare Wheel Type
Tyre repair kit
T145/80 R18
Wheel Rim Size
18" M aerodynamic wheels 858 M Bicolour with MT
17
Handbrake Type
Electronic
Electronic parking brake
Spec
i4
RD6
Front Suspension
Adaptive M Suspension
MacPherson independent
Rear Suspension
Adaptive M Suspension
Multi-link independent
Spec
i4
RD6
CO2 Emissions
0 g/km
0 g/km
Spec
i4
RD6
Service Plan
5 years / 100000 km BMW Motorplan
3 years/60000 km; maintenance every 12 months/20000 km
Spec
i4
RD6
Ownership Role
Private, business and fleet
Electric double-cab utility and lifestyle derivative
Price Zar
1750000 ZAR
747500 ZAR
Pricing Role
Current recommended retail price
Current South African retail derivative
Starting Price
1750000
747500
Starting Price Zar
1750000
747500
Spec
i4
RD6
Warranty
Yes
5 years/150000 km vehicle; 8 years/200000 km high-voltage battery, motor and motor-control unit
In depth: how these cars differ
This i4 and RD6 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: i4 100 vs RD6 69.
Efficiency index: i4 90 vs RD6 90.
Safety-equipment index: i4 92 vs RD6 43.
Practicality index: i4 61 vs RD6 87.
Ownership-cover index: i4 not separately scored vs RD6 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.
Model imagery
i4 and RD6 image comparison
Open an image for its full canonical file or visit the model page for the complete vehicle record.
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 15 points
i4 holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over RD6.
Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
i4
Performance
100/100
Efficiency
90/100
Safety
92/100
Practicality
61/100
RD6
Performance
69/100
Efficiency
90/100
Safety
43/100
Practicality
87/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexBMW i4
leads the specification evidence index with 86 pts
vs 71 pts for RD6
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, i4 leads. However, RD6 may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.
Related comparisons
Continue with closely related South Africa models and comparable body styles.
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.
Compare
Request dealer offers
Let's discuss your next car
Share your interest so Hagalu can follow up about quotations and available discounts. The dealer confirms stock, price and terms.
✓
We've Got Your Details!
Your enquiry has reached Hagalu for follow-up. Any dealer offer will be confirmed separately by the seller.
