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.
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
SEAL
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Full Specs, Side by Side
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Spec
i4
SEAL
Model Introduced Year
2021
2024
Generation
Battery-electric G26 Gran Coupé with four doors, a rear liftback and a road-car seating position.
First South African SEAL 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
Sedan
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
active
Active
Segment
Premium Sedan
Medium Sedan
Vehicle Type
Car
Passenger vehicle
Spec
i4
SEAL
Length
4783 mm
4800 mm
Width
1852 mm
1875 mm
Height
1448 mm
1460 mm
Wheelbase
2856 mm
2920 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
140 mm
145 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
125 mm
120 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
0 l
0 l
Boot/Cargo Space
470 l
400 l
Kerb Weight
2285 kg
2185 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
2730 kg
2631 kg
Payload Capacity
520 kg
446 kg
Towing Capacity
1600 kg
1500 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
5.7 m
Front Headroom
994 mm
1000 mm
Rear Headroom
944 mm
920 mm
Front Legroom
1036 mm
1110 mm
Rear Legroom
888 mm
810 mm
Spec
i4
SEAL
Engine
BMW eDrive electric drive
Dual-motor 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
390 kW
Maximum Torque
795 Nm
670 Nm
Combined Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Type
Permanent-magnet synchronous motor
Front Induction; Rear Permanent Magnet Synchronous
Number of Motors
2
2
Motor Location
Front and rear axles
Front + Rear
Drive Type
AWD
AWD
Transmission
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
Top Speed
250 km/h
180 km/h
0-100 km/h
3.7 sec
3.8 sec
Quarter Mile
12.2 sec
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Eco, Comfort, Sport
Eco, Normal, Sport, Snow
Launch Control
No
Not Officially Disclosed
Rev Limiter
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Power-to-Weight Ratio
100 kW/tonne
178.5 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
220 Nm/tonne
306.6 Nm/tonne
Battery Capacity
1 kWh
82.56 kWh
Usable Battery Capacity
64.8 kWh
Not Officially Disclosed
Battery Type
Lithium-ion
LFP
Battery Voltage
400 V
550.4 V
Electric Range
485 km (BMW stated)
520 km (WLTP)
AC Charging Power
11 kW
11 kW
DC Charging Power
130 kW
150 kW
AC Charging Time
6 h 30 min
8 h 36 min (0-100%)
DC Charging Time
30 min
37 min (10-80%)
Regenerative Braking
Yes
Yes
Spec
i4
SEAL
Gearbox
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
Drivetrain Layout
All-wheel drive
Front and rear electric drive units
LSD Available
Not Applicable
Not Available
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Available
Paddle Shifters
Yes
Not Applicable
Final Drive Ratio
Yes
Not Available
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
Crystal gear shifter
Drivetrain
AWD
AWD
4WD Engagement
Not Applicable
Automatic electric all-wheel drive
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
Not Available
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
4x4
Rear Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Available
Transmission Speeds
1
1
Spec
i4
SEAL
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)
520 km (WLTP)
Electric Consumption
16.3–18.3
18.2 kWh/100 km (WLTP)
Range Real World Highway
360 km
425 km
Range Real World Mixed
420 km
510 km
Spec
i4
SEAL
Airbags
6
9
ABS
Standard
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
Standard
Traction Control
Standard
Standard
Hill Descent Control
Yes
Not Applicable
Hill Start Assist
Standard
Standard
Child Safety Lock
Standard
Standard
ISOFIX Mounts
Standard
Standard
Brake Assist
Standard
Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Standard
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Standard
Standard
Front Parking Sensors
Standard
Standard
AEB
Yes
Standard
BA
Standard
Standard
Brake Override System
Yes
Standard
Curtain Airbags
Yes
Standard
Driver Airbag
Yes
Standard
EBD
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Not Applicable
Hill Hold
Standard
Standard
Passenger Airbag
Yes
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Standard
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Yes
Standard
Seatbelt Reminder
Standard
Standard
Side Airbags
Yes
Standard
Stability Control
Standard
Standard
TCS
Standard
Standard
Knee Airbag
Yes
Not Available
ABS EBD
Standard
Standard
Spec
i4
SEAL
Cruise Control
Standard
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Standard
Lane Keep Assist
Yes
Standard
Lane Departure Warning
Yes
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring
Yes
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Standard
Parking Sensors
Front and rear
Standard
Rear View Camera
Standard
Standard
360 Degree Camera
Yes
Standard
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Yes
Standard
Driver Fatigue Alert
Yes
Standard
Traffic Sign Recognition
Yes
Standard
Auto Highbeam
Standard
Standard
Auto Wipers
Yes
Standard
Rear Parking Sensors
Standard
Standard
Reverse Camera
Standard
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Standard
Park Assist
Yes
Standard
Around View Monitor
Yes
Standard
Blind Spot Warning
Yes
Standard
Forward Collision Warning
Yes
Standard
Spec
i4
SEAL
Seat Material
Leather 'Vernasca' Black with contrast stitching Blue
Synthetic leather
Heated Seats
Yes
Standard
Ventilated Seats
Yes
Standard
Ambient Lighting
Standard
Standard
Steering Wheel Material
Yes
Synthetic leather
60 40 Split Seat
Yes
Standard
Driver Seat Adjustment
Electric with driver memory
Electric adjustment
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Electric multi-way
Electric adjustment
Seat Trim
Yes
Synthetic leather
Spec
i4
SEAL
Climate Control
Standard
Automatic
Power Windows
Standard
Standard
Keyless Entry
Comfort Access
Standard
Push Button Start
Yes
Standard
Wireless Charging
Standard
Standard
Sunroof
Glass sunroof, electric (no sliding-roof function)
Panoramic
Electric Tailgate
No
Standard
Rain Sensing Wipers
Yes
Standard
AC Type
Standard
Automatic
Spec
i4
SEAL
Infotainment System
Widescreen Display
15.6-inch rotating touchscreen
Apple CarPlay
Yes
Standard
Android Auto
Yes
Standard
Bluetooth Connectivity
Yes
Standard
Number of Speakers
6
12
Digital Instrument Cluster
12.3
Full LCD instrument display
USB Ports
2
Front and rear USB-A/USB-C ports
Infotainment Screen
14.9
15.6
Touchscreen
14.9
15.6
Spec
i4
SEAL
LED Headlamps
Yes
Standard
Daytime Running Lamps
Standard
LED
Fog Lamps
Yes
Rear fog lamp
Roof Rails
Yes
Not Applicable
Exterior Colour Options
Multiple manufacturer colours
Sky Black, Atlantis Gray, Aurora White, North Ice Blue, Rosemary Gray, Wind Grass Green
Headlights
Yes
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof
Yes
Standard
Spec
i4
SEAL
Approach Angle
Not Applicable
13 deg
Departure Angle
Not Applicable
14 deg
Wading Depth
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Terrain Modes
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Locking Differential
Not Applicable
Not Available
4WD System Type
All-wheel drive
Electric all-wheel drive
Breakover Angle
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Spec
i4
SEAL
Tyre Size
225/50 R18
235/45 R19
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
Ventilated disc
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Disc
Spare Wheel Type
Tyre repair kit
Tyre repair kit
Wheel Rim Size
18" M aerodynamic wheels 858 M Bicolour with MT
19
Handbrake Type
Electronic
Electronic parking brake
Spec
i4
SEAL
Front Suspension
Adaptive M Suspension
Double wishbone
Rear Suspension
Adaptive M Suspension
Multi-link
Spec
i4
SEAL
CO2 Emissions
0 g/km
0 g/km
Spec
i4
SEAL
Service Plan
5 years / 100000 km BMW Motorplan
5 years/100000 km maintenance plan
Spec
i4
SEAL
Ownership Role
Private, business and fleet
flagship all-wheel-drive derivative
Price Zar
1750000 ZAR
1211900 ZAR
Pricing Role
Current recommended retail price
flagship all-wheel-drive derivative
Starting Price
1750000
1211900
Starting Price Zar
1750000
1211900
Spec
i4
SEAL
Warranty
Yes
5 years/100000 km complete vehicle; 8 years/200000 km power battery; 5 years/100000 km drive unit
In depth: how these cars differ
This i4 and SEAL 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 SEAL 100.
Efficiency index: i4 90 vs SEAL 90.
Safety-equipment index: i4 92 vs SEAL 98.
Practicality index: i4 61 vs SEAL 57.
Ownership-cover index: i4 not separately scored vs SEAL 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 SEAL 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 0 points
i4 and SEAL are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
Performance
Level
Efficiency
Level
Safety
SEAL +6
Practicality
i4 +4
Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
i4
Performance
100/100
Efficiency
90/100
Safety
92/100
Practicality
61/100
SEAL
Performance
100/100
Efficiency
90/100
Safety
98/100
Practicality
57/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexBMW i4
leads the specification evidence index with 86 pts
vs 86 pts for SEAL
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, i4 leads. However, SEAL 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.
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