The BMW i4 and Kia EV6 GT-Line AWD should not probably the most conventional of rivals. In any case, it will have been inconceivable simply 5 years in the past {that a} Kia can be rivaling BMW with a compelling new electrical car that’s cheaper however loaded with simply as many options. Effectively, apparently issues have modified.

Just a few weeks in the past, we put the 2022 i4 eDrive40 via its paces and walked away very impressed. Whereas we had it, we additionally picked up the keys to an EV6 GT-Line AWD. Whereas the 2 have a variety of variations, in addition they have quite a few key similarities, and we suspect there will probably be some cross-shopping between the 2.

Totally different however related

It goes with out saying that almost all BMW homeowners received’t contemplate a Kia in the event that they want to decide up the keys to a brand new EV. Moreover, the i4 is predicated across the 4-Collection Gran Coupe, primarily that means it’s a conventional sedan with a barely sleeker roofline. The EV6 is far much less conventional, taking the form of a mixture between a sedan and an SUV, carving out a distinct segment section of the market that’s additionally occupied by the Hyundai Ioniq 5. So, whereas these two are fairly totally different, the electrical car market remains to be small in Australia, that means most EVs could possibly be thought of as rivals to at least one one other.

There may be, nonetheless, a big discrepancy in value between these two. The entry-level i4 eDrive40 that was examined begins at AU$99,900 ($70,834) plus on-road prices whereas the EVG GT-Line AWD tops out Kia’s electrical vary at AU$82,990 ($58,844). The flagship i4 M50i is on the market from AU$124,900 ($88,560) and will probably be a detailed rival to the potent EV6 GT, anticipated to be accessible from round AU$100,000 (~$70,000) when it arrives in early 2023.

Design

The i4 and EV6 couldn’t look any totally different. As talked about, they undertake totally different physique types and it’s the BMW that’s the extra conventional of the pair. Ignoring the kidney grilles, we predict it’s fairly a sleek-looking sedan, and have been notably keen on the aggressive laser headlights and the M bundle trimmings that our take a look at automobile got here with, together with the two-tone 19-inch wheels.

The Kia EV6 makes a extra dramatic assertion on the street and of the 2, it’s the automobile that turned extra heads. The truth is, one notably excited pedestrian visibly gasped and stared on the Kia intently as we drove previous one chilly afternoon. The BMW doesn’t appeal to the identical consideration.

Which of the 2 appears to be like higher? We’ll allow you to be the choose of that.

Inside

The BMW i4 is predicated across the 4-Collection Gran Coupe, that means it has a reasonably conventional inside structure and retains a big transmission tunnel. This makes the cabin really feel tighter than the Kia however for these sitting within the entrance, it gives loads of room. For us, the spotlight of the cabin was BMW’s new Curved Show.

Consisting of a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch infotainment display screen housed in an exquisite curved glass show, the association exudes sophistication and feels very fashionable. The most recent BMW Working System 8 can be featured. This software program is extraordinarily attentive to the contact, the graphics and clear and thrilling, and there may be a lot of scope for personalisation because of the accessible widgets. It’s a class above the shows of the Kia and consists of wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

So far as Kias go, the EV6’s twin 12.3-inch shows are pretty much as good because it will get. They’re housed in an identical curved association to the i4. Nonetheless, the display screen just isn’t as responsive and the software program appears certifiably fundamental in comparison with the BMW’s. It additionally feels a bit of bland and lacks the complicated and immersive graphics of the i4.

Nonetheless, tere are areas the place the cabin of the EV6 GT-Line AWD has the benefit over the i4 eDrive40. For one, the flat flooring makes it far more spacious, though the presence of a sunroof on our press automobile meant it truly had much less headroom for drivers than the BMW. You sit a lot larger within the Kia than you do the BMW and whereas the supplies don’t really feel fairly as good as within the Bimmer, they aren’t far behind. The overabundance of piano black plastic is a disgrace, although.

The Kia has another issues going for it, together with the extra configurable ambient lighting system, the presence of heated and ventilated seats which the i4 lacks, a heated steering wheel, and USB-C chargers within the entrance seatbacks.

Aside from the i4’s wonderful Curved Show, we most well-liked the inside of the EVG GT-Line AWD. That’s spectacular for a automobile that prices a lot much less.

Powertrains

The i4 we examined was the entry-level eDrive40. This entry-level mannequin has an 80.7 kWh battery pack driving an electrical motor on the rear wheels with 250 kW (335 hp) and 430 Nm (317 lb-ft) of torque. It may possibly hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.7 seconds and attain a 190 km/h (118 mph) prime velocity.

Admittedly, it’s not an apples-to-apples comparability in evaluating the eDrive40 to the all-wheel drive EV6 GT-Line. In any case, the latter has two electrical motors. Nonetheless, on condition that it develops 239 kW (320 hp) and 605 Nm (446 lb-ft), there isn’t an enormous chasm between their efficiency, with the EV6 needing 5.2 seconds to hit 100 km/h. In a straight-line then, there’s not a lot between them however the variations seem elsewhere.

From the second you set off within the i4 eDrive40, it feels far more hunkered down and sporty than the EV6. That is no shock given its smaller measurement however the variations are starker than you might count on. The whole lot feels extra exact, notably the steering, and the suspension appears higher suited to Australian roads, providing a superb compromise between sportiness and luxury. The EV6 GT-Line AWD feels prefer it floats and wallows over the street whereas the BMW feels nothing of the type. For spirited driving, it’s simply the higher of the 2.

There are some areas the place the EV6 pulls again. For one, its brakes are extra predictable than the BMW’s and the transition between the regenerative and the mechanical brakes is far smoother, verging on seamless. The transition of the i4’s brakes is abrupt and tough by comparability.

Talking of the regenerative brakes, that’s one other space the place the EV6 excels. Not solely does it provide a one-pedal driving mode, one thing that the i4 doesn’t, however the presence of paddle shifters means you may regulate the extent of regen on the fly. Drive the BMW and you’ll solely have the ability to regulate the regen settings by tapping via a number of menus on the infotainment display screen.

Charging

That is a simple win for the EV6. It’s underpinned by the Hyundai Group’s E-GMP structure with 800-volt expertise and might cost at speeds of as much as 350 kW. Which means it may be topped up from 10 to 80 per cent in simply 18 minutes. By comparability, the i4’s ICE underpinnings imply it’s capped at a peak charging velocity of 200 kW and takes 31 minutes to go from 10 to 80 per cent.

The place the BMW does have a bonus is in vary. The i4 eDrive40 has a claimed WLTP vary of 590 km (366 miles) in comparison with the EV6 GT-Line AWD with its claimed 484 km (300 miles). This largely comes right down to the truth that the Kia has a 77.4 kWh battery whereas the i4 eDrive40e has a bigger 84 kWh battery. Our testing of the 2 discovered the Kia to be barely extra environment friendly as we averaged 20.5 kWh/100 km throughout our testing in comparison with the 23.0 kWh/100 km of the i4, outcomes achieved throughout an identical mixture of metropolis and freeway driving. We didn’t take a look at the 2 back-to-back over precisely the identical route and in the identical climate circumstances, so these figures will definitely fluctuate for purchasers.

All BMW i4 eDrive40 fashions bought in Australia include 5 years of free charging throughout the Chargefox community. The EV6 doesn’t provide such a perk.

So, which one ought to I purchase?

Each the BMW i4 eDrive40 and Kia EV6 GT-Line AWD are wonderful EVs and occupy totally different positions within the ever-growing market. As such, a strong case could be made for each of them, relying on what a shopper is on the lookout for. For those who’re out there for an EV with a premium really feel that’s sporty to drive whereas nonetheless remaining snug, the i4 eDrive40 is a superb selection. These on the lookout for one thing barely bigger and keen to sacrifice some agility ought to put the EV6 GT-Line AWD on the prime of their buying record. For us? The EV6 takes the win as it’s higher worth for cash and can go well with extra consumers than the i4.