The 2025 BMW i4 in Scottsdale certainly wears a well-known badge. As a BMW, it has a certain clout or name recognition. However, it doesn’t have the award shelf that you’ll find with the Hyundai Ioniq 6.

When it was introduced, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 scooped up tons of awards. This includes global recognition such as World Car of the Year, World Electric Vehicle, and World Car Design of the Year. Other awards included Best Family Car, and Green Car of the Year.

Meanwhile in the United States, it was named EV of the Year by Motor Trend and Car and Driver. Wards named it to the 10 Best Engines & Propulsion Systems. Currently the 2025 model is considered Best Electric Car overall by US News and World Report. Car and Driver call it an Editors’ Choice and rate it as the top electric sedan.  

These awards demonstrate that the Hyundai Ioniq 6 is not only recognized for its technology and engineering for its overall packaging and design. It doesn’t need -- nor does it rely on -- a badge.  

How Big is the BMW i4?

Before we dig into luxuries, amenities, and technologies, let’s look at how big these electric vehicles are. Considering the higher price of the BMW i4, a shopper might think it was the bigger one.

However, the Ioniq 6 is more spacious in almost every single way it counts. It can claim more headroom on both rows and more legroom on both rows.  

Another big difference is that the Ioniq has a flat floor due to its EV build. Meanwhile, the 2025 BMW i4 doesn’t have a flat floor because it was built on an adjusted gas-engine platform.  

Lastly, the Ioniq sedan has more room in its trunk than the BMW i4 hatchback in its cargo hold.  

How Luxurious is the 2025 BMW i4?

Some shoppers will point to the luxury badge on the 2025 BMW i4 as evidence that it is the most luxurious in this comparison. And there’s no denying that it offers a big list of amenities, tech tools and conveniences. However, to get everything you really want, you may find yourself paying thousands more than the list price.

You’ll find leather, ventilated seats, 64-color ambient lighting and much more on the menu for the Ioniq 6. Plus, it has a luxury car vibe. Motor Trend praises it for a comfortable ride and quietness. It has a smooth one-pedal driving experience that will make drivers happy.  

What is the Electric Range of the BMW i4 in Scottsdale?

Estimates for the BMW i4 electric range include 276 miles (eDrive35 RWD), 301 miles (eDrive40 RWD), and 307 miles (xDrive40 AWD). However, these figures don’t compare well with the Ioniq 6.

In comparison, the Ioniq 6 SE claims up to 361 miles with the long range battery and standard wheels. The Ioniq 6 AWD claims up to 316 miles with the same wheels. Choosing the 20-inch wheels, the estimates are 305 and 270 miles.  

As for the fuel efficiency, the 2025 BMW i4 eDrive35 earns 115 mpg-e combined while the eDrive40 earns 112 mpg-e combined. The xDrive40 drops to 101 or 99 mpg-e combined, and the i4 M50 earns 94 or 80 mpg-e, depending on the wheel size.  

With its 800 volt architecture to assist it, the Ioniq 6 SE earns up to 153 mpg-e in the city and 127 mpg-e on the highway. That’s a combined 140 mpg-e with the long range FWD set-up. Larger wheels and/or AWD reduce those numbers, but EPA estimates range from 103 to 135 mpg-e combined.  

This indicates that the Ioniq 6 is more likely to save money on fuel compared to the BMW i4. Furthermore, the Ioniq 6 has a much faster 10-80 percent charging time due to its 800-volt architecture. Its top speed of 18 minutes at a fast charger is much better than the BMW i4’s top charging speed of 30 minutes.  

What’s the i4 Performance Like?

BMW offers a 281-horsepower set-up on the i4 eDrive35 RWD and a 335-horsepower set-up on the i4 eDrive40 RWD. When it comes to cost, these are the two EV powertrains that a shopper is most likely to compare to the Ioniq 6.

In comparison, the Ioniq 6 Long Range FWD powertrain creates 225 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque at a purchase price far lower than the entry level BMW i4. Of course, this Ioniq 6 has a longer driving range, beating the BMW i4 FWD by about 60 miles. So that’s a trade-off many shoppers will consider seriously.  

As the price of the Ioniq 6 approaches the entry level BMW i4 price, you can get the Ioniq 6 AWD powertrain and enjoy its 320 horsepower and 446 lb-ft of torque. Plus you have all-wheel drive for all-weather capability.  

The BMW i4 xDrive AWD can claim similar torque (443 lb-ft) and 396 horsepower. However, to get this increase, you’ll pay quite a bit more for the BMW than you would for the 320-horsepower Ioniq 6 AWD. At the top of the i4 hierarchy -- and pricing -- you’ll find the 536-horsepower i4 M50.  

So you can choose to save big with the Ioniq 6 FWD and enjoy the best driving range. Or you can compare the cost of the 320-horsepower AWD Ioniq 6 to the similarly priced 281-horsepower i4.  

Conclusion

Whether you measure it by electric range, MPG-e, or charging times, the Ioniq 6 comes out ahead of the 2025 BMW i4 in Scottsdale. If you are considering the 2025 BMW i4 for its luxuries or power, just realize that the Ioniq 6 is always bigger and offers better horsepower for the money.

More amenities at a lower price point is another big plus in favor of the Ioniq 6. Finally, lower ownership costs should sweeten the deal, if you are considering the Ioniq 6 vs BMW i4 in Scottsdale.  

The best way to make a decision is to test drive the 2025 Ioniq 6 at our dealership, Earnhardt Hyundai in North Scottsdale. Hands-on research is the best way to discover if you like the car’s 26.6 inches of panoramic screens or its remote parking feature.  

Schedule a test drive.