BMW i4 vs Lotus Emeya
Two electric Sedans go head to head. Which EV is the better buy for Australian drivers in 2026?
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Lotus Emeya: we're still completing price, turning circle and braked towing.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
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Price Breakdown
Pricing for one or both models is yet to be confirmed for the Australian market. We will update this comparison when official RRPs are announced.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Charging Times
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to ultra-rapid DC, estimated from battery size and max charge rates.
How long to charge
80.7kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 180kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 180kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
How long to charge
102kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 420kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (22kW AC, 420kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The BMW i4 features a 14.9-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Lotus Emeya gets a 15.1-inch display and 12.6-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The BMW i4 stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, wireless charging, heated front seats, ventilated seats and Harman Kardon audio that you will not find on the Lotus Emeya. The Lotus Emeya counters with Apple CarPlay, V2L and KEF audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the BMW i4 gets sensatec synthetic leather upholstery while the Lotus Emeya offers leather. Climate control is 2-zone in the BMW i4 and 4-zone in the Lotus Emeya.
Drivetrain
The BMW i4 uses a Electric producing 210kW and 400Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a RWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 6 seconds.
The Lotus Emeya responds with a Electric Motor making 450kW and 710Nm, paired to a automatic driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 4.2 seconds.
The Lotus Emeya has the clear power advantage at 450kW vs 210kW. In the real-world sprint, the Lotus Emeya is 1.8s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 67kWh (BMW i4) vs 102kWh (Lotus Emeya), giving WLTP ranges of 527km and 610km. DC fast charging peaks at 180kW (BMW i4) vs 420kW (Lotus Emeya).
Space & Comfort
The BMW i4 measures 4,783mm long on a 2,856mm wheelbase, 356mm shorter than the Lotus Emeya at 5,139mm (3,069mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Lotus Emeya generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 470L in the BMW i4 and 509L in the Lotus Emeya, giving the Lotus Emeya a 39L advantage.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.1m diameter
Average
Based on 11.1m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator: U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Average
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 9.6 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: clears in one
U-turn on a standard street
7 m: 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
1.9 m wide: fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m: swings in
Narrow laneway
3.5 m: no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (BMW i4) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Lotus Emeya). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the BMW i4 if: You or prefer BMW's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Lotus Emeya if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, or prefer Lotus's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Lotus Emeya takes 8 of 8 key spec categories. If boot space matters, the Lotus Emeya has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, BMW i4 and Lotus Emeya?
The BMW i4 is the cheapest at $88,900 before on-road costs.
Which has the longest driving range?
The Lotus Emeya has the most range at 580km (WLTP).
Which charges fastest?
The Lotus Emeya accepts the highest DC charging at up to 420kW.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — BMW i4 all hold a 4-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Lotus Emeya has the largest boot at 509L.
Which can tow the most?
The BMW i4 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,600kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Lotus Emeya makes the most power at 450kW. The Lotus Emeya is quickest to 100km/h in 4.2s.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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