NIO Firefly vs BMW i4
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.
Data checked: specs 27 Sep 2026, price 6 Sep 2026
Driver assistance, as the maker lists it
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
NIO Firefly: not on sale yet, so NIO hasn't published price and energy consumption.
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.
Track the NIO Firefly & BMW i4
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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.
Recalls on our record
NIO Firefly
None open on our record
BMW i4
- REC-005559 · published 10 Nov 2022Due to a manufacturing defect, the high voltage battery may not meet specifications and could discharge or in some instances lead to a vehicle fire.Year range on the notice: 2021 - 2022
- REC-005503 · published 23 Aug 2022Due to a manufacturing defect, the high voltage battery does not meet specifications and may result in an electrical short circuit.Year range on the notice: 2021 - 2022
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
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
44.9kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 100kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (7kW AC, 100kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
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.
Feature Showdown
The NIO Firefly features a 13.2-inch touchscreen paired with a 6-inch digital dash, while the BMW i4 gets a 14.9-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The NIO Firefly stands out with Apple CarPlay, V2L and ambient lighting — features our data doesn't list for the BMW i4. The BMW i4 counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, head-up display, wireless charging, panoramic roof, heated front seats, ventilated seats, power tailgate and Harman Kardon audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The NIO Firefly uses a Single electric motor producing 105kW and 200Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a RWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.1 seconds.
The BMW i4 responds with a Electric making 210kW and 400Nm, paired to a auto driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 6 seconds.
The BMW i4 has the clear power advantage at 210kW vs 105kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the BMW i4 is 2.1s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 41.2kWh (NIO Firefly) vs 67kWh (BMW i4), giving WLTP ranges of 330km and 527km. DC fast charging peaks at 100kW (NIO Firefly) vs 180kW (BMW i4).
Space & Comfort
The NIO Firefly measures 4,003mm long on a 2,700mm wheelbase, 780mm shorter than the BMW i4 at 4,783mm (2,856mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BMW i4 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 404L in the NIO Firefly and 470L in the BMW i4, giving the BMW i4 a 66L advantage.
0Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
9.4m to 11.1m
Based on 9.4m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.1m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Warranty: 7 years / 150,000km (NIO Firefly) vs 5 years / 999,999km (BMW i4). The NIO Firefly has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the NIO Firefly if: You value a longer warranty, or prefer NIO's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the BMW i4 if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, or prefer BMW's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
BMW i4: Top CarSorted Score, 69 vs 54
The BMW i4 comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (69 vs 54), taking 8 of 10 key spec rows below. The deciding gaps: technology (BMW i4 ahead by 41), safety (BMW i4 ahead by 40), performance (BMW i4 ahead by 26). If boot space matters, the BMW i4 has a clear edge. The NIO Firefly adds peace of mind with a longer 7-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
One enquiry, local dealers' best price on each. Free for you to use. If you buy, the dealer may pay us a commission.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, NIO Firefly and BMW i4?
The BMW i4 is the cheapest at $88,900 before on-road costs.
Which has the longest driving range?
The BMW i4 has the most range at 430km (WLTP).
Which charges fastest?
The BMW i4 accepts the highest DC charging at up to 180kW.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
BMW i4 holds a 4-star ANCAP rating. We have no published ANCAP rating for NIO Firefly, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The BMW i4 has the largest boot at 470L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The BMW i4 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,600kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The NIO Firefly has the longest warranty at 7 years / 150k km.
Which is the most powerful?
The BMW i4 makes the most power at 210kW. The BMW i4 is quickest to 100km/h in 6s.
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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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