Tesla Model 3 vs new BMW i3: which electric saloon?
The new electric BMW 3 Series starts at £47,925 and the Tesla Model 3 at £37,990. We compare UK prices, range, charging, boot space, company car tax and our own cost per mile figures.
Quick answers
- The Tesla Model 3 Premium Long Range RWD lists at £44,990 and the BMW i3 40 xDrive at £47,925, so the BMW costs £2,935 more on list prices in November 2026.
- The Model 3 Long Range has the longer WLTP range of the two closest rivals, 466 miles against 441 miles, while the dearer i3 50 xDrive claims up to 566 miles.
- By EV Compared's calculation, the Model 3 Long Range costs 1.75p a mile to charge at home on an 8p/kWh tariff and the i3 40 xDrive costs 1.92p a mile, a gap of about £17 over 10,000 miles.
- The i3 40 xDrive charges at up to 300 kW and BMW claims 10 to 80 per cent in 21 minutes, against 250 kW and an estimated 28 minutes for the Model 3 Long Range.
- The Model 3 has a 594-litre boot and an 88-litre front boot, against 420 litres and 31 litres in the i3.
- Both pay 4% benefit-in-kind in 2026/27, so a 40% taxpayer pays about £60 a month for the Model 3 Long Range and about £64 a month for the i3 40 xDrive.
- The i3 50 xDrive at £53,425 is above the £50,000 expensive car supplement threshold, adding £440 a year to vehicle tax for five years, which the i3 40 xDrive and Model 3 Long Range avoid.
The Tesla Model 3 is the better buy for most private drivers: the Premium Long Range RWD is £2,935 cheaper than the BMW i3 40 xDrive, goes 25 miles further on the WLTP test, has a bigger boot and costs less per mile. The new BMW i3 makes more sense if you want all-wheel drive, faster charging stops or a company car with a BMW badge.
The BMW i3 name is back, but not on a small city car. The new i3 is the electric version of the 3 Series saloon, built on BMW’s Neue Klasse platform, and it is aimed squarely at the Model 3. Below we compare the two on UK list prices, range, charging, practicality, company car tax and what each costs per mile to run. We have not driven either car, so the figures come from the manufacturers and the sources listed at the end.
How much do the Tesla Model 3 and BMW i3 cost in the UK?
The Model 3 costs from £37,990 and the BMW i3 from £47,925, on list prices in November 2026. Tesla prices come from the 1 October 2026 price tracker at EV Industry News, which reported no change to the Model 3; BMW prices come from its UK release of 30 September 2026.
| Version | UK list price | Drive | WLTP range | Peak DC charging |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive | £37,990 | Rear | 332 miles | 175 kW |
| Tesla Model 3 Premium Long Range RWD | £44,990 | Rear | 466 miles | 250 kW |
| BMW i3 40 xDrive | £47,925 | All-wheel | 441 miles | 300 kW |
| Tesla Model 3 Premium Long Range AWD | £49,990 | All-wheel | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| BMW i3 50 xDrive | £53,425 | All-wheel | 566 miles | 400 kW |
| Tesla Model 3 Performance | £59,990 | All-wheel | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
The closest pairing on price is the Model 3 Premium Long Range RWD against the i3 40 xDrive, a gap of £2,935. If you want all-wheel drive, the picture flips: the i3 40 xDrive is £2,065 cheaper than the Model 3 Premium Long Range AWD. Some earlier reports put the i3 50 xDrive at £53,005, but BMW’s own release lists £53,425. Neither car qualifies for the Electric Car Grant, and our guide to the new BMW i3 covers the full BMW line-up.
The Model 3 is on sale now. BMW says first UK deliveries of the i3 start in autumn 2026, after production began in Munich in August.
Which has the longer range?
On the closest pairing, the Model 3 has the longer range. The Model 3 Premium Long Range RWD claims 466 miles on the WLTP test against 441 miles for the i3 40 xDrive. Spend £53,425 on the i3 50 xDrive and BMW claims up to 566 miles from its 108.7 kWh battery, which no Model 3 matches.
Real-world range will be lower in both. EV Database estimates the i3 40 xDrive uses 240 Wh per mile in mixed driving, against 219 Wh per mile for the Model 3 Long Range. The Tesla’s 79 kWh usable battery is smaller than the BMW’s 82.8 kWh, but it uses less energy per mile, which is why the two end up so close.
Which charges faster?
The BMW i3 charges faster. The i3 40 xDrive peaks at 300 kW and BMW claims 10 to 80 per cent in 21 minutes, or up to 209 miles added in 10 minutes. The Model 3 Long Range peaks at 250 kW, and EV Database estimates 28 minutes for the same 10 to 80 per cent. The entry Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive tops out at 175 kW.
The Tesla’s advantage is the network. Model 3 drivers get full access to Superchargers at Tesla’s own prices, which averaged 48p/kWh in September 2026 according to Zapmap. The i3 has a CCS port, so it can use the Supercharger sites open to all EVs, but non-Tesla drivers paid an average of 69p/kWh there. Our guide to Tesla Supercharger prices explains how the pricing works.
What does each cost per mile?
EV Compared calculation: cost per mile = real-world consumption (EV Database, kWh per mile) × electricity price. So 0.219 kWh × 8p = 1.75p for the Model 3 Long Range, and 0.240 kWh × 8p = 1.92p for the i3 40 xDrive.
| Electricity price | Model 3 RWD (218 Wh/mi) | Model 3 Long Range RWD (219 Wh/mi) | BMW i3 40 xDrive (240 Wh/mi) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home off-peak, 8p/kWh | 1.74p | 1.75p | 1.92p |
| Price cap, 26.32p/kWh | 5.74p | 5.76p | 6.32p |
| Tesla Supercharger, 48p/kWh (Tesla drivers) | 10.46p | 10.51p | Not applicable |
| Supercharger open to all, 69p/kWh | Not applicable | Not applicable | 16.56p |
| Public rapid average, 79p/kWh | 17.22p | 17.30p | 18.96p |
The 8p/kWh figure is Intelligent Octopus Go, the price cap figure is the October to December 2026 unit rate, and the public figures are Zapmap’s September 2026 averages. Over 10,000 miles charged entirely at home on 8p/kWh, the Model 3 Long Range costs £175 and the i3 40 xDrive £192, a gap of £17 a year.
The gap grows if you charge away from home. With 90 per cent of miles charged at home and 10 per cent on the road, a Model 3 Long Range using Superchargers at 48p/kWh costs about £263 for 10,000 miles (9,000 × 1.75p + 1,000 × 10.51p). An i3 40 xDrive using public rapid chargers at 79p/kWh costs about £362 (9,000 × 1.92p + 1,000 × 18.96p), roughly £100 more. These figures are for the energy alone, and a little extra is lost as heat while charging. See how much it costs to charge a Tesla for full charge costs by trim.
Which has more boot space?
The Model 3 has more room for luggage. Its boot holds 594 litres with an 88-litre front boot, while BMW quotes 420 litres for the i3 plus a 31-litre front boot. That is a total of 682 litres against 451 litres, a gap of 231 litres in the Tesla’s favour.
Which is quicker?
The Model 3 Long Range is a fraction quicker than the i3 40 xDrive, though there is little in it. EV Database lists 0 to 62 mph in 5.2 seconds for the Model 3 Long Range RWD, while BMW quotes 5.4 seconds for the 374hp i3 40 xDrive. The 469hp i3 50 xDrive takes 4.7 seconds, and the entry Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive 6.2 seconds.
Which is cheaper as a company car?
The Model 3 is cheaper as a company car because its list price is lower. Both pay the 4% benefit-in-kind rate for zero-emission cars in 2026/27, set out in HMRC’s tables. Our method: list price × 4% × your tax rate ÷ 12.
| Car | List price | Monthly BIK, 20% taxpayer | Monthly BIK, 40% taxpayer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model 3 RWD | £37,990 | £25 | £51 |
| Tesla Model 3 Premium Long Range RWD | £44,990 | £30 | £60 |
| BMW i3 40 xDrive | £47,925 | £32 | £64 |
| BMW i3 50 xDrive | £53,425 | £36 | £71 |
The i3 50 xDrive also crosses the £50,000 threshold for the expensive car supplement, so it pays an extra £440 a year in vehicle tax for five years, £2,200 in total, on top of the £200 standard rate (gov.uk). The i3 40 xDrive sits £2,075 below the threshold, so check that options do not push its list price over £50,000. Our Tesla company car tax guide has more on how benefit-in-kind works for each Tesla.
Is the new BMW i3 the same as the old i3?
No. The original BMW i3 was a small, tall city car sold from 2013 to 2022, and its last version had up to 190 miles of range, according to Auto Express. The new i3 is an electric 3 Series saloon with more than twice that range. If you are comparing a used original i3 with a used Model 3, they are very different cars in size and range.
Which should you buy?
Buy the Tesla Model 3 if:
- You want the lowest price; the Rear-Wheel Drive at £37,990 is £9,935 below the cheapest i3
- You charge mostly at home and want the lowest cost per mile
- You need the bigger boot
- You do long trips and want Supercharger access at Tesla driver prices
Buy the BMW i3 if:
- You want all-wheel drive for less than an all-wheel-drive Model 3
- You want shorter charging stops, with 300 kW or 400 kW peak rates
- You want the longest range available, which means the i3 50 xDrive at 566 miles
- You prefer buying through a BMW dealer to Tesla’s direct sales model
For a private buyer, the Model 3 Long Range gives you more range and space for less money. For a company car driver, the i3 40 xDrive costs about £4 a month more in tax at 40%, a small price for faster charging and all-wheel drive. If you are still choosing a Model 3 version, read Model 3 Standard vs Long Range, and if you want a BMW saloon on sale now, see BMW i4 vs Tesla Model 3.
How we test and where our numbers come from
Range figures are official WLTP combined values taken from manufacturer UK specification pages, with real-world estimates drawn from independent comparative testing. Prices are UK list prices at the time of the latest update. Tax, grant and charging-scheme figures come from GOV.UK and HMRC publications. We re-check every guide when pricing, specification or policy changes. Last checked 1 November 2026. How we work out our own figures.
Frequently asked questions
Is the BMW i3 better than the Tesla Model 3?
The BMW i3 is better on charging speed and gives you all-wheel drive for less than an all-wheel-drive Model 3, while the Tesla Model 3 is better on price, boot space and running costs. The Model 3 Premium Long Range RWD costs £44,990 against £47,925 for the i3 40 xDrive, and goes 25 miles further on the WLTP test.
Which is cheaper, the BMW i3 or the Tesla Model 3?
The Tesla Model 3 is cheaper, from £37,990 for the Rear-Wheel Drive against £47,925 for the cheapest BMW i3, the 40 xDrive. The closest match on price is the Model 3 Premium Long Range RWD at £44,990, which is £2,935 less than the i3 40 xDrive.
Which has the longer range, the BMW i3 or the Tesla Model 3?
The BMW i3 50 xDrive has the longest range, at up to 566 miles WLTP according to BMW. Like for like, the Model 3 Premium Long Range RWD (466 miles) beats the i3 40 xDrive (441 miles), and real-world range will be lower than the WLTP figure in both.
Which is cheaper to run, the BMW i3 or the Tesla Model 3?
The Tesla Model 3 is slightly cheaper to run, at 1.75p a mile against 1.92p a mile for the i3 40 xDrive on an 8p/kWh home tariff, by our calculation. The bigger gap is on the road: Tesla drivers paid an average of 48p/kWh at Superchargers in September 2026, while the average public rapid price was 79p/kWh.
Can the new BMW i3 use Tesla Superchargers?
Yes, the BMW i3 can use the Tesla Supercharger sites that are open to all electric cars, because it has a CCS charging port. Zapmap puts the average price at those sites at 69p/kWh for non-Tesla drivers in September 2026, against 48p/kWh paid by Tesla drivers.
Is the new BMW i3 the same car as the old i3?
No, the new BMW i3 is an electric version of the 3 Series saloon and shares only its name with the original i3. The original was a small city car sold from 2013 to 2022, and its last 42kWh version had a range of up to 190 miles, according to Auto Express.
When can I get a new BMW i3 in the UK?
BMW says first UK customer deliveries of the new i3 start in autumn 2026, after production began in Munich in August 2026. The Model 3 is on sale now from £37,990.
Sources and further reading
- newsroom.bmwgroup.comThe new BMW 3 SeriesBMW UK release of 30 September 2026: i3 40 xDrive from £47,925 and i3 50 xDrive from £53,425 OTR; 374hp and 469hp; 82.8 kWh and 108.7 kWh batteries; up to 441 and 566 miles WLTP; 300 kW and 400 kW charging; up to 209 miles in 10 minutes for the 40; 0 to 62 mph in 5.4 and 4.7 seconds; 420-litre boot and 31-litre front boot; production from August 2026 and first UK deliveries in autumn 2026.
- ev-database.orgBMW i3 40 xDrive (2026) price and specificationsi3 40 xDrive at £47,925 OTR, 82.8 kWh usable battery, 441-mile WLTP range and a real-world consumption estimate of 240 Wh per mile, used in our cost per mile sums.
- ev-database.orgTesla Model 3 Premium RWD (Highland)Model 3 Premium Long Range RWD: 79 kWh usable battery, 466-mile WLTP range, 219 Wh per mile real-world estimate, 250 kW peak charging, 28 minutes for 10 to 80 per cent, 0 to 62 mph in 5.2 seconds, 594-litre boot and 88-litre front boot.
- ev-database.orgTesla Model 3 RWD (Highland)Model 3 RWD: £37,990 OTR, 60 kWh usable battery, 332-mile WLTP range, 218 Wh per mile real-world estimate, 175 kW peak charging and 0 to 62 mph in 6.2 seconds.
- evinfo.infoTesla UK Prices October 1st 2026Model 3 UK cash prices: Rear-Wheel Drive £37,990, Premium Long Range RWD £44,990, Premium Long Range AWD £49,990 and Performance £59,990, unchanged on 1 October 2026.
- carwow.co.ukTesla Model 3 Review & PricesModel 3 RRP from £37,990 and Premium versions with up to 466 miles of range (page updated 2 October 2026).
- carbuyer.co.ukBMW i3 Saloon 275kW 40 xDrive 87kWh 4dr Auto prices and specsBMW's claimed 21 minutes for a 10 to 80 per cent charge on the i3 40 xDrive, WLTP efficiency of 4.3 miles per kWh and a 420-litre boot.
- electricdrives.tvBMW i3 entry price drops with new specification, as orders pick upReport of 30 September 2026 confirming the i3 40 xDrive at £47,925 and the i3 50 xDrive at £53,425.
- zapmap.comCharging Price IndexSeptember 2026 averages: 79p/kWh at public rapid and ultra-rapid chargers, 69p/kWh at Superchargers open to all drivers and 48p/kWh paid by Tesla drivers.
- gov.ukVehicle tax rate tablesElectric cars with a list price over £50,000 pay an extra £440 a year for five years from the second time the vehicle is taxed; the standard annual rate is £200.
- gov.ukEIM24705: Company cars: appropriate percentage tablesZero-emission company cars have an appropriate percentage of 4% in 2026 to 2027.
- autoexpress.co.ukBMW i3 (2013 to 2022) reviewThe original BMW i3 was on sale from 2013 to 2022, and its last 42kWh version had up to 190 miles of range.
EV Compared
The EV Compared editorial team tracks the UK electric vehicle market full time: new model launches, list prices, WLTP and real-world range, public charging tariffs and the tax rules that decide what an EV actually costs to run. Every guide is checked against manufacturer specifications and official GOV.UK figures, and updated whenever the numbers move.
Related reading
View all
Tesla Model 3 Standard vs Long Range: which to buy in the UK
The Model 3 Standard costs £37,990 and the Premium Long Range RWD £44,990. We work out what the extra £7,000 buys in range, charging, kit and tax.
BMW i3 UK prices from £47,925, just £2,950 above the petrol 320
The electric 3 Series now starts at £47,925, just £2,950 above the petrol BMW 320, with up to 566 miles of range on the top model. Here are the prices, the Tesla Model 3 and Mercedes rivals, company car tax and delivery dates.
How much does it cost to charge a Tesla in the UK?
We worked out the cost of a full charge for every new Tesla Model 3 and Model Y on a smart home tariff, the standard price cap, Tesla's Superchargers and other public rapid chargers.
Tesla company car tax: Model 3 and Model Y BIK in 2026/27
Every Model 3 and Model Y pays 4% benefit-in-kind tax this year, so the list price decides your bill. Here is what each trim costs at 20%, 40% and 45%, and how the rate rises to 10% by 2030/31.
Tesla Model 3 vs Xpeng P7+: UK Cost per Mile, Price and Range
The Xpeng P7+ charges faster and comes with more kit, but the Model 3 uses less energy and has a confirmed UK price. We work out what each costs per mile.
Tesla Supercharger prices UK: what Tesla and non-Tesla drivers pay
Tesla drivers paid an average of 48p/kWh on Superchargers in September 2026, while other EVs paid 69p at open sites. We set out what each group pays, how peak and off-peak pricing works and when a membership is worth it.