2015 BMW i8 vs 2014 Tesla Model S

2015 BMW i8

2014 Tesla Model S

Select style

2-Door Coupe

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
i8 2-Door Coupe	N/A	N/A	$126,080	$136,500

Select style

4-Door Sedan 60 kWh Battery

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Model S 4-Door Sedan 60 kWh Battery	N/A	N/A	N/A	$69,900
Model S 4-Door Sedan 85 kWh Battery	N/A	N/A	N/A	$79,900
Model S 4-Door Sedan P85	N/A	N/A	N/A	$93,400
Model S 4-Door Sedan P85D	N/A	N/A	N/A	$119,000

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$126,080

N/A

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$136,500

$69,900

Monthly Payment Estimate

$2275 / month

$1165 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

8.4

Read Our Full Review

8.6

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The 2015 BMW i8 is a ground-breaking new sports coupe with a plug-in hybrid powertrain that delivers several driving personalities from which the driver can choose.

Now in its third year, the 2014 Tesla Model S has no direct competitor. It remains the undisputed top choice in the growing world of plug-in electric cars, and there's a good case to be made that it's the most advanced car of any kind on the planet.

TCC Likes

Sleek coupe looks
Unparalleled fuel efficiency
Calm all-electric running in town

Striking design, tunning performance
Nothing else competes with it
Fast-growing Supercharger network

TCC Dislikes

Pricey for its performance
Interior hardly luxurious
Could suffer from nerd factor

Only offered in certain states
Missing some luxury features
Pricey options boost bottom line

Fuel Economy

City

0 mpg

Highway

0 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Subcompact Cars

Large Cars

Interior Dimensions

Second Head Room (in)

32.4

35.3

Passenger Capacity

Second Shoulder Room (in)

49.6

Front Head Room (in)

38.7

38.8

Front Shoulder Room (in)

56.7

57.7

Second Leg Room (in)

28.2

35.4

Passenger Volume (ft³)

Front Leg Room (in)

43.1

42.7

Front Hip Room (in)

Second Hip Room (in)

54.7

Exterior Dimensions

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

76.5

77.3

Track Width, Front (in)

64.7

65.4

Length, Overall (in)

184.9

195.9

Height, Overall (in)

50.8

56.5

Track Width, Rear (in)

67.8

66.9

Wheelbase (in)

110.2

116.5

Cargo Area Dimensions

Trunk Volume (ft³)

4.7

Cargo Volume with Rear Seat Down (ft³)

58.1

Cargo Volume with Rear Seat Up (ft³)

26.3

Brakes

Brake Type

4-Wheel Disc

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

13.4

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

14.4

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

11.1

Steering

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

40.4

Steering Type

Rack-Pinion

Tires

Rear Tire Size

P245/40YR20

P245/45WR19

Rear Tire Order Code

Front Tire Size

P215/45YR20

P245/45WR19

Spare Tire Size

Front Tire Order Code

Spare Tire Order Code

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

3455

4647

Wheels

Front Wheel Material

Forged Aluminum

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Front Wheel Size (in)

20 X 7.5

19 X 8

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Rear Wheel Material

Forged Aluminum

Aluminum

Rear Wheel Size (in)

20 X 8.5

19 X 8

Engine

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

357 @ 5800

302 @ 5000

Engine Type

Intercooled Turbo Gas/Electric I-3

Electric

Fuel System

Gasoline Direct Injection

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

420

317

Engine Order Code

Displacement

1.5 L/91

Mileage

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

28 (Est)

EPA MPG Equivalent - Combined

Battery Range (mi)

208

EPA MPG Equivalent - Hwy

EPA MPG Equivalent - City

Transmission

Drivetrain

All Wheel Drive

Rear Wheel Drive

Reverse Ratio (:1)

3.19

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

2.51

Trans Order Code

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.14

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic w/OD

Automatic

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.67

First Gear Ratio (:1)

4.46

8.28

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

3.68

9.73

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.56

Trans Type

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.85

Trans Description Cont. Again

Summary

Body Style

Coupe

Hatchback

Vehicle Name

BMW i8

Tesla Model S

Suspension

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Front

Double Wishbone

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

Double Wishbone

Suspension Type - Rear

Multi-Link

Crash Test Ratings

Overall Rating

Overall Frontal Barrier Crash Rating

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Driver

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Passenger

Overall Side Crash Rating

Side Barrier Rating

Side Barrier Rating Driver

Side Barrier Rating Passenger Rear Seat

Side Pole Rating Driver Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Rear Seat

Rollover Rating

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