VS
At a Glance
Power
442 kW
500 kW
Torque
795 Nm
930 Nm
Fuel
17.1 kWh/100km l/100km
1.7 l/100km
Towing
1600 Kg
—
0-100 km/h
3.7 s
3.2 s
Engine
electric cc
3996 cc
Choosing between the BMW i4 and the Porsche Panamera is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The BMW i4 delivers 442 kW while the Porsche Panamera produces 500 kW. On fuel, the i4 returns 17.1 kWh/100km l/100km while the Panamera uses 1.7 l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R1 750 000 for the i4 and R4 297 000 for the Panamera. Both vehicles have their merits. The right choice depends on your priorities: fuel economy, performance, towing ability, safety features or total cost of ownership. This comparison covers every specification available so you can make an informed decision.
Performance
Power Output
442 kW
500 kW
Torque
795 Nm
930 Nm
0-100 kph
3.7 s
3.2 s
Top Speed
225 Km/h
315 Km/h
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
electric cc
3996 cc
Engine Layout
—
V
Cylinders
—
8
Fuel Type
electric
petrol-electric hybrid
Forced Induction Device
—
turbocharger
Transmission
automatic
automatic
Number of Gears
—
8
Drive Wheels
all
all
Full Time 4x4
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
17.1 kWh/100km l/100km
1.7 l/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity
83.9 kWh l
80 l
CO2 Emissions
—
38 g/km
Dimensions
Length
4783 mm
5054 mm
Width
1852-2073 mm
1937-2165 mm
Height
1448 mm
1421 mm
Wheelbase
2856 mm
2950 mm
Ground Clearance
125 mm
132 mm
Kerb Weight
2210 DIN / 2285 EU Kg
2360 DIN / 2435 EU Kg
Doors
5
5
Seats
5
4 (opt 4+1)
Load Volume
470-1290 l
421-1255 l
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
1600 Kg
—
Load Capacity
520 l
470 l
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Brake Assist
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Stability Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Traction Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Airbag Count
6
8 (opt 10)
Driver Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Passenger Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Side Airbags Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Curtain Airbags
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Features & Tech
Air Conditioning
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Climate Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Cruise Control
Optional
Optional
Adaptive Cruise Control
Optional
Optional
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Satellite Navigation
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Reversing Camera
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Sunroof
✓ Standard
Optional
Heated Seats
Optional
✓ Standard
Keyless Entry
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Tow Bar
Optional
—
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
2 vehicle / 8 battery
2 vehicle / 6 hybrid battery
Warranty Distance
unlimited vehicle / 100000 battery Km
unlimited vehicle / 120000 hybrid batter
Service Intervals
service interval indicator
15000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
Porsche Panamera
3 / 4 categories
Performance
Panamera
Fuel Economy
Panamera
Value
i4
Practicality
Panamera
Pros & Cons
BMW i4
Lower starting price (R1 750 000)
Higher fuel consumption (17.1 kWh/100km l/100km)
Less power than rival (442 kW vs 500 kW)
Porsche Panamera
More powerful engine (500 kW)
Better fuel economy (1.7 l/100km)
Quicker 0-100 km/h (3.2 ss)
Higher starting price
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the i4 or Panamera?
The i4 uses 17.1 kWh/100km l/100km and the Panamera uses 1.7 l/100km on the combined cycle. The Panamera is the more fuel-efficient choice. In South African conditions with a mix of highway and urban driving, real-world figures will be slightly higher.
Which has more power, the i4 or Panamera?
The i4 produces 442 kW and 795 Nm of torque while the Panamera delivers 500 kW and 930 Nm of torque. The Panamera is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the i4 and Panamera?
The i4 starts from R1 750 000 and the Panamera from R4 297 000. The i4 is cheaper by R2 547 000 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the i4 or Panamera?
The i4 has a braked towing capacity of 1600 Kg and the Panamera can tow not specified. Always verify towing limits in the owner's manual before hitching a trailer.
Should I buy the i4 or the Panamera?
It depends on your priorities. If fuel economy matters most, check the L/100km figures above. If you need towing capacity, compare the towing ratings. For day-to-day South African driving - load shedding runs, potholed roads, school runs and highway commutes - consider ground clearance, service network coverage, and total cost of ownership including insurance and maintenance. Use the spec tables above to compare every detail before making your decision.