Compare the2026 BMW i4VS 2026 Toyota C-HR

The i4’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The C-HR doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

Both the i4 and the C-HR have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The i4 comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The C-HR’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The i4’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the C-HR’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the i4 for 1 year and 11000 miles longer than Toyota pays for maintenance for the C-HR (3/36,000 vs. 2/25000).

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Toyota vehicles. With 4 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks BMW higher than Toyota.

The i4 xDrive40’s standard electric motors produces 58 more horsepower (396 vs. 338) than the C-HR’s electric motors. The i4 M60’s standard electric motors produces 255 more horsepower (593 vs. 338) than the C-HR’s electric motors.

The i4 can travel longer on a full charge than the C-HR on a full charge:

The i4 has a standard locking charge port which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The C-HR doesn’t have a locking charge port. A locking charge port prevents tampering and damage.

The i4 M50’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The C-HR doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the i4’s brake rotors are larger than those on the C-HR:

For better traction, the i4 M60’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the C-HR (F:255/35R20 & R:285/30R20 vs. 235/60R18).

The i4’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the C-HR SE’s standard 60 series tires. The i4 M60’s optional 255/35R20 front and 285/30R20 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the C-HR XSE’s 50 series tires.

The rear suspension of the i4 uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the C-HR, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The i4 offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The C-HR’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The i4 has a standard automatic rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The C-HR doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the i4’s wheelbase is 4.1 inches longer than on the C-HR (112.4 inches vs. 108.3 inches).

The front grille of the i4 uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The C-HR doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the i4. The C-HR doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the i4’s liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The C-HR doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The i4 uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The C-HR uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

When two different drivers share the i4, the memory system makes it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, outside mirror angle and radio stations. The C-HR doesn’t offer a memory system.

The i4 offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The C-HR doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The i4’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The C-HR’s power window (except driver window) and power lock switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the i4 has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The C-HR doesn’t offer cornering lights. The i4 also offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The i4’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The C-HR has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the i4 keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The C-HR doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The BMW i4 has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Homelink® is only available on the C-HR XSE.

The i4’s optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The C-HR doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The i4 is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The C-HR doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW i4, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The i4 was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2023. The C-HR has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.