The BMW i4 is the electrified version of the 4 series Gran Coupe. This fastback hatch has stunning looks, plenty of power, a classy interior loaded with tech, plenty of cargo space, and a range of 227 to 307 miles, depending on the trim. While some car makers make EVs that are different from their standard line-up, the i4 looks and handles like a Bimmer.
Base Price: $69,700
As Tested: $87,845
Horsepower: 536
Mileage: 79 MPGe city/80 MPGe highway/80 MPGe combined
The i4 was introduced for the 2022 model year. The entry-level eDrive 35 trim debuted for 2023, and for 2024, the xDrive40 trim is added to the line-up and the infotainment system is updated.
The 2024 i4 comes in four trims: eDrive35, eDrive40, xDrive40 and M50. Starting prices range from $52,200 to $69,700. The eDrive35 and eDrive40 are rear-wheel drive. The xDrive40 and M50 come standard with all-wheel drive. There’s room for five passengers in two rows of seating.
Four powertrains are available on the 2024 i4. The eDrive35 has a 70-kWh battery and an electric motor with an output of 281 horsepower to the rear wheels and 295 pound-feet of torque. The eDrive40 gets an 81-kWh battery and electric motor that produce 335 horses and 317 pound-feet. The xDrive40 has an 81-kWh battery and two electric motors with a total output of 396 horsepower and 443 pound-feet. The M50 has an 81-kWh battery and two electric motors with a total output of 536 horsepower 586 pound-feet. The transmission on all trims is a single-speed automatic.
The lower trims have plenty of zip and power for everyday driving. Acceleration is brisk. BMW says the eDrive 35 can go from zero to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds; the eDrive40 in 5.4 seconds, the xDrive 40 in 4.9 seconds, and the M50 can rocket in just 3.7 seconds.
The M50 is lightning-quick and fun to drive! Touch the accelerator and the M50 blasts off the line. There’s also plenty of power for merging and passing at freeway speeds. Be careful because it’s way too easy to surpass the speed limit. The steering feels nicely weighted and the regenerative brakes are responsive and smooth. You can use one-pedal driving to help recharge the battery and maximize range. The ride is smooth on all but the bumpiest roads. Visibility is good all the way around.
The range of the i4 varies depending on the trim. The i4 M50 with 20-inch wheels has a range of 227 miles, while the xDrive40 with 18-inch wheels has a range of 307 miles. I was able to get as much as 250 miles per charge with the M50 by driving conservatively and limiting use of heat and air conditioning.
Charging time from 0% to 100% with a Level 2 / 240-volt outlet is less than 10 hours, according to BMW. With Level 3 / DC fast charging, the battery will go from a 10% to 80% charge in about 30 minutes. You can also charge with a regular 120-volt household plug, but this will only add 3-4 miles of range per hour.
EPA ratings for my i4 M50 tester are 79 MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent) city and 80 MPGe highway with a combined rating of 80.
The cabin has a clean and elegant feel as you’d expect in a BMW. Materials are high-end and the fit and finish are excellent. The front seats are comfortable and supportive, with some nice, cushy bolsters to keep you snug in the seat when you’re putting the pedal to the metal. Adults in the front row enjoy good leg- and headroom, but the backseat is a bit tight and taller adults will wish for more room. A ginormous display and 14.9-inch touchscreen stretch across much of the dash.
Standard features include remote keyless entry, rearview camera, dual-zone automatic climate control, front sport seats, 10-way adjustable driver and front passenger seats with manual cushion extension, sport leather steering wheel, synthetic leather upholstery, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, infotainment system with 14.9-inch touchscreen, navigation, 10-speaker audio system, satellite radio, HD Radio, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, voice recognition, four USB ports, rain-sensing windshield wipers, automatic high-beam headlights, universal garage door opener, three 12-volt DC power outlets, and a moonroof.
Available features include a surround-view camera system, head-up display, tri-zone automatic climate control, real leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel, heated rear outboard seats, 16-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system, wireless device charging, adaptive pivoting headlights, and ambient LED interior lighting.
Standard driver assistance technologies include forward collision warning, forward automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, traffic-sign recognition, pedestrian detection, rear cross-traffic alert and driver-attention monitoring.
Available driver assistance technologies include adaptive cruise control with steering assist, lane-keep assist, front and rear parking sensors, park assist, and drive recorder (a camera system which records and saves driving footage).
The BMW iDrive infotainment system looks great with its large 14.9-inch touchscreen which flows into the driver display. Graphics are crisp and the system responds quickly to commands. There’s also a rotary dial and several physical controls for inputs. But it does take some time to figure out the system. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard.
Cargo space is good for a luxury EV. There are 10 cubic feet with both rows of seating in place, and a respectable 45.6 cubes with the second row folded. A power liftgate is standard. Unlike many EVs, the i4 does not have a frunk (front trunk).
The good:
Handsome looks
Handles like a BMW – fun to drive!
Decent range
Smooth ride
Elegant cabin
Lots of standard and available features and tech
Standard wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
The not-so-good:
Tight second row
Pricing info:
My tester starts at $69,700. The Violet Blue paint is $4,500. Mocha Vernasca leather is $1,500. The Driving Assistance Pro Package is $1,700 and includes extended traffic jam assistant and active driving assist pro. The Shadowline Package with carbon fiber trim is $400. The Parking Assistance Package is $700 and includes parking assistant plus, active park distance control, rearview camera, and surround view camera with 3D view. The Premium Package is $1,650 and includes a heated steering wheel, Harman Kardon surround sound, and BMW curved display with head-up display. The Cooling and HP Tire Package is $2,500 and includes the M Technology Package and 20-inch M wheels. The Icon Adaptive LED with laserlight is $1,000. The drive recorder is $100. The personal eSim 5G is $300. The M Carbon Exterior Package is $2,800. Destination charge is $995 bringing the grand total to $87,845.
Bottom line:
This fastback hatch is much like a BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Gran Coupe but with all-electric power. The 2024 BMW i4 is fun to drive and is available with four different power trains, all of which have a decent range. The classy cabin, features and tech all add up to a solid offering among luxury EVs.
