BMW is getting good at building polished, driver-centric cars that happen to be electric. Viewing the EV option as a choice instead of a must makes the electric Bimmers more appealing.
At a Glance
- Good drive feel and acceleration
- Well done luxury interior
- Right-sized EV capability
The BMW i4 is part of the 4 Series sedan lineup, which includes several gasoline- and electric-powered models. Gasoline models come in both two-door (Coupe) and four-door (Gran Coupe) formats plus a two-door convertible. The i4 is similar to the Gran Coupe, and for those with a performance bent, the sport-tuned M4 models have an electric counterpart in the M50.
For those wondering, the electric BMW i4 is actually lower priced than is the gasoline model 430i. Starting price is US$53,195 plus destination for the eDrive35 entry-level i4 compared to the $59,095 of the 430i. For this review, I drove the more expensive all-wheel drive xDrive40 model i4 with some options added for a total price tag of about $65,000 with delivery.
The most compelling part of the i4, though, is its drive quality. It’s a true BMW with a responsive feel and poised presence. If your inclination is to try to counter that with claims that your preferred EV is just as good, you aren’t the audience here. There’s a particular nuance and road-ready feel to a Bimmer, especially in coupes and sedans, that isn’t replicated elsewhere. It’s not the same as the opulence of a Mercedes or the prim of a Jaguar. Tesla does not have the refinement and Audi, while coming close sometimes, is still too pushy. A good BMW glides while staying engaged with both road and driver. And while some models, especially in the SUV lineup, miss this, the BMW i4 does not.
In short, the i4 is an electrified model that core BMW fans will very much enjoy.
The 2024 BMW i4 has a nicely done interior. It’s typical of most BMW models, being comfortable but not too comfortable in that way the German automaker is known to be. Others are comparably more plush or more sport-centric in feel, with this BMW fitting between those two ends of the luxury spectrum. Infotainment is well-placed and easy to understand, and adjustments are easy to make, with decent visibility through mirrors and head turns.
The i4’s trunk isn’t huge, but it’s large enough for a sedan of this size. There are of course some compromises to be made when choosing a sedan over a hatchback or crossover-SUV.
BMW says that the i4 has a range of 280-300 or so miles per charge, depending on model. The near-base eDrive40 models are EPA-rated at about 301 miles (484 km) per charge and all-wheel drive models (introduced this year) up that to 307 (494 km). Most drivers should get close to that as those ranges appear to be near to real-world returns. I was on track to get over 300 miles out of the xDrive40, and it’s a pretty small car compared to some others with longer expected ranges.
Charging is another high point of the BMW i4. At fast chargers, most EVs today top out around 150 kW. The i4 goes to 200 kW. Most at-home chargers are at about 11 kW. Public charging wasn’t operational when I tried to plug in the BMW, but it plugged into my home charger without a hitch and pulled the maximum 41 amps available.
The BMW i4 is what those who know the brand would expect from their car. It’s well-built, comfortable without being cushy, and very engaging. It’s difficult for me to think of a better example of the BMW driving experience than what I had in the 2024 i4.
Product Page: 2024 BMW i4