Overview

The BMW i4 has long been one of our favourite electric cars. It’s a zero-emission version of the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe that proves electric cars can appeal to driving enthusiasts – and that going fully electric doesn’t mean you have to make huge compromises.

What’s more, because the i4 doesn’t emit any carbon dioxide, it’s a screamingly attractive company car. You’ll only pay 3% Benefit in Kind from the start of the 2025/2026 tax year, which means you can have a top-spec M50 model on your drive for just over £2,000 a year. That’s why we gave it our 2025 Company Car of the Year award.

It starts to look even better when you compare the i4 to its rivals. Competitors include the likes of the BYD Seal, Polestar 2, Tesla Model 3 and Volkswagen ID.7 – but none drive quite as sweetly and none command the same level of prestige.

BMW revised the i4 in spring 2024, dragging some of its newest technology into what’s now the oldest EV in the brand’s line-up. The tweaks were fairly minor, consisting of some new headlights, fresh taillights and a reworked interior that now features the brand’s latest Curved Display infotainment system.

Despite these changes, the i4 remains one of the most conventional cars in its class. Its styling is identical to the petrol-powered 4 Series and it shares the same simple cabin, which sets it apart from the hyper-futuristic Hyundai Ioniq 6 and Porsche Taycan.

There are three powertrains to choose from. At the lowest end of the spectrum, there’s the 286hp eDrive35 and 340hp eDrive40 both of which are rear-wheel drive. Above that, there’s the storming (and four-wheel drive) 544hp M50.

The eDrive35 is powered a 67.1kWh battery pack that provides a maximum WLTP driving range of 298 miles. The eDrive40 model has a larger 81.3kWh battery pack that bumps range up to 359 miles. The M50 uses the same battery but, because it has an extra motor, it can only cover 318 miles between charges.

Over the next few pages, we’ll assess each aspect of the BMW i4 considering its practicality, interior quality, technology, driving experience and running costs before offering our final verdict on the car. If you’d like to learn more about how we assessed the car, check out our how we test cars explainer page.