Overview

The BMW i4 is a fully electric fastback executive car – or, in marketing speak, a five-door coupe. It’s essentially an EV version of the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe, and aims to prove not only that electric cars can continue to appeal to driving enthusiasts, but that going fully electric doesn’t require any real compromise from what you’re used to.

It’s a rival for the Tesla Model 3, BYD Seal and the Polestar 2 and has proven so good at that, we named it our Company Car of The Year for 2023. But those considering an electric vehicle around this price might also consider a more luxury-focused EV such as the excellent Volkswagen ID.7 or striking-looking Hyundai Ioniq 6.

The i4 feels very conventional compared to most of these rivals, but this isn’t really a downside. Launched alongside BMW’s iX – the brand’s self-proclaimed ‘pinnacle’ of BMW electric vehicle technology – it doesn’t stand out, but instead quietly gets on with its job.

That’s not to say the i4 is boring. There are three versions to choose from – the 286hp eDrive35 and340hp eDrive40, both rear-wheel-drive, and the flagship M50, which is a dual-motor set-up with four-wheel drive. The latter develops 544hp, and is aimed at fast-accelerating rivals such as the Tesla Model 3 Performance and BYD Seal Excellence.

The eDrive35 uses a 70.3kWh battery allowing a range of up to 306 miles, whereas the other BMW i4 models have a generous 83kWh battery pack, which gives you between 299 and 366 miles of driving range, but it’s the M50 version that gets all of the sporting attitude thanks to its additional extra air intakes to cool the brakes, a rear spoiler and fake exhaust tailpipes.

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. Read on for everything you need to know or head over to our how we test cars page to find out why we put cars through the trials that we do.