Should you buy a BMW i4?

Absolutely. If you’re looking to make the switch to an EV, and you enjoy driving as much as we do, only the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N offers a more engaging experience for the money – and that car makes compromises in other areas to achieve that. In fact, we think the BMW i4 is one of the very best electric cars on sale today.

It’s great to drive, it’s comfortable, it has a practical boot, it has a competitive electric range and it feels both futuristic and reassuringly familiar. And if you can get one on a company car deal, you’ll pay next to nothing in tax for the privilege of having it on your driveway.

Naturally, there are caveats. The i4 isn’t catastrophically expensive, but it isn’t exactly cheap either. It’s more of a rival for a higher end Tesla Model 3 or Polestar 2 than a billy basic Renault Megane or Volkswagen ID.3.

Then there’s the issue of practicality. For a couple, it’s probably ideal. The rear seats are just big enough for occasional use and the boot is more than big enough for your holiday luggage. But you’ll find it tight if you’re using it for family duties. The i4’s rear seats are cramped and claustrophobic, and not the easiest to get into either.

But if none of that matters to you, then fantastic – we heartily recommend the BMW i4.

What we like

The comfort levels are outstanding, yet the i4 M50 is still great fun whenever the roads get twisty. It’s very well built, the new infotainment system is a doddle to use and it’s very, very fast. Being electric gives it some impressive advantages over petrol and diesel, too, notably the instant torque and a stiffer body structure.

Compared with the BMW iX it’s less of a showstopper, but it comes with a much more attractive price tag. And, while the i4 is still quite the financial investment, we feel it gives you excellent value in return.

What we don’t like

If you’re expecting the M50 version to be like an electric BMW M4 you might be a little disappointed. This is a more rounded machine which, for many buyers, is probably a good thing. But you don’t get the same razor-sharp driving experience due to the extra weight.

Beyond this, the i4’s problems are shared amongst all electric cars. The biggest issue is that charging isn’t as easy as filling up with petrol and you’ll need to plan longer journeys more carefully to account for charging stops. But we think the advantages outweigh the inconvenience here, quite considerably.