The BMW i4 is a comfortable and spacious EV with good real-world range and impressive in-car tech. However, it lacks standout design and features and has a relatively high base price with middling standard equipment. While it offers a premium feel and overall comfort, the lack of value may be a deterrent for some.Read full review
Kurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of Edmunds' high-performance test drivers. He's driven and photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles all over the world, so Kurt's library of automotive experiences would certainly make for a good book. When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.
Reese Counts has worked in the automotive industry since he started as an intern at Edmunds in 2015. He has written or edited thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Reese is a vehicle test editor at Edmunds and has also contributed to Autoblog. Reese has also been featured on Yahoo! Finance, Engadget and AOL reviewing cars and covering automotive technology, auto shows and more. Reese learned to drive in his father's C4 Chevrolet Corvette and now owns his grandfather's 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. A love for cars runs deep in his family.
Pros
Impressive acceleration, especially from M50 model
Comfortable ride quality
Premium-quality interior
Long list of standard and optional features
Cons
Overly sensitive regenerative braking system
Less engaging to drive than some rivals and gas-powered BMW counterparts
What's new
All-wheel drive i4 xDrive40 debuts with 396 hp and 443 lb-ft
Part of the first i4 generation introduced for 2022
Overview
The 2024 BMW i4 is an all-electric luxury sedan and the most affordable EV in BMW's lineup. The i4 is essentially an electrified version of the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe, sharing that car's basic design both inside and out. The tech and driver aids carry over too, which is all generally a good thing. While some new EVs look and feel different from their manufacturer's internal combustion engine models, the i4 is simply another BMW, albeit one with an all-electric powertrain.
Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below
BMW i4 EV Insights
Trim:
i4 eDrive35
Range
276 miles
EPA Estimated Range
EV batteries lose 1-2% of range per year. Est. range for this car is 235 miles after 8 years.Electric cars typically experience 1-2% of range loss per year with slightly faster degradation over the first 50,000 miles as the car settles into its long term state, according to Recurrent's study of 15,000 EVs.
Estimated range mapThis map is a visual representation of the possible one-way and round-trips by this vehicle (on a full charge) from the geometric center of Ashburn, Virginia. The depicted ranges are based on the estimated new vehicle range value provided by the EPA, rounded down to miles for one-way and miles for round-trip. Actual range will vary depending on the condition of this vehicle’s battery pack, how you drive, driving conditions and other factors.
SAE ComboStandard port for most electric models. Supports Level 1, Level 2, and DC Fast charging.
Plug Type
7 hrs
240V Home ChargingEstimated total charging time when using a 240V outlet. This is either a 3-prong or 4-prong outlet used for appliances, for example a clothes dryer.
EV batteries should be kept at 30-80% charged to extend battery life.
8 yrs or 100,000 milesThe federal government requires that EV batteries be warrantied for a minimum of eight years or 100,000 miles. The EV battery warranty includes replacement if your battery capacity drops below a certain percentage of the original capacity.
According to GeoTab’s data, if the observed degradation rates are maintained, the vast majority of batteries will outlast the usable life of the vehicle.
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Cost to Drive
$53/mo
i4
vs
$160/mo
Car Avg.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
Am I Ready for an EV?
EV ownership works best if you can charge at home (240V outlet) This typically means a 240V home installation, or other places your car is parked for several hours each day. Don't expect a regular household outlet (120V) to suffice.
Adding a home charging system is estimated to cost $1,616 in This is an estimate for your area. Using your address and the answers you provide, Treehouse can provide a more accurate price.
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Last year, the i4's lineup consisted of three versions: the 282-horsepower eDrive35, the 335-hp eDrive40 and the 469-hp M50. The first two have a single electric motor powering the rear wheels, while the M50 gets an extra motor for the front wheels, thereby giving the car all-wheel drive. Now there's another addition for 2024: the i4 xDrive40. It has dual motors, all-wheel drive and 396 hp. Interestingly, the additional motor and power has not hurt EPA-estimated range. It checks in at 307 miles on a full charge, which is even a bit better than the eDrive40's 301 miles.
Competitors to consider
The i4 is priced higher to start than electric sedans such as the Hyundai Ioniq 6, Polestar 2 and Tesla Model 3. But in return you're getting a classier cabin and, of course, a BMW badge. Keep reading to see what our experts have to say about the i4 to decide if it's the right EV for you.
Edmunds Expert Rating
Our VerdictThe Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.
Good
7.8
out of 10
edmunds TESTED
The BMW i4 is a comfortable and spacious EV with good real-world range and impressive in-car tech. However, it lacks standout design and features and has a relatively high base price with middling standard equipment. While it offers a premium feel and overall comfort, the lack of value may be a deterrent for some.
How does the i4 drive? The BMW i4 is great to drive up to a point, but it's not the sport sedan we were hoping it might be. We tested the eDrive40 model. At our test track, it sprinted from 0 to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds. That's on par for rear-wheel-drive EVs. You'll need to step up to the i4 M50 if you want a considerable boost in speed, but in general the car never struggles to keep up with traffic or merge onto the highway. The brakes are smooth and provide plenty of stopping power, and the car allows for one-pedal driving, which helps recharge the battery and reduce driving fatigue in traffic (not having to constantly switch between pedals).
While many of BMW's cars reward and excite when driven hard, the i4 isn't one of them. It's quick, sure, but handling leaves something to be desired. The steering is quick and light enough to make parking easy but lacks feedback. Body roll is mild as you go around turns, but the i4 can start to feel a little bouncy and unsettled when pushed hard. There's less traction from the tires than we expected, and while it's never scary or out of sorts, the i4 is more of a handful on tight roads than we expect from a BMW.
Comfort
8/10
How comfortable is the i4? Ride comfort is one of the i4's strongest attributes. The car feels calm and composed on the road, be it city surface streets or the highway. The car doesn't completely tune out bumps or imperfections, but they're muted much more than in rivals like the Tesla Model 3. The seats, though nothing particularly standout, are reasonably comfortable and supportive. They don't offer much in the way of adjustment, though. The optional heated seats work well, but BMW doesn't offer ventilation. The rear seats are angled well and supportive, but they aren't particularly plush.
The i4's climate control system runs a bit warm, and the fans never seem to quiet down. That's not so bad in a gas-powered car, but the i4's quiet nature only amplifies any noise or harshness. There is very little wind noise, so a big plus there. Our sound meters measured noise inside the car a few decibels higher than in the Polestar 2 or Tesla Model 3.
Interior
7.5/10
How’s the interior? BMW's iDrive user interface has had its ups and downs. The system in the i4 is definitely an "up" — we found it easy to navigate and liked having both a touchscreen and rotary dial to interact with. While most controls are easy to see and reach, the seats fall just short of being able to dial in a perfect fit. On the upside, the cabin feels fairly roomy up front with generous headroom and legroom. Space isn't quite as abundant in back, with minimal toe space available under the front seats and slightly compromised headroom due to the i4's sporty roof silhouette.
That rear roofline also puts a small squeeze on the view out back, but not enough to be a detriment. Surprisingly the roofline has little to no effect on rear head clearance as you're getting into the car, but we'd be mindful of those frameless windows since it seems easy to kiss a corner if you aren't paying attention.
Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below
Save as much as $5,455 with Edmunds Click on the trim you’re interested in to see what Edmunds suggests you should pay to get a good deal. Savings vary by trim; $5,455 refers to estimated savings off of MSRP for the M50 trim.
How’s the tech? Tech is a strong area for this BMW. We've voiced some complaints with BMW's advanced driver aids in the past, but the i4's seem to have been refined to near perfection. Adaptive cruise control and lane guidance worked excellently, and we experienced zero false alarms over weeks of driving. The optional 360-degree camera system is also worth the upgrade, and if you're an audiophile, the Harman Kardon surround-sound system is also pretty great and reasonably priced.
The i4 comes standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, and it worked without issue for the entirety of our test — a rare occurrence. Four USB ports throughout the cabin mean all passengers can keep their devices charged, and if that's not enough, you can always use the 12-volt outlet or spring for the optional wireless charger. BMW's voice-activated assistant is also more functional than most. It can adjust the climate and turn on seat heaters as well as the usual things such as tuning to a radio station and programming the navigation.
Storage
7.5/10
How’s the storage? You wouldn't know by looking at it, but the i4 is actually a hatchback. That bodes well for cargo storage despite the official measurements saying there's only 10 cubic feet of space back there (which we think is what can fit under the luggage cover). The rear seats can be folded flat in three sections to help facilitate transport of longer items. Unfortunately, there's no front trunk for added storage, not even a small one, which is a minor disappointment.
Storage inside isn't extraordinary, but that's typical for BMW and many luxury makes. We're a little more disappointed about the lack of storage since EVs tend to have fewer parts to package around, which usually frees up interior space. If you need to fit a car seat, rear legroom is pretty decent. The Isofix anchors are clearly marked and easily accessible, and because the top tether anchors are located on the back of each seat, it's easy to clip and cinch a car seat into place.
Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below
Range and Efficiency
8.5/10
How are the range and efficiency? The i4 eDrive40 with 19-inch wheels that we tested has an EPA-estimated range of 283 miles, though if you stick with the base 18-inch wheels that estimate rises to 301 miles. In any case, our test vehicle outperformed both figures in our real-world EV range testing, driving 307 miles on a single charge. We also beat the EPA-estimated consumption of 34 kWh/100 miles, measuring 29 kWh/100 miles on our route. (Lower figures are better here.) Those figures are a bit better than some rivals, though some versions of cars like the Tesla Model 3, Kia EV6 and Ford Mustang Mach-E offer better EPA-estimated and real-world range.
Recharging the BMW can be done at home or at public charging stations. At home, using Level 2 AC charging, the i4 has a charging capability of up to 11 kW. That rate matches both the Tesla Model 3 and Polestar 2, and BMW says a completely empty battery can recharge to full in under eight hours. At a public DC fast charger, BMW states the i4 has a peak charge rate of up to 200 kW, which is quicker than the more common 150-kW rate. Assuming ideal fast-charging conditions, BMW says you can add up to 90 miles of range in just 10 minutes.
Value
7.5/10
Is the i4 a good value? As you might expect from a BMW, overall build quality is pretty stellar. The interior isn't anything particularly fancy or stylish, but the clean design gives the i4 a more premium feel than some other EVs. There are nice materials on the seats, doors and other frequently touched places. But that premium feel comes at a significant cost; the i4 is considerably more expensive than a Tesla Model 3. It doesn't help that the i4 is light on base features, lacking things like standard adaptive cruise control and heated seats.
BMW includes a four-year/50,000-mile basic and powertrain warranty. That's good but not outstanding for the class. Also average is the eight-year/100,000-mile warranty on the battery pack. The i4 also comes with two years of complimentary fast charging at Electrify America stations, though it's limited to 30 minutes. It also includes 60 minutes of complimentary charging at 240-volt chargers, though charging speeds are significantly lower.
Wildcard
7.5/10
The i4 eDrive40 is not the sportiest model in the lineup; that's reserved for the more powerful i4 M50. While we wouldn't call it boring, the i4 isn't the most exciting EV we've ever driven either. The electric motor's torque makes it feel quick around town, but that's true of nearly every EV out there. Handling, too, is good but not amazing. The i4 simply isn't as much fun to drive as other electric cars. It's not particularly standout when it comes to personality either. For better or worse, it looks like any other BMW sedan, electric or not. That's good if you want to blend into the crowd, but it means the i4 doesn't feel particularly distinct in any way.
Which i4 does Edmunds recommend?
With an EPA-estimated 307 miles of range, all-wheel-drive traction and a robust 396 horsepower, the new xDrive40 looks to be the sweet spot of the lineup. It's priced between the rear-wheel-drive eDrive40 and the more powerful M50. Regardless of model, look to get the Premium package for the head-up display, heated front and rear seats, and wireless charger, and the Driving AssistanceProfessional package for extra driving aids that make it easier to drive in congested highway traffic.
Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart
BMW i4 models
The 2024 BMW i4 is an all-electric small luxury sedan with a hatchback-style trunk. There are four versions: eDrive35, eDrive40, xDrive40 and M50. Each has a different powertrain configuration and power output along with different maximum ranges. Keep reading to get our breakdown of what to expect along with the i4's key standard features and options.
The i4 lineup consists of:
eDrive35: has a single rear-mounted electric motor that produces 282 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque.
eDrive40: has a more powerful motor good for 335 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque.
xDrive40: adds a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system and produces 396 hp and 443 lb-ft.
M50: The sportiest of the lineup, the M50 has dual motors, all-wheel drive and 469 hp and 538 lb-ft. There's also a boost mode that temporarily increases power to 536 hp and 586 lb-ft.
EPA-estimated range for each model is:
eDrive35: 276 miles on a single charge
eDrive40: 301 miles
xDrive40: 307 miles
M50: 269 miles
Larger optional wheels on any version drop those maximum range estimates slightly.
eDrive35
Standard equipment includes:
18-inch wheels
LED headlights
Sunroof
Power liftgate
Auto-dimming mirrors
Keyless entry and ignition
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Synthetic leather upholstery
Ambient lighting
Digital instrument cluster
14.9-inch center touchscreen
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration (with wireless connectivity)
Every i4 also comes with:
Automatic emergency braking (warns if a front impact is imminent and applies the brakes if you don't respond in time)
Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)
Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse)
Front and rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking)
Options for the eDrive35 include:
Premium package
Heated steering wheel
Lumbar support
Heated front seats (upgradable to heated rear seats)
Interior ambient lighting
Dynamic Handling package
19-inch wheels with summer performance tires
Upgraded brakes with blue or red calipers
Adaptive suspension (adjusts to enhance ride comfort and handling)
Parking Assistance package
Automated parking system (steers into a parking spot with little or no driver intervention)
360-degree camera system (gives you a top-down view of the i4 and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
Driving Assistance Professional package
Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the i4 and the car in front)
Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane)
Traffic Jam Assistant (allows for hands-free steering on the highway in certain low-speed traffic situations)
Front cross-traffic warning (alerts you if a vehicle from the side is about to cross your path)
Some of the features above can be added as stand-alone options. Other features that can only be ordered separately include:
Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line on the windshield)
Ventilated and heated front seats
Synthetic leather-trimmed dashboard
Harman Kardon premium audio system
Wireless smartphone charging
Both the i4 eDrive40 and all-wheel-drive xDrive40 are equipped the same as the eDrive35 but are eligible for a handful of extra options:
M Sport package
Variable sport steering
Adaptive suspension dampers (adjusts to enhance ride comfort and handling stability)
M steering wheel
Rear spoiler
Black exterior trim
Adaptive headlights (swivel as you turn the steering wheel for better illumination in curves)
The M50 includes the features of the eDrive40 and xDrive40 models and adds the M Sport package and adaptive suspension as standard. The M50 is available with most of the same options as well but it also offers:
In 2020 we built a new net-zero house with a 15 kW solar array, so when the lease on our 2019 Honda CR-V ended, we shopped for an EV to replace it. We tested the Model Y, Mach-E, ID.4, EV6, Ioniq 5, BMW iX, and BMW i4, settling on an i4 eDrive 40 with the M-Sport package. This was a big step for us not only in the switch to an EV, but also because it replaced an AWD SUV (our other car is … a 2018 Audi S4). We chose the i4 based on driving dynamics, range, and build quality, figuring that the large hatchback would manage 99% of the hauling tasks of an SUV or wagon. We chose the RWD i4 based on better range and driving dynamics than the AWD i4 M50. Living on the south coast of MA, winters are mild so we anticipated that RWD and the OEM all-season (i.e., no season) tires would be sufficient all year round, particularly as we have the S4 with an 18" winter wheel and tire package for those few days when RWD might be dicey.
I love performance cars, which is the i4 emphatically not, but it is so rewarding to drive that I hardly use the S4 anymore. The dynamics are quite good. Steering unsurprisingly lacks feel but is accurate with crisp turn-in and good centering (we got the dynamic steering option). We got the M-Sport package because that was the only way to get adaptive dampers. The car corners fairly flat and comfort mode hits an excellent balance between absorbing bumps while limiting excess body motion. The car can hustle and has decent grip on the OEM Pirelli P Zeros, but the 4680-pound curb weight makes it more of a luxurious cruiser than a sport sedan, despite the pretense. Given that weight, we opted for the uprated brakes, but they hardly ever get used since the regen works so well. At least the brake pedal feel is good and the transitions from regen to mechanical braking are imperceptible. The single motor i4 has more than adequate acceleration (high 4 to low 5 sec 0-60 according to reviews) and has the typical EV benefit of instant torque that makes merging on highways or passing bicycles on country roads easy. It feels quite a bit like my BMW R1250RS motorbike in that regard, but without the sustained push.
The interior build quality and feel are great, and the car is very quiet on the road. We got the Harmon Kardon sound system upgrade and it's worth the money, particularly because the background noise level is minimal. This is the first car I've owned where listening to classical music is worthwhile. The interior downsides are the center tunnel (this is a dual-purpose ICE/EV platform) and limited rear passenger leg and headroom. Not a problem for us with no kids or dogs but could deter many. The hatch works well, and the car can easily haul a bicycle or all our trash & recycling for the dump run.
The iDrive 8 infotainment system is on par with better end of those in EVs we tested (ID.4 the worst) but the lack of physical buttons for some functions is irritating. My biggest gripe is with turning on the seat heaters (at least the steering wheel has a one-level physical button) and the lack of physical audio preset buttons. Voice control works well but is too laggy for flipping between Sirius XM channels. The graphic quality of the display is excellent, and we haven't had any issues with using it in bright sun or at night. The heads up display also works well and has multiple options but it's inconsistent in showing next turn instructions from Waze via Android Auto. I don't know if that's BMW or an Android Auto or Waze programming issue. Sometimes the instructions show on the HUD and sometimes they don't, The OEM nav is probably okay but hasn't seen much use since Waze is better even if I can only see it on the infotainment screen and not the HUD. We initially optioned dynamic cruise control and 360-degree parking camera, but those became unavailable as the wiring harnesses were made in Ukraine. Damn Putin!
One downside of the M-Sport package is that it only comes with staggered width 19" wheels. Those large contact patches cost about 7% of range compared to the 18s on the base e40. Given the way we drive the car, I'd happily give up some grip for better range. Despite big wheels, the car has been more efficient than we expected. Our solar array makes more power than the house uses, and MA has net metering, so we have paid nothing for charging over the first 20,000 miles of use (October 2022 through December 2024). When the weather is good (no rain, temps in the high 40s to low 70s) we routinely see 3.7 to 4.2 mi/kWh or better in mixed driving that's about 80% highway. Average mi/kWh since factory now sits at 3.9. It loses 20-25% of range in cold weather, with a low of 3.0 mi/kWh with temps in the single digits. Still, there is enough capacity (81.5 kWh) that even in the worst conditions I can make my once a week 150-mile round trip commute while keeping the state of charge between 80-20%. I believe that I could beat the EPA rated range 282-mile range in ideal conditions. Since we bought the car outright, I'm trying to keep the SOC in the 80-20 range. So far, I have avoided DC fast charging. For longer trips, particularly in foul weather, we use the S4.
When I started looking at EVs I never imagined buying one built on an ICE platform, but the test drive sealed the deal for the i4. Something about the low center of gravity, very quiet cabin, and nicely balanced suspension makes the i4 driving experience feel like a much more expensive luxury car. Despite being a petrol-head and former amateur motorcycle road racer, the peak i4 driving experience for me is serenely wafting along in that comfortable and quiet cabin, listening to music, and eking out the highest mi/kWh I can. It's fun to try and maximize coasting and then judge the regen invoked by moving the drive selector from D to B so the car stops at a light or intersection without touching the brake. Another benefit of being inside the car is not having to look at its godawful nose. At least it has a low coefficient of drag. The i4 might not appeal to a wide audience, but for us it's near perfect. I'd give it five stars if we could have got the dynamic cruise and parking assist features.
The first scheduled maintenance is at 40,000 miles and is relatively trivial. Compared to all the ICE cars I've owned, that's remarkable. I suspect the brake rotors will go at least100,000 miles whereas our previous Audis, Toyotas, and Hondas all required new rotors by 40,000.
The negatives are minor so far. The M steering wheel is too thick and the metal trim on its spokes are very cold and take a long time to warm up in winter despite the heated wheel. The outside doorhandles are oddly designed, making it easy for your hand to slide off when trying to open them. The blind spot warning lights in the side mirrors are too small peripherally placed to be ideal. Our Audi S4 has big warning lights in the side mirror bezel that is much better, but the mirror placement in i4 wouldn't allow it. The flat top of the rear bumper trim is a dirt magnet. Might be better if it was angled down a bit. That's about all I have to complain about so far.
Ultimate EV Driving Machine
5 out of 5 stars
Razvan Simonica, 11/09/2022
2023 BMW i4 eDrive40 4dr Sedan (electric DD)
I have owned the BMW i4 now for 2 weeks and it has not disappointed. The comfort level is outstanding and battery distance is unbelievable 300+ miles. It rides so nice and have receive multiple compliment on the choice of color, the San Remo Green. If anyone is contemplating an EV and wants something other than the same old Tesla I would highly recoutaki g a look at this beauty.
I love my 2023 i4 eDrive40
5 out of 5 stars
Mick1969, 12/28/2022
2023 BMW i4 eDrive40 4dr Sedan (electric DD)
I got very lucky in that someone had backed out on their VERY well spec'd 2023 I4 eDrive40 in late Dec 22. It has everything I want and only missing what I don't want (such as parking assistance).
This car is fast, smooth, comfortable and relaxing to drive. The Harmon Kardon is the best I've heard in a car (I've owned many, many BMWs) and dare I compare the sound to the Bowers and … Wilkins? It sounds that good. And the hatchback is just awesome!
Two thumbs up on this well built, good looking EV. Some of the comments made by the two testers are wrong (such as the cons - they shouldn't compare the engagement to an ICE vehicle), but they're entitled to make those type of comments.
I was hoping but not quite there yet BMW
3 out of 5 stars
M-T, 05/06/2023
2023 BMW i4 eDrive35 4dr Sedan (electric DD)
I recently took delivery of an i4 eDrive 35, the BMW dealer in Kelowna refers to it as i4-35. I waited about 6 months to get it and I think that is actually pretty fast. It only went into production in November '22 and I got mine in April '23.
I was so looking forward to getting this car with all the advertised features like the 418KM range, being able to use your phone as a … key, advanced driving features like lane centering, lane changing and following a lane or cars on the freeway in cruise control. I ordered everything on the menu and even got rejected for the suspension upgrades. So I'm thinking that I'm getting all this, right?
April comes, I got to pick up the car and it was a beauty. However, just getting in the car, first thing I noticed is that the advanced driving package wasn't in there. Oh how upset was I. Dealer tells me that the Advanced Driving Package was not available on the eDrive35 when we were ordering it - so he didn't discuss it with me. Pure shock on my part - I would have simply waited or bought the eDrive40 - how can you not tell me? Anyways, big fight, they refused any responsibility and they already had my money so I figured, let's go with the car in this configuration and see.
Things I like:
1) Looks, fit and finish are incredible. Exactly what I expect from BMW
2) I love my buttons, which is a main reason for going with BMW over Tesla and Polestar's laptops. Connected Drive and iDrive 8 work great.
3) The center console display is crystal clear and easy to use. You can control things by voice, buttons or through the touchscreen. I'm beginning to get used to just driving the system by voice. "OK BMW set the passenger temperature to 21" !
4) Straight-line take-off is fantastic and you just can't get enough of that
5) Charging times are very acceptable and usually I'm done in 30 to 45 minutes at level 3
6) Range seems to be in line with their ads but I'm not sure since their range indicator is kind of a random creature - you cannot rely on it and need to go by your charge gauge. I ordered the car with 18" wheel to make sure I get the best range possible and that seems to have been the right choice so far.
7) The Harmon Kardon sounds system is freaking incredible. Is like a concert hall in that beast. Just love it. Also, love that you can set the sound settings for individual stations and inputs.
8) The Iconic sounds sound gimmicky, but I'm thoroughly enjoying them with Sport mode. Don't seem to be getting it in any other mode.
Here are my issues and dislikes so far:
1) In an attempt to reduce the base price of the car for government grant qualifications, BMW has created a massive collection of confusing options. Per the story above - I personally got bit by this messy approach and may never buy a BMW from one of their dealers again. Dealers add no value here and they should go with the Tesla sales model.
2) I have a Samsung Flip phone - apparently that isn't supported by the car and BMW support tells me that their support for Android phones is lagging - really, the largest phone OS in the world is lagging? So no phone door opener. They need to stop advertising this.
3) The "OK BMW" voice control is brilliant. Except it takes forever to do anything. I ask it "set the temperature to 20" ... wait 5 seconds and it might say ok or "that command is not supported". Unless the voice control can do what I ask for simple things like bringing up sounds settings in less than 2 or 3 seconds then I'd mark this as useless in real life. Great show and tell the first 2 times. Needs work BMW, it is too slow.
4) The advertise Alexa in home integration so you can check on your car's charge and status from inside your house. I have spent hours trying to get this to work and it simply does not work. They need to stop advertising this.
5) The Range indicator is always telling me I am going to get between 200 and 300 KM's. Even at 100% charge the range indicator states 330 KM of charge. I don't think this is a correct indication but it is nowhere near the 418 Kilometers they are advertising. They need to stop advertising this.
6) I was really looking forward to the heads up display when I ordered it. During the day I can barely see it, even at 100% brightness. At night, because I set it so bright for the day, it is really distracting until I re-adjust the brightness to 50% or lower. They need some kind of auto adjust here.
7) This is a powerful beast but seems really, really heavy and you feel that around the windy corners. It's pretty good but don't expect a 3 series or 4 series kind of handling.
8) The auto parking is cool when it works but in our underground parkade it is batting around 20% success rate. I'm not sure if this is lighting or what. Outside, it is doing much better at 80% success rate.
9) I have a massive song collection that I wanted to plug in via USB. This has not been as easy as what I had in the 328d. Took me days just to get the songs just right for i4-35 to recognize them and I think it kind of has figured out most of my playlists too. But there is no feedback regarding any errors. You kind of have to figure it out on your own.
10) I noticed you can now buy an aftermarket Frunk for your i4. Really? BMW, did you cheap out on this too? I'm getting so sick and tired of their nickle and dimming. Just put it together and tell me what it costs.
11) The 360 reversing camera is awesome. Until it is not. The screen is split in two halves. The left screen/camera seems accurate, but the right screen shows like a weird wall next to the car if you are backing up with anything to your side. Needs work.
I really wish I could have experienced the Advanced Driving Package but because of BMW's gong show of options and lack of dealer knowledge about their own product I'll have to wait. Maybe for the better given the issues already on the table for the i4.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2024 BMW i4, so we've included reviews for other years of the i4 since its last redesign.
You can't talk about small luxury EVs without mentioning the Model 3. Its mix of performance, range and technology is difficult to beat, and on top of that the Model 3 gets access to Tesla's superior charging infrastructure. An updated Model 3 is also coming for the 2024 model year. In the BMW's favor is that you can customize it with a lot more with different features, colors and trim.
Great to drive, stylish and featuring a Google-powered infotainment system, the Polestar 2 is a solid all-around choice for a small EV. Available in two-wheel or all-wheel drive, the Polestar 2 can be configured for efficiency or for fun. But the Polestar 2 comes up short on range compared to the i4.
The EV6 continues Kia's tradition of offering good value for the money and comes loaded with plenty of standard equipment that's optional on the i4. Even though it's classified as an SUV, the EV6 sits low and delivers lively handling and quick acceleration. While the i4 is generally more expensive than the EV6, it boasts higher-quality interior materials and offers better EPA range estimates from most of its models.
The 2024 BMW i4 is an all-electric luxury sedan and the most affordable EV in BMW's lineup. The i4 is essentially an electrified version of the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe, sharing that car's basic design both inside and out. The tech and driver aids carry over too, which is all generally a good thing. While rivals like the Mercedes EQE look and feel different from the rest of Mercedes' models, the i4 is simply another BMW, albeit one with an all-electric powertrain.
The i4 comes in a few basic flavors with varying levels of performance, range, available all-wheel drive and more. We've driven a few versions of the i4 in Edmunds' real-world EV range testing, and they've outperformed their EPA estimates. That's true of other BMWs, too, like the iX SUV and full-size i7 sedan, which both exceeded their EPA estimates in our testing. BMW's latest in-car tech is among the best out there, and the car is generally comfortable and nice to drive.
Price is an issue, though. The i4 is priced higher to start than most rivals, though it does offer a more premium feel than most. Some of those rivals include the Tesla Model 3, Polestar 2, Mercedes-Benz EQE and Genesis GV60. Given that the i4 still feels fresh from its debut in 2022, we don't expect any major changes to the i4 for 2024.
Edmunds says
The i4 is a solid all-around luxury EV with excellent real-world range and robust in-car tech. We don't expect BMW to make any dramatic changes for 2024.
FAQ
Is the BMW i4 a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2024 i4 both on the road and at the track, giving it a 7.8 out of 10. Edmunds’ consumer reviews show that the 2024 i4 gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 28 reviews) What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the i4 has 10.0 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a BMW i4. Learn more
What's new in the 2024 BMW i4?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2024 BMW i4:
All-wheel drive i4 xDrive40 debuts with 396 hp and 443 lb-ft
Part of the first i4 generation introduced for 2022
To determine whether the BMW i4 is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the i4. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the i4's 4-star average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2024 BMW i4 a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2024 BMW i4 is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2024 i4 and gave it a 7.8 out of 10. Our consumer reviews show that the 2024 i4 gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 28 reviews). Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2024 i4 is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2024 BMW i4?
The least-expensive 2024 BMW i4 is the 2024 BMW i4 eDrive35 4dr Sedan (electric DD). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $52,200.
Other versions include:
eDrive35 4dr Sedan (electric DD) which starts at $52,200
eDrive40 4dr Sedan (electric DD) which starts at $57,300
xDrive40 4dr Sedan AWD (electric DD) which starts at $61,600
M50 4dr Sedan AWD (electric DD) which starts at $69,700
If you're interested in the BMW i4, the next question is, which i4 model is right for you? i4 variants include eDrive35 4dr Sedan (electric DD), eDrive40 4dr Sedan (electric DD), xDrive40 4dr Sedan AWD (electric DD), and M50 4dr Sedan AWD (electric DD). For a full list of i4 models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more
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