2024 BMW i4 Review, Pricing, and Specs (2024)

Overview

Electric vehicles don't just compete against each other. In the BMW i4 sedan's case, it's also compared against every gas-powered M car before it. With that in mind, the i4 has to serve two orders; performance driving and maximum range. The first it does incredibly well. The xDrive40 and M50 models shell out 396 and 536 horsepower, respectively. We actually give the i4 M50 credit for having better ride-and-handling than the M3, which is already one of our favorite high-performance sedans. In terms of range, the xDrive40 goes the longest of the i4 options with an EPA range of 307 miles. And it has decent DC-fast charging capabilities with speeds of up to 200 kW. The i4 makes for a comfy daily driver with excellent performance when the right pedal asks for it, but dull steering is an example of where technology has gone a little too far. Still, the i4 xDrive40 impressed us enough to add one to our long-term fleet for a 40,000-mile test and to make its way onto our 2024 Editors' Choice list. Finally, the i4 has a hatchback trunk, which gives it added flexibility when stacking cargo behind its rear seats.

What's New for 2024?

BMW adds an all-wheel drive i4 xDrive40 with 396 horsepower to its lineup for 2024. The dual electric motors power the newest addition to the i4 lineup to an EPA-estimated 307 miles of total driving range with the standard 18-inch wheels, and an estimated 282 miles with the optional 19-inch wheels. Short of the new trim level, the i4 remains mostly unchanged from last year.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

We prefer the higher-performance M50 over the less expensive—and less powerful—eDrive35 and eDrive40 trims. The M-badged model comes standard with a more assertive appearance, including 19-inch wheels. It also has a beautifully tuned suspension that revels in aggressive driving but is calm and comfortable around town. Upgraded brakes with blue calipers are also included on the M model. We like the look of the optional 20-inch rims and the improved performance of their wider, stickier tires, but they drop the M50's estimated driving range from 270 to 227 miles. We'd enhance the interior with one of the vernasca leather options, the Premium package (ambient interior lighting, heated seats and steering wheel, lumbar support), and individual options such as the adaptive LED headlights, ventilated front seats, Harman Kardon sound system, and wireless charging.

EV Motor, Power, and Performance

The 2024 i4 is feeds electrons to either one or two electric motors, depending on the model. The eDrive35 utilizes a single 282-horsepower motor and rear wheel drive; the eDrive40 shares the same single-motor rear-drive layout but ups the output to 335 horsepower. The all-wheel drive i4 xDrive40 model steps up performance with a pair of motors producing a combined output of 396 hp and 443 pound-feet of torque. The M50 tops the lineup, its dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrain rated for 536 horsepower and 586 pound-feet. In C/D testing, the M50 hit 60 mph in a tidy 3.3 seconds, which is quicker than a rear-drive M3 Competition. It also delivered the immediate and forceful thrust worthy of its M-badge, and its lower center of gravity helps it move assuredly, despite weighting more than an M3. Off the pace slightly is the xDrive40; our long-term model with the M Sport package (19-inch summer rubber, plus a racy steering wheel and aluminum cabin trim) hit sixty mph in a still sprightly 4.4 seconds. Speaking of tires and wheels, it’s worth noting that the handling of our long-term 2024 i4 xDrive40 became squirrely when we mounted winter rubber. The rear-drive i4 models roll on a standard set of 18-inch rims while 19-inchers are optional. Conversely, the all-wheel-drive M50 is fitted with either 19s or 20s, and it has adaptive dampers and a variable-ratio steering system.

Range, Charging, and Battery Life

The EPA gives the single-motor rear-drive i4 eDrive40 an estimated 301 miles of driving on a full battery. The all-wheel-drive xDrive40 with 396 horsepower gets an estimated 307 miles of driving range when donning the standard 18-inch wheels, or 282 with the optional 19-inch wheels. While we haven't put our long-term i4 xDrive40 through our 75-mph highway route yet, which is part of our extensive testing regimen, an i4 eDrive 40 Gran Coupe we tested scored 280 miles of range, just two miles short of its EPA estimate. For more information about the i4's efficiency ratings, visit the EPA website. The dual-motor all-wheel-drive M50 has the same 83.4-kWh battery as the eDrive40 and xDrive40 models, but its claimed range tops out at 245 miles. All i4 models but the base eDrive35 have a 200-kW charging capacity that BMW claims can add between 88 and 108 miles in 10 minutes; in our hands, our long-term 2024 i4 xDrive40 replenished its battery from 10 to 90 percent in 38 minutes, with an average charging rate of 208 kilowatts on a DC fast-charger. The entry-level eDrive35 model comes with a smaller 68.7-kWh net capacity battery, which is said to deliver around 260 miles of range and maxes out at 180-kW charging speeds. Using the Level 2 (up to 11 kW) onboard charger, the i4 can recharge its battery from zero to 100 percent in less than 8 hours.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPGe

According to the EPA, the most efficient i4 model is the eDrive35 with standard 18-inch wheels. That model earned ratings of 122 MPGe city and 119 MPGe highway. Adding the larger 19-inch wheels drops those figures slightly (111 city and 107 MPGe highway). The performance potential of the powerful M50 takes a toll on efficiency, with the EPA awarding it 94 city 98 highway MPGe ratings, dropping to 79 city and 80 highway MPGe when fitted with the available 20-inch wheels. With roughly 2700 miles under its belt, our long-term i4 xDrive40 is averaging an observed 71 MPGe, significantly less than its 100 MPGe EPA estimate. While slightly discouraging, note that many of these miles accrued under a cold snap with temperatures barely squeaking above zero degrees Fahrenheit for over a week.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

Inside, the i4's cabin is richly appointed, including the availability of rose gold trim, white leather upholstery, and light wood trim. The general layout is similar to other BMW models, but the i4, in addition to the all-electric iX SUV, is the first to have a massive, seamless display that spans almost two-thirds of the dashboard. The four-door i4 has a dramatic rear roofline that imitates a coupe-like profile, but it has a traditional trunk in the back.

Infotainment and Connectivity

The i4 was one of the first BMWs to feature the company's iDrive 8 infotainment and connectivity software, called iDrive 8. Thanks to a free over-the-air update, the i4 gets upgraded to a newer version, iDrive 8.5. The system operates through a 14.9-inch touchscreen integrated with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel on a huge curved display on the dashboard. Along with a rotary controller on the center console, the system offers advanced voice commands and myriad popular features. These include Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

The 2024 i4 offers a variety of standard and optional driver-assistance technology. For more information about the Bimmer's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

• Standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking
• Standard lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist
• Available adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go technology

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

BMW currently offers a competitive warranty that includes one of the better complimentary maintenance periods.

• Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers eight years or 100,000 miles
• Complimentary maintenance is covered for three years or 36,000 miles

More Features and Specs