BMW, i4 (Latest Model)

What distinguishes the BMW i4 lineup isn’t the number of available variants but the different driving characters each version expresses. Instead of merely climbing a ladder of performance and equipment, you’re choosing between three very distinct interpretations of what an electric BMW should be. Prices for the i4 range currently span from around £50,000 to just over £70,000, depending on version.

The eDrive35 sits at the entry point, priced from around £50,365, powered by a single rear-mounted motor that delivers enough torque for everyday use and a genuinely refined pace. Its battery is smaller, so range sits below its siblings but it feels light in spirit — an EV that prioritises smoothness over spectacle. It’s the version that suits urban drivers, shorter commutes and those who prioritise budget without sacrificing BMW’s core identity.

The eDrive40, however, is the model that anchors the range. With around 340bhp and pricing starting at approximately £57,000, it combines generous real-world range with rear-wheel drive to offer the kind of balanced performance that BMW enthusiasts have always appreciated. It glides on motorways, flows through A-roads with confidence and showcases how well BMW understands the relationship between power, weight and suspension tuning. For many drivers, this is the i4 in its purest form.

Then there is the M50, the first fully electric BMW to wear the M badge, priced from around £70,000. Delivering over 500bhp, all-wheel drive and acceleration that feels almost mischievous in something shaped like a sensible family coupé, it’s astonishingly quick — more so than many M cars of the past decade — yet it remains usable and composed. Still, this version is built for the enthusiast who wants their EV to feel like a serious performance car, with all the associated appetite for energy and tyre wear.

BMW’s equipment levels follow the brand’s typical structure but what defines the i4 range is not the trim hierarchy; it’s how each variant interprets the idea of electric performance. Whether you want efficiency, balance or outright force, the i4 has a version that reflects a specific driving philosophy rather than a simple value step.

Inside, the i4 delivers a thoughtful balance between modernity and traditional BMW values. The curved twin screen setup spanning the dashboard, brings the brand neatly into the electric era, with crisp graphics and a cohesive interface that blends navigation, media, drive settings and system controls. Yet the overall layout still respects the classic BMW driver focus, subtly turning the centre controls toward you as if the car recognises who should be in command.

Materials feel suitably premium. The surfaces you interact with daily — steering wheel, armrests, console edges — all carry that reassuring sense of solidity and softness. The seats strike a near perfect compromise between snug support and long distance comfort, making the car feel ready for cross country drives without sacrificing posture over the hours.

Where the i4 differs from other EVs like the Model 3 is its sense of intimacy. The cabin doesn’t try to feel like a lounge or minimalist space. Instead, it feels like a cockpit, grown-up, refined and quietly purposeful. You sit low enough to feel connected to the road yet remain insulated from it by BMW’s meticulous soundproofing efforts.

Rear space is generous for knees and legs, though headroom does suffer due to the sweeping gran coupé roofline. Taller rear passengers will notice it but families with children or average height adults will find it comfortable.

Technology is integrated without feeling overwhelming. BMW’s Operating System 8 delivers a wealth of features while still feeling coherent and intuitive. It feels like tech designed for driving rather than a tablet bolted into place.

The i4 succeeds because it behaves, fundamentally, like a BMW. There is an inherent sense of balance to the chassis that feels reassuring and natural. The steering, while electrically assisted, has clarity and weight that grow with speed, giving you a sense of genuine conversation with the car.

The rear-drive models feel especially cohesive. They respond with the kind of smooth precision that was once exclusive to petrol saloons. Corners feel fluid rather than forced, and even with the additional mass of the battery, the car remains composed and tidy. The i4 doesn’t try to hide its weight through stiff suspension or aggressive tuning; instead, BMW has calibrated it to work with the mass, resulting in calmness where lesser EVs feel frantic.

Ride comfort is another strength. Even with M Sport suspension, the i4 absorbs imperfections well, floating over rough tarmac with a cushioned confidence that makes long trips genuinely relaxing. The cabin remains quiet at speed and the near total absence of drivetrain noise only enhances the impression of refinement.

Acceleration varies by model but all versions feel strong. The eDrive40 delivers brisk, linear thrust that makes joining motorways and overtaking effortless. The M50, on the other hand, delivers acceleration that could embarrass supercars from the previous decade. Yet even with this power, the car remains controllable and sure-footed, avoiding the frenzy that some high output EVs fall into.

This is a car that invites you to drive smoothly and precisely. It rewards measured inputs and delivers its best when treated as a polished grand tourer rather than a brute-force performance machine.

Real-world range is one of the i4’s quiet triumphs. The eDrive40 often achieves 300–350 miles in mixed conditions, making it one of the most capable long distance EVs outside Tesla’s lineup. Even at motorway speeds, efficiency remains notably strong thanks to BMW’s careful aerodynamic shaping and efficient motor design.

The M50 sacrifices a portion of that range in favour of performance but still delivers figures that compare well with other dual motor performance EVs.

Charging speeds peak at up to 205 kW, allowing meaningful top-ups in short bursts. A typical 10–80 percent charge can take around 30 minutes under ideal conditions. BMW’s thermal management system keeps charging speeds consistent, reducing tapering on long journeys.

Home charging remains the most convenient method of daily use. A 7.4 kW wall box fills the battery overnight easily and BMW’s integrated charging planner helps drivers map routes around available high power charging stations.

Servicing costs are moderate compared with combustion BMWs, benefitting from simpler drivetrains and fewer consumables. Tyre wear can be higher on the M50 due to the immense torque but this is a predictable trade off for performance.

The i4’s shape brings both advantages and compromises. As a gran coupé, it provides a long, spacious interior for front passengers and plenty of legroom for those seated behind. The seating position feels snug yet comfortable, ideal for drivers who enjoy a sense of cockpit-like focus.

The boot space is generous at 470 litres and the hatchback opening makes loading luggage easier than it would be in a conventional saloon. However, the sloping roofline does limit vertical loading height and families might find SUVs like the iX3 or Model Y more accommodating for bulky items or pushchairs.

Around town, the car feels manageable despite its length. Visibility is good, sensors and cameras assist effectively and the steering’s low-speed lightness helps thread it through narrow roads.

As a long distance car, the i4 feels built for the task. Its combination of comfort, space and sound insulation makes it a refined companion on motorway journeys or extended road trips.

BMW has a track record of building strong, safe vehicles and the i4 follows suit with a robust structure and a full suite of driver assistance technologies. These include forward collision mitigation, adaptive cruise control, lane guidance systems and a set of cameras and sensors that work cohesively rather than intrusively.

Reliability expectations are high thanks to BMW’s well established engineering standards. The electric drivetrain is simpler mechanically than many of BMW’s petrol engines, and early ownership reports reflect solid dependability. Battery thermal management is sophisticated and designed to preserve long term health, even under repeated rapid charging.

The software feels modern and intuitive, with updates improving features rather than overhauling them. And thanks to BMW’s widespread UK dealer network, service support is far easier to access than with some newer EV brands.

Overall, the i4 feels like a safe bet for long term ownership — a car engineered with maturity rather than experimentation.

The BMW i4 stands out because it proves electric cars can still feel like true driver’s machines. It delivers the refinement and efficiency expected of a modern EV while retaining the balance, confidence and subtle engagement that define BMW’s best saloons.

It’s not the flashiest EV, nor the most radical. But it might be the most complete for drivers who want a car that feels special without demanding constant attention. The i4 is quiet, composed and deeply satisfying, a car that blends old school BMW values with modern electric capability.

If you want an EV that respects the traditions of great driving while embracing the best parts of electrification, the BMW i4 is one of the most convincing answers on the market.

A car for drivers who like technology but love driving even more.