Summary
First appearing as a concept at the 2017 Frankfurt motor show, the BMW i4 is a premium five-door saloon which is the all-electric equivalent of the 4 Series Gran Coupe.
One of the Tesla Model 3‘s key competitors in the mid-sized EV saloon market, the i4 is the fifth edition to BMW’s electric ‘i’ line-up, currently placed as the middle ground between the compact i3 hatchback and the larger iX3 SUV.
The BMW i4 range launched with two drivetrain options – the rear-wheel drive eDrive40, and the four-wheel drive M50. Both models are fitted with an 84 kWh battery, which BMW claims to deliver up to 367 miles from a full charge. The rear-wheel drive ‘eDrive35’ has since joined the range, offering a smaller range of 299 miles and less horsepower for a cheaper price.
This impressive battery range, coupled with the saloon’s rapid charging ability, has earned the i4 plenty of praise from the UK media. Several titles, including Auto Express and Carwow, have also been impressed by the i4’s refined interior equipped with innovative on-board tech and an “excellent” infotainment system.
Meanwhile, Car Keys is excited by the BMW i4’s pacy performance and exterior styling. That said, BMW’s new approach to its grille design is a contentious topic for reviewers and BMW enthusiasts alike.
The key criticism levelled at the BMW i4 is that it is not as enjoyable to drive as the i4’s combustion-powered equivalent, the 4 Series Gran Coupe. Several reviewers also assert that the more powerful M50 variant is not as sharp as the Tesla Model 3 Performance, and point out that it also lacks Tesla’s industry-leading Supercharger charging station network.
As of December 2024, the BMW i4 holds a New Car Expert Rating of A, with a score of 79%. It also rates an A in our used car calculations, with a slightly lower score of 75%. It scores highly in media reviews and its zero tailpipe emissions, while its safety rating is good (although not as good as the 3 Series saloon) and its running costs are impressive given its price tag.
i4 highlights
- The latest on-board tech innovation
- Pacy performance
- Intuitive infotainment
- Class-leading battery range
- Agile handling and body control
i4 lowlights
- Polarising front-end styling
- Rivals have more cabin space in the rear
- Expensive, base model and up
- Petrol-powered BMW saloons are more fun to drive
- Tesla offers more charging station coverage
Key specifications
Body style: Medium five-door saloon
Engines: electric, battery-powered
Price: From £51,270 on-road
Launched: Winter 2021/22
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Auto Express
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“Sophisticated, well-built and typically great to drive, the all-electric BMW i4 is an easy car to recommend”
Author: Ellis Hyde
Read review
Model reviewed: eDrive35
Score: 8 / 10
“The cheaper eDrive35 is a welcome addition to the BMW i4 range, sacrificing little with regards to performance and range, and nothing when it comes to standard equipment, quality or technology. It’s a significant price drop, but there’s no shying away from the fact that at nearly £50k, it’s almost exactly the same price as a facelifted Tesla Model 3 Long Range – a car that’ll officially do more than 400 miles on a charge.”
Author: Richard Ingram
Read review
Auto Trader
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“The BMW i4 has the Tesla Model 3 in its crosshairs, this electrified take on the 4 Series Gran Coupe impressing for its tech, range and performance.”
Read review
Car
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“In most respects, the BMW i4 is just as much of a cutting-edge electric car experience as the iX, wrapped up in much less controversial packaging. Whichever i4 you choose, there are still so many core BMW traits in here: alert steering, outstanding ride and handling balance, a clean, well-built and user-friendly interior, and more than ample power being just some of them. The post-petrol future is bright.”
Read review
Car Keys
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“As an electric all-rounder, the i4 is a superb option. It’s got the pace, the style and the quality to make it stand out, while a long electric range and impressive rapid charging capability also adds to its appeal.”
Read review
Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.8 / 10
“BMW’s first all-electric compact executive model almost does it all and proves electric cars can indeed be fun to drive.” (Richard Ingram)
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Carwow
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The BMW i4 is the German brand’s first fully-electric gran coupe that delivers great performance, has a plush interior and excellent infotainment. Its looks might not be to everyone’s taste, though, and there are roomier alternatives.”
Read review
Discover EV
Model reviewed: M50
Score: 9 / 10
“If you’re after an EV within the premium midsize segment that’s not an SUV, The BMW i4 is a good contender. It boasts the sporting prowess and performance for which BMW is renowned, as well as useable driving range, refinement, great infotainment, comfort and usability.”
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Driving Electric
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“The electric BMW 3 Series alternative offers refinement and comfort with exceptional build quality and excellent infotainment, while the M50 packs a punch worthy of its badge.”
Read review
Electrifying.com
Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“The BMW i4 is an all-round convincing offer for all those who do not want to completely erase their memories of the good old days when switching to electric motoring.”
Read review
Green Car Guide
Model reviewed: eDrive40 M Sport
Score: 10 / 10
“The BMW i4 commands a premium price tag but absolutely justifies it, both with the quality of the interior and with the depth of engineering which is immediately apparent. The combination of excellent range, strong performance, outstanding refinement, excellent ride comfort, and engaging handling is unmatched by any rival.” (Paul Clarke)
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Model reviewed: M50
Score: 10 / 10
“The BMW i4 M50 offers a solution for motorists who want both an electric car and a driver’s car, thanks to its huge performance, rewarding handling and driver-focused BMW interior.”
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Honest John
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 10 / 10
“The BMW i4 is excellent to drive and has an impressive interior. We like how it looks, too, and it’s sure to be less divisive than the BMW iX SUV.”
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Parkers
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.4 / 10
“Five-door coupe with great electric tech that’s superb to drive”
Read review
The Telegraph
Model reviewed: eDrive40 M Sport
Score: 10 / 10
“Is the entry-level BMW i4 a Tesla beater? Yes, it is. There’s simply no question that it’s the better car of the two. The i4 is more comfortable, built better, feels better to drive and has a roomier boot. It’s even cheaper to buy. That makes this one of the best EVs on the market.” (Alex Robbins)
Read review
Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“Refined, good-looking and rapid, the BMW i4 certainly takes the fight to Tesla. It handles, rides and – apart from the super-sized grille – it’s lovely to look at. Its faults, such as they exist, are mainly inherent with battery-electric driving, but this is the best alternative to fossil fuels I’ve come across.”
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Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“We like the Tesla Model 3 and Polestar 2, but there’s still a vacancy for a really sweet-driving alternative. The BMW i4, especially in RWD spec, is that alternative.”
Read review
Which EV?
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“The i4 is a solid return to electric form for BMW. The eDrive40 has excellent range and is quite fast, while the M50 is one of the best performing and handling EVs currently on the market, with good range. Couple this with generous interior and cargo space plus a well-designed and luxurious interior, and you have a very tempting luxury EV, although you pay a premium for the BMW brand. A superb electric car.” (James Morris)
Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall score: 4 stars
Date tested: July 2022
Read the full Euro NCAP review
Adult protection: 87%
Child protection: 87%
Vulnerable road users: 71%
Safety assist: 64%
Although it is based on the BMW 3 Series saloon, which was given a full five-star rating in 2019, the i4 has been awarded a four-star rating by Euro NCAP in 2022. This is likely due to the significant structural differences caused by the engine, gearbox and associated mechanicals being swapped out for an electric motor and batteries.
While the BMW i4’s adult and child occupant protection scores are high by current standards, the saloon’s safety assistance technology score lags behind other electric saloons, and is actually markedly lower than the safety assist score given to the Toyota Aygo X city car.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
Model tested: eDrive35 RWD Automatic
Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: February 2024
Read the full Green NCAP review
Energy Efficiency Index: 9.3 / 10
Greenhouse Gas Index: 9.5 / 10
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of December 2024, we don’t have enough reliability data on the BMW i4 to generate a reliability rating.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops.
As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the i4, we’ll publish the score here.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
| Battery range | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| EV models | 330 miles | A | 284 – 365 miles | A – A |
| Electrical efficiency | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| EV models | 4.2 m/KWh | B | 3.7 – 4.5 m/KWh | A – D |
| Insurance group | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| All models | 37 | C | 34 – 44 | C – D |
| Service and maintenance | Cost | Score |
| Year 1 | £266 | C |
| Year 2 | £485 | A |
| Year 3 | £718 | A |
| Year 4 | £961 | A |
| Year 5 | £1,224 | A |
| Overall | £3,654 | A |
It is an expensive upfront purchase, but the BMW i4 is very cheap to run, according to numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.
It’s electrical efficiency (the EV equivalent of miles per gallon for a petrol or diesel car) is good, while average battery range is better than 300 miles according to the official UK/EU government lab tests.
Insurance premiums should be good compared to other electric cars of this size as well, but the even better news is that scheduled servicing costs for the i4 are excellent – even compared to much cheaper cars – and cheaper than combustion-engined BMW models.
Recalls
Official DVSA safety recalls that have been issued for the BMW i4
Date: June 2024
Recall number: R/2024/258
Model types: All
Build dates: 03/2024 to 05/2024
Number of vehicles affected: 652
Defect: On affected vehicles during production excessive force may have been applied to the rear left hand side chassis longitudinal beam which could lead to it cracking and affecting its structural strength.
Remedy: On affected vehicles the rear left hand side chassis longitudinal beam will be checked and if necessary replaced.
Date: February 2024
Recall number: R/2024/211
Model types: All
Build dates: 12/2023 only
Number of vehicles affected: 1
Defect: On affected vehicles if faulty cell modules have been installed then a malfunction may occur in the high voltage battery.
Remedy: On the affected vehicles the faulty cell modules in the High Voltage battery will be replaced.
Date: August 2023
Recall number: R/2023/235
Model types: All
Build dates: 06/2022 to 07/2022
Number of vehicles affected: 27
Defect: On affected vehicles due to a supplier component production process error a damaged Combined Charging Unit may have been installed.
Remedy: Replace the Combined Charging Unit.
Date: May 2023
Recall number: R/2023/133
Model types: All
Build dates: 04/2022 to 11/2022
Number of vehicles affected: 28
Defect: A cable bridge connection connecting two circuit boards within the cell supervision circuit (CSC) might not have been installed properly.
Remedy: On the affected vehicles the cell supervision circuit (CSC) inside the high-voltage battery will be replaced.
Date: October 2022
Recall number: R/2022/330
Model types: All
Build dates: 07/2021 to 10/2022
Number of vehicles affected: 211
Defect: During assembly of the HV Battery cell the cathode plate may have been damaged and a broken piece may have entered the interior of the cell. BMW strongly recommends refraining from charging the high-voltage battery and to not use the vehicles until the repair is performed. BMW also recommends parking the vehicle outdoors and not in the immediate vicinity of buildings.
Remedy: On the affected vehicles the defective cell modules of the high-voltage battery will be replaced.
Date: January 2022
Recall number: R/2022/020
Model types: All
Build dates: 09/2021 to 11/2021
Number of vehicles affected: 133
Defect: Crash pads may not have been installed on the high-voltage battery during vehicle assembly.
Remedy: Vehicles will be inspected and if necessary the crash pads will be retrofitted.
As of December 2024, there have been 6 DVSA vehicle safety recalls on the BMW i4 addressing various different issues.
Not all vehicles are affected by recalls. You can check to see if your car is included in any of the above recalls by visiting the DVLA website or contacting your local BMW dealer.
If your car is affected by a recall, the vehicle must be repaired and you should not be charged for any work required. If you are buying a used I4, you should insist that any outstanding recall work is completed before you take delivery of the vehicle.
Awards
Significant UK trophies and awards that the BMW i4 has received
2023
- Auto Express Awards – Best Premium Electric Car
- Pocket-Lint Awards – Best Car
2022
- Auto Express Awards – Best Premium Electric Car
- Business Car Awards – Best Electric Car over £40k
- Carbuyer Awards – Best Company Car
- DrivingElectric Awards – Best Electric Company Car
- Fleet News Awards – Best Premium Car + Best Zero Emissions Car over £40k
- GQ eCar Awards – Best Saloon
- News UK Motor Awards – Best Company Car
- Parkers New Car Awards – Best Company Car
- Top Gear Electric Awards – Best Electric Executive Car
2021
- Top Gear Car Awards – Best Saloon (i4 M50)
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the BMW i4, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Audi e-tron | Audi Q4 e-tron | BMW iX3 | Ford Mustang Mach-E | Hyundai Ioniq 5 | Kia EV6 | Mercedes-Benz EQC | Polestar 2 | Skoda Enyaq | Tesla Model 3 | Volkswagen ID.4
Buy a BMW i4
If you’re looking to buy a new or used BMW i4, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find the right car.
Find your next used car with Motors. Find out more
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Lease a BMW i4
If you’re looking to lease a new BMW i4, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find a competitive deal.
Personal contract hire deals from Leasing.com. Find out more
Personal contract hire deals from Carparison Leasing. Find out more
Personal contract hire deals from Select Car Leasing. Find out more
Subscribe to a BMW i4
Subscriptions are becoming a very popular way for consumers to try an electric car for a few weeks or months to help decide whether it’s a suitable alternative to a petrol car. If you’re interested in a car subscription, The Car Expert’s partners can help. (PS: What’s a car subscription?)
Car subscriptions from Wagonex.
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