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Expert Rating

BMW i4

(2021 - present)

Expert Rating

New car score:

77
%
A

Used car score:

73
%
A

Expert Rating report card

Media Rating:

82
%
A

Safety Rating:

75
%
B

Eco Rating:

A

Reliability Rating:

-

Running Costs:

70
%
B

How are our Expert Rating scores calculated?

Expert Rating

New car score:

77
%
A

Used car score:

73
%
A

Expert Rating report card

Media Rating:

82
%
A

Safety Rating:

75
%
B

Eco Rating:

A

Reliability Rating:

-

Running Costs:

70
%
B

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, Carwow, and What Car?, 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 leveled 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. What Car? also asserts that the more powerful M50 variant is not as sharp as the Tesla Model 3 Performance, and points out that it also lacks Tesla’s industry-leading Supercharger charging station network.

As of September 2024, the BMW i4 holds a New Car Expert Rating of A, with a score of 77%. It also rates an A in our used car calculations, with a slightly lower score of 73%. 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 £50,755 on-road

Launched: Winter 2021/22
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA


Media reviews


Reviews, road tests and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Auto Express

+

Auto Trader

+

Autocar

+

Car

+

Car Keys

+

Carbuyer

+

Carwow

+

Discover EV

+

Driving Electric

+

Electrifying.com

+

Green Car Guide

+

Honest John

+

Move Electric

+

Parkers

+

The Intercooler

+

The Telegraph

+

Top Gear

+

What Car?

+

Which EV?

+

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 on the 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

Clean Air Index: 10 / 10
Energy Efficiency Index: 9.3 / 10
Greenhouse Gas Index: 9.5 / 10

Reliability rating

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Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

No reliability rating

As of September 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

Clear Vehicle Data logo close crop

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Battery rangeAverageScoreVariationScore
EV models318 milesA277 – 365 milesA – B
Electrical efficiencyAverageScoreVariationScore
EV models4.2 m/KWhB3.8 – 4.4 m/KWhB – C
Insurance groupAverageScoreVariationScore
All models37C35 – 50C – F
Service and maintenanceCostScore
Year 1£214B
Year 2£407A
Year 3£705A
Year 4£875A
Year 5£1,193A
Overall£3,394A

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 September 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


Trophies, prizes 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

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A convincing alternative to the Tesla Model 3, the all-electric BMW i4 is highly-regarded thanks to its impressive battery range and performance.BMW i4